GNVQ ICT in Key Stage 4 Fact Sheet

Transcription

1 GNVQ ICT in Key Stage 4 Fact Sheet ICT in Key Stage 4 ICT is a compulsory feature of the KS4 curriculum. Schools must cover the National Curriculum Programme of Study and report to parents. However, they do not have to formally accredit pupils achievements in ICT at the end of KS4. Nevertheless, ICT is an extremely popular subject and many schools offer their pupils the opportunity to gain a qualification in ICT. The following qualifications meet the KS4 Programme of Study for ICT in full: GCSE ICT (Full & Short course), GNVQ ICT (Full Award and Part One), Key Skill IT. GNVQ ICT There are 2 versions of GNVQ ICT: the 6-unit Full Award, equivalent to 4 GCSEs, the 3-unit Part One Award, equivalent to 2 GCSEs. Both qualifications are available at Foundation and Intermediate Level to suit pupils of different abilities and have been designed to facilitate mixed-ability teaching. GNVQ achievements at KS4 are reported in annual School Performance Tables. However, credit is only given to complete qualifications. There are currently no points awarded to individual units. Unlike GCSEs, GNVQs are not graded A*-G. Instead, pupils achieve Pass, Merit or Distinction. The equivalencies between the two are as follows: GNVQ Grade Intermediate Distinction Merit Pass Foundation Distinction Merit Pass Equivalent GCSE grade A*/A B C D E F/G The table below shows the relationship between GNVQ ICT and other ICT qualifications in the National Qualifications Framework. The National Qualifications Framework (ICT) LEVEL 3 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 1 General Academic General Vocational Occupational Advanced GCE Advanced VCE ICT IT NVQs Computing/ICT (3, 6 & 12 Unit Award) Level 3 GCSE ICT Intermediate GNVQ ICT IT NVQs grades A*- C (3 & 6 Unit Award) Level 2 GCSE ICT Foundation GNVQ ICT IT NVQs grades D - G (3 & 6 Unit Award) Level 1 Produced by Ann Weidmann, January 2001 Page 1 of 6

2 The structure of the Intermediate/Foundation GNVQ in ICT GNVQs are made up of a number of units, allowing pupils to build up their qualification in stages: 6-unit Full Award: 3 compulsory units, plus 3 further units selected from a bank of optional units), 3-unit Part One: 3 compulsory units. The 3-unit Part One Award is a sub-set of the 6-unit Full Award. The content of the 3 Part One units is the same as that of the first 3 compulsory units of the Full Award, although the way in which they are assessed is different (see below). Each unit has been designed to be delivered in approximately 60 hours of guided learning time. This means that a 6-unit Full Award programme designed to be delivered over Years 10 and 11 needs to be allocated approximately 6 hours a week. A 3-unit Part One programme will need about half this time i.e. 3 hours a week over 2 years. Guided learning time does not necessarily mean taught time; it can include some self-study/home-work time, providing students remain focussed and on-task. However, the vast majority of KS4 pupils will need considerable help and support from an ICT teacher in order to complete the course and achieve their full potential. Assessment Pupils are mainly assessed through coursework, but there is also an external assessment component. The ratio is two-thirds coursework, one-third external assessment. Assessment of the 3-unit Part One Award is significantly different from that of the 6-unit Full Award. 6-unit Full Award: Units 1 and 5 are externally assessed pupils do not need to produce coursework for these units. Pupils produce portfolio evidence for the other 4 units. This is internally assessed and externally moderated at the end of the course. 3-unit Part One Award: Pupils produce portfolio evidence and sit an external assessment for each of the 3 Part One units. Assessment As far as possible, the external assessment of GNVQ ICT reflects the practical nature of the subject. Pupils are issued with pre-release material prior to the written examination which requires them to carry out a series of practical activities e.g. produce a collection of documents, set up and interrogate a database, use a variety of information sources to research particular topics. They take the results of these activities into the examination with them and can expect to be asked questions related to what they have done and the choices they have made. Normally, there are two external assessment opportunities a year: in January and June and the same pre-release material is used for both examinations to facilitate re-sits. Pupils may re-sit each unit once. They do not, however, have to pass! Their point score from each of the external assessments is added to the points achieved for coursework to give an overall point score for the qualification. Differences and similarities between GNVQ ICT and GCSE ICT ICT is a highly practical hands-on subject and this is reflected in both the GNVQ and GCSE specifications. Both cover similar topics although since the GNVQ is a bigger qualification it is able to do so in considerably more depth - and both have a large element of practical coursework. Whilst, the GNVQ is more prescriptive about the nature of the coursework undertaken, it does not place the same emphasis on the production of formal project documentation as does GCSE. Key Skills are sign-posted in both GNVQ and GCSE specifications, but evidence of achievement in Key Skills is not a requirement for either qualification. Both qualifications give full exemption from both the external assessment and portfolio requirement of the Key Skill Unit in IT. Produced by Ann Weidmann, January 2001 Page 2 of 6

3 Raising Achievement through GNVQ ICT Pupils enjoy working with ICT and find it motivating. They tend to do well in subjects that they enjoy. To this extent GNVQ ICT can raise achievement. However, it is certainly not an easy option. Key success factors include: an appropriate time allocation, teaching staff with ICT expertise, access to appropriate ICT systems, a sensible recruitment policy, senior management support, an effective internal quality assurance system. Course Content Intermediate 3-unit Part One Award A Presenting Information Pupils learn about styles of writing and presentation and & document layout. They produce a range of documents using a variety of writing styles and layouts and compare the documents they have produced with ones produced by organisations for similar purposes. B Handling Information Pupils learn about information handling techniques and the design of information handling systems. They produce a simple relational database and a spreadsheet to meet the needs of a user. C Hardware & Software Pupils learn about the various forms and functions of hardware and software and the basics of computer programming. They set up and configure a computer system to meet the needs of a user and produce a macro, a template and an HTML program. & & Foundation 3-unit Part One Award A Presenting Information Pupils learn about styles of writing and the layout of standard & documents such as letters and memos. They produce a collection of documents using a variety of writing styles and layouts and compare two of their documents with ones produced by organisations for similar purposes. B Handling Information Pupils learn how and where information is stored and how it is processed using databases and spreadsheets. They produce a simple flat-file database and a spreadsheet to meet a given requirement. C Hardware & Software Pupils learn about the hardware and software components of an ICT system. They set up and configure a computer system to meet the needs of a user and produce a macro and a template. & & Produced by Ann Weidmann, January 2001 Page 3 of 6

4 Intermediate 6-unit Full Award Compulsory Units 1 Presenting Information Pupils learn about styles of writing and presentation and document layout. They produce a range of documents using a variety of writing styles and layouts and compare the documents they have produced with ones produced by organisations for similar purposes. 2 Handling Information Pupils learn about information handling techniques and the design of information handling systems. They produce a simple relational database and a spreadsheet to meet the needs of a user. 3 Hardware & Software Pupils learn about the various forms and functions of hardware and software, the basics of computer programming. They set up and configure a computer system to meet the needs of a user and produce a macro, a template and an HTML program. Optional Units 4 Design Project Pupils learn about the process of planning and carrying out an ICT project. They plan, produce, test, document and evaluate a project in an area of ICT that is of particular interest to them. 5* Information Resources Pupils learn how to use a range of paper- and ICT-based sources of information. They also learn about the types of information and information resources used by organisations. They use a variety of information-sources to carry out a range of research tasks. 6 Graphics Pupils learn about graphic design and how to work with vectorbased and bitmap graphic software to produce drawings and pictures. They design and make their own graphical solutions to problems. 7 Multimedia Pupils learn about multimedia design and techniques for producing multimedia presentations. They design and make two multimedia presentations combining sound, animation, text and 8 Networks & Communication 9 Modelling Numerical Information 10 Database Techniques & Applications graphics: one on their own and one as a group activity. Pupils learn about the purposes of networks, the hardware and software required and their social and economic impact. They set-up a simple network to link two computer systems together enabling them to share a common peripheral. They produce a user guide for this mini-network. Pupils build on the work they did in Unit 2 by learning more about how spreadsheets can be used for modelling. They produce solutions to two modelling projects: one on their own and one as a group activity. Pupils build on the work they did in Unit 2 by learning more about database techniques and applications and the social effects of databases. They produce a database comprising at least three related tables, design a user-friendly interface and provide notes outlining the contents of user and technical documentation. 11 Programming Pupils build on the work they did in Unit 3 by learning more about programming: the purpose of programming, the stages in software development and how to create and test programs. They do not have to produce programs from scatch; instead, they modify existing code so as to solve three different problems. Ideally, they should use an object-oriented programming language, although 12 Computer Aided Design this is not mandatory. This unit links closely with Unit 6. Pupils learn about computeraided design and how to use CAD software to produce plans, 3D models and illustrations. They produce a portfolio of computergenerated drawings and design notes. *Pupils must do Units 1,2, 3 and 5, plus any other 2 optional units. Produced by Ann Weidmann, January 2001 Page 4 of 6

5 Foundation 6-unit Full Award Compulsory Units 1 Presenting Information Pupils learn about styles of writing and the layout of standard documents such as letters and memos. They produce a collection of documents using a variety of writing styles and layouts and compare two of their documents with ones produced by organisations for similar purposes. 2 Handling Information Pupils learn how and where information is stored and how it is processed using databases and spreadsheets. They produce a simple flat-file database and a spreadsheet to meet a given requirement. 3 Hardware & Software Pupils learn about the hardware and software components of an ICT system. They set up and configure a computer system to meet the needs of a user and produce a macro and a template. Optional Units 4 Design Project Pupils learn about the process of planning and carrying out a simple ICT project. They plan and carry out a project and 5* Using Information Resources produce a review of their work. Pupils learn about different paper- and ICT-based sources of information and how to use them effectively. They use a variety of information-sources to carry out a range of research tasks. 6 Graphics Pupils learn about graphic design and how to work with vectorbased and bitmap graphic software to produce drawings and pictures. They produce two bitmap and two vector-based graphic images using a range of tools and facilities. 7 Multimedia Pupils learn about some of the software, tools and techniques available for producing multimedia presentations. They produce two working multimedia presentations, one of which is a group 8** Preparing for Employment 9** Working as part of a team presentation. Pupils learn how to find out about jobs and training opportunities, how to pick a suitable job or training, how to write an application and prepare for an interview. They produce an employment folder. Pupils learn about various aspects of teamwork and take part in a team activity. * Pupils must do Units 1,2, 3 and 5, plus any other 2 Optional units. ** These units are common to most Foundation GNVQ programmes. Produced by Ann Weidmann, January 2001 Page 5 of 6

6 Resources This is a highly practical course which will require pupils to use ICT equipment most of the time. Sharing computers is not really feasible. There are some opportunities for group work, but most of the time pupils need to produce their own work which staff have to be able to authenticate. For the compulsory units of the 3-unit Part One Award and the 6-unit Full Award pupils will need access to basic office software i.e. a word processor, a desk-top publishing package, a spreadsheet package and a database (relational for Intermediate). Pupils working at Intermediate level will also need to be able to use an HTML editor. In addition, they need a computer system preferably not a new one which they can use to connect together hardware components and install and configure software. The choice of optional units for the 6-unit Full Award will determine what additional resources are needed. Vocational GCSEs It is intended that from September 2002, vocational GCSEs will replace Foundation, Intermediate Full and Part One GNVQs. The outcome of the recent consultation should be known shortly and we expect to begin work on the new specifications very soon now. As far as we know, vocational GCSEs will be 3-unit qualifications equivalent to 2 GCSEs, similar to the existing Part One. Foundation and Intermediate levels will be combined and the new qualification will be graded A*- G. We do not expect there to be significant changes to content. Further information If you want to know more about GNVQ ICT/vocational GCSE ICT or any other of our ICT qualifications please contact: Ann Weidmann, Subject Adviser for ICT Telephone/Fax: ann.weidmann@edexcel.org.uk Produced by Ann Weidmann, January 2001 Page 6 of 6