ICT and Computing

Exam Board: AQA

Head of Department: Dr A J Miller

Am I suited to this course

You should be interested in developing your practical skills in the use of application software and gaining an in-depth understanding of the nature and impact of ICT in the modern world. Most students who study AS level ICT will have gained a good pass (grade B or higher) at GCSE ICT.

What will we study?

The AS course consists of two modules:

Unit 1: Practical Problem Solving in the Digital World. You will develop your knowledge and understanding of ICT systems through practical experience in using a range of applications software in a structured way. You will apply the skills, knowledge and understanding gained from this practical work to allow you to solve various problems.
Unit 2: Living in the Digital World. This unit gives you a wide appreciation of the use of ICT, to enable you to understand the basic terms and concepts involved in the study of the subject.

The A level course consists of two further modules:

Unit 3: The Use of ICT in the Digital World. This module looks at the fast-changing subject of ICT, developments in technology and ICT system capabilities, and how this might affect the world that makes use of ICT.
Unit 4: Practical Issues Involved in the Use of ICT in the Digital World. This is a major coursework project involving the production of an ICT-related system over an extended period of time.

What work will I do?

Approximately half the lesson-time will be practical sessions. At AS level you will make use of a range of applications software, hardware and communication technologies to solve several different types of problem. The range of applications software used will cover the processing of text, images, numbers and sound. At A level you will use application software to develop a substantial system, which will be extensively documented.

How will my AS and A level grades be assessed?

Units 1 and 2 are each examined with a 1½ hour written paper, while the written paper for Unit 3 is 2 hours. Unit 4 is assessed by the teacher, with the marks awarded moderated by the exam board. The table below shows the proportion of marks assigned to each module.