ICT - A level / BTEC

• Understand the characteristics and significance of different types of information.
• Investigate how organisations are structured into functions and the purpose and role of each function.
• Selection of suitable research engines to efficiently find information required.
  Accessing information from large websites and online databases.

ASSESSMENT

Completion and full written feedback of coursework Task A.
Practise past exam questions for section B.

HOMEWORK

Complete research and presentation for Task A.
Practise past exam questions for section B.

• Design, create and evaluate an original document (Letter) meeting the needs of a user.
• Complete three tasks set by exam board in relation to the pre-release case study issued.
• Access a local database to find required information.

ASSESSMENT

Completion and full written feedback of coursework Task B and C.

HOMEWORK

Complete research and presentation for Task B and C.

• Design, create and evaluate an original document (Technical Report) meeting the needs of a user.
• Understand the types of information needed by organisations, with whom and how information is exchanged.
• Analyse numeric data and present results using spreadsheet software.

ASSESSMENT

Completion and full written feedback of coursework Task D.
Practise past exam questions for sections A & B.

HOMEWORK

Complete research and presentation for Task D.
Practice past exam questions for sections A & B.

• Design, create and evaluate an original document (flyer and presentation) meeting the needs of a user.
• Explore ICT systems use by organisations and the impact that ICT has on working practices.
• Combine different types of data to present the results of the investigation.

ASSESSMENT

Completion and full written feedback of coursework Task E.
Practise past exam questions for sections A & B.

HOMEWORK

Complete research and presentation for Task E.
Practise past exam questions for sections A & B.

• Design, create and evaluate an original document (Invoice) meeting the needs of a user.
• Analyse the impact of ICT on methods of production and relevant legislation which organisations must adhere to in relation to the use of ICT to store, process and communicate information.
• Evaluate the methods used to find information and present the results.
  Explain the impact of the availability of electronic information on individuals and
  society.

ASSESSMENT

Completion and full written feedback of coursework Task F and G.
Practise past exam questions for sections A & B.

HOMEWORK

Complete research and presentation for Task F and G.
Practise past exam questions for sections A & B.

• Improve all tasks to be ready for submission.
• Prepare for exam; review pre-release case study and associated tasks and revise section B topics.
• Improve all tasks to be ready for submission.

ASSESSMENT

Whole unit is graded.

HOMEWORK

Prepare for exam.

• Describe different types of businesses, their purposes and ownership using at least two examples.
• Investigate how business resources are obtained and managed by defining human, technical and physical resources and discussing how they are managed.
• Explore the concept and techniques of marketing and apply knowledge to two business examples.

ASSESSMENT

Unit 1 The Business Environment - Criteria
Unit 2 Write up of first draft of P1, P3, M1, P4, P6
Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - Criteria P1, P2

HOMEWORK

Complete research into the activities and purpose of two business organisations of your own choice.
Unit 3 Introduction to marketing/research the history, activities and marketing techniques used in two business organisations.

• Consider the stakeholders who influence different businesses and discuss the impact they have on two contrasting organisations.
• Discuss how business control and manage budgets.
• Compare and evaluate the marketing techniques used by two businesses.

ASSESSMENT

Unit 2 Completion of draft of M4, D3, D1, 
Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - Criteria M1, D1

HOMEWORK

Unit 1 The Business Environment - Criteria P2, P6, M1, D1
Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - Find research/statistics/data which supports your recommendations for improving the effectiveness of marketing techniques.

• Create organisation charts for two contrasting organisations and explain how the style of organisation helps them achieve their purpose.
• Investigate how businesses recruit and retain staff.
• Examine the purpose, use and limitations of market research and understand it's role in the development of marketing plans.

ASSESSMENT

Unit 1 The Business Environment - Criteria P3, P4, 
Unit 2 Preparation of first draft of P2 and M2.
Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - Criteria P2, P3, M2

HOMEWORK

Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - complete your own market research for two businesses and analyse the results.

• Compare the challenges to selected business activities with two businesses who operate in two different economic environments.
• Ensure all material from case study visit is threaded through all work completed so far.
• Preparation for meeting with case study.
• Preparation of work for M4, D3 and D1.
• Illustrate the use of two analytical techniques in marketing planning and investigate ways in which the validity of market research can be improved.

ASSESSMENT

Unit 1 The Business Environment - Criteria P5, M2
Unit 2 Review of draft 1.
Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - Criteria P4, D2

HOMEWORK

Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - Research common analytical techniques.

• Analyse how political, legal and social factors have impacted on the two businesses you have chosen.
• Discuss how financial ratios can help measure performance.
• Consider the different types of customers that a business targets and how they succeed in meeting the needs of each target market.

ASSESSMENT

Unit 1 The Business Environment - Criteria P6, M3, D3
Unit 2 Preparation of draft version of P7, M3, D2
Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - Criteria P5

HOMEWORK

Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - Research the different market segments of two businesses.

• Evaluate how future changes in economic, political and social factors will affect the strategy of one of your chosen organisations.
• Act on feedback given during first draft stage and act on advice.
• Investigate the concept of the marketing mix and create a marketing mix for a new product or service which meets the needs of its target market.

ASSESSMENT

Unit 1 The Business Environment - Criteria D2
Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - Criteria P6, M3

HOMEWORK

Unit 3 Introduction to Marketing - Explore ideas for a new product of service for a chosen business.

• Understand and analyse the requirements of the board set brief. Prepare current working practice report (Task A).
• Analyse a suitable user problem and design a specification that describes how they will solve it by numerical modelling
• Research a client before negotiating a list of user requirements.

ASSESSMENT

Written feedback and grade on Task A (G048).
Written feedback and grade on Task A (G049).

HOMEWORK

Complete Task A (G048).
Complete Task A (G049).

• Develop a plan using two formal planning techniques which details the tasks required, timings and resources needed. (Task B)
• Evidence implementation of their solution using suitable entry aids and processing facilities.
• Produce information that communicates effectively and accurately, taking into account the needs of the audience; if the document is fit for purpose;

ASSESSMENT

Written feedback and grade on Task B (G048)Written feedback and grade on Task B (G049).

HOMEWORK

Complete Task B (G048).
Complete Task A (G049).

• Create the solution to the brief as per plan and record progress, development of skills and management of issues arising in diary logs. (Task C)
• Record how they overcame their problems.
• Combine information of different types to create complex documents;

ASSESSMENT

Written feedback and grade on Task C (G048).
Written feedback and grade on Task C (G049).

HOMEWORK

Complete Task C (G048).
Complete Task C (G049).

• Create support materials for use with the solution made for the brief. (Task D)
• Testing of your spreadsheet, and evidence of the results of these tests.
• Produce draft documents for approval. Ensure you use customising and automating tools and techniques to produce professional-looking,
  complex documents, e.g. newsletters, journals, complex reports.

ASSESSMENT

Written feedback and grade on Task D (G048).
Written feedback and grade on Task D (G049).

HOMEWORK

Complete Task D (G048).
Complete Task D (G049).

• Evaluate performance in relation to planning the project (Task E), implementing the project (Task F) and the ICT solution produced (Task G).
• Create technical documentation that explains how their spreadsheet works, and user documentation that explains how it is used.
• Evaluate the document produced as well as your own performance throughout the unit.

ASSESSMENT

Written feedback and grade on Tasks E, F & G (G048).
Written feedback and grade on Task E (G049).

HOMEWORK

Complete Tasks E, F & G (G048).
Complete Task E (G049).

• Complete Unit GO48.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of your solution and your personal performance.

ASSESSMENT

Written feedback and grade on Task F (G049).

HOMEWORK

Complete task F (G049).

• Explain the features of a 
  relational database including a discussion of how potential errors can be avoided.
• Understand network technologies.
• Know the hardware and software required to work with graphic images

ASSESSMENT

P1, P2 and P3 to be handed in for all 3 units.

HOMEWORK

Completion of P1/P2 task for unit 5.

• Design then create a relational database
  for a specified user need
• Describe the potential
  impact of emerging network
  technologies
• Understand types of graphic images and graphical file formats

ASSESSMENT

P4 and P5 to be handed in for all 3 units.

HOMEWORK

Completion of P2 task for unit 18.

• Create features in data entry
  forms to ensure validity and
  integrity of data
• Explain the functions of
  network management
• Be able to use editing tools to edit and manipulate images

ASSESSMENT

P6 and M1 to be handed in for all 3 units.

HOMEWORK

Completion of P5 task for unit 18.

• Understand and develop advanced features, including automated functions.
• Undertake routine network
  management tasks.
• Be able to create and modify graphic images to meet user requirements

ASSESSMENT

M2 and M3 to be handed in for all 3 units.

HOMEWORK

Completion of M1 task for unit 5.

• Understand the benefits of testing and evaluating databases.
• Justify the inclusion of routine
  performance management
  activities within a network
  manager's role
• Evaluate digital graphics according to user requirements.

ASSESSMENT

D1 and D2 to be handed in for all 3 units.

HOMEWORK

Completion of D2 task for unit 18.

End of course