MODULAR (Year 12)
IT is one of the most popular vocational qualification subjects offered. IT is at the heart of everyday life, at home, work and in our leisure time from computer graphics and control systems to communications and problem-solving, IT has an ever increasing role to play.
Cambridge Technicals are vocational qualifications that are designed to give you a work-focused alternative to A Levels. They’ve been designed to give you opportunities to demonstrate and develop the practical application of knowledge and understanding in the areas of work that appeal to you. This will enable you to develop your research skills as you work, both independently and with colleagues, to progress through your qualifications.
Year 1 Topics studied
To achieve the Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in IT you must complete 3 units of work, 2 of which are mandatory.
Unit 1 – Communication and employability skills for IT (Mandatory)
Communication is a vital skill for any individual. The effective use of communication and flexibility of styles is a highly desirable attribute to employers to maintain good working practices. This unit identifies the principles for effective communication and introduces you to the interpersonal skills and attributes required within a work place and how different combinations and approaches are required for a range of job roles. It also identifies the different IT tools available for safe and secure communication and exchange of information within an organisation. This unit will prepare you to effectively use various communication channels within a working environment and to understand what an employer expects of an individual and how to communicate effectively whilst developing your own personal development needs.
Unit 2 – Information systems (Mandatory)
The purpose of this unit is to demonstrate the information organisations hold and how this is valuable to an organisation. This unit will help you understand the legislation governing information which flows into and out of an organisation and the constraints and limitations that apply to it. You will discover that if systems are in place, and information held is correct then the communication within the organisation is a powerful tool and can give any organisation a competitive edge.
This unit will provide you with a greater understanding of how organisations use information internally and externally and the types of information you will encounter. The skills gained by completing this unit will give you knowledge of the functionality of information and how to produce management information systems.
Unit 16 – 2D animation production
This unit allows you to develop skills in producing 2D animations using either traditional or digital methods or a combination of the two. You will work on the design, character, staging and narrative as well as working on overall production techniques. This unit will allow you to gain an understanding of how animation is carried out in the wider world for entertainment and for commercial purposes and the importance of planning and reviewing your own work.
Assessment details
The assessment for the qualifications is task-based, so you won’t need to take exams to achieve Cambridge Technicals qualifications. All units are assessed and moderated within the school and then an external assessor will moderate the complete units twice a year, in February and June.
Entry Requirements
As a minimum requirement we ask that applicants for this course achieve 5 grade Bs in their GCSE subjects. It is not necessary to have studied Computing or ICT at GCSE.
Expectations
This course consist of 3 practical projects which students will be working on throughout the year. It is expected that students will continue to develop the higher Distinction level criteria through self-guided work outside of guided learning hours and to meet all deadlines.
Outside of the Classroom
Outside of the classroom students will have the opportunity to involve themselves in a variety of extra-curricular activities which support, further developer and broaden their knowledge from lessons.
Reasons to Study this
The great thing about the Cambridge Technicals is that they still give you a choice of opportunities once you’ve completed them.
The three choices open to you are:
a. Employment, where you can put your new practical skills towards generating an income.
b. Further education, such as a higher-level qualification at school or college.
c. Higher education, such as a degree course at university.
Access to higher education is possible as the Cambridge Technical have the same amount of UCAS points as traditional A Levels.
Find Out More
For more information, please see the Exam Board specification for the course at http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/by-subject/ict/