alcic - advanced level computing & ict courses 1 year 11 advanced vce/gce selection advanced...

ALCIC - Advanced Level Computing & ICT Courses

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Year 11 Advanced VCE/GCE Selection

Advanced Level Computing and Information & Communications

Technology Courses


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The purpose of this meeting….


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Courses we offer:

• Advanced GCE Computing (AS only)

• Advanced GCE Computing (AS+A2)

• Advanced VCE ICT (single)


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Course duration (years)

0

1

2

ICT single Computing AS+A2 Computing AS only


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Advanced VCE ICT (single)

• 2 year course

• Single award

• 6 units of work

• 3 mandatory, 3 optional

• 4 units assessed by portfolio

• 2 units assessed by external test (90 min)


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Advanced VCE ICT grading

• Each unit of work will be marked out of 100

• Points aggregated to give final result.

• A >= 80 >>> 480

• B >= 70 >>> 420

• C >= 60 >>> 360

• D >= 50 >>> 300

• E >= 40 >>> 240


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GCE AS Computing

• 1 year course

• Single option ‘half an A-level’

• 3 mandatory units of work

• 2 assessed by exams : 1½hrs : 17.5% each

• 1 externally assessed 1½ hr practical : 15%

• Units can be re-sat once


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GCE A2 Computing

• 1 year course following AS

• Leads to full A-level

• 3 mandatory units of work

• 2 assessed by exams : 1½hrs : 15% each

• 1 centre-assessed project : 20%

• Units can be re-sat once


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GCE AS Computing

• Unit 1 (Computing concepts)– Computer systems– Programming– Information & Data Representation– Communication and Networking


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GCE AS Computing

• Unit 2 (Hardware, software, applications)– Applications and effects– Files and Databases– Operating systems– Hardware devices


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GCE AS Computing

• Unit 3 (Practical systems development)– analysing– designing– implementing– testing– evaluating


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GCE A2 Computing

• Unit 4 (Processing & Programming techniques)– Machine level structure– Programming concepts– Machine operation and assembly language– Data representation in computers– Operating systems


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GCE A2 Computing

• Unit 5 (Advanced system development)– Applications and effects– Files and databases– Systems development– Hardware devices– Networking


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GCE A2 Computing

• Unit 6 (Practical project)


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Advanced VCE ICT (full)

• Units covered– 1: Presenting information (P)– 2: IT serving organisations (X)– 3: Spreadsheet design (P)– 13: Managing & developing websites (P)– 14: Project management (P)– 19: Impact of ICT on society/environment (X)

(X) exam; (P) project portfolio


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What do I want?

Theory

Practical


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Computing vs ICT

• Computing– leading onto courses and careers in computing– ‘behind the scenes’ development of systems

• ICT– leading onto courses and careers in the

application of computer systems– ‘the frontline’ dealing directly with user issues


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Computing vs ICT

The strong emphasis on programming, algorithms and software engineering is the hallmark of any Computing specification. It is this emphasis that distinguishes Computing from ICT.

ICT focuses on software tools such as application generators to solve problems from a users’ point of view.


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Computing vs ICTThus Computing focuses on learning the principles that underpin the construction of software and software tools, the application of these tools using the principles of software engineering and the programming of solutions to problems more wide-ranging than addressed by ICT. The Computing specification has a strong theoretical foundation based in Computer Science and supports formal approaches to the processes of problem analysis, software design and construction


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Computing vs ICT

ICT places emphasis on the gathering, dissemination, storing and management of information and the ways in which ICT may be used to bring about changes which affect individuals, organisations and society. ICT practical work does not require programming but is aimed at making students competent at analysing, designing, implementing, testing and evaluating solutions using the advanced features of software packages


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Computing vs ICT

In both courses, students are expected to learn about the range of application packages and the social, economic and ethical consequences of current uses, together with legal implications. A basic knowledge of hardware is also a requirement of both courses.


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How do you like to work?

• exams

• projects

• own research - finding things out

• responsible for own organisation of time


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What happens after 6th form?

University?

Employment?


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Application procedure

• Application in by Wednesday 13th February

• Course viability established (half term)

• Applications processed by 8th March

• Places offered week 11th March


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Your application

• A form on which you can express your experience to date and your ambitions for the future.

• A profile of yourself and your achievements during the last five years at Q.E.

• Space to explain why you want to study Computing or ICT in the 6th form.


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Who should apply?


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Who shouldn’t apply!


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Useful web sites

www.edexcel.org.uk (for ICT)

www.aqa.org.uk (for Computing)

http://qecomputing.tripod.com

alcic - advanced level computing & ict courses 1 year 11 advanced vce/gce selection advanced...

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