The course is an ideal choice for the computer enthusiast who is considering taking the subject beyond GCSE and for pupils who want to learn more about how computers can be used to benefit them in their other studies throughout the school.
The GCSE Information Technology course contains both practical work (60%) and theory (40%). The teaching approach changes as the course progresses, but the vast majority of time is spent on the production of the coursework. The main stages are outlined below:
The theory is divided into two papers, the first being a multiple-choice paper. The multiple-choice questions test knowledge and understanding of the main generic programs such as DTP, Web Design, Spreadsheets and Databases. The second paper looks at the use of ICT within a set context. This coming year the theme is the Travel Industry.
The project is divided into two stages but is one large project. The pupils define a problem within the travel industry and then design and produce a web based solution. The marks are awarded for a paper based report on how the project progressed from conception through to final evaluation. The second part of the project, is the construction and documentation of a database which can be used by the company owning the website to capture and store details from clients. These details can relate to bookings or simple enquiries. The experienced gained from the project is that of the systems analyst and gives the pupils an in-depth understanding of how projects are managed in business. 60% of the final marks are awarded for coursework.
The course encourages students to become discerning users of ICT, as they develop a wide range of skills together with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of ICT. The combination of theory and practical papers makes this an excellent course for those who want to take their IT skills to a higher level. We teach beyond the limits of the syllabus with the aim that all students taking the subject acquire the practical skills that will make them employable in the real world, increasing their choice of future opportunities. There is no specific entry requirement for Information Technology, although it is an advantage if students have taken Information Technology at GCSE level. A sound knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite is an advantage.
The emphasis is now on business ICT focus, rather than a traditional Computing perspective, so that candidates can gain skills that can be transferred into the business world. The course has a modular structure and involves an understanding of the theory of how computers and various applications work, together with coursework. In each year the candidates will take two modules.
There are two units which are taken in the Lower Sixth the first of which is Information, Systems and Applications and topics covered are data, information, knowledge and processing; software & hardware components of an information system; characteristics of standard applications software & application areas; spreadsheet concepts; relational database concepts; applications software used for presentation & communication of data; the role and impact of ICT - legal, moral and social issues. The second is based on coursework when candidates have the opportunity to explore design, software development, testing and documentation.
In the Upper Sixth there are two more units which are Systems, Applications and Implications where candidates gain an understanding of the systems cycle; designing computer-based information systems; networks and communication; applications of ICT; implementing computer-based information systems and implications of ICT. The other unit consists of coursework (20% of full A level) where candidates explore definition, investigation and analysis; design; software development, testing and implementation; documentation and evaluation through a client-driven project.
ICT at A Level provides the ideal foundation for those students who wish to pursue ICT at degree level or as a career, but also provides an in depth understanding of the way in which computers and networks work and how they are used in business.
Computing is a highly practical course where we teach beyond the limits of the syllabus. It is the aim of the department to ensure that all students taking the subject acquire the practical skills that will make them employable in the real world, increasing their choice of opportunities when leaving the College.
The overall aim of this course is to encourage students to develop an understanding of the principles of problem solving using computers. These studies will help students to understand the range of applications of computers and the effects of their use so that students can apply this understanding to develop computer based solutions to problems. Students will develop an understanding of systems analysis and design and methods of implementation, testing and documentation.
There are no specific entry requirements for computing, although it is an advantage if students have taken Information Technology at GCSE. There is quite a mathematical content to the course, especially in the second year theory, and therefore it is advisable that candidates should achieved a grade B or higher in Mathematics at GCSE.
In the Lower Sixth there are two units – the first is Computer Fundamentals (25%) where candidates gain an appreciation of computing fundamentals, including hardware, software, the presentation, structure and management of data, how data is transmitted and networked, the life cycle of systems development, the characteristics of information systems, and the implications of computer use. The second is Programming techniques and logical methods (25%) where candidates gain an appreciation of designing solutions to particular problems, how procedural programs are structured, the types of data and data structures, the common facilities of procedural languages, how to write maintainable programs, and how to test and run solutions. This unit is taught through a series of practical exercises where students design and test a number of different applications using both Real basic and php. The skills learnt on this module are invaluable when it comes to the coursework in the second year of the course.
In the Upper Sixth two further modules are studied – Advanced Computing Theory (30%) where candidates understand the function of operating systems, the function and purpose of translators, how computer architectures are structured, how data is represented, how data is structured and manipulated, high level language programming paradigms, low level languages and how databases function. The second is Project work (20%). Through coursework candidates gain an understanding of definition, investigation and analysis, system design, software development and testing, documentation, evaluation and how to produce written reports covering these topics. For this element of the course students can select their own project, which in most cases is a sophisticated interactive website that is linked to a back-end database. The one important condition of the project is that it must represent a real solution to a problem for a real client.
Although students may use any language for their project, at Hurstpierpoint College we encourage students to use the php-MySQL-Javascript combination, as these are common applications that provide skills which will be useful to the student when they leave the College and seek further employment.
With a qualification in Computing students may choose to continue their studies on to Higher Education. Many universities now offer joint Honours courses which contain computing and just about every other subject. There is an increasing number of opportunities for students who leave the College with an A Level in computing. In recent years a large number have left to further their studies at universities, taking a single Honours degree in computing or studying Joint Honours with another subject, ranging from engineering to economics or business studies.
With the large proportion of project work at the College, and with the emphasis on the use of the internet, students with an A Level in computing are also in a strong position to find themselves a career in the industry without going to university. There are many companies who would prefer to take a student at 18 with the appropriate skills rather than waiting until they have completed a university degree. In recent years a number of Hurst students have obtained good careers without having a degree in the subject.
07 February 2012