AS/A2 Information and Communications Technology & Computing

A Level

In Northwich

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    A Level

  • Location

    Northwich

  • Duration

    2 Years

Important information

Government funding available

Facilities

Location

Start date

Northwich (Cheshire)
See map
Monarch Drive, CW9 8AF

Start date

On request

About this course

We welcome students from all academic backgrounds and none of our courses require you to have a formal IT qualification or experience in any of the software packages we use. No prior knowledge of Information Technology or Computing is required. All you need is the enthusiasm to work and learn in a constantly evolving subject area where there are always new skills to learn and new applications...

Questions & Answers

Add your question

Our advisors and other users will be able to reply to you

Who would you like to address this question to?

Fill in your details to get a reply

We will only publish your name and question

Reviews

Course programme


AS/A2 Information and Communications Technology & Computing

Why study Computing?
Computing is a rapidly changing area of study and we place a strong emphasis on the basic principles of the subject, which are applicable in times of rapidly changing technology. There is also emphasis on developing the skills that Higher Education or employers need, such as teamwork, problem solving and communication. We offer a practically based course using industry standard hardware and software to give you the best opportunities and still provide a course youll enjoy.

What will I study and how will it be assessed?
Throughout the course you will cover the essential background of computer hardware, input, storage, retrieval and output techniques along with systems development techniques. You will also cover other topics such as problem solving, logic gates and some elementary Boolean Algebra. Program design and software development skills are taught in a high level language. Ultimately you should be able to develop and generate your own applications software to meet the requirements of a specific problem. The course is not about learning to use tools or just training in a programming language. Instead the emphasis is on computational thinking. Computational thinking is a kind of reasoning used by both humans and machines.

The AS Course consists of two units, both assessed by examination as outlined below. Note that COMP1 is an on-screen examination based upon pre-release materials.

COMP1 (AS) Problem Solving, Programming, Data Representation and Practical Exercise. (60% of AS, 30% of A Level) 2 hour on-screen examination.

COMP2 (AS) Computer Components, The Stored Program Concept and The Internet. (40% of AS, 20% of A Level) 1 hour written examination.

The A2 Course also consists of two units, COMP3 is an examination and COMP4 is a practical project (see below).

COMP3 (A2) Problem Solving, Programming, Operating Systems, Databases and Networking. (30% of A Level) 2 hour 30 minutes written examination.

COMP4 (A2) The Computing Practical Project. (20% of A Level) Coursework, internally assessed, and moderated by AQA. This unit is a free choice project where the candidate solves a real world problem using a high level programming language. This includes the full systems life cycle. Original ideas for projects are encouraged.

Does Computing link particularly well with other subjects?
Computing links well with many subjects. The algorithmic and problem-solving aspects link well with Decision and Discrete Mathematics. The study of logic gates links well to Electronics. The practical project includes a different range of skills, including verbal and written communication and an understanding of business processes.

Where may Computing lead me?
Many Computing students go on to study Computer Science or similar subjects in Higher Education. Finally A successful Computing student will have demonstrated a broad range of transferable skills that would be considered valuable to universities and employers. It is also likely that the learner would have derived a good deal of enjoyment, satisfaction and empowerment from their studies.

Why study Information and Communications Technology?
ICT could be a new subject for you but even if you have used a computer or studied Information Technology at school, youll find studying Information and Communications Technology at Sir John Deanes quite different. You will learn to develop your skills and knowledge in greater depth, ready to meet the challenge of HE or employment. Information Technology is the use people make of computer systems as part of their jobs. In practice, it means the application of technology to facilitate and improve the collection, processing, storage, retrieval and communication of information by an organisation for the control and advantage of that organisation. During the AS year the course is concerned with applying ICT to solve problems. You will study the opportunities for and the effects of using ICT in the world today. You will have the opportunity to learn to use a wide range of software and hardware enabling you to create solutions to solve problems. At A2 students will focus more on the concepts associated with the use of ICT in the 21st century. There will be the opportunity for you to acquire skills needed in the ICT profession such as co-operative working and project management. Practical skills can be developed in different areas of ICT that interest you.

What are the entry requirements?
We welcome students from all academic backgrounds and none of our courses require you to have a formal IT qualification or experience in any of the software packages we use. No prior knowledge of Information Technology or Computing is required. All you need is the enthusiasm to work and learn in a constantly evolving subject area where there are always new skills to learn and new applications of technology to understand and experience.

What will I study and how will it be assessed?
The AS Examination consists of two units all assessed by 1 1/2 hour written examination papers, consisting of short answer and structured questions. Each unit is worth 50% of the AS year, 25% of total A Level marks.

Unit 1: Practical Problem Solving in the Digital World.

  • Practical use of ICT identifying, designing, producing, testing, documenting and evaluating solutions.

  • Data entry, storage, output of information, use of software, current health and safety legislation.



Unit 2: Living in the Digital World.
ICT systems, their components, uses, safety and security.
Data and Information, data transfer, backup and recovery.

The A2 Examination consists of two units one assessed by a 2 hour written examination paper divided into two sections. Section A will contain structured questions based on pre-released material whilst Section B will consist of longer answer questions. This is worth 30% of the total A Level mark.

The second unit is Coursework, worth 20% of the total A Level mark, consisting of a substantial project involving the production of an ICT-related system over an extended period of time.

Unit 3: The Use of ICT in the Digital World.

  • Developments in technology, information needs of organisations, ICT systems, management of ICT.

  • Developing ICT systems, introducing large ICT systems into organisations.

  • Training and supporting users of ICT systems.



Unit 4: Coursework: Practical Issues Involved in the Use of ICT in the Digital World.


  • Practical issues in managing the use of ICT in organisations.

  • Investigating, analysing, defining requirements.

  • Selecting and using appropriate technologies, designing solutions, methods for testing and installation, documenting and evaluating.



Where might ICT lead me?
ICT offers a wide range of employment and Higher Education possibilities and can obviously lead to careers in the Information Technology/Computing industry through traditional degrees such as Computing, Information Technology or Systems Engineering. ICT also offers much wider opportunities on degree courses such as Multimedia, Virtual Reality, Computer Animation, Visualisation or even Interactive Computer Entertainment. In addition, there are significant opportunities when combined with practically any other subject from Science or Modern Languages through to virtual stage design in Theatre Studies. You will undertake a wide range of activities on the course and there will be opportunities to develop key skills such as communication, working with others and problem solving. You will also need to develop good project and time management skills, which are essential skills for either Higher Education or employment.

Finally It is highly likely that whatever your future career path may be, there will be some requirement to use ICT skills and knowledge effectively.

You will better understand what underpins the use of ICT and its effects on individuals and society.

Entry Requirement
We welcome students from all academic backgrounds and none of our courses require you to have a formal IT qualification or experience in any of the software packages we use. No prior knowledge of Information Technology or Computing is required. All you need is the enthusiasm to work and learn in a constantly evolving subject area where there are always new skills to learn and new applications of technology to understand and experience.

AS/A2 Information and Communications Technology & Computing

Price on request