ocr.org.uk/it

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1 To find out more visit ocr.org.uk/it or call our Customer Contact Centre on Alternatively, you can us at OCR is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group, a department of the University of Cambridge. For staff training purposes and as part of our quality assurance programme your call may be recorded or monitored. OCR 2015 Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England. Registered office 1 Hills Road, Cambridge CB1 2EU. Registered company number OCR is an exempt charity

2 ICT Qualifications ICT QUALIFICATIONS Looking to help your learners progress their skills and understanding of IT, or prepare for IT as a career? We have the full solution to support you. ocr.org.uk/it

3 2 ICT QUALIFICATIONS

4 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 3 AN INNOVATIVE SUITE OF QUALIFICATIONS FROM ENTRY LEVEL 1 TO LEVEL 4 Skills for the workplace and everyday life from OCR THE UK S LEADING AWARDING BODY for IT qualifications. A digital education that fosters creativity and innovation will help your learners achieve a level of digital literacy to be prepared for the digital workforce of tomorrow. A qualification in Information Technology opens up an incredible world of opportunities for work, not only within the technology industry but also in supporting roles within other industries. IT students will develop technical skills and knowledge that goes without saying. They ll also need other talents such as the ability to communicate clearly at all levels, to plan and to manage a project. Decision-making and problem-solving are also important. Our IT suite of qualifications opens doors to diverse career paths: roles in the games design industry, web and animation development or perhaps network security, digital forensics or mobile app development. Whatever path your learners follow, our IT suite provides a comprehensive range of qualifications to prepare them, plus flexibility, resources and ongoing free support for you. Discover more at ocr.org.uk/it

5 4 ICT QUALIFICATIONS CAMBRIDGE NATIONALS Cambridge Nationals are targeted at 14 to 16-year-olds in a school environment. They re available as an Award, Certificate and Diploma, with the Certificate being the same size as a GCSE. They use both internal and external assessment and have a range of exciting units to choose from. They re recognised by the DfE with performance points and are part of Progress 8 and Attainment 8. Cambridge Nationals in Creative imedia Level 1/2 Cambridge Nationals in Creative imedia are media sector focused, including film, television, web development, gaming and animation, and have IT at their heart. They provide knowledge in a number of key areas in this field, from pre-production skills to digital animation, and have a motivating, hands-on approach to both teaching and learning. Cambridge Nationals in Creative imedia consist of three qualifications: an Award (60 glh requiring two units), a Certificate (120 glh requiring four units) and a Diploma (240 glh requiring eight units). The qualification design, including the range of units available, will allow learners the freedom to explore the areas of creative media that interest them, as well as providing good opportunities to enhance their learning in a range of curriculum areas.

6 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 5 Cambridge Nationals in ICT Level 1/2 ICT skills are essential for success in employment and higher education and are among the fundamental transferable skills required by employers. Cambridge Nationals deliver these skills across the whole range of learning styles and abilities, effectively engaging and inspiring all learners to achieve great things. We ve created the qualifications to enable learners to increase their knowledge in a progressive way. They re available as an Award (60 glh requiring two units), a Certificate (120 glh requiring four units) and a Diploma (240 glh requiring eight units). Cambridge Nationals offer a variety of options: Core units give a solid foundation for the other units Business explores the ICT needs of businesses and provides learners with transferable skills necessary for the workplace or as they progress to further study Creative lets your learners express their creative side with units focusing on multimedia components, the power of digital imagery or creating a dynamic product using sound and vision Technical (only available at Diploma Level) explores programming, evaluating different hardware, software and networks, and developing control systems (creating a system for a robot or model car) Understanding technology, a project approach if you d like to explore a theme further or pick up on a subject not included, the final unit is ideal. It s a learner-initiated project that explores any subject in ICT in which they may have a particular interest. They ll plan, manage and review their own project it s problem solving at its best. You can get the latest information at ocr.org.uk/cambridgenationals

7 6 ICT QUALIFICATIONS CAMBRIDGE TECHNICALS Cambridge Technicals in IT Our Cambridge Technicals in IT suite gives you the reassurance that you have the right qualifications to support your learners lifelong learning journey. Cambridge Technicals in IT are vocational qualifications at Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 for learners aged 16+. They re designed with the workplace in mind and provide a high-quality alternative to general qualifications such as A Levels. Vocational education isn t just about results it s about educating people in the knowledge and skills required for employment and for the community as a whole. It s also about developing the behaviours and attributes needed to progress and succeed in education and in work Suite Current suite launched in % internal assessment No Key Stage 5 performance points from Suite New suite for first teaching September 2016 Externally assessed content Eligible for Key Stage 5 performance points from 2018 Designed to meet the DfE technical guidance Level 2 Cambridge Technicals Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in IT Level 2 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in IT Level 2 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT The Level 2 suite launching September 2016 designed to meet the DfE characteristics for KS5 performance tables first teach September Level 3 Cambridge Technicals Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in IT (180glh) Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT (360glh) Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in IT (540glh) Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT (720glh) Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in IT (1080glh) Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate in IT (180glh) Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in IT (360glh) Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT (360glh) Level 3 Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma in IT (540glh) Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT (720 glh) Level 4 Cambridge Technicals Level 4 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT NA

8 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 7 UCAS Our Level 3 Cambridge Technicals provide a strong base for progression to university, apprenticeships or work and are recognised for UCAS tariff points.* *It s always important to check individual course requirements when applying to university Suite Current suite launched in % internal assessment No Key Stage 5 performance points from 2018 Launched in September 2012, the Level 2 and Level 3 Cambridge Technicals in IT consist of a wide range of units such as installing hardware, creating a website, identifying an IT fault, computer animation and e-commerce. Both levels of qualification are an ideal foundation for learners entering the workplace, providing them with a theoretical background reinforced with practical skills that transfer into the modern workplace. The Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma and Extended Diploma in IT include vocational pathways: 1. Creative 2. Business User 3. Technical 4. Developer 5. Smarter Technology* *Learners who complete the Smarter Technology pathway will receive a full qualification certificate that will include the IBM logo. The Level 4 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT qualification provides a seamless progression route from the Level 3 Cambridge Technicals in IT. It can be achieved on a full-time or part-time basis making it an attractive option for people in work who want to up-skill to improve their career prospects.

9 8 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 2016 Suite New suite for first teaching September 2016 Externally assessed content Eligible for Key Stage 5 performance points from 2018 Designed to meet the DfE technical guidance For first teaching September 2016, our Level Cambridge Technicals in IT qualifications will help your learners to achieve their potential and progress to the next stage of their lives, whether it be higher education, an Apprenticeship, or employment We ve designed refreshing and exciting content that s up to date, engaging, fit for purpose and suitable for the needs of your learners in 2016 and beyond. To do this, we ve consulted with universities, employers and industry specialists to make sure your learners will gain the right combination of knowledge, understanding and skills required for the 21st century. A wide range of centre-assessed units with practical and wider projectbased assessment opportunities, as well as examined units on the Fundamentals of IT, Global Information, and Cyber Security, has resulted in focused qualifications. Depending on the size chosen, this can either complement a Key Stage 5 study programme alongside other vocational qualifications, A Levels, or may constitute the bulk of a two-year study programme. The three Diplomas have four vocational pathways within them; at least one pathway must be followed: 1. IT Infrastructure Technician 2. Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner 3. Application Developer 4. Data Analyst

10 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 9 We understand that one size doesn t fit all You ll be aware that awarding organisations that offer Level 3 vocational qualifications for 16 to 19-year-olds are launching new 2016 specifications to meet the DfE s requirements for Key Stage 5 performance measures. Two suites your choice We re able to offer you the flexibility to choose qualifications from either the 2012 or 2016 suite depending on the needs of your learners and requirements of your centre Suite New suite for first teaching September 2016 Externally assessed content Eligible for Key Stage 5 performance points from 2018 Designed to meet the DfE technical guidance The 2016 Cambridge Technicals suite launched in September 2015 for first teaching in September It s been designed to meet the DfE s Technical Guidance and will include external assessment. Our Development Specialists have done a great job in developing the new suite of Cambridge Technicals that we know your learners will love. The qualifications are engaging, up to date, and suitable for the needs of your learners in 2016 and beyond; they ve also had extensive input from universities, key employers and industry experts.

11 10 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 2012 Suite Current suite launched in % internal assessment No Key Stage 5 performance points from 2018 We know that some of you are concerned about the DfE requirements particularly the addition of external assessment. It s our intention to keep the 2012 Cambridge Technicals suite operational for the foreseeable future. Many of you have said the addition of external assessment won t suit your learners. Plus, some centres have told us they re not interested in Key Stage 5 performance measures. So we re giving you the option to choose what s right for you and your learners. View the full suite and the support we offer from initial enquiry through to results day at ocr.org.uk/cambridgetechnicals

12 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 11 LIFE SKILLS We ve worked closely with centres and employers to create a new suite that delivers digital skills for today s world. Our exciting new Digital Employability suite covers the skills that learners need to apply for jobs, to work in a 21st century environment and to participate as digital citizens. They ll gain the core knowledge they need to use IT in different contexts, particularly in the workplace. They ll know how to use the internet effectively and safely, work with different devices and process data. DIGITAL EMPLOYABILITY It s available from Entry Level 1 to Level 1 so you can offer your learners units that suit their level of knowledge and experience. It s realistic learners can practise skills they need to demonstrate to employers It s flexible they can complete the tasks using digital devices such as laptops, tablets or smartphones It s motivating take a look at the bite size units at Entry 3 and Level 1 each optional unit is 10 guided learning hours so you can focus on the fundamental skills and understanding learners must develop, while they can stay motivated. Assessment Entry Levels 1 and 2 We understand that building confidence is key; that s why we ve taken a holistic approach to assessment. Our evidence booklets make it straightforward to assess learners and enable them to demonstrate their skills in a non-threatening environment. Entry Level 3 and Level 1 There s no complex portfolio gathering process we ve created set tasks for the optional units with realistic scenarios to make sure evidence collection and assessment is straightforward while learners can demonstrate that they have the required skills. We provide clear marking guidance to make sure centre assessors are confident in their assessment decisions. You can upload evidence to us through our e-portfolio solution, speeding up the moderation process, and avoiding costly postage. All centre-assessed units are moderated on-demand by our Moderators. The mandatory unit at Entry Level 3 and Level 1 is assessed through a 30 minute engaging on-screen, on-demand knowledge test with a quick turnaround of results.

13 12 ICT QUALIFICATIONS FUNCTIONAL SKILLS FUNCTIONAL SKILLS ICT Functional Skills are practical skills in English, Maths and ICT designed to help individuals gain the most out of work, education and everyday life. Our Functional Skills ICT qualifications are suitable for both young people and adults, whether they re in work, training or preparing for work. They give your learners a practical grounding in how to apply ICT skills to everyday situations, with a strong focus on explanation and problem solving, using real-life contexts that allow your learners to apply their ICT skills in a variety of situations. For example, a self-employed boiler engineer will be able to set up a database of customers, with names, addresses and contact details, so that a mailing list can be created to remind clients when their service is due. Functional Skills ICT aims to: Provide accreditation of achievements in a range of ICT skills in real-life settings so individuals can use subject skills in a functional way throughout life Provide a progression route through to higher achievement Provide a flexible assessment structure that can be adapted to meet the needs of individual learners.

14 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 13 Assessment ICT Entry Levels 1 3 Assessment: OCR-set tasks at each Entry Level (with the option to contextualise to suit the needs of the individual) Learners will be required to use the internet and software. ICT Levels 1 and 2 Assessment: one question paper (Part A and Part B) externally set and marked by us at OCR Practical tasks using a computer and completion of short answer questions under examination conditions. New! In-App, on-screen, on-demand testing for Functional Skills ICT We believe in real-life functional assessments equipping your learners with the skills they need to succeed in life. That s why our Functional Skills ICT can be assessed using in-app testing allowing learners to work with commonly used software, like Microsoft Word, to produce work and upload it into the test. This means they ll be tested in a 100% non-simulated environment including real and internet searches. Our comprehensive range of free resources includes on-screen practice tests, sample assessment materials and support videos for learners and tutors. Paper-based, on-demand assessment will still run alongside the new online testing service. Discover more about e-testing and how to get started ocr.org.uk/e-testing For more information on Functional Skills visit ocr.org.uk/functionalskills

15 14 ICT QUALIFICATIONS APPRENTICESHIPS Apprenticeships offer high-quality training for jobs across a range of industries and are at the heart of the skills strategy in England. With such an emphasis on Apprenticeships, if you re a training provider or college, you may experience greater demand from learners looking for alternatives to university education, as well as increased enquiries from local employers hoping to develop their Apprenticeship programmes. Employees can gain skills and qualifications as they continue to work and there s compelling statistical evidence of improved job prospects, wage increases and improved lifetime earnings for employees. Employers can take on a new starter as an apprentice or develop existing staff by enrolling them onto a programme. They could benefit from reduced staff turnover, the new ideas and innovation that apprentices bring, and often a high return on investment after the initial period of training. Who provides what on Apprenticeships? The training provider or college offers the opportunity for apprentices to develop skills and knowledge in the classroom or in workshops and can facilitate work placements with employers. The employer provides the learner with the practical experience and support to put what s been learnt to the test.

16 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 15 Apprenticeship Reform what changes are being made? The Reform programme has been set out in The Future of Apprenticeships in England: Implementation Plan, published in October The key measures aim to: Increase the quality of Apprenticeships through more rigorous testing at the end of the Apprenticeship grading Put employers in the driving seat of designing Apprenticeships so that they meet the needs of the industry Simplify Apprenticeships by replacing complex frameworks with standards written by employers. How will Reform happen? Changes to Apprenticeships will be performed by Trailblazers, which are groups of employers working together to design new Apprenticeship standards for occupations in their sectors. Apprenticeships are a route to a mastery of an occupation and preparation for life. Here at OCR, we re putting learning at the heart of Apprenticeships as we help to shape them. The recommendations from the Reform programme are putting employers at the forefront of the Apprenticeship changes through Trailblazer projects. To prepare for the Reform, we re championing Apprenticeships with employers by identifying partnerships with Trailblazer groups for various sectors in the relevant roll out phases. As part of our Digital IT strategy we re developing new Trailblazer standards. From the first phase, we are launching two Apprenticeship standards in 2016 at Level 4 in Network Engineer and Software Developer, where we re pleased to announce the Knowledge entry windows for the Formative parts of the Apprenticeship standard.

17 16 ICT QUALIFICATIONS Look out for future Digital Apprenticeship standards Further IT Trailblazer standards will be released as they become available as part of Government implementation via the Tech Partnership. The implementation of Standard phases are spread until 2017; the current Apprenticeship frameworks will be used until all of the Digital standards are available. It s straightforward to offer our Apprenticeships and we currently offer all the required components for these Apprenticeship frameworks: Creative and Digital Media Level 3 IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals (Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4) IT Applications Specialist (Level 2 and Level 3). Visit ocr.org.uk/apprenticeships for more information

18 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 17 Framework Level Competence Qualifications Knowledge Qualifications Creative and Digital Media 3 OCR Level 3 Creative and Digital Media Competence Diploma OCR Level 3 Certificate in Creative imedia IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals 2 OCR Level 2 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence (PROCOM) 3 OCR Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence (PROCOM) Level 2 Award in ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals (Technical PROCOM) Level 2 Cambridge Technical Certificate in IT Level 2 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in IT Level 2 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT Level 3 Certificate in ICT Systems and Principles for IT Professionals (Technical PROCOM) Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in IT Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in IT IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals 4 OCR Level 4 Diploma in Professionals Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals Level 4 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT IT Applications Specialist 2 Scheme for use with Apprenticeships IT Applications Specialist 3 Scheme for use with Apprenticeships Combined with Competence Combined with Competence

19 18 ICT QUALIFICATIONS PROCOM Suite ICT Professionals The PROCOM suite provides industry-recognised IT qualifications that develop learners knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to careers in the IT and telecoms industry. The competence and technical qualifications in the suite form part of the Apprenticeship Framework for IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals. These qualifications are suitable for those who: Want a qualification for the technical side of IT, eg systems installation, networking, maintenance and management Are in education and looking to gain access to the IT industry Are employed in roles in the IT industry and want to develop further knowledge and skills to support and/or extend their work activities. Evidence is assessed by your centre staff and externally moderated by us at OCR. ICT Systems and Principles for IT Practitioners (Level 2) and IT Professionals (Level 3) (PROCOM) These stand-alone, knowledge-based qualifications are suitable for learners who want to gain a broad understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to work in the IT and telecoms industry. Available at Level 2 and Level 3, they provide learners with up-to-date, relevant knowledge and skills for the industry. There s a wide range of units at Levels 2, 3 and 4. These can be combined at different levels to suit learners needs. They include networking principles, software testing, hardware installation, information management, telecoms principles, web development and many more. A range of vendor units from industry-leading companies such as Microsoft, Cisco and CompTIA can also contribute towards this qualification.

20 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 19 ICT Systems and Principles for Professionals (Technical) Level 2 Award, Level 3 Certificate These qualifications provide the knowledge-based, technical component of the Apprenticeship Framework for IT, Software, Web and Telecom Professionals. They re suitable for learners who are working towards their Apprenticeship and should be taken in conjunction with the Diploma in ICT Professional Competence. The range of units provides up-to-date, relevant knowledge and skills for the industry, including customer care, maintaining equipment and IT systems, service delivery, supplier management, hardware installation and software testing, and many more. There are units at Levels 2 and 3 and these can be combined to suit the needs of the learner s work role and study programme. ICT Professional Competence Diploma Levels 2, 3 and 4 (PROCOM) These qualifications provide the competence component of the Apprenticeship Framework for IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals. They can be taken in conjunction with the knowledgebased, technical qualifications as part of an Apprenticeship programme or as stand-alone qualifications. They re suitable for those in employment and provide up-to-date, relevant knowledge and skills necessary for those working in the IT and telecoms industry. There s a wide range of units at Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 that includes system management, technical fault diagnosis, software installation and upgrade, testing ICT systems, health and safety in ICT, and many more. A range of units from Microsoft, Cisco and CompTIA can also contribute towards Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications. Learners can select the IT areas that are specific to them and plan a programme of development and assessment with their assessor to prove their competence and knowledge in their work role.

21 20 ICT QUALIFICATIONS Text Processing (Business Professional) This suite of qualifications is designed to help learners develop skills and gain knowledge and understanding that will support them in the modern business environment. The qualifications enable learners to build up credits and to progress towards a range of other qualifications at their own pace: There are 11 qualifications in the suite: an Award, Certificate and Diploma at Levels 1, 2 and 3 and two Entry Level qualifications Learners can develop core business skills at each stage It s possible to progress between qualifications at the same level, and between levels. For example, a learner could achieve a Level 1 Award, then move to the Level 1 Certificate and then to the Level 2 Certificate. The choice of units (depending on the level) ranges from word processing, shorthand, mail merge and business presentations, to medical and legal specialisms providing learners with the essential skills required in a modern business environment. Here are some of the units within the Text Processing suite that could meet the needs of your IT programmes of learning: Business presentations available at Levels 1 and 2, these units assess learners ability to produce business presentations following a design brief. Document presentation available at Levels 2 and 3, these units assess learners ability to produce business documents using a range of wordprocessing functions. Mail merge available at Levels 1 and 2, these units assess learners ability to create, amend and print data files and standard documents and print selected merged documents using merge facilities.

22 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 21 ITQ IT User Skills Level 1 to Level 3 ITQ is available to enable your learners to build up credits and progress towards a range of other qualifications at their own pace. It s an up-todate qualification tailored to the needs of businesses and their staff. It s suitable for individuals of any age looking for IT skills for employment or training. Your centre can use a variety of evidence types, including CLAiT and CLAiT Plus assignments as 100% evidence for mapped ITQ units Entries for ITQ will be un-named or named, with the option of unit or full qualification entries ITQ Level 2 unit exemptions are available for Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) achievements in Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash and Premiere Learners using CLAiT as the assessment method will receive an ITQ and CLAiT International certificate Computer-based assessment is available for specific units It s internally assessed and externally moderated You won t need formal A and V unit certification, but you will need Centre Assessors and Internal Verifiers. Please note: ITQ can be used for study programmes in schools; however, performance points are not applicable.

23 22 ICT QUALIFICATIONS Creative imedia Suite This suite offers you and your adult learners vocationally related, high-quality, industry-recognised qualifications that develop skills and techniques for using creative and digital media skills. With spiky profile certification, there s real flexibility for those learners who wish to gain units from different levels. We ve designed the qualifications so your learners can gain relevant workplace skills and techniques, keeping them one step ahead in a highly competitive market. CREATIVE imedia LEVELS 1 3 AWARD, CERTIFICATE AND DIPLOMA For any of these qualifications, learners need basic IT skills, creative thinking and a passion for digital media. They can choose to specialise in exciting and engaging digital and interactive media areas such as web authoring, 3D game engines, digital animation or interactive multimedia design. LEVELS 1 AND 2 (INCLUDING DIPLOMA) These qualifications are suitable for all individuals who wish to gain access to the creative and digital media industry. They re also suitable for those in employment who are looking to develop skills in one or more specialist areas to meet the needs of their workplace and job role, and for those following parttime courses for skill development or recreational purposes. Please note: Creative imedia can be used for study programmes in schools; however, performance points aren t applicable. To achieve these qualifications, learners must achieve the following total of credits: Level 1 Award: 9 credits Level 1 Certificate: 20 credits Level 1 Diploma: 37 credits Level 2 Award: 9 credits Level 2 Certificate: 24 credits Level 2 Diploma: 37 credits.

24 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 23 Level 3 We ve designed this qualification for those in employment who are looking to develop skills in one or more specialist areas to meet the requirements at work and of a dynamic job role. It s also appropriate for those following part-time courses for skill development or recreational purposes, and for those in full-time education who have some skills in this area but wish to gain more specialist skills because they re aiming to work in the creative and digital media industry. To achieve these qualifications, learners must achieve the following total of credits: Level 3 Award: 10 credits Level 3 Certificate: 24 credits this qualification may also contribute to the Advanced Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media. Level 3 Diploma: 45 credits this qualification may also contribute to the Advanced Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media. The qualifications: Aim to recognise the application of a range of creative media user skills, knowledge and understanding Allow for progression to and from our portfolio of IT qualifications and complement other vocational qualifications Give learners access to the secure MAPS e-portfolio so they can manage work in their personal portfolio Will be centre assessed in the secure MAPS e-portfolio and externally moderated by us at OCR. The exciting choice of units includes storytelling with a comic strip, character modelling, digital photography, pre-production skills, sound effects, plus many more. Units achieved will be graded Pass or Fail.

25 24 ICT QUALIFICATIONS Preparing to Work in Creative Media Certificate Level 2 and Level 3 These qualifications are suitable for those in full-time education who wish to gain access to the creative and digital media industry, those looking to start work and who wish to develop skills to meet the requirements of their potential workplace and job role, and those following part-time courses for skill development or recreational purposes. These qualifications provide an ideal progression to competence-based qualifications once individuals are in suitable employment They allow learners to progress to and from our existing portfolio of IT qualifications and will complement our other vocational qualifications To achieve the Level 2 qualification, learners must complete a total of 24 credits, and for the Level 3 a total of 28 units The units are centre assessed in the secure MAPS e-portfolio and externally moderated by us at OCR. These qualifications develop learners knowledge of employment status and the marketplace, their ability to promote themselves to potential employers, their skills with technologies associated with the sector/ converging technologies, and more.

26 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 25 Creative and Digital Media Competence Diploma This qualification is suitable for those aged 16+ who work in the creative and digital media industry who are looking to formalise their skills and to progress in the sector. It s also suitable for those looking to meet the requirements of their workplace and job role. The aim of this qualification is to recognise the application of a range of creative media user skills, to help and enhance knowledge and understanding and to: Contribute to good working relationships Understand how to reduce risks and how to improve health and safety requirements Manage and contribute to work in projects, within the workplace to help in the preparation and implementation of tasks. The units are centre assessed in the secure MAPS e-portfolio and externally moderated by us at OCR. Learners must achieve a minimum of 71 credits. This qualification may also be taken as the competence component of the Advanced Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media.

27 26 ICT QUALIFICATIONS GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS Entry Level Computing Entry Level Computing provides learners with a basic understanding of computer technology and computing principles. It introduces and assesses relevant, transferable skills, including problem solving and information gathering. It lays the foundations for further study of Computer Science. GCSE Computing Our GCSE (9-1) Computer Science builds on our pioneering qualification development in this field. Relevant to the modern, changing world of computing, it s designed to boost computing skills essential for the 21st century. GCSE Computer Science Our Computer Science specification will, above all else, be relevant to the modern and changing world of computing. The new specification will: Focus on programming building on our GCSE Computing and emphasise the importance of computational thinking as a discipline Have an expanded maths focus, much of which will be embedded in the course Put computational thinking at its core, helping students to develop the skills to solve problems, design systems and understand human and machine intelligence Allow students to apply the academic principles they learn in the classroom to real-world systems in an exciting and engaging way Give students a clear progression into higher education, as the course was designed after consultation with members of BCS, CAS and top universities.

28 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 27 Entry Level ICT Entry Level in ICT is targeted at different types of learners including adult returners, learners on taster courses, those with learning difficulties and learners who are considered unlikely to attain a grade at GCSE. This is an exciting, broad-based specification for you and your learner, which aims to bring ICT to life, engage learners and encourage them to achieve more. The practical possibilities have no limit. Learners have the chance to develop their knowledge, understanding and, most importantly, their skills in: Animation Control Database use Digital imaging Spreadsheet use Video editing The Entry Level in ICT qualification: Is assessed through ongoing coursework Has no written exam at the end of the course learners complete one of the OCR-set practical communication tasks and two Short Tasks, based on the subject content. Each Short Task must be from a different strand from the list shown above Has an OCR-set Short Task available for each strand, which can be downloaded from our website. Alternatively, your centre can set the tasks. For centre-set tasks, please make sure that learners can meet the full assessment criteria Is suitable for learners looking for a first qualification in basic ICT. It can also be the doorway to further qualifications for learners, as once they ve gained them, they can then follow a pathway to further build on their skills by more study Can be taught alongside Entry Level Functional Skills Is also ideal for learners who aren t suited to GCSEs or equivalent ICT qualifications, including adult learners.

29 28 ICT QUALIFICATIONS GCSE ICT This exciting GCSE in ICT specification gives students fantastic opportunities to work with a variety of technologies and allows them to flourish in areas such as web design, games design or basic programming, making it engaging and enjoyable to study. The qualification has been designed to nurture digital literacy and provide students with up-to-date skills, knowledge and understanding of the rapidly developing digital world. The GCSE ICT specification: Improves students confidence in areas such as mobile phone apps, web page and games design Improves their understanding of the use of social networking and its impacts on society Enables students to keep up to date with IT and digital developments, at home and in the marketplace Explains how IT can help improve career options Provides students with IT skills they can use to solve IT-related practical problems Allows them to progress and develop IT-related technical skills which will give them a foundation for achieving ICT and Computing A Level qualifications. This qualification is available as a short course (two units) and a full course (four units). The choice of an optional unit, where students can select from Creative use of ICT and Coding a solution, introduces the concept of basic programming. Their choice can be based around your centre s resources and individual interests. Each of the two examined units has a one-hour exam with a distinct purpose. This helps keep your students motivated and allows them to focus their revision. Open-ended tasks allow your students to be assessed through summative assessment. This motivates high achievers by allowing them to see the ultimate goal and plan their progress.

30 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 29 The whole qualification can be completed via an e-route, removing the need for paper-based evidence and avoiding the need for printing. You pick the option that best suits your resources and the needs of your students. Our GCSE ICT opens doors to diverse career paths such as games design, web and animation development, network management, network security, digital forensics, and mobile application development. A Level ICT This specification can see students develop a wide range of ICT skills together with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of ICT. They re encouraged to become discerning users of ICT. During this course, students can develop the capacity to think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically as they look at ICT in a range of contexts to solve IT-related problems and develop an understanding of the effect of ICT on individuals, organisations and society. They ll cover exciting units such as information systems and applications, structured ICT tasks, implications of ICT systems and an ICT project. The A Level ICT specification: Provides the ideal foundation for those students who wish to pursue ICT at degree level or as a career Provides the best method to assess practical skills for coursework Has two examinations, two hours each, plus a coursework element of 40% Has AS coursework that s structured around tasks to cover a wide range of skills Emphasises business ICT skills that learners can transfer into the business world Allows students to explore the latest technologies through completely updated course content.

31 30 ICT QUALIFICATIONS A Level ICT (Applied) This broad-based qualification provides a more vocational perspective where students develop all the necessary skills required in ICT. The course also offers them the chance to personalise their path of study and obtain a qualification that meets both their individual aptitudes and interests. It may be useful for them to have studied it at GCSE level but this isn t essential. Students develop a wide range of skills required in ICT and apply these within work-related contexts. These include building an understanding of the main principles of solving problems using ICT, developing presentation and project management skills, and understanding the need to work with others. They learn to apply their knowledge and understanding of ICT and use skills such as planning, research, evaluation and problem-solving in vocational contexts. The A Level ICT (Applied) specification: Provides students with a progression route to higher education and further training for employment Offers them the chance to personalise their path of study and obtain a qualification that meets their individual aptitudes and interests Might be enhanced by prior study of the subject at GCSE level but this isn t essential Is made up of three mandatory units at AS and three further units at A2 Develops a broad range of skills and knowledge as a basis for progression into further learning Creates knowledge and understanding of information systems within a range of organisations Builds an understanding of the main principles of solving problems using ICT Develops project management skills and an understanding of the need to work with others.

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33 32 ICT QUALIFICATIONS SUPPORTING YOU IN QUALIFICATION DELIVERY Our aim is to support you on your journey with us from initial enquiry right through to results. To get you off on the right foot you might want to take advantage of the support we provide. CPD: All of our qualifications are supported with comprehensive training. Check out the details at cpdhub.ocr.org.uk. Simply log onto this website and look for the face-to-face or online training courses for the qualifications you re interested in. Many of these courses are free to attend and the website also includes previous training materials and resources. At ocr.org.uk, you ll find a whole range of support and resources for your chosen qualification. These include: Initial Assessment (Functional Skills): This free paper-based tool helps you profile your learner s start point and can be accessed through Interchange. Past Paper: Previous examination papers for each subject for you and your students to practise with. Online Community: If you want to interact with other teachers/lecturers then our online community is the place to go. Our virtual communities are grouped by subject area and offer an opportunity to ask for advice, swap resources and suggest ideas for teaching and lesson planning. Progress Tracker: An Excel-based tracking tool to help you monitor learners progress throughout the qualification. Skills Guides: A range of generic skills guides covering topics such as Communication, Research Skills and Exam Techniques.

34 ICT QUALIFICATIONS 33 Sample Learner Work (Cambridge Nationals): We ve created sample learner work that shows, for each unit, an example of a Mark Band 1 piece of work and what it would have needed to move to Mark Band 2, and an example of a Mark Band 3 piece of work and why it was better than a Mark Band 2 piece of work. Delivery Guide: A range of lesson ideas with associated activities you can use with learners to deliver the contents of the qualifications. Lesson Elements: Task sheets and accompanying instructions for some of the activities in the Delivery Guide. Resource Links: An e-resource providing you with a range of links to teaching and learning websites and materials. Activity Banks: Stimulating free resources for teachers.

35 34 ICT QUALIFICATIONS A web-based service where you can access specific up-to-date information, browse hot topics and FAQs or us with your questions. Visit answers.ocr.org.uk Active Results This is a free online A Level and GCSE results analysis service to help you review the performance of individual students or your whole school. Active Results provides access to detailed results data, enabling more comprehensive analysis of results to give you a more accurate measure of the achievements of your centre and individual students. For more information, go to ocr.org.uk/activeresults OCR Blogs Read our new Computing, ICT and Design and Technology blog which is designed to keep you informed of our work and provide an interesting insight into the world of an awarding organisation. For a great source of conversation with education leaders, useful advice and up-to-date information, visit and bookmark ocrblogs.org.uk

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