Head of Department - Debra Williams
Introduction
The ICT Department at Edmonton County School consists of four full time teachers. The subject is compulsory at KS3 and KS4 (where all pupils study short-course and some choose to study full-course) and popular subject at Key Stage 5.
The department has two specialist ICT teaching rooms on both sites and shares other computer rooms with other departments, and facilities include up to date-technology and interactive whiteboards.
Department News - 2007 - 08
Under Construction
Key Stage 3 - Years 7, 8 and 9
How many lessons do pupils have per week? 1 lesson in Years 7, 8 and 9.
How are pupils grouped? In
What do pupils learn? Pupils follow a skills based curriculum designed to develop key ICT skills. Pupils will learn, amongst other things how to find information and present it; process text and images; structure, capture and present data and design web-sites.
Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11
All pupils study ICT at KS4 for 1 hour, studying the Diploma in Digital Applications (DiDA) which earns them the equivalent of 2 GCSEs. Those who opt for ICT can earn the equivalent to another 2 GCSEs in an additional 3 lessons.
GCSE - Information Communication Technology
What will I learn?
Digital media now play an increasingly important part in our everyday lives and in the world of work. With DiDA, you'll learn how to manage and present your work in an e-portfolio and how to use a variety of software. Most of us are consumers of this media in one way or another. We use mobile phones and send texts. We browse websites, download music files and send emails. We take digital photos, listen to CDs, play computer games and may even keep an electronic diary. The Diploma in Digital Applications will give you a solid grounding in all of these, enabling you to go on to further study or to go into the workplace.
Take one, two, or all, of the four units on offer and you will be at the forefront of an industry that plays an increasingly important role in shaping our lives in the 21st Century.
What is the structure of the course?
The students will have studied Unit 1: Using ICT (worth 1 GCSE) within year 9, they will then go on to study Unit 3: Graphics (to gain 2 GCSEs)
How will I be assessed?
Each unit is assessed via a Summative Project Brief which consists of an extended project that will test the skills and knowledge throughout the unit. Students will need to create an E-Portfolio which is then submitted to the exam board electronically.
What skills and interests do I need to have?
The specification builds upon the knowledge, understanding and skills developed within Key Stage 3, No prior knowledge is required for this qualification.
What courses or employment could I progress to at the end of my course?
Successful completion in this subject at Level 2 (GCSE C or above) will allow you to have a range of options in 2010. If you wish to progress to a Level 3 BTEC in this subject, you are required to have a minimum of a C grade at Level 2 (GCSE).
GCSE ICT may be required in a number of training programmes, by employers or as an entry requirementfor other subjects at advanced level.
ICT (DiDA)
What will I learn?
Digital media now play an increasingly important part in our everyday lives and in the world of work. With DiDA, you'll learn how to manage and present your work in an e-portfolio and how to use a variety of software. Most of us are consumers of this media in one way or another. We use mobile phones and send texts. We browse websites, download music files and send e-mails. We take digital photos, listen to CDs, play computer games and may even keep an electronic diary. The Diploma in Digital Applications will give you a solid grounding in all of these, enabling you to go on to further study or to go into the workplace. Take one, two, or all, of the four units on offer and you will be at the forefront of an industry that plays an increasingly important role in shaping our lives in the 21st Century.
What is the structure of the course?
The students will study Unit 1: Using ICT and Unit 3: Graphics within their Core ICT. This option will allow the students of taking 2 further Units, Unit 2: Multi-media and Unit 4: ICT in Enterprise to enable them to gain 4 GCSEs.
How will I be assessed?
Each unit is assessed via a Summative Project Brief which consists of an extended project that will test the skills and knowledge throughout the unit. Students will need to create an E-Portfolio which is then submitted to the exam board electronically.
What skills and interests do I need to have?
The specification builds upon the knowledge, understanding and skills developed within Key Stage 3, No prior knowledge is required for this qualification, but students must have an interest to further ICT qualification, sufficient skills and knowledge to be able to cope with the demands of this advanced course. It is advantageous that you have access to a PC for work outside of school.
What courses or employment could I progress to at the end of my course?
Successful completion in this subject at Level 2 (GCSE C or above) will allow you to have a range of options in 2010. If you wish to progress to a Level 3 BTEC in this subject, you are required to have a minimum of a C grade at Level 2 (GCSE).
GCSE ICT (DiDA) may be required in a number of training programs, by employers or as an entryrequirement for other subjects at advanced level.
Key Stage 5 - Years 12 and 13
Pupils can opt for the Level 3 BTEC National Certificate for ICT Practitioners (General) at KS5.
BTEC National Certificate for ICT Practitioners (General)
What will I learn?
This is a Level 3 course designed to give you the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of IT principles and the opportunity to focus on a specific pathway. You will develop knowledge and understanding of:
- Developing IT Systems
- Installing and Supporting IT Systems
- Operating IT Systems
- Using IT
Who is the course for?
- Students who want to gain an understanding of Computing and IT Systems and focus on: education and training for IT practitioners.
- Students who have an interest in ICT and wish to work in IT industry
- Students for enjoy independent research, communication and presenting ideas through a variety of methods
- Students who enjoy coursework
- Students who want a recognised qualification towards entry to employment or higher education
What is the structure of the course?
ICT is a double award, meaning that it is worth two A levels.
Core Units Specialist unit - Choose two:
- Language and Communications
- End User Support
- Computer Systems
- Website Management
- Business Information Systems
- Human Computer Interface
- Introduction to Software Development
- E-Commerce
- Communications Technology
- System Justification
- Systems analysis and Design
- Expert Systems
- Business IT Project *
- Management Information Systems
- Applications Software Development
- Multimedia Technology
- Database Management Systems*
- Software Applications
- Business Calculations
- Data Communications and Networks
- Operating Systems
- Website Development
- Visual Programming
How will I be assessed?
The following two units are accessed through an external exam:
*Business IT Project
*Database Management Systems
The remaining units are internally accessed through assignment and project work
What do I need to know or do before being able to take the course?
The course is designed and delivered using a variety of learning methods and teaching styles. It is not necessary to have studied any particular subject at Level 2 although progression from the GCSE Diploma In Digital Application (DiDA) would be appropriate.
What courses or employment could I progress to at the end of my course?
As with all Level 3 subjects, successful completion of this course will enable progression onto both further and higher education, a Modern Apprenticeship or employment in a range of industries. Try to think of a job, profession or course at college or university where you will not be expected to make use of ICT. Through the acquisition of skills and understanding on this course you will be able to progress onto further study at university, although ICT is not a compulsory entry requirement.
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