National Certificate in ICT

What does studying ICT involve?
The course is vocational and students will find it a useful introduction to how businesses use ICT. It offers a really practical experience of the tasks involved in making ICT products such as websites, presentations and business documents like spreadsheets and databases and publications.

Students might create a spreadsheet to help track sales in a beauty salon or choose a local DVD store. They could also create an advertising leaflet for an Animal Rescue centre. You will be encouraged to get a detailed understanding of what the ‘customer’ needs before you go ahead and start work, and to plan out your time carefully to meet agreed deadlines.

How will I know if I would be successful at it?
The ICT course is suitable for students who would enjoy designing and creating ICT products, for business use. You may have done some ICT as a GCSE and enjoyed it but found it didn’t give you the time to explore the software enough. You should also consider whether you are better suited to coursework than exams and if so, this type of course may be for you. You will need to have a reasonable level of written English as you need to be able to explain your design and what you have done.

What skills will I develop and where could studying this subject lead me?
Many students find that as a result of learning how to approach the job of making ICT products in a professional way, they feel confident to use these planning, design and development skills in later study or in their first job. Most businesses are always keen to have a new and knowledgeable ICT recruit.

Important things to consider / Information that students need to know
You will need to succeed at Merit standard to be accepted into most sixth-forms to study A-Levels, the following year.
You will be spending 14 periods a week working with the same group of people – a high standard of respect and commitment is expected.

Entry Requirements
You will need to be a confident user of ICT, particularly the Microsoft Office packages.
You will need to have a good grasp of English to explain your designs, and ideas
You will need to have some understanding of the way businesses use ICT.

With which other subjects does it combine well?
It combines well with people who are topping up their GCSE qualifications, in English, Maths or Science.

Similarities between the subject at GCSE and this course
In this course you will extend your ICT knowledge, skills and understanding, and the breadth of your skills, with the various software packages used.

Progression in the subject
It is an excellent general qualification. With a level 2, you can go on to do level 3 in a related subject, or it may give you the right points to study in an un-related subject.

Modules and assessment information
Unit 1 ICT Skills for Business
Optional units - 60 guided learning hours (Group B)
Unit 2 Webpage creation
Unit 4 Design and produce multimedia products
Unit 5 Desktop publishing
Unit 6 Spreadsheets – design and use
Unit 7 Databases – design and use
Optional units - 30 guided learning hours (Group C)
Unit 21 Creating computer graphics
Unit 22 Creating sound using ICT
Unit 23 Creating Video

The work is structured into units and over the year students tackle six units.

The students are assessed on the evidence they produce. The evidence shows their design, how they made the product and tested it, and finally evidence of them reviewing their work.

This portfolio is moderated and a final mark given by the exam board.

Examination Board
OCR (www.ocr.org.uk)

Other useful information
See www.ictlounge.co.uk