KS4 Information Communication Technology

Course title and type of qualification: Vocational Award in Digital Information Technology

What will I learn?

The BTEC Technical Award in Digital Information Technology will assess the application of ICT skills through students practical use. It will provide students with essential knowledge, transferable skills and tools to enhance their employability when they leave education, contributing to their personal development and future economic well-being. Through this course, students will develop the knowledge, understanding and skills related to data management,data interpretation, data presentation and data protection.

This qualification will equip students with sound ICT skills for everyday use and provide opportunities to develop in context those desirable, transferable skills such as planning, research and analysis. It will also challenge students,whatever your ability, by introducing them to demanding material and skills;encouraging independence and creativity; providing tasks that engage with the most taxing aspects of the National Curriculum, including data handling and modelling.

There is a significant amount of coursework in this course, which is ideal for pupils who excel at vocational skills.  However, it is still academically challenging and needs excellent literacy skills in analysis and evaluation to achieve the higher grades.

How will I be assessed?

Internally-assessed components are assessed using a grading scale ranging from Level 1 Pass to Level 2 Distinction. Centres report outcomes at five grade points. The externally-assessed component is marked and awarded on a continuum, using grading descriptors set at Level 1 Pass, Level 2 Pass and Level 2 Distinction. The outcome is reported at six grade points from Level 1 Pass to Level 2 Distinction. Learners will also receive a points score.

The BTEC Tech Award in Digital Information Technology consists of three modules:

• Component 1 looks at interfaces, used to enable users of technology to easily access and navigate products. Internally assessed unit.
• Component 2 enables the pupils to explore spreadsheets and create a dashboard that analyses the data.  Internally assessed unit.
• Component 3 is a written, externally assessed, examination lasting 1 ½ hours dealing with the theory behind digital literacy.  It is synoptic, which means it covers all areas of theory and practice studied over the whole course.

What could I move onto?

Students 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.

Students who generally achieve at Level 1 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:

• Study at Level 2 post-16 in a range of technical routes designed to lead to work, to progression to employment, to apprenticeships or to further study at Level 3. For these students, the attitudes and the reflective and communication skills covered in this qualification will help them achieve
• Study of IT Support or Digital Technology through the study of a Technical Certificate. Students who perform strongly in this qualification compared to their overall performance should strongly consider this progression route as it can lead ultimately to employment in the digital sector.

Examination Board: Edexcel

Links & Resources

Links & Resources

Links & Resources

Links & Resources