Key Skills IT for AS/A level students

Key Skills IT for AS/A level students

What are Key Skills?
Key Skills are those skills that are commonly needed in education and training, in the workplace and in life in general. The three main Key Skills are Communications, Application of Number and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Students taking a programme of AS levels will already have good Communication and Application of Number skills through A* - C passes in their GCSEs. When they don't they will resit the relevant GCSE or Functional Skills at level 2. They will also develop these further in their A level classes, but not be assessed formally.

The college will focus its efforts on improving students†ICT skills through one lesson each week. All AS students will be entered for a level 3 Key Skills qualification in ICT, unless they are taking ICT or Computing at AS level.

(Students taking vocational courses at the college will develop their ICT Skills as part of their course and work towards Functional Skills in ICT.)

Is Key Skills suitable for me?
Duncan has completed the Key Skills in ICT. OEICT skills were certainly my weakest area when arriving at college but I now feel much better equipped for university and a commercial career.

Hannah is a first year student. OEYou re the first person who's ever managed to teach me to use computers properly.

Students also enjoy the fact that Key Skills can help their other subjects, particularly in producing coursework.

Students find that the challenge is that only one lesson per week is taken and so good organisational skills are needed.

How will I learn?
AS students It is a mandatory requirement that you attend the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Key Skills lessons for an hour a week over a thirty week period. You have the choice of six projects: preparing for university; getting some wheels; planning a trip for a group of students; buying cosmetics, sport and music. You will learn about Word, Excel and Access software. You will put together a project which will be uploaded to Moodle ( the college's intranet system ) for marking. Dedicated lessons will prepare you for the external test.

As a rule you will be successful if you are well organised and take responsibility for your on line portfolio. You should work with your teacher, who will monitor your progress throughout the course.

How will I be assessed? Portfolio
Having chosen your topic you will complete a series of assignments, which will be uploaded to Moodle. You will need to carry out research using the internet and paper-based sources. There is a statistical element to this project which will require research on statistical data and input into a spreadsheet. You will also be expected to produce a PowerPoint presentation and a 4-page Publisher/Word leaflet. The two items should be for two different audiences.

Test
The test covers various aspects of Word, mail merge, Access and Excel. You will have to develop a relatively high level of understanding of all of these packages. When you take the test you will have to import downloaded data before you begin. If you already have a high level of competence in these packages you may take a mock exam to decide whether you should be entered for an early test.

Progression
By doing the Key Skills qualification you will acquire valuable skills which you can use later both at university and in employment. Universities and employers are increasingly expecting students to have Key Skills. The Key Skills ICT qualification attracts 20 UCAS points to enhance your university application.

Course costs
The college will provide relevant materials. There are no additional course costs.