as/a level computing - papacambridge

AS/A LEVEL COMPUTING This modern qualification gives an insight into a range of computing systems, including an understanding of the principles of programming and the solving of problems.

THROUGH THIS QUALIFICATION, STUDENTS CAN DEVELOP:• Thecapacitytothinkcreatively,innovatively,analytically,logicallyandcritically

• Anunderstandingoftheorganisationofcomputersystems

• Theabilitytoapplyskills,knowledgeandunderstandingofcomputing,includingprogramming,inarange of contexts to solve problems

• Thecapacitytoseerelationshipsbetweendifferentaspectsofthesubject

• Anunderstandingoftheconsequencesofusingcomputers,anawarenessofemergingtechnologiesandan appreciation of their potential impact on society.

WHY CHOOSE OCR A LEVEL COMPUTING?• ItincludesmorecomputersciencethantraditionalICT

• Itincludesapracticalcourseworkunit–whichisthebestwaytoassessastudent’slevelofpracticalskillsincomputing

• Thereisasimpleassessmentmethod,andexaminationpapersareexternallyassessed

• Itisexcellentpreparationforstudentslookingtotakecomputingstudiesatdegreelevel, orforanyoneconsideringanykindofcareerincomputing.

ASLEVEL

Unit title Description

Computer Fundamentals

Studentsgainanappreciationofcomputingfundamentals,includinghardware,software,thepresentation,structureandmanagementofdata,howdataistransmittedandnetworked,thelifecycleofsystemsdevelopment,thecharacteristics of information systems, and the implications of computer use.

Programming Techniques and Logical Methods

Studentsgainanappreciationofdesigningsolutionstoparticularproblems,howprocedural programs are structured, the types of data and data structures, the commonfacilitiesofprocedurallanguages,howtowritemaintainableprograms,andhowtotestandrunsolutions.

ALEVEL

Unit title Description

Advanced Computing Theory

Studentsunderstandthefunctionofoperatingsystems,thefunctionandpurposeoftranslators,howcomputerarchitecturesarestructured,howdataisrepresented,howdataisstructuredandmanipulated,highlevellanguageprogrammingparadigms,lowlevellanguagesandhowdatabasesfunction.

Computing ProjectThroughcoursework,studentsgainanunderstandingofdefinition,investigationandanalysis,systemdesign,softwaredevelopmentandtesting,documentation,evaluationandhowtoproducewrittenreportscoveringthesetopics.

HOW IS THIS QUALIFICATION ASSESSED?ComputerFundamentals,ProgrammingTechniquesandLogicalMethods,andAdvancedComputingTheoryareallexternallyassessedthroughtimetabledwrittenexamination.TheASpapersare1.5hoursinlength,theA2paperis2hours.

TheComputingProjectisinternallyassessedandexternallymoderatedcoursework.

WHAT SUPPORT WILL I RECEIVE?PUBLISHERS

OCRendorsestextbookspublishedbyHodderforASComputingandtheareasofA2specialisedcomputingtopics.

RESOURCES

YoucandownloadallthefollowingresourcesfromtheOCRwebsite–ocr.org.uk

•LessonplansforbothASandA2areavailable

•Specimenassessmentmaterialsareavailableforallunits

•SchemesofworkareavailableforbothASandA2level.

CHANGES TO AS/A LEVELSFromSeptember2013,studentsinEngland,WalesandNorthernIrelandwillonlybeabletositASandA2LevelexamsinJuneastherewillbeonlyoneexaminationserieseachyearforbothASandA2units.

ThiswillaffectthosewhostartedtheirAScoursesinSeptember2012,forwhomtherewillbenoopportunitiesforASresitsorA2unitsinJanuary2014,andalsostudentswhobeginALevelcoursesinSeptember2013.

FULL PROGRESSION FROM ENTRY LEVEL TO GCSE AND A LEVELALevelComputingisjustpartofourComputerSciencesuiteofqualifications,whichalsoincludesEntryLevelComputing andGCSEComputing(partoftheEnglishBaccalaureate).Whatevertheagesorabilitiesofyourstudents,thisinnovativeprogrammeisdesignedtotrulyengagewiththem.FindoutmoreaboutourComputerSciencesuiteofqualificationsat ocr.org.uk/computerscience

CONTACT USKeepuptodateonthelatestnewsbyregisteringtoreceivee-alertsatocr.org.uk/updates

Tel:01223553998 Email:general.qualifications@ocr.org.uk Fax:01223552627

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