Finally! OCR Nationals Level 3 in ICT

I have really been looking forward to OCR releasing their specification for Level 3 OCR Nationals. At my school we have been teaching Level 2 since the death of GNVQ’s and have found them really successful.

I am so pleased these have now been released and have to say I am very impressed (in fact it has taken me ages to decide which ones to select as there are so many to chose from!). I’ve finally decided on the following for the single A-Level Certificate:

  • Unit 1 – Digital Business Communication

Students learn how communication technologies are used in a business context and develop templates for various communication documents.

  • Unit 2 – Collaborative Working

Students work as a group to carry out research and produce a group project.

  • Unit 3 – Problem Solving

Students will define a statistical problem to be solved, collect data and collate it using a Spreadsheet then use PowerPoint to present their findings.

  • Unit 4 – Creating a Digital Showcase

Students will use PowerPoint to create an interactive multimedia product to showcase an event or situation.

  • Unit 20 – Web Authoring

Students will design, create and evaluate a ten page website using Dreamweaver.

  • Unit 24 – Internet Past, Present and Future

Students will research the history of the Internet and look at how it is used today, discussing the possible reasons for growth, also exploring possible future developments of the Internet.

With the addition of the following for the Diploma (worth 2 A-Levels):

  • Unit 6 – Advanced Databases

Students will create a normalised database with three tables, interrogate the database and produce reports and a user interface.

  • Unit 8 – Career Planning for ICT

Students will investigate career opportunities in ICT, write a career plan and CV and carry out a presentation and an interview for a job.

  • Unit 10 – Digital Imaging and Photography

Students will investigate the different features available on digital cameras and methods of storing files. They will then use an art package to manipulate images they have taken to present in a portfolio.

  • Unit 16 – Programming for Computer Games

Students will analyse different programming languages and techniques then design and build a program in Visual Basic.

  • Unit 18 – Computer Games Technology

Students will compare different games consoles and handheld devices then investigate various technologies used in creating computer games, including an analysis of hardware requirements.

  • Unit 26 – Project Management

Students will research the different stages of a project and carry out each stage in a project of their own: Analysis, Design, Implementation and Evaluation.

At the moment our students are studying the GCE Applied ICT and find it quite dull, I also find many of the units in this quite boring to teach so I think it is going to be a refreshing change in September!

For more information on the new OCR Nationals Level 3 go to: OCR Nationals Level 3 ICT

12 thoughts on “Finally! OCR Nationals Level 3 in ICT

  1. Ali

    Is there any resources or help with A03

    I understand how to complete the searching section.

    However for Distinction students need 5.

    I have social networking, Remote Access, Search Engines, E Commerce Transaction,

    What is user interaction.

  2. Nicki Post author

    Search engines are a separate part of this task and don’t count towards the 5. My students also set up a blog in addition to what you have mentioned. User interaction is setting up something that users can interact with so my students set up an online survey for this using Survey Monkey.

  3. Mathemagician

    I have moderated exemplar material for 7 units (so far) all graded Distinction. Hopefully I will have another in a couple of weeks. If you need exemplar material then I can send it to you via email. The units I have include 1, 3, 7, 11, 14, 20 and 24. Other than unit 1 (my first unit) all the units should be at a good Distinction level. They were however all moderated at Distinction. You can contact me on [email protected] please write an appropriate subject as I do get a lot of junk mail.

  4. Nicki Post author

    Many thanks. I will bear that in mind. I’ve built up quite a bit of exemplar work myself too as we’ve been teaching it for the last four years or so now. Thank you for the kind offer. We are moving onto Cambridge Technicals from September.

  5. Nicki Post author

    Hi Sam
    You might have some luck if you contact the exam board, they will probably have exemplar materials they can give you.
    Nicki

  6. Nicki Post author

    I am not able to send you my students’ work I’m afraid Peter, also I have never taught Unit 7 so I don’t have any work for that anyway. Sorry. Your best bet would be to contact your moderator or take a look on OCR’s website for some exemplar materials.

  7. Suraj

    Do you have any Unit 24 resources that I could use, I am the only student sitting this in my school.

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