Course Description

This course has been designed to allow students to familiarise themselves with a range of software and applications of ICT. As an applied course it is mainly coursework based and focuses on how ICT is used in a commercial setting. The units studied include a range of media and office technologies. Some units give students the opportunity to show their creativity and others allow students to reflect on how ICT helps to support the flow and exchange of information in organisations.

The course offers:

The chance to learn about office technologies and see how these are used by organisations.

The ability to learn new skills using a range of applications in the Microsoft Office suite and Adobe publishing software.

 An understanding of how ICT is used by a range of different organisations.

What will you be learning?

UNIT 1 -  Using ICT to Communicate  

This unit is coursework based and gets students to use a variety of software to communicate information for a selected audience and the purpose. The unit considers how ICT has improved the way in which we use the more traditional forms of communication: Word processing has improved the way we can produce, edit and correct written information. This unit looks at how ICT is used to communicate information to both individuals and organisations.

UNIT 2 -  How organisations use ICT

This unit helps candidates to understand how organisations are structured, and understand how they use and exchange information. Students will study how the increased use of ICT can and does help organisations by supporting many different activities. Candidates study how organisations (including at least one large organisation) collect, disseminate and use information, how they manage the flow of information between sections or departments and the way they use ICT to access and exchange information.

UNIT 3 - ICT Solutions for Individuals and Society

This unit is coursework based and gets students to consider how the availability of electronic information has transformed society, considering the use of social networking sites such as Facebook to the savings that households can make from using online comparison sites and services.  The major focus in this unit is how using the internet can help to make a well informed decision, particularly when they analyse the results of their findings.

A2 UNITS

UNIT 9 - Working to a Brief

This unit helps candidates to improve their performance and working relationships through the planning, implementation, management and evaluation of an ICT project.  Assessment is intended to allow candidates to demonstrate the development of their skills and knowledge in relevant areas of ICT, as well as in their ability to work with others. Candidates are asked to find the solution to a brief chosen from a list. The briefs are set by OCR and may be completed by candidates as an individual or as part of a team.

UNIT 11 -  Interactive multimedia products

Students have to research existing multimedia products such as computer games. Pupils will then produce a multimedia product of their own and review their interactive multimedia produce for its effectiveness in meeting clients’ requirements. This unit helps candidates to appreciate what is involved in the design and creation of interactive multimedia products.

UNIT 14 -  Developing and Creating Websites

This unit gives students the opportunity to develop their own website and publish it on the internet. We use the more advanced applications of Dreamweaver such as the use of CSS to control the site. Students will learn how to design and critique websites appropriately as well as using some XHTML to program their site.

This course is suitable for students who:

Prefer coursework to exams, with A2 being entirely internally assessed

Are prepared to manage their study time outside of lessons effectively

Want to learn new skills and familiarise themselves with a range of software applications

Have some creative interest and ability

Are prepared to produce extensive written reports to support their portfolio work

When?

Duration: 1- 2 academic years (Full Time)

How is it delivered?

YEAR 1 – AS LEVEL

Unit Number and Unit Title

Assessment Information

Weighting

Unit 1 -  Using ICT to Communicate

This unit is assessed entirely   through the student portfolio, due in May

33%

Unit 2 -  How organisations use ICT

This is a 1 hour 30 min exam in May.   There is a pre-release case study that students must use to produce three   tasks that are externally assessed

33%

Unit 3 - ICT Solutions for Individuals and   Society

This unit is assessed entirely   through the student portfolio, due in January

33%

YEAR 2 – A2 LEVEL

Unit number and Unit Title

Assessment   Information

Number of Marks allocated

Unit 9 - Working to a Brief

This unit   is assessed entirely through the student portfolio, due in May

33%

Unit 11 - Interactive multimedia products

This unit   is assessed entirely through the student portfolio, due in May

33%

Unit 14 - Developing and Creating Websites

This unit   is assessed entirely through the student portfolio, due in May

33%

What will you be working towards?

Type: Advanced Diploma

Entry Requirements:

Don’t be put off if you haven’t studied ICT at GCSE, however be prepared to learn new skills and work hard.

If students have taken ICT at GCSE we would question any application where the student hadn’t got the equivalent of at least a grade B. Students should have a good grade in English as students are required to give extended written responses in some of the tasks. Particularly for A2 students must have some desire to demonstrate their creativity as they will have to develop their own site.

As the major component of this aware is coursework, students must join us with a commitment to work hard and be prepared to regularly meet deadlines.

Additional Information

Progression:

IT professionals with the right skills are very much in demand in today’s world. Future IT jobs range from those requiring the deep technical skills of software developer through to roles that may need much less detailed knowledge such as project management. Typical careers for ICT students include Software Developer, Business Analyst, and Software Tester & Web Designer. As a vocational course this A level would provide a direct route into this kind of employment or provide a stable basis for further study at Higher education.