We can't wait to welcome you to Andover College in September!
We have created this interactive page to give you a sense of what studying IT and Computing subjects at Andover College is like. Meet your lecturers Leigh and Geoff and check back in with this page weekly as they set you new and exciting challenges to encourage your creativity and develop your skills before you start in September!
We would love to see your ideas and results so please send them back to andoverapplicantwelcome@sparsholt.ac.uk with 'IT/Computing' as the email heading!
Make sure you also take a look at all the additional support we can provide for you at Andover College through our experienced Careers and Wellbeing teams.
Meet the lecturers!
"Our names are Leigh Fuller and Geoff Harmer and we run the IT & Computer Science courses you have applied for at Andover College!"
"We will be your lecturers when you join us in September and will endeavour to help you develop the skills needed to work in a Technological based environment or move onto University."
"Over the next few weeks, we will be setting you weekly tasks here on this page.
We will have two streams of work which you can choose from, both of which any covered in more depths in the Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Computing and ICT. So have fun and we look forward to meeting you in September!"
The Activity!
Over the next few weeks we will be creating a set of different tasks you can complete to prepare you ahead of college in September!
We have provided two different options and you should choose the most appropriate weekly activity to your prospective study, however more importantly, you should just be as inventive as your current situation allows and not worry if you don’t have access to all the resources. For some of the tasks you will need access to the internet to view and or use online applications.
Please select and follow whichever stream interests you the most, if you are unsure which to choose you can carry out both tasks, it’s not a problem! Remember, at this point, we are just trying to help you to further develop your skills. Once in the classroom at college, you will have more access to more resources.
Be sure to email us your work as we would love to see what you come up with!
Week 7: Option 2
Week 5& 6: Option 2
Week 4: Option 2
Week 4: Option 2 Wire frame Template iOS Design
Week 3: Option 2
Week 2: Option 1 and 2
Take a look at the new activities for you to try below!
Option 1: Week 1: Animation Research
The first week’s task is a bit of research - we would like you to watch lots of different styles of animation and record them in a table including the run time, animation style used and software used. Have a look at the document below for an example and download the workbook for information on the table structure/contents.
Week 3
Now that you have researched what software packages are out there for Digital Animation, let's try and do some modelling to get used to the tools. Download Blender from https://blender.org - It's completely free and is a very powerful animation tool.
Once you have downloaded it, have a look around, click some buttons and see what they do. Now, that you have the software downloaded. See how many animations you can find online that were made using this software. Compile a list of them.
Week 4
You have downloaded the software and had a little play with it. Now it’s time to learn how to use it.
This is a link to a series of tutorials on Blender - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjEaoINr3zgEq0u2MzVgAaHEBt--xLB6U
Follow the Level 1 tutorial.
Week 5
Hopefully you have a smart looking doughnut from following the Level 1 tutorial,
Now its time to follow the Level 2 tutorial.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjEaoINr3zgEq0u2MzVgAaHEBt--xLB6U
Week 6
This week, the tutorial will take you on a route to create the perfect cup of tea.
Complete the Level 3 tutorial - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjEaoINr3zgEq0u2MzVgAaHEBt--xLB6U
Week 7
Level 4 helps bring it all together. Make sure you follow each step.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjEaoINr3zgEq0u2MzVgAaHEBt--xLB6U
Additional Resources
Interested in learning more about the various topics you will be studying at college in September? Take a look at the resources below and let us know how you get on!
Video catalogue recommendations;
Additional learning platforms;
In addition to the resources provided above there are a variety of free online courses available to get stuck in with over the summer. Take a look at our best picks below!
Our Courses:
Careers Guidance
Our careers guidance aims to expand the horizons of all students enabling you to make informed career decisions in order to progress both during and after college.
Carol is our dedicated Careers Advisor for Andover College!
We also have our Sun Progression Mentor Anna!
Anna works alongside the Southern Universities Network (SUN) to help students recognise the routes of progression available to them, and to continue their journey in education!
We recently launched the new Careers Hub located in the College library so come and say hello to Carol and Anna!
Option 1 and 2 Week 1 Activity Download
Option 1 and 2 Week 2 Activity Download
Week 3: Option 2: App Features Download
Student wellbeing and support
At Andover College we understand that starting college in these uncertain times can be daunting and we aim to make this process as simple as possible.
We have a dedicated team that provide our students with any additional support they need including;
- Counselling
- Carer support
- Childcare support
- Confidential one-to-one services
We have also recently introduced two new members to the wellbeing team ... Arlo and Romeo the Therapy Dogs!
Arlo and Romeo are part of the continued effort from Andover College to consistently improve on and add to provisions for students. They are based on campus with their owners throughout term.
Research has shown that students are significantly less stressed and anxious, and even have increased happiness and energy, immediately following spending time in a drop-in session with a dog present. What good boys!
Social Media
We love to post about all our students on our platforms including their achievements, trips and excellent work - take a look at some of the highlights below and make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!
Option 2: Week 1&2: Mobile App Design & Development
Your first task is to come up with an idea for a new app! At the present time most of us need to ‘Stay In’ , this means boredom is setting in, but - could your App be the one that keeps people occupied?
Create a document which outlines your App Ideas.
You will need to consider:
1. What will your App do?
2. Why do you think people will use your App?
3. What problem would your App solve?
4. What category is it in, some are listed below?
• Entertainment.
• Games.
• News.
• Productivity.
• Lifestyle.
• Social Networking
Week 2: Next - conduct some market research - who will your main competitors be, identify trends and possible difficulties to overcome.
Not already applied?
Got this link but not yet applied? – Click below so you can join us in September!