The intent of the IT Curriculum is to provide knowledge and skills students can use beyond the classroom. We ensure the content is challenging for all abilities by providing academic and vocational options that meet the National Curriculum. The IT Curriculum provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills of key IT concepts such as: basic IT skills, internet safety, spreadsheets, social media, and IT theory, which will help students with everyday life. Creative teaching methods ensure students enjoy IT lessons and they are sequenced to support students in their next step, as well as providing them with opportunities to problem solve and be creative. IT is an important aspect of everyday life and students understand how to use technology to their advantage in order to build independence. Students are computer literate and can not only use IT but understand the safety implications associated with it. We provide opportunities for students to explore IT careers, so they can see how the skills and knowledge learnt apply in the real world.
Course Introduction: From personal computers to smartphones, from apps to websites, all of our lives, every day, are enhanced through the use of IT. This course in IT reflects this and provides students with a solid foundation for understanding and applying this subject in their future working lives. IT enables students to make the leap from passive consumers to active producers of quality digital content.
Course Outline: The course is split into 3 Components and assessed during Years 10 and 11.
Course Expectations: Keep up to date with coursework units, attending catch up period 6 sessions for missed lessons, and revise for exams outside class time.
| Module | Elements | Assessment | Date | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Component 1 | Exploring User Interface Design Principles and Project Planning Techniques – Coursework Project Learning Aim A: Investigate user interface design for individuals and organisations Learning Aim B: Use project planning techniques to plan and design a user interface Learning Aim C: Develop and review a user interface | Internal Coursework: 6 Hours | Year 10 | 30 |
| Component 2 | Collecting, Presenting and Interpreting Data – Coursework Project Learning Aim A: Investigate the role and impact of using data on individuals and organisations Learning Aim B: Create a dashboard using data manipulation tools Learning Aim C: Draw conclusions and review data presentation methods | Internal Coursework: 6 Hours | Year 10 | 30 |
| Component 3 | Effective Digital Working Practices -Theory Learning Aim A: Modern technology and their impact on organisations Learning Aim B: Threats to digital systems and how an organisation can manage them Learning Aim C: Responsible, legal and ethical use of data Learning Aim D: Planning and communication in digital systems | External Exam: 1 Hour 30 Minutes Written Paper – 60 Marks | Year 11: February Retake: May | 40 |
The Level 3 BTEC in IT provides students with a solid foundation for understanding and applying this subject in their future working lives. IT enables students to make the leap from passive consumers to active producers of quality digital content. They will develop skills in a range of different types of software and work according to business and real-world related scenarios to produce evidence for coursework. They will also understand the theory behind IT and how IT helps make life easier.
For further information, please see the BTEC Level 3 IT Student Handbook