Cambridge National Certificate in Information Technologies Year 8 Options Mr Johnson Cambridge National Certificate in Information Technologies DON’T BANK ON IT! You get an email that says it’s from your bank. But you’ve spotted clues that make you suspicious. This kind of email is called: a. A cookie b. Spyware c. Phishing d. Spam 300 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute

What is a Cambridge National? Cambridge Nationals are vocational qualifications at Level 1 and 2 for students aged 14–16. They are designed to fit into the curriculum and to offer the same size, rigour and performance points as GCSEs. The qualifications are recognised by Ofqual, the DfE and 16 – 19 providers as progression to A Level, further education or on to an apprenticeship or work.

Overview of INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES The Cambridge National in IT has been designed to give students a real understanding of their digital environment, develop key skills and prepare them for their future use of IT in their chosen careers across a wide range of job roles. It also covers how they can safely interact with IT at work, home and in study. The qualification is about applying understanding and skills to use technologies to select data, manipulate, store, analyse and present it as information, and follow a project life cycle to structure how it’s done. There are two assessments – a practical project and a written exam paper, with each being worth 50% of the course.

Course outline Unit Assessment Content Understanding tools, techniques, methods and processes for technological solutions Written paper 1 hour 45 minutes 50% of the total marks Externally assessed examination Project Management Project life cycle, Planning tools and SWOT analysis Business communication systems How data is collected, processed and stored Big data, Cyber security, Legal framework, Ethics and morals and Distribution channels, including social media

Unit Assessment Content Creating Data Management Systems for Business Controlled assessment 50% of the total marks Internally assessed and externally moderated Spreadsheet Create and use spreadsheet systems to help businesses model, collect & analyse data and identify trends, using Microsoft Excel. Database Create and use relational databases to accurately store, retrieve, and professionally present business data, using Microsoft Access. Presenting Creating complex professional documents using desktop publishing and word processing software. Design and implement a digital marketing artefact that combines media creatively. Use HTML and CSS to create websites. Project Management Planning and managing a project using project management software and planning tools.

The project life cycle The project life cycle underpins much of the course. Students will learn how to analyse project requirements, plan and design a solution, use a range of software skills to execute their plan, and evaluate the outcomes of the project, while following the 4 phases of the project life cycle.

IT skills Students will develop their skills in a range of software including: Relational databases Spreadsheets Word processing, including mail merge and other advanced features Desktop publishing Presentation software (PowerPoint) Web and mobile technologies e.g. HMTL & CSS to create websites Creating and manipulating graphics

IT Knowledge & Understanding Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of IT in two broad areas: Project management Plan a project – SMART targets, success criteria, using planning tools (Gantt charts, PERT, visualisation diagrams, SWOT analysis etc.) Develop a solution using IT software and hardware Test and evaluate a solution Cyber security, legal and ethical issues around the collection and use of data The impacts of malware, social engineering, hacking, DDoS, pharming and how to reduce the risks Laws related to IT – Computer Misuse, Data Protection, Copyright etc. Ethical and moral issues i.e. safe use of social media

What grades can students get? The Cambridge Certificate in IT is a Level 1 [1-4] and Level 2 [4-9] qualification Pass-Merit-Distinction grading system three grades at level 1 – Pass, Merit, Distinction four grades at level 2 – Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* Grades are equivalent to GCSE 9-1 grades and count towards Progress and Attainment 8 scores

Progress routes for students With a Cambridge National Certificate in IT students could progress to: A levels, BTEC Nationals or other post-16 study Apprenticeships Traineeships Employment …but strong IT skills and understanding are valuable across a broad range of careers and further study, so Information Technologies is a great option, regardless of what students plan to do next At Fitz: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology

Information Technologies IT vs Computer Science Information Technologies Computer Science About how software works and how it can be used Learn to use spreadsheets, databases, web design programs, etc. to create solutions to problems an end- user might have Become a confident computer user About how computers work Learn to create computer applications by writing programming code (e.g. Python) Develop a deeper understanding of computers, algorithms, programming languages, computational & logical thinking

Questions ? ? ?

2 options Cambridge National Certificate in IT GCSE Computer Science You like using software to create stuff Spreadsheets, graphics, web design, databases… You want to know more about how computers are used in the world GCSE Computer Science You want to create apps and learn to become a programmer You are good at Maths and can think logically You want to know how computers work – what actually goes on inside the box RED PATHWAY OR WHITE PATHWAY