KS4

The focus of all ICT work in ICT is the completion of e-portfolios for the DiDA suite of qualifications as follows:

•    AiDA – Award in Digital Applications – equivalent to 1 GCSE

•    CiDA – Certificate in Digital Applications – equivalent to 2 GCSEs

•    CiDA+ – Certificate Plus in Digital Applications – equivalent to 3 GCSEs

•    DiDA – Diploma in Digital Applications – equivalent to 4 GCSEs

All students study ICT in Key Stage 4 as a core subject but it also available as an option. In Core ICT, students produce an e-portfolio to showcase the work that has been set by the examination board (Edexcel). Successful students obtain an Award in Digital Applications although a few may attempt two units for the next award. Students who take ICT as an option aim to complete 3 or 4 units during Key Stage 4 to get the CiDA+ or DiDA qualification.

Whilst Unit 1 for this qualification covers basic ICT skills the other units study a more diverse application of ICT. Unit 2 is about Multimedia and in a recent e-portfolio students were asked to produce an interactive game for young children with a still image movie, talking heads video and puzzles. Unit 3 is about Graphics and students might be asked to develop a logo and a variety of products to promote and event. Unit 4 focuses on ICT in Enterprise and might ask students to work in a team to develop a campaign for a charity.