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AS I.C.T. (OCR)

ICT Strategic Leader: Mr D. Emsley

How is the course organised?

For the AS course you will study three units:

Unit 2512 Information, Systems and Communications

Preparation for this unit will provide the foundation for all subsequent units. You will gain an understanding of the core aspects of ICT systems, which is developed and enhanced in subsequent modules.

Assessment: 30% of final AS mark, 10% of final A Level mark

For this unit you sit a formal examination paper using the time honoured method of answering question on paper with a pen. (A pen is a device similar to a printer but connects directly to the brain)

Content

The main areas to be covered are:

  • Data, Information, Knowledge and Processing;
  • Components of an Information System;
  • Systems and User Interface Software;
  • File and Database Concepts;
  • The Role of Communications and Networking;
  • The Role and Impact of ICT - Legal, Moral, and Social Issues.

Unit 2513 Structured Practical ICT Tasks

Preparation for Unit 2513 provides you with opportunities to apply skills, knowledge and understanding developed for Units 2512 and 2514 in a practical way. The structured tasks examine the skills of design, testing, implementation and documentation; they will prepare you for the requirements of the ICT Project, in the second half of the Advanced GCE, which will require the integration of these elements in response to an identified need.

This module is designed to develop practical aspects of the subject in a way that is not possible when leading to a formal written examination. A structured approach is possible which is suitable for Advanced Subsidiary GCE candidates.

The following skills are developed:

  • Design
  • Software Development
  • Testing
  • Implementation

This module covers basic knowledge and understanding, as well as skills. No one task tests all four skills. Each task addresses two of the four skills.

  • One task may involve the design of a system.
  • Another may involve the derivation and production of a testing strategy.
  • Some tasks involve the use of hardware for implementation.

Assessment: 40% of final AS mark, 20% of final A Level mark

A series of practical tasks are set by the board. These tasks will require the use of an Information and Communications Technology system in their solution, based on the use of an appropriate applications package.

Unit 2514: Practical Applications of ICT using Standard/Generic Applications Packages

Preparation for Unit 2514 provides you with opportunities to acquire and apply skills, knowledge and understanding of the way standard software applications packages are used in different contexts.

You will study the way others use ICT in everyday life and have to answer very detailed questions about this in an examination.

The purpose of this module is to give a practical understanding of the concepts covered in Module 2512, through use of a range of standard application packages. Module 2514 may be taught alongside, or before, Module 2513.

  • Characteristics of Standard Applications Software and Application Areas
  • Applications Software used for Presentation and Communication of Data
  • Standard/Generic Application Software for Modelling Data
  • Relational and Online Database Management Systems

Assessment: 30% of final AS mark, 10% of final A Level mark

For this unit you sit a formal examination paper using the time honoured method of answering question on paper with a pen. (A pen is a device similar to a printer but connects directly to the brain)