REVISED GCE ICT Support Events November 2008 Stormont Hotel Belfast Silver Birch Hotel Omagh

Agenda Welcome & introduction CCEA local & online support Stretch & Challenge A* Award Chair of Examiners Questions and answers

Local support A local team fully committed to supporting you Accessible subject officers and specification support officers Tailored guidance from a subject specialist Centre visits on request

Our support online Specification Specimen papers and mark schemes Chief Examiner’s reports with top tips for improving examination performance Student Guides Schemes of Work

ICT Microsite Select ICT from Microsite Quickfind drop down menu

Our support Exemplification of standards AS September – November 2009 A2 September – November 2010

Stretch and challenge Regulatory requirement QCA guidance: fewer structured questions more open-ended questions which require the response to be constructed by the candidate understanding and connectivity to be tested through synoptic questions more extended writing.

CCEA response Writing teams were asked to: use a variety of stems in questions – for example analyse, evaluate, discuss, compare ensure connectivity between sections of questions use a wider range of question types to address different skills improve synoptic assessment.

Award of A* An A* will be awarded to the candidates who: attain an overall grade A in the qualification an aggregate of at least 90% of the uniform marks across the A2 units

A2 Units - then

Unit A21 :Information Systems

Externally assessed 2 hour examination Worth 25% of A level (50% of A2) 100 uniform marks Extension to Unit AS1: Components of ICT Acquiring knowledge and understanding of Information Systems

Unit A21: Information Systems Structure: Seven sections Database Systems Networked Systems Software Development The User Interface User support and training Legal and professional issues Implications of information systems

Unit A21: Information Systems SectionIncludes : 3.1 Database systems Introduction to relational database including ER and normalisation to 3NF DBMS : components, facilities and purpose. DBA MIS : Importance of information Purpose and function of MIS, Expert Systems and DSS Data Security: Threats, management of data access, backup and recovery

Unit A21: Information Systems SectionIncludes : 3.2 Networked Systems Types of network : client server, peer to peer Centralised and distributed databases Communication : impact of mobile and wireless communication Bandwidth and data transmission, OSI Error detection : detecting and correcting errors Security issues: access to network, data transmission, accounting and auditing software

Unit A21: Information Systems SectionIncludes : 3.3 Software Development Approaches to development: SDLC, Prototyping, RAD Role of ICT specialist, client and end user The software development process : Analysis, design documentation Contents of requirements and design specification CASE tools Software quality: Testing The management and implementation of review and maintenance

Unit A21: Information Systems SectionIncludes : 3.4 The User interface Human Computer Interaction : importance and main features of command line, GUI, natural language, forms and dialogue User Interface Design Techniques : psychological and ergonomic features How to reduce user learning curve

Unit A21: Information Systems SectionIncludes : 3.5 User support and training User Support : Different types of support Designing an interface to assist a new user Training : different ICT based resources available for training How the increased use of ICT impacts on training and re-skilling

Unit A21: Information Systems SectionIncludes : 3.6 Legal and professional issues Legislation : laws and impact on organisations, employees and members of the public Internet : IPR, Censorship Professional issues : Social moral and ethical issues in the context of the ICT professional Acceptable Use Policy : contents and the need for AUP Professional Bodies: Ethical implications of ICT in relation to BCS/ ACM

Unit A21: Information Systems SectionIncludes : 3.7 Implications of Information systems Employment patterns : impact of increasing use of IS in service and manufacturing Impact of ICT on employee work patterns Work and leisure : Impact on IS on employees at all levels Impact of ICT on leisure activities Managing change : hardware and software development Factors influencing success or failure of an IS

Unit A21: Information Systems Main changes 2 examinable units  1 examinable Unit Unit  different weighting now 50%  Some new content Examination  2hrs long  100 uniform marks  Stretch and challenge

Unit A21: Information Systems Usually 1 question on all sections Candidates must answer all questions Stretch and challenge question will be included Unit builds on candidate experience at AS Seeks to enhance their knowledge and understanding of IS

AS Coursework ComponentDescription Weighing of AS Key Date(s) Data Processing Database Spreadsheet 25%April Multimedia Presentation Web Design 25%April

AS Coursework Each Task is assessed separately. Students can use one information system for both tasks. Tasks can also have different information systems. Students should consider whether they will be doing A2.

AS Coursework If the teacher selects the task for the student it may not allow scope for A2 coursework as there may not be a real end user If there is no potential end user within tasks then no scope for A2 as a continuation of AS Selection of Software is centre based – think of A2 to help make decision

AS Coursework AS Systems Life CycleData ProcessingMulti-media AnalysisYY DesignY Software DevelopmentY TestingY EvaluationY User GuideY

A2 Coursework SectionMark Analysis15 Design15 Implementation and Testing20 Documentation20 Evaluation10

A2 Coursework Problem selected must have an end user Solution should include skills developed in A21 Better Candidates will be expected to provide a detailed solution to a demanding problem

A2 Coursework Solution will incorporate advanced software features. Teacher is strongly advised to guide their candidates through each stage of the solution. Total Mark is 80.

Contacts Officer with subject responsibility: Joe McGurk Telephone: Specification Support Officer: Catriona Skelton Telephone: Ext 2292 Distribution Telephone: