BTEC Extended Diploma in IT Practitioners
Overview
The BTEC National Extended Diploma allows students to take a truly practical ICT course. The Extended Diploma is designed to continue the approach to learning that students have had at school, if they have studied ICT on a vocational programme. Students will experience a very ‘hands on’, practical course, with the ability to be creative using ICT skills, and to apply them in a range of contexts.
Course Outline
The BTEC National Extended Diploma in IT provides a truly vocational alternative to the AS / A2 level programmes. Students will learn about the use and management of IT facilities in a variety of different work-related contexts.
Provisional Course Outline:
Year 12
Unit 1: Communication and Employability Skills for IT
Developing communication skills using IT facilities.
Unit 2: Computer Systems
Understanding about hardware and software and carrying out routine maintenance.
Unit 3: Information Systems
How computers and IT are used within business.
Unit 9: Networks
Principles of computer networks.
Unit 10: Communication Technology
Using emerging communications technology to improve business productivity & performance.
Unit 13: Technical Support
Finding faults and fixing them.
Unit 16: Procedural Programming
Learning to design and create programs in Visual Basic.
Unit 18: Advanced Databases
Working with Access to design and create large relational databases.
Unit 42: Advanced Spreadsheets
Working with Excel to design and create complex spreadsheets.
Year 13
Unit 8: E-commerce
Effects of E-commerce on society & focuses on technology and legislation that supports it.
Unit 23: HCI (Human Computer Interfaces)
The psychological and physical principles behind computer interfaces.
Unit 24: Control Systems
Looking at how computers/microprocessors control things in day to day life.
Unit 27: Web Server Scripting
Learning to design, write and test programs to run on web servers.
Unit 28: Web Design - The principles behind how to design an effective website for a business need.
Unit 30: Digital Graphics - Introduction to the basic production considerations involved when creating an image.
Unit 32: Network Systems Security - How we keep our networks safe and protected to ensure our businesses are protected.
Unit 35: Digital Graphics for Multimedia
Designing, creating and testing interactive animations using the latest software.
Unit 36: Computer Game Platforms & Technologies - Understanding computer game hardware and software technologies and assemble them into playable systems, and the importance of keeping up to date with the latest development.
Assessment
Coursework (100%)
Examining Board – Edexcel
Special Entry Requirements
If you have taken an IT course at GCSE you must have achieved at least a grade C, or at least a merit in OCR Nationals. You will also be enrolled onto the ITQ course, which is the equivalent to 1 AS level.
Prohibited Options
None
Career and Progression Opportunities
BTEC National Extended Diploma is recognised by both universities and employers as equivalent to three A (A2) Levels.
Other Information
There may be an opportunity to go on fieldtrips. One recent such fieldtrip saw students go to an IT seminar at Disneyland Paris (see photo above).
The College runs a Career Academies UK programme. A Business Career Academy for BTEC Business students has been running since 2010 and Career Academies will be launched in IT, Public Services, Media and Science from September 2012 onwards. For more information go to http://www.solihullsfc.ac.uk/courses/career-academy.
To view information on BTEC ITQ Certificate click here.
This information is correct for September 2012 entry.