AS and A2 level Information and Communication Technology

AS and A2 level Information and Communication Technology

If you are interested in gaining an ICT qualification, then this could be the course for you. This course enables you to develop excellent practical skills as well as providing you with a thorough understanding of the ICT industry.

WHAT WILL I BE STUDYING ON THE COURSE?
The AS units cover:

·Information, Systems and Applications
- hardware and software, applications software and application areas, spreadsheet concepts, relational database concepts, software used for the presentation and communication of data, the role and impact of ICT in our society.

·Structured ICT Tasks
- a selection of practical tasks, set by the exam board, will include using a variety of software packages, for example Word Processing, Desk Top Publishing, Spreadsheet, Graphics, Web Design, Multimedia and Databases. Tasks will include the design, the build and the testing of a system as well as the production of user documentation.

The A2 units cover:

·ICT Systems, Applications and Implications
- the systems life cycle, the human-computer Interface, networks and communication, database expert systems, bespoke and off-the-shelf software, software upgrades, installation and maintenance, managing change in an organisation, security of ICT systems.

·ICT Projects
- using Microsoft Access, you will build a complete database for a real end-user with:

·a professional user-interface incorporating photographs, clip art and other images

·colourful, well-designed data entry forms

·professional looking reports including bar charts and pie charts.

Using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Publisher, you will demonstrate you can:

·produce top quality documentation using sophisticated word processing and

desk top publishing techniques

·use professional house-styles, colourful images and graphics

·conform to industry standards of layout and organisation

WHAT WILL I BE DOING IN LESSONS?
A combination of theoretical and practical work â€" the theoretical elements will be taught using a variety of teaching methods. You will then use the PC to re-enforce these elements by completing various practically based tasks. At least one lesson a week will be dedicated to your coursework and you will have the opportunity of using many different software packages.

HOW WILL THE COURSE BE ASSESSED?
A combination of examination and coursework.

WHAT IF I HAVEN†T STUDIED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY?
Don†t worry! Your interest and enthusiasm is far more important than previous experience and many students have not had the opportunity to take an examination course in this area.

WHAT OTHER SUBJECTS COULD I DO WITH ICT?
ICT is a subject that goes well with all subjects. Some of our students intend to follow a career in the IT industry itself and will be studying other subjects related to that. Many more students will be studying quite unrelated subjects aiming for a different career, but knowing that almost every type of job will involve the use of some IT.

AND AFTER THE COURSE?
ICT is a useful qualification whether you intend to go directly to work or go on to university. The subject is helpful not just with specialist ICT degrees, but with any degree in which ICT is used â€" and that, nowadays, is almost all of them!