GCSE ICT

We follow the AQA ICT GCSE Specification A course (download here). The GCSE runs over 2 years and consists of 3 main components. Each component carries 1/3 of the total marks:
- board set task (example here)
- real life ICT problem that the student will need to solve.
- 3 hour written exam (example here)

The 2 year course is broken into sections in order to solve the different types of problems.

Term 1 - Students a taught how to use the main types of software that will make up the set task. This includes databases, spreadsheets, web authoring, desktop publishing and presentation software. Skills in how to write reports and follow the design process are also covered.

Term 2 - Students work on their own solving the problems in the course booklet. There are normally 3 or 4 problems and students are expected to identify each problem, analyze it, and then solve it. A report is needed with each solution and this is generally what takes the most time.

Term 3 - Halfway through term 3 students should have completed the set task and they will then start building on the skills needed to solve the real life problem at the start of year 11. Students will be expected to find a real life problem themselves as it will help their marks to have a real client (could be a member of the family or neighbor). You will be encouraged to make sure the problem is within your interest area of ICT. More work on the design process.

Year 11 Term 1 - Students will spend most of their time working through the problem they will be solving. Half of weekly lesson time will be spent on learning the exam theory.

Term 2 - The project should be finished by now and all time will be spent on ICT theory and working on practise papers in preparation for the exam.

Term 3 - Exam leave and that should hopefully be the end.

The most common question asked by students-

Why would I want to do ICT?
In Sept 2009 GCSE will be a core subject in state schools alongside Maths, English and Science. It is still undecided if it will become a core subject at King Alfred's any time in the near future. From 2012 you will be completing for university positions and jobs against students that will all have a GCSE in ICT. In future years ICT will be much more essential in the workplace.

In GCSE you do not just learn how to type and do menial tasks. You build the skills that it takes to learn how to use new software and solve problems. Upon completing the GCSE you will be much more confident around computers and you will be able to do the following tasks:
- produce advanced, professional and indexed reports
- compile and know how to use a database
- produce financial models to predict profitability of businesses
- produce advanced web sites
- analyze ICT problems and solve them
- communicate more effectively using ICT

Whatever profession you choose to follow I can guarantee that the skills learnt here will help you.