A2 ICT

ICT
This course encourages students to gain an understanding of the advances of information and communication technology and its impact on individuals, organizations and society. Students will be given the opportunity to develop a wide range of ICT skills in practical lessons together with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of ICT and should be able to avoid the pitfalls so often reported in the media associated with major IT projects in the public and private sectors. These skills can be very useful in a diverse range of careers. This is a rigorous academic course. The course aims to develop:

• The capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically
• The skills to work collaboratively
• The ability to apply skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT in a range of contexts to solve problems
• An understanding of the consequences of using ICT on individuals, organizations and society and of social, legal, ethical and other considerations on the use of ICT
• An awareness of the emerging technologies and an appreciation of the potential impact these may have on individuals, organizations and society.

AS covers some of these areas at a basic level. A2 goes into them in greater depth as well as covering additional topics.

What Will I Learn on this Course?

The syllabus has been developed to enable students, who have a knowledge and understanding of the skills of applying ICT gained at secondary school to continue their studies at a higher level.
The course involves a combination of theory and practical. Various software packages are taught to advanced level and this knowledge is used to solve real problems.

Course Content and Method of Assessment

The course is demanding in that, in addition to a very wide theoretical study of ICT systems and their applications, approximately 60% of the timetable is practical work. In the first year, although more than half the time is spent on practical work, there is no large piece of formal coursework to be written up but two small pieces of work will be taken into the examination.

AS

Info 1 Practical Problem Solving In the Digital World: students will make practical use of a range of applications software and communications technologies to address several different types of problem (making podcasts, websites, spreadsheets, etc) to develop skills in analysing, designing, implementing, testing and evaluating systems. (One and half hour examination 50%)
Info 2: Living in the Digital World: covers ICT systems and components, data and information, people and ICT systems, transfer of data, safety and security, backup and recovery, what ICT can provide, factors affecting the use of ICT, consequences of the use of ICT. (One and half hour examination 50%)

A2

Info 3: The Use of ICT in the Digital World: covers future developments. information and systems, managing ICT, ICT strategy, ICT policies, legislation, developing ICT solutions, development methods, techniques and tools for systems development, introducing large ICT systems into organizations, training and supporting users, external and internal resources. (Two hour examination 60%)
Info 4: ICT Project: students explore definition, investigation and analysis, design, software development, testing and implementation, documentation and evaluation through a client-driven project (Coursework 40%)

After the Course

The course is useful for students thinking of continuing to higher education or those intending to start full time employment after leaving Barton Peveril. It is particularly useful if you wish to learn about the introduction and use of computer systems in a working environment and careers in:

• Business Management e.g. small local retailers to multinational corporations
• Management Information Systems e.g. local and national government, National Health Service
• Information Systems e.g. organisations using, manipulating and presenting electronically stored information
• Geographical Information Systems e.g. market research, distribution of food and goods or it can be useful to students following non-ICT related careers but who may be involved in the implementation and use of ICT systems in the workplace.

Subject Combinations

A2 and AS Information Technology can be taken with most A level or Vocational programmes. Popular combinations include:
Business Studies, Economics, Languages, Mathematics, the Sciences, Art, Media Studies, the Humanities, etc.

Entry Requirements

Students are expected to have a minimum of five GCSEs grades A* to C, with at least a grade C in English and another subject involving written communication (such as History), and have shown an interest in Information Communications Technology.