Computing

COMPUTING
AS and A2 LEVEL

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

GCSE Mathematics at Grade B or above
GCSE English at Grade C or above
Students who have taken a GCSE qualification in ICT should have gained at least a Grade C.

AIMS

To encourage you to develop

• the capacity for thinking creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically;
• an understanding of the organisation of computer systems including software, hardware, data, communications and people;
• the ability to apply skills, knowledge and understanding of computing, including programming, in a range of contexts to solve problems;
• project and time management skills;
• the capacity to see relationships between different aspects of the subject and perceive their field of study in a broader perspective;
• an understanding of the consequences of uses of computing, including social, legal, ethical and other issues;
• an awareness of emerging technologies and an appreciation of their potential impact on society

AS and A Level courses based on this specification will help you to develop a broad range of skills and knowledge of computing as a basis for progression into further learning, including progression from AS to A2, and/or employment in computing-related fields.

ASSIGNMENTS

You are expected, to spend a significant amount of time on each of your AS/A Levels outside class time.  Some of this time will be spent on set homework. These will take the form of either research, the findings to be reported either orally or written, specimen paper questions, written exercises, practical computer tasks or group work.

Some pieces of work will span a number of weeks and you will have to plan your time in order to complete by the hand in date. Within the time spent on Computing you may also be required to carry out short tasks as preparation for future lessons or consolidation of work just covered. Revision for progress tests will also be required and the mark for this will be the mark for the progress test. 

You should also spend some time per week on a computer, even if the homework set does not involve their use. You will need to consolidate on previous work and gain practice and confidence in the use of the machines.

CONTENT

AS Level (Year 12)
Unit 1 Problem Solving, Programming, Data Representation and Practical Exercise
Unit 2 Computer Components, The Stored Program Concept and The Internet
A2 Level (Year 13)
Unit 3 Problem Solving, Programming, Operating Systems, Databases and Networking
Unit 4 The Practical Project

ASSESSMENT

External Assessment

Internal Assessment
You will have a written progress test every four weeks or so. This will help you know how well you are progressing and if you need any additional help. Some of your tests for Unit 1 will involve you demonstrating software skills. During theory sessions your teacher will use observation and questions and answers to assess progress.

USEFULNESS IN THE FUTURE

AS and A Level courses based on this specification should help you to develop a broad range of skills and knowledge of computing as a basis for progression into further learning, including progression from AS to A2, and/or employment in computing-related fields.

The current AQA A-level Computing is an established course and many students go on to work in the industry.

IMPORTANT NOTE

This is a new course for teaching from September 2008. It is not the same course being taken by current students in Years 12 and 13.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE

Contact:

            K. Alpin

Learning Area Coordinator for ICT and Business Studies