At the end of year 9 students can choose whether to continue to study discrete ICT.
Current students are continuing with the previous specification as outlined below. It is provided through the International Curriculum and Assessment Agency. Following the link will give you direct access to the specification, and details of assessment timings.
| Year 11 (2010-11) |
GCSE ICT (Specification B) - Full
Course
This course is based on the full GCSE National Curriculum
requirement, and offers students the opportunity to develop their understanding
of the use of ICT in the real world.
|
| Assessment consists of a number of key features:
Portfolio & Coursework
This consists of a
Project based on a single context, together with a Timed Practical
Task (TPT) which is externally set by the examination board.
The
Project is worth 40%, and the TPT 20%, of the final
total.
Examination & Testing
This is in two parts: A
Key Skills Multiple choice examination, and a Final
Examination.
The Key Skills test is worth 20%, and the
Final Examination 20%, of the final total. |
This course is both flexible and student-friendly. Elements such as the
Key Skills test and the TPT can be done at other times of the year
than the end of Year 11 which helps to relieve the pressure of final
examinations, and the Key Skills test, if taken at the end of Year 10,
can be repeated if the result does not truly reflect the student's
capabilities.
In addition, the portfolio of work provided for coursework assessment can be
supplemented with other examples of work done using the same applications in
order to best represent the student's capabilities.
A further benefit, for students. occurs because the context of the TPT
is also the context for the final examination. This means that work done for the
TPT helps in preparation for the final examination.
All of these elements of the course have been designed in order that students
show what they are capable of when at their best. Clearly a good thing!
Students moving into Year 10 in September 2010 will follow the new specification
for ICT which is outlined below.
GCSE ICT 2010 - Single Award
This course is based on the full GCSE National Curriculum requirement, and offers students the opportunity to develop their understanding of the use of ICT in the real world.
The specification consists of four modules:
Unit 1 - Living in the Digital World
In this unit students explore how digital technology impacts on the lives of individuals, organisations and society. They will learn about current and emerging digital technologies and the issues raised by their use in a range of contexts (learning and earning, leisure, shopping and money management, health and wellbeing and on the move).
They will develop an awareness of the risks that are inherent in using ICT and the features of safe, secure and responsible practice.
Unit 2 - Using Digital Tools
As might be expected from the title, this is a practical unit. Students broaden and enhance their ICT skills and capability. They will work with a range of digital tools and techniques in order to produce effective ICT solutions in a number of contexts.
They will learn to reflect critically on their own and others' use of ICT and to adopt safe, secure and responsible practice.
Unit 3 - Exploring Digital Design
In this unit students will explore the design of interactive digital products such as websites, computer games and databases. They will learn how to interpret and produce design documentation.
They will investigate the properties of different types of digital content and features of a good user interface. They will develop knowledge and understanding of the legal, and other constraints, on the production and use of digital content.
Unit 4 - Creating Digital Products
As the title suggests this is another practical unit. Students are encouraged to apply the knowledge and understanding of digital design they acquire in Unit 3 to produce an interactive digital product for others to use.
They can choose what sort of product to design and make, but it must include an appropriate use interface and user input must determine the outputs that are produced.