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INDUCTION

Since it is not assumed that any student will have previous knowledge or experience in Computing, the first eight weeks are very important. Students will receive a syllabus and will quickly start the course in both theory and practice. Work for assessment in theory will be given on at least two occasions during this period and practical work is continuously assessed. Of greatest importance in these weeks, is for a student to show that they are prepared to do the lesson preparation (reading and note-taking) before the theory lessons. By Half-Term students should have a clear idea as to what is required and at what level, thereby giving them a useful indication as to chances of success.

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SYLLABUS

This consists of a 66:34% Theory and Practical split. The theory aspects of the course deal with computer applications and software and applying it to real situations, systems software and its functions, computer systems in general, with other minor topics covering how computers work and how computer languages function together with aspects of programming. The practical work consists of learning a computer language usually Visual Basic, and learning to programme in a structured manner. Skills are developed over the first term and a half so that a trial project can be attempted over the following 12 week period. A final project based upon a real situation will be started late in the Summer Term and completed by next Easter.

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SKILLS REQUIRED

No previous skills are required nor is the possession of a computer since the school provides access to these. Few topics covered are inherently difficult and there is no Maths involved in this course. However, as stressed earlier, study skills are of vital importance and keeping up to date with notes and project work are crucial skills since dictated notes in class are kept to a minimum. Few, if any, students have found Computing to be more difficult than any other A Level subject.

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METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

· complete an end of Year 12 which exam acts as a good indicator as to final performance and so revision for this is important

· complete an interim project at the end of May.

· complete a final project before Easter of their final year which counts as one full exam.

· complete 2 exams when appropriate.

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CAREERS IMPLICATIONS

Obviously there are many exciting and well paid opportunities working in the field of Computing and IT. The number and variety of courses, post A Level, is enormous and entry to these is relatively easy in many cases. Students who have completed A Level find that the transition to such courses is very smooth. Courses in Artificial Intelligence, Systems Analysis, Data Communications and Programming are just some of the wide range available. Of equal importance are the many other courses in which computing figures quite largely. Increasingly students are realising that they cannot afford to ignore how much use is being made of computers in other subjects such as Economics, Geography, Electronics, Management and Graphic Design and those choosing A Level Computing will have a clear head start in such fields.