AS/A LEVEL INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

WHAT IS INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY

It means gathering raw data and inputting it into an information system where it is manipulated in some way and stored on computers, then passed on or shared with others.

WHY TAKE INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY?

The course aims to develop inter-personal skills as well as enhancing creative, technical and communication skills. These skills are now as essential as the traditional skills of numeracy and literacy. An advanced course in ICT is a valuable grounding for students hoping to enter Higher and Further Education as well as employment, since it increases confidence/competence in using the advanced features of business-standard packages. ICT is a useful fourth support subject.

It must be stressed that programming in a high level computer language is NOT part of the course. If you are interested in programming, then please ask for details of the A Level Computing course.

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS

Students who are likely to benefit from this course will:

• Enjoy problem solving, but not necessarily highly technical problems
• Be keen to learn how ICT is used in industry commerce and business
• Have some understanding of the benefits of ICT
• Want to learn to use the advanced features of ICT packages

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT

About half of the first year is spent on practical lessons, you will complete several set tasks using a variety of software such as MS Office Professional. Students continuing on with A Level produce a major project in their second year. This is an ICT system responding to the ICT requirements of a real client end-user. Students must liaise closely with their end-user e.g. to produce a database system in Access for a Sports Leisure Centre Manager. As far as possible, the theory is taught via the practical lessons, making the course particularly attractive for many students.

The theory topics include:

• Software and Hardware Components of an Information System.
• People and ICT systems.
• Using Applications software for the communication and presentation of data.
• Systems Life Cycle
• Designing computer-based information systems

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

In both years assessment is examined by one theory paper and several set pieces of practical coursework. In year one, the theory paper is worth 60% of the total marks and the coursework is weighted at 40% of the marks.

COURSE COMMITMENT

You must be prepared to use your own private study time, both at college and at home, to enhance your practical skills with the support of manuals, text books and DVD’s. There is also a major piece of coursework in both years and you must be prepared to commit a large amount of time and effort in order to produce work of a high standard.

COURSE COSTS

You will need to purchase a recommended text book costing approximately £15.00 to support this course. Each student is given three hundred print credits at the beginning of the academic year but due to the nature of the course they may be required to purchase further print credits.

COMBINATIONS WITH OTHER COURSES

A-level and AS in ICT may be combined with any other subjects. Students may choose the context for their own project work so that interest such as business, science, media, sport, law, arts, humanities and community work can all be successfully integrated into the ICT course.

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

It is not necessary to have previously taken a GCSE qualification in ICT. However, both the A and AS examinations are academic subjects requiring as rigorous an approach and depth of study as any other A Level. Therefore a good command of English is required, in order that written work is clearly expressed and oral communication is effective. Competence in Mathematics is recommended in order to allow generation of advanced spreadsheet solutions.

PROGRESSION ROUTES

The examination is a suitable qualification for a wide range of careers or further study.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The full course specifications will be available later in the year.

If you require further information please contact Mike Mackin, the Department Manager.