IT'S ABOUT YOU! - 16pluspathways

34
COMPUTING & IT
www.leyton.ac.uk
Information and Communication
Technology: AS and A2 Level
Students who take this course are expected to develop
a wide range of ICT skills together with an in-depth
knowledge and understanding of ICT. Candidates are
encouraged to become discerning users of ICT.
Course details AS topics include: data, information,
knowledge and processing; software and hardware
components of an information system; characteristics
of standard applications software and application areas;
spreadsheet concepts; relational database concepts;
applications software used for presentation and
communication of data; the role and impact of ICT
– legal, moral and social issues.
How is it assessed? At AS level, there is one 2 hour
written exam which is marked by OCR and a practical
coursework module worth 40% of the marks based on
a group of tasks set by OCR. For A2 there is one written
paper of 2 hours and a project. Both AS and A2 projects
are marked by the teacher and moderated by OCR.
Course duration One year at AS level. One year at
A2 level.
What do I need to study this subject? You should have
five GCSE grades A*-C including A*-C in Maths, English
Language and Science. We expect you to have studied
either Computing or Information Technology in secondary
school. It is probable that you will have demonstrated
suitable A level potential by achieving some success at
GCSE or equivalent qualification level.
Where can this lead me? This new specification provides
the ideal foundation for those students who wish to
pursue ICT at degree level or as a career.
What are the enrichment opportunities? The College has
partnerships with Queen Mary University and Westminster
University. ICT students will be encouraged to take part in
taster days, competitions and other trips and activities
that are on offer.
Applied ICT: AS and A2 Level
This course provides an attractive alternative to the
traditional AS level in ICT. All work is assessed through
practical work and not by the usual end-of-year exams.
The fundamental philosophy of this specification is that,
in order to understand the nature of information and
communication technology, you must actively
experience the information and technology environment.
In order to enable you to achieve this, you will be
provided with experience of the ‘real world’ in your
studies.
Course details The AS course in the first year consists of
three units: ICT and Society, ICT and Organisations, Data
Handling and the A2 in the second year consists of
Project Management, Advanced Spreadsheet Design
and Interactive Multimedia.