Information and Communication Technology A-Level

The AS course can be taken as a final qualification or as the first half of the A Level qualification. If you wish to obtain a full A Level qualification, you must also complete the second half of the course, referred to as A2.

This course is suitable if you wish to further your education in ICT. The AS level course would be beneficial for use with almost every subject you would like to study in the future and it would also be beneficial in practically every career. If you go on to study the full GCE (i.e. both the AS and A2 course) then it would provide a good foundation for students going on to further study at university or for students going into the world of work.

The specification builds upon but does not depend upon the knowledge, understanding and skills gained through the programmes of study in Key Stage 3 and GCSE ICT. It is therefore possible to take this subject without having studied GCSE ICT.

AIMS

The AS and A2 GCE Advanced level specifications should encourage students to:

·            become discerning users of ICT; and

·            develop a broad range of ICT skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT.

This should form a basis for progression into further learning, including progression from AS to A2 and/or employment.

The specification also encourages students to develop:

·            the capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically;

·            the skills to work collaboratively;

·            the ability to apply skills, knowledge and understanding of ICT in a range of contexts to solve problems;

·            an understanding of the consequences of using ICT on individuals, organisations and society and of social, legal, ethical and other considerations on the use of ICT; and

·            an awareness of emerging technologies and an appreciation of the potential impact these may have on individuals, organisations and society.

CONTENT

AS Level  

Module 1: Components of ICT (2 hour external examination) 

(50% of marks for AS level) 

(25%of A level)

In this unit you will learn about:

·         Data and Information

·         Hardware and Software Components

·         Network Communication

·         Applications of ICT

·         Developing ICT Applications

Module 2:          Developing ICT solutions (Internally assessed) 

(50% of marks for AS level)

(25% of A level)

Module 2 allows you to develop practical aspects of the subject and to apply your knowledge and understanding of ICT.  You will be expected to produce an ICT solution to 2 task-related problems, a data processing task and a multimedia task. 

A2 Level  

Module 3:          Information Systems (2 hour external examination)

(25% of A level)

In this unit you will learn about:

·         Database systems

·         Networked systems

·         Software development

·         The user interface

·         User support and training

·         Legal and professional issues

·         Implications of information systems

Module 4:          Approaches to Systems Development (Internally assessed)

(25% of A level)

This module will involve producing a detailed project.  The project will require you to identify and research a realistic problem for which there must be a real end user.  The problem chosen should be of a substantial nature and should support the integration of the various skills and concepts developed during this course.  It will involve in-depth research, creation and documentation of a realistic system.

Through your study of ICT you will also develop the capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically as well as skills to work collaboratively. You will also gain an understanding of the consequences of using ICT on individuals, organisations and society and of social legal, ethical considerations on the use of ICT.