ICT (ECDL)

Exam board: BCS

Qualification: BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills

Specification: http://www.bcs.org/upload/pdf/it-application-skills.pdf

This is a ‘must-have’ qualification for all students, not only those who are considering a career in the IT industry. In the 21st century, everyone needs to be a ‘savvy IT user’, whatever their career aspirations.

This course is primarily aimed at students wishing to improve their use and understanding of the technology that impacts their lives. It won’t teach you about how computers work or how to program them, but it will show you how to use ICT effectively and safely. If you like, this course is analogous to making students good drivers rather than car mechanics.

This new GCSE builds on young people’s love of digital devices. It explores how technology impacts on every aspect of our daily lives: learning and earning, leisure, shopping and money management, health and wellbeing and on the move. It will teach you to be ‘savvy IT users’, who understand the risks as well as the benefits of the technology and to use ICT safely and responsibly.

The nature of the Controlled Project, with its emphasis on ‘doing’ rather than ‘writing about’ helps develop important transferable skills including problem solving, creative thinking and collaborative working.

Using articles and case studies on the latest technology this course focuses on topics you can identify with, to give the subject a new and more interesting slant.  It will reawaken your interest in ICT by focusing on the things that affect your life such as the impact Google 360 has had on society, social networking, mobile phone technologies, how people use smart phones on the go, or the impact online reviews have on the consumer and businesses etc.

Course Overview

The syllabus is designed to cover the key concepts of computing, its practical applications and their use in the workplace and society. There are 4 modules:

• Word Processing
• Spreadsheet Software
• Presentation Software
• Improving Productivity Using IT

The three ‘application’ modules are assessed through computer-based scenarios which involve completing step by step tasks with the specific software applications.  The Improving Productivity exam is an online test requiring students to choose the correct approach to solve problems followed by multiple choice theory questions.  These tests are undertaken throughout the two year duration of the course.  All units are of equal weight.

Marking and Feedback

Please note that because this is a BTEC qualification, students will be assessed using the following grading system: Distinction* (90%), Distinction (80%), Merit (75%) and Pass (70%). All units must be passed in order to achieve a grade at the end of the course.