Year 9 Options - Computing & IT

Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Digital Information Technology

Outline of the course

The course is made up of 3 different component that link together.

Component 1 (Coursework) – This is a creative unit where students look at a range of different user interfaces which are used by organisations and individuals. Students look at how user interfaces are designed to ensure that they meet the aims of the user/ client. Students then plan, design and create their own user interface for a specific client brief.

Component 2 (Coursework) –  This unit is looking at how data is processed and used by large organisations to ensure that tasks are completed in a effective manor. Students are given a set of large data which they must manipulate and create a dash board for.

Component 3 (Exam) –  This is an exam unit. Students will study a range of different topics based around effective digital working practices.

Students will awarded a final grade of either Pass/ Merit/ Distinction based on how they have performed across both course works and also the exam.

Why you should choose this subject

The digital sector is a major source of employment in the UK, with 1.46 million people working in digital companies and around 45,000 digital jobs advertised at any one time.

Digital skills span all industries; almost all jobs in the UK today require employees to have a good level of digital literacy.

The UK has positioned itself to be the ‘digital capital of Europe’ as it continues to invest billions every year in digital skills and commerce.

There are a range of different fields which you could go into with this qualification including:

• Games design
• App development
• Software development
• Cyber security
• And many more

What the qualification can lead to in further education

Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector. The choices that learners can make post-16 will depend on their overall level of attainment and their performance in the qualification. Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:

• A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects

• study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in IT, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in the digital sector.

OCR Computer Science GCSE

Outline of the course

Content overview

J277/01: Computer systems

This component will assess:

• Systems architecture
• Memory and storage
• Computer networks, connections and protocols
• Network security
• Systems software
• Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impacts of digital technology

J277/02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

This component will assess:

• Algorithms
• Programming fundamental
• Producing robust programs
• Boolean logic
• Programming languages and Integrated Development Environments

Assessment overview

J277/01: Computer systems

Written paper: 1 hour and 30 minutes 50% of total GCSE 80 marks

• This is a non-calculator paper.
• All questions are mandatory.
• This paper consists of multiple choice questions, short response questions and extended response questions

J277/02: Computational thinking, algorithms and programming

Written paper: 1 hour and 30 minutes 50% of total GCSE 80 marks

• This is a non-calculator paper.
• This paper has two sections: Section A and Section B. Students must answer both sections.
• All questions are mandatory.
• In Section B, questions assessing students’ ability to write or refine algorithms must be answered using either the OCR Exam Reference Language or the high-level programming language they are familiar with.

What type of content is covered in the course?

Computer science covers a range of different topics. Below are some of the topics which be covered through out he course:

• Architecture of the CPU
• The fetch-execute cycle
• Von Neumann architecture:
• CPU performance
• Embedded systems
• Data storage
• Networks and topologies
• Wired and wireless networks, protocols and layers
• Threats to computer systems and networks
• Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact
• Computational thinking
• Algorithms
• Programming fundamentals
• Boolean Logics  

What the qualification can lead to in further education

Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector. The choices that learners can make post-16 will depend on their overall level of attainment and their performance in the qualification. Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:

• A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects

• Study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in IT, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in the digital sector.