*Please note this course is no longer part of our curriculum offer as of 2023/2024*

Year 9 to Year 11

During the first half of Year 9, students will be introduced to Component 1 Unit on User Interfaces. Learners will develop their understanding of what makes an effective user interface and how to effectively manage a project. They will use this understanding to plan, design and create a user interface. During this time, students will complete practice activities to prepare them for the Assessment in Year 10.

For the remainder of Year 9, students will be introduced to Component 2 Unit on Data Handling.  Students will understand the characteristics of data and information, and how they help organisations in decision-making. They will use data manipulation methods to create a dashboard to present and draw conclusions from information. Again, practice activities will be used to prepare students for Assessments during Year 10.

During the first term of Year 10, students will revise and complete mock assessments relating to Component 1 (User interfaces) to prepare them for the assessment window which opens in November. The assessment is completed on a computer but in exam conditions with no Internet access.

During the second term, students will revise and complete mock assessments relating to Component 2 (Data Handling) to prepare them for the second assessment window which opens in May.  Again, the assessment will be completed on a computer but in exam conditions with no Internet access.

The remaining time in Year 10 will be used to prepare students for Component 3, looking at how organisations use digital systems.

In their final year, students will study Component 3, to prepare for a written exam to be sat in the summer. This component will give students an opportunity to explore how developments in technology over recent years have enabled modern organisations to communicate and collaborate more effectively than ever before. This component is designed to allow students to explore the digital systems available to organisations, and how their features have an impact on the way organisations operate. We will explore how developments in technology have led to more inclusive and flexible working environments, and how regulations, along with ethical and security concerns, influence the way in which organisations operate.

Hours per week: 2

Exam board: Pearson BTEC Technical Award

Subject Specifications:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/btec-tec-awards/information-technology/2022/specification-and-sample-assessments/60370506-BTEC-Tech-Award-Digital-Information-Technology-2022-spec-PPD1.pdf