New GCEs for 2008
GCE Information and Communication Technology (2520)
January and June 2010 exams: INFO4 Coursework: Practical Issues Involved in the Use of ICT in the Digital World
We have arranged some additional standardisation meetings for teachers in autumn 2009 for INFO4. At these meetings we will provide support in developing appropriate coursework tasks and using the assessment criteria.
Please note that the content of these meetings is identical to those being held in summer 2009 and no new materials will be presented. If you have already booked on to a summer meeting, there is no need for you to attend an autumn meeting.
For the 2010 examination all centres will be new to the specification and therefore you must send a representative to one of the meetings. You can register and then book yourself onto a meeting through our event booking service.
See our policy on attendance at coursework standardisation meetings.
Introduction
Introducing AQA's new course specification for Information and Communication Technology for AS and A Level. This new specification has been designed to:
- help students who wish to go on to higher education courses or employment where understanding how ICT can be used in society and business, and the implications of its use, will be a valuable asset
- offer more opportunities for practical work than the current specification.
The following information and specification outline will enable both practising Teachers and Subject Heads to be better informed and supported in the teaching of this subject, particularly if attending one of AQA's Teacher Support meetings.
Classification Codes
Every specification is assigned a national classification code indicating the subject area to which it belongs. The classification code for this specification is 2650.
Centres should be aware that candidates who enter for more than one GCE AS/A level qualification with the same classification code will have only one grade (the highest) counted for the purpose of the School and College Performance Tables.
Centres may wish to advise candidates that, if they take two specifications with the same classification code, universities and employers are very likely to take the view that they have achieved only one of the two GCE AS/A levels. The same view may be taken if candidates take two GCE AS/A level specifications that have different classification codes but have significant overlap of content. Candidates who have any doubts about their subject combinations should check with the university to which they wish to progress or company they wish to join, before embarking on their programmes.
Assessment Objectives
The Assessment objectives are common to AS and A Level.
AO1 - Data and information, and the need for their organisation and manipulation to facilitate effective use; using ICT for a range of purposes; social, cultural, legal, technical, ethical, economic and environmental considerations on the use of ICT; ICT for individuals, organisations and society; ICT systems (including hardware, software and communication); the development of high-quality ICT-related solutions to problems; emerging technologies and ICT
AO2 - Investigate and analyse problems and produce a specification; design effective solutions; select and use appropriate application software; test and implement an effective ICT-related system; document specifications and solutions; evaluate solutions and their own performance.