Students follow the Pearsons BTEC Tech Award in DIT. Here is the link to the specification: Digital Information Technology (2022) | BTEC Tech Award | Pearson qualifications
In year 10 students will develop a better understanding on the design of software interfaces. Students will understand the different ways that information can be displayed on the screen and the main design principles that should be considered when developing software interfaces. Accessibility is a key focus in this year where students will develop an understanding of how technology should be developed so it can be used for as many people as possible even those with impairments and disabilities.
Students will also gain a better understanding of how cloud technology is used and the different communication methods that are used to successfully manage and complete different jobs. The impact of technology on society and the working world is also a key topic within year 10 so they have an understanding of how it might impact their careers and personal lives in the future.
In year 11 the main focus of coursework is on the use of data with technology. Students will develop their own data dashboard by analysing and modifying data that has been given to them by the exam board. Students will make the data more presentable in a range of ways by using spreadsheet skills such as charts, pivot tables, formatting tools and formulas.
| 10 | 11 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Concepts | Exploring User Interfaces and the Impact of technology | Understanding the use and presentation of data | ||
| Autumn Term (Sep-Dec) |
Introduction into user interfaces and the impact that they have on the software and hardware we use. Discussing the principles that are used to develop a range of user interfaces including, graphical, menu, voice and text based interfaces. Developing the plans for your own interface and how you can include accessibility options to make it as user friendly as possible. | Students will learn about the importance of data within the 21st century for a business that makes use of effective technology. Students will gain a better understanding of how data can be processed into information. Students will be able to identify the key principles of effective information. Students will begin to develop their skills in spreadsheet software using a range of formulas and formatting skills to present data. | ||
| Quality Mark Assessments | ||||
Students are assessed on their coursework here which is a mix of reports of research into interfaces and an interface project that the students have developed themselves. | Students are assessed on a spreadsheet project within this term and their understanding of turning data into information. | |||
| Spring Term (Jan-April) |
Reviewing, testing and making improvements to an interface. Students will develop a method of testing their own interface based on the theory that has been taught behind user satisfaction. Students will learn about the impact that cloud technology has had on the world including socially and economically. Students will develop an understanding of how workplaces make use of technology in order to improve the running of their services. Students will then learn about how technology has had an impact on the working environment and society. Students will consider how it impacts the employer and the employees within a range of businesses | Students will use the skills previously taught to start and develop their data dashboard. Students will be given a large amount of data and be expected to make data summaries and present the data in a more refined way to process it into information. Students will develop a report documenting the process of them creating the data dashboard and the tools they have used and how it helped them present the data. Students will then make a report with recommendations from the data summaries they have made from the dashboard. | ||
| Quality Mark Assessments | ||||
Students are also assessed on parts of their coursework in this term. Specifically the testing and improving the interface which they have developed. Students will sit the end of topic tests to show their understanding of cloud technology and the impact of technology. | Students will be assessed on the quality of their written reports from the dashboard which they have developed as part of the coursework. | |||
| Summer Term (May-July) |
Students will develop a better understanding of the threats that can arise within a computer network and how employers can protect themselves against these threats. Students will learn about how policies help protect the employer and employees in a business that makes use of technology. Students will discuss a range of policies and the characteristics that should be found in each one. Students will develop a better understanding of how to use technology responsibly which includes the sharing of data and the invasion of privacy. | Students will develop an understanding of forms of notation which includes diagrams that are often used by most organisations such as flow charts or data diagrams. Revision on previous topics covered for the exam. Students will sit the exam. | ||
| Quality Mark Assessments | ||||
Students will complete an end of unit test for threats to a computer network and protection methods. Students will also be assessed on the responsible use of technology. Students will sit a mock exam to test their understanding of the topics which have already been taught. | Students will be tested on their knowledge of forms of notation. Students will sit their exam which accounts for 40% of their overall grade. | |||
10
Key Concepts
Exploring User Interfaces and the Impact of technology
Quality Mark AssessmentsAutumn Term
(Sep-Dec)
Introduction into user interfaces and the impact that they have on the software and hardware we use.
Discussing the principles that are used to develop a range of user interfaces including, graphical, menu, voice and text based interfaces.
Developing the plans for your own interface and how you can include accessibility options to make it as user friendly as possible.
Quality Mark AssessmentsStudents are assessed on their coursework here which is a mix of reports of research into interfaces and an interface project that the students have developed themselves.
Spring Term
(Jan-April)
Reviewing, testing and making improvements to an interface. Students will develop a method of testing their own interface based on the theory that has been taught behind user satisfaction.
Students will learn about the impact that cloud technology has had on the world including socially and economically. Students will develop an understanding of how workplaces make use of technology in order to improve the running of their services.
Students will then learn about how technology has had an impact on the working environment and society. Students will consider how it impacts the employer and the employees within a range of businesses
Quality Mark AssessmentsStudents are also assessed on parts of their coursework in this term. Specifically the testing and improving the interface which they have developed. Students will sit the end of topic tests to show their understanding of cloud technology and the impact of technology.
Summer Term
(May-July)
Students will develop a better understanding of the threats that can arise within a computer network and how employers can protect themselves against these threats.
Students will learn about how policies help protect the employer and employees in a business that makes use of technology. Students will discuss a range of policies and the characteristics that should be found in each one.
Students will develop a better understanding of how to use technology responsibly which includes the sharing of data and the invasion of privacy.
Quality Mark AssessmentsStudents will complete an end of unit test for threats to a computer network and protection methods. Students will also be assessed on the responsible use of technology.
Students will sit a mock exam to test their understanding of the topics which have already been taught.
11
Key Concepts
Understanding the use and presentation of data
Quality Mark AssessmentsAutumn Term
(Sep-Dec)
Students will learn about the importance of data within the 21st century for a business that makes use of effective technology.
Students will gain a better understanding of how data can be processed into information. Students will be able to identify the key principles of effective information.
Students will begin to develop their skills in spreadsheet software using a range of formulas and formatting skills to present data.
Quality Mark AssessmentsStudents are assessed on a spreadsheet project within this term and their understanding of turning data into information.
Spring Term
(Jan-April)
Students will use the skills previously taught to start and develop their data dashboard. Students will be given a large amount of data and be expected to make data summaries and present the data in a more refined way to process it into information.
Students will develop a report documenting the process of them creating the data dashboard and the tools they have used and how it helped them present the data.
Students will then make a report with recommendations from the data summaries they have made from the dashboard.
Quality Mark AssessmentsStudents will be assessed on the quality of their written reports from the dashboard which they have developed as part of the coursework.
Summer Term
(May-July)
Students will develop an understanding of forms of notation which includes diagrams that are often used by most organisations such as flow charts or data diagrams.
Revision on previous topics covered for the exam.
Students will sit the exam.
Quality Mark AssessmentsStudents will be tested on their knowledge of forms of notation.
Students will sit their exam which accounts for 40% of their overall grade.