‘AS’ LEVEL COMPUTING

UNIT1 - PROBLEM SOLVING, PROGRAMMING, DATA REPRESENTATION AND

PRACTICAL EXERCISE

Pre-release material (skeleton program and test data) will be made available in advance of the examination.  Candidates will use it to answer questions and write a program during the timetabled examination, as well as produce printouts and respond to questions with short answers.

2 hour on-screen examination, taken in May/June of the 1^st year, accounting for 60% of the ‘AS’ mark (30% ‘A’ level)

UNIT 2 -

COMPUTER COMPONENTS, THE STORED PROGRAM CONCEPT AND THE

INTERNET

·         Fundamentals of Computer Systems

·         Fundamental Hardware Elements of Computers

·         Machine Level Architecture

·         Hardware Devices

·         The Structure of the Internet

·         Web Page Design

·         Consequences of Uses of Computing

1 hour written examination, taken in May/June of the 1^st year, short answer questions and accounting for 40% of the ‘AS’ mark (20% ‘A’ level)

‘A2’ LEVEL COMPUTING

UNIT 3 -

PROBLEM SOLVING, PROGRAMMING, OPERATING SYSTEMS,

DATABASES AND NETWORKING

Topics include:

·      Problem Solving

·      Programming concepts

·      Real Numbers

·      Operating systems

·      Databases

·      Communication & Networking

·      Networks

2 hour 30 minute written examination, short and extended answer questions taken in January of the 2^nd year, accounting for 30% of the ‘A’ level mark

UNIT 4 -

THE PRACTICAL PROJECT

The project developed by students solves a practical problem, whilst demonstrating the techniques of system documentation and system development

1 piece written Coursework, to be submitted during 2^nd year, accounting for 20% of the ‘A’ level mark

‘AS’ LEVEL ICT

UNIT 1 -

PRACTICAL PROBLEM SOLVING IN THE DIGITAL WORLD

Topics include:

·   Practical use of ICT – identifying, designing, producing, testing, documenting and evaluating solutions

·   Data entry, storage, output of information, use of software, current health and safety legislation

1 hour 30 minute written examination with a mix of short and longer structured questions, based on sample work, produced by the candidate, taken in January of the 1^st year, accounting for 50% of the ‘AS’ mark (25% ‘A’ level)

UNIT 2 -

LIVING IN THE DIGITAL WORLD

Topics include:

·   ICT systems, their components, uses, safety and security

·   Data and information, data transfer, backup and recover

1 hour 30 minute written examination with a mix of short and longer structured questions, taken in May/June of the 1^st year, accounting for 50% of the ‘AS’ mark (25% ‘A’ level)

‘A2’ LEVEL ICT

UNIT 3 -

THE USE OF ICT IN THE DIGITAL WORLD

Topics include:

·   Developments in technology, information needs of organisations, ICT systems, management of ICT

·   Training and supporting users of ICT systems

2 hour written examination with a mix of short structured questions, based on a case study, and longer questions, taken in June of the 2^nd year, accounting for 30% of the ‘A’ level mark

UNIT 4 -

COURSEWORK: PRACTICAL ISSUES INVOLVED IN THE USE OF ICT IN THE DIGITAL WORLD

Topics include:

·   Practical issues involved in managing the use of ICT in organisations

·   Investigating, analysing, defining requirements

·   Selecting and using appropriate technologies, designing solutions, methods of testing and installation, documenting and evaluating

Coursework submitted in June of the 2^nd year, accounting for 20% of the ‘A’ level mark

APPLIED ‘AS’ LEVEL ICT

UNIT 1 –

USING ICT TO COMMUNICATE

Topics include:

• The information age
• Communicating information
• How organisations present information
• Standard ways of working

Internally moderated portfolio; 33% of ‘AS’ mark (16.5% ‘A’)

UNIT 2 –

HOW

ORGANISATIONS

USE ICT

Topics include:

• Types and functions of organisation
• ICT systems
• The impact of ICT on working practices
• The impact of ICT on methods of production
• Legislation

External assessment involving an examination and undertaking a portfolio; 33% of ‘AS’ mark (16.5% ‘A’)

UNIT 3 –

ICT SOLUTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETY

Topics include:

• Public-service websites
• Search engines
• Databases
• Development of spreadsheets

Internally moderated portfolio; 33% of ‘AS’ mark (16.5% ‘A’)

APPLIED ‘A’ LEVEL ICT

UNIT 9 – WORKING TO A BRIEF

Topics include:

• Formal planning methods
• Developing a range of skills
• Preparation of a report on current working practices
• Developing support materials
• Evaluations

External assessment of portfolio; 16.5% ‘A’ level mark

UNIT 10 – NUMERICAL MODELLING USING SPREADSHEETS

Topics include:

• Develop a working specification
• Use spreadsheet facilities
• Design and develop spreadsheets
• Test spreadsheets

Internally moderated portfolio; 16.5% ‘A’ level mark

UNIT 12 –

PUBLISHING

Topics include:

·   Planning a large document

·   Designing and documenting a large document

·   Creating a large document

·   Publishing a large document

Internally moderated portfolio; accounts for 16.5% ‘A’ level mark