Information Technology
Information and Communication Technology is one of the most rapidly developing subjects in the curriculum and one of the fastest developing parts of the world economy. As a result it is essential that students have a good knowledge of computing systems before they venture into further education or full time employment. ICT at Dubai College provides students with an understanding of a variety of software applications and ways in which ICT affects modern day society.
Dubai College has 4 designated ICT suites as well as small computer areas in most subject areas, including a larger area in the school library. Students are taught by specialist ICT staff at all key stages and have the opportunity to use a wide array of computer applications in other subject lessons. The campus also has a wireless network connection and students are encouraged to bring in their own laptops and mobile devices in order to complete work.
Course Outline at Key Stage 3
In Year 7, students will have the opportunity to develop new ICT skills with the emphasis being on basic programming, encoding and control. They will use a variety of software in order to complete their assignments and will gain knowledge about how ICT is developing in the ‘real world’ and the emerging technologies which are being used.
In Year 8, students will develop more complex ICT skills with the focus on multimedia software. They will gain knowledge in web page design and html coding, animation and photo editing as well as music editing.
Course Outline at GCSE
All students will study the full course GCSE in ICT. This will be completed over 3 years, starting in Year 9.
The WJEC GCSE is a course offering students the opportunity to identify and solve real problems by designing ICT systems relating to their personal interests. The course seeks to develop students’ interdisciplinary skills as well as their capacity for imaginative and innovative thinking, creativity and independence.
In Year 9, all students will begin the first coursework assignment. The work undertaken in Year 9 will count towards 30% of their overall grade. Students will have to produce an ICT system which includes internet research, databases, spreadsheets, DTP and web page design.
In Year 10, students will complete a further assignment which will also count towards 30% of their overall GCSE grade. This task is based around a multimedia ICT system and must include animation, graphic design, audio manipulation and video.
The final 40% of their GCSE grade will be from 2 terminal written examination papers at the end of Year 11. The papers will assess their knowledge and understanding of ICT in a home and school context as well as how ICT is used in business and industry. They must demonstrate the ability to interpret different types of information using a wide range of computer concepts and theories.
For further information about the course, please click on the following link:
http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?subject=72&level=7
Course Outline at A Level
In the Sixth Form, students follow the WJEC A Level ICT course. The specification encourages candidates to become discerning users of ICT, developing a broad range of ICT skills and knowledge and understanding of ICT.
At AS Level, students will undertake a DTP and multimedia assignment which will count towards 20% of their final mark. They will also complete a written examination paper, which will assess their understanding of information systems. Candidates will be required to prepare a spreadsheet on a specific topic, defined by WJEC in advance of the paper, and a hard copy will be taken in to the examination and used to answer some of the questions. This paper will count towards 30% of the overall qualification.
At A2 Level students will complete a further assignment, weighted at 20% of the final grade. Candidates will have to analyse, design, implement, test and evaluate a solution to a problem of their own choice requiring the use of a relational database. Once completed, students will then sit a second examination paper which explores the use and impact of ICT in a wide range of contexts. This paper makes up the final 30% of the GCE qualification.
For further information about the A Level course, please click on the following link:
http://www.wjec.co.uk/index.php?subject=72&level=21