Cambridge Technical

Cambridge Technical L3 in IT (Introductory pathway; Application developer pathway)

In the last few decades computing has completely redefined the society we live in, leaving virtually no area of life untouched. At Norlington, we have two dedicated computer science rooms each containing 30 student PC’s with a variety of programming languages available starting at block programming and moving up to Python.

At KS5, Norlington offers Cambridge Technicals in IT. There are several pathways in CTECH however, the pathway delivered by Norlington School and Sixth form focuses on the development of a range of applications across platforms and sectors. The students will gain the right combination of knowledge, understanding and skills required for the 21st century, enabling them to demonstrate the skills of writing specifications, and the design, build, testing and implementation of applications. In addition to the mandatory units, your students must also achieve the mandatory pathway unit Application Design.

Staff
Mr. J. Thomas (2i/c)

 Unit 1 – Fundamental of IT

A sound understanding of IT technologies and practices is essential for IT professionals. Information learnt in this unit will provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of hardware, networks, software, the ethical use of computers and how business uses IT. The knowledge, skills and understanding that is developed within this unit will underpin the study for the additional units further on in the course. Knowledge gained in the study of this unit will also help prepare you for relevant industry qualifications such as CompTIA A+, CompTIA Mobility+ and Cisco IT Essentials who contributed in the development of this course by OCR. (Specification download)

Unit 2 – Global information

The purpose of this unit is to demonstrate the uses of information in the public domain, globally, in the cloud and across the internet, by individuals and organisations. The students will discover that good management of both data and information is essential, and that it can give any organisation a competitive edge.

This unit will provide the students with a greater understanding of how organisations use information sources both internally and externally and the types of information you will encounter. The skills gained by completing this unit will give you knowledge of the functionality of information and how data is stored and processed by organisations. The students will also learn about how individuals use information of various types.

This unit will help students to understand the legislation and regulation governing information that flows into and out of an organisation and the constraints and limitations that apply to it. Students will also learn the relationship between data and information. Knowledge gained in the study of this unit will also help prepare you for relevant industry qualifications such as VM Ware who also contributed towards the development of the course. (Specification download)

Unit 3 – Cyber Security

The need for secure digital systems is more crucial than ever before. We rely on computerised systems and networks to collect, process, store and transfer vast amounts of data and to control critical systems such as water and power supplies. Business and ecommerce can be undertaken twenty four hours a day, seven days a week and telecommunications enable us to keep in touch with family and friends and collaborate with colleagues at any time. Mobile devices offer us freedom and flexibility of where and how we learn and work. However, for all the advantages that these systems offer us, some people have found ways to exploit them and this poses a threat to our safety and security in the real world, as much as in the cyber world. To deal with this problem the cyber security industry is expanding at a rapid rate.

This unit has been designed to enable students to gain knowledge and understanding of the range of threats, vulnerabilities and risks that impact on both individuals and organisations. Students will learn about the solutions that can be used to prevent or deal with cyber security incidents resulting from these challenges. Students will be able to apply your knowledge and understanding of cyber security issues and solutions by reviewing and making recommendations for ways to best protect digital systems and information. Learning within this unit will also support the delivery of the Cisco Cyber Security and CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Mobility+ qualifications. The unit also makes reference to UK government cyber security initiatives, for example, the UK government’s The UK Cyber Security Strategy, Cyber Essentials Scheme, 10 Steps Strategy, and Cyber Streetwise. (Specification download)

Unit 6 – Application Development

The world is increasingly reliant on applications that help individuals, businesses and organisations achieve specific activities or purposes. In this unit the students will explore potential ideas for a new application and develop the fundamental design for it. Students will then develop the designs for an application and how users will interact with it. The application that students design can be for any sector and for any purpose. Students will have the opportunity to present your ideas, prototype them, and gain feedback before refining your design.

Besides the technical knowledge that students will gain about designing an application, you will also learn key transferable skills such as liaising with clients, questioning people effectively to gain the information you need to develop successful designs, and presenting your ideas to an audience and getting feedback from them.

This unit is mandatory to the application developer specialist pathway in the Level 3 Diploma suite of qualifications as it supports the development of skills, knowledge and understanding appropriate to a wide range of job roles requiring the development of applications in mobile technology, business software, graphics, game and web design. (Specification download)

Unit 21 – Website development and prototyping

Organisations are increasingly reliant on their websites to market goods or services and interact with clients and customers. As technology develops, so does the scope of functionality of websites and the importance of an effective design that meets the needs of the organisation. In this unit students will research, design and produce an interactive, responsive website that is specific to a client’s needs, culminating in presenting the concept of the website using the prototype to the client. Students will learn about the security risks in website design and how to minimise these threats.

This unit will also allow students to incorporate existing interactive elements, as well as prototyping your own website. This unit is optional within the Application Developer specialist pathway. Job roles within this pathway include web app developers as well as website designers, although these are different jobs with differing requirements, they do require similar skills, knowledge and understanding with respect to website creation and prototyping. (Specification download) 

Externally assessed examinations

Unit 1 Fundamentals of IT

• 1 hour 30 minutes
• Written paper
• 80 marks
• OCR set and marked
• Section A comprises multiple choice questions
• Section B comprises short answer and extended response question
• A calculator may be used

Unit 2 Global information

• 1 hour 30 minutes
• Written paper
• 80 marks
• OCR set and marked
• Section A comprises short answer and extended response questions based on a pre-released case study. A new case study is released for each examination series and will include research prompts which learners will need to respond to prior to the external assessment
• Section B comprises short answer and extended response questions. These questions will not relate to the pre-release case study

Unit 3 Cyber security

• 1 hour written paper
• 60 marks
• OCR set and marked
• Section A comprises short answer and extended response questions based on a pre-released case study. A new case study is released for each examination series and will focus on either a personal or a corporate perspective. It will also contain a series of research prompts which learners will need to respond to prior to the external assessment
• Section B comprises short answer and extended response questions and will focus on the theme (i.e. personal or corporate) that is not covered in the pre-released case study

Internally assessed coursework

Unit 6 and Unit 21

• Will be completed as combined units
• Focus on the Application development life cycle to development a product prototype based on a given scenario.
• Set of pass, merit and distinction tasks.
• Externally moderator for a final grade.

Below are the list of units they will look at over the duration of the course

Cycle	Year 12	Year 13
1	Unit 1 - Fundamental of IT	Unit 2 - Global Information
2	Unit 1 - Fundamenal of IT	Unit 2 - Global Information
3	Unit 21 – Web prototyping  Unit 6 - Application design combined unitCombined Unit	Unit 3 - Cyber Security
4		Unit 3 - Cyber Security
5		Revision
6

 

Review Week - Making Learning Memorable

As part of marking learning memorable students will spend review week undertaking a project based on Cycle 1, 2 and 3 during review week 1 and then cycle 4, 5 & 6 as part of review week 2