GCSE Information and Communications Technology

The course teaches both the practical and theoretical aspects of Information Technology. A project will be produced as part of the course using one of the latest programming languages for the PC - Visual Basic.

The theory work follows the GCSE IT syllabus, offering a wide range of knowledge covering the spectrum of computing applications. The practical aspects of the course promote programming skills, IT awareness and use of application software.

The course comprises of two examinable elements - theory and practical - and leads to the General Certificate in Secondary Education (GCSE).

Key Course Areas

Practical
The course will also cover the use of industry-standard applications such as word processing software, database and spreadsheet applications as well as desktop publishing and graphics software. Three pieces of coursework are created covering:

• Database storage/retrieval
• Program Development using Visual Basic
• Web-site/Presentation/Publishing Development

Theory
The theoretical aspect of the course follows the OCR 1994 A GCSE syllabus and covers computing fundamentals, business applications, personnel and information applications.

Course Details
Length of course: 9 months standard course (can be studied over a 2 year period if required)
Weekly Lesson Hours: 2 hours practical, 2 hours theory (taken as two 2 hour lessons, or if studying over 2 years the study mode would be 2 hours per week only)

Exams are either taken in the summer (May/June) or winter (January)

This course can be started in September, January or Easter.