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ICT

Staff:  Miss R. Donnelly, Mr P. McCaffrey 

Introduction

ICT is an integral part of the curriculum at St. Colm’s and involves all pupils and teachers.
The ICT curriculum is continually reviewed so that it reflects all the main current developments including new teaching and learning approaches and new assessment opportunities.  Through challenging pupil-centred activities, collaborative learning, and innovative use of ICT we hope to inspire our students to be creative, responsible and effective users of technology.

KS3 ICT Overview

KS3 ICT has three main elements:

  1. Discrete ICT Skills classes in Years 8 and 10

  2. Programming/Coding Clubs

  3. Cross-curricular ICT is embedded in all KS3 subjects to support the CCEA Using ICT (UICT) scheme

 

Year 8 & 10 ICT

ICT is taught once every two weeks in Years 8 and 10 to allow pupils to learn how to use ICT safely and effectively. The skills incorporate are:

  • Using the latest software packages

  • E-safety

  • An introduction to programming

KS4 Digital Technology Overview

Students acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of digital technology in a variety of contexts. They develop creative and practical digital technology skills using a range of software in an object-oriented environment. They explore the legal, social, economic, ethical and environmental impact of digital technology. This qualification also helps them to develop transferable skills such as creative problem solving and teamwork.


With this qualification, students may choose to progress to GCE Digital Technology, GCE Software Systems Development or a related qualification. This GCSE also helps to equip students for a career in a multitude of industries, such as digital media, mobile development, cyber security, cloud computing and managing big data.

Exam Board: CCEA

Unit 1

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Digital Technology

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Assessment: External written examination 1 hour

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Weighting: 20%

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Timescale: End of Year 11

Unit 2

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Digital Authoring Concepts

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Assessment: External written examination 1 hour 30 mins

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Weighting: 40%

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Timescale: End of Year 12

Unit 3

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Digital Authoring Practice

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Assessment: Controlled Assessment

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Weighting: 30%

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Timescale: Throughout Year 12

CCEA Occupational Studies ICT

Unit 35 Website Development – Year 11

This unit is designed to develop vocational skills in website development and associated activities. Learners will develop skills in planning, producing and presenting a website (based on client brief) using industry standard procedures.

This unit includes:

• consideration of health and safety issues in the website development industry;

• consideration and identification of career opportunities in the website development industry;

• the principles of website development;

• responding to a design brief;

• using website design software;

• testing, publishing and content managing a website;

• consideration of energy efficiency, waste reduction and other environmental issues within the website development industry; and

• a review and evaluation of performance.

Unit 29 Graphic Design -  Year 12

This unit is designed to develop skills in graphic design and associated activities. Learners will develop skills in planning, producing, and presenting a graphic design project (based on a client brief) using industry standard procedures.

This unit includes:

• consideration of health and safety issues in the graphic design industry;

• consideration of employment opportunities in the graphic design industry;

• the principles of graphic design;

• responding to a design brief;

• generation of ideas;

• using design software;

• presenting the final outcome;

• consideration of environmental issues in the graphic design industry; and

• a review and evaluation of performance.

AS/A2 Digital Technology Overview 

The new Digital technology A’level incorporates aspects of computer science and information technology. It explores how we can use technology to create, store, process, analyse and present information in a digital context. This includes computer architecture, networks, web technology, digital media, programming tools and software applications.

Exam Board: CCEA

Unit AS 1

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Approaches to System Development

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Assessment: External written examination 1 hour 30 mins

Unit AS 2

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Fundamentals of Digital Technology

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Assessment: External written examination 1 hour 30 mins

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Weighting: AS is worth 20% of full A ‘level

Unit AS 1

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Information Systems

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Assessment: External written examination 2 hour 30 mins

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Weighting: 40% of full A’level

Unit AS 1

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Application Development

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Assessment: Case Study

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Weighting: 40% of full A’level

Career Opportunities

It’s a good time to be working in IT and computing. Research by e-skills UK shows that the sector is one of the fastest-moving and most dynamic in the UK – currently employing 1 in 20 of us. It’s estimated that over half a million new entrants will be needed to fill jobs in this sector over the next five years.

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There are opportunities for IT and computing graduates across all industries, including retail, financial services, telecommunications, broadcast media, digital media, manufacturing, transport, tourism, the public sector and healthcare – with strong growth and demand in cyber security, mobile development, cloud computing and the management of big data.

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