Pearson BTEC Nationals in Information Technology New for 2017–18 applications

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Guide to the new BTEC Nationals in Information Technology

From 2017, you will start to receive applications from students who have taken the new BTEC Nationals courses which start in 2016. This Guide clarifies:

• What’s changed Page 2

• Courses at a glance Page 3

• Assessments Page 4

• Courses in depth

u Mandatory unit breakdown Page 5-6

u Full lists of units Page 7

• Contact us Page 8

Why are BTEC Nationals changing?BTEC Nationals prepare many students each year for progression to Higher Education (HE) programmes, in fact UCAS has reported that the proportion of 18 year-olds in England entering HE with a BTEC has more than doubled between 2008 and 2014. The Higher Education Statistics Agency also confirmed that the number of UK students entering HE with a combination of BTEC and A levels increased nearly four-fold in the same period.

So to ensure BTECs continue to support progression into Higher Education, we have developed new BTEC Nationals for students starting their courses in September 2016. After over two years working closely with HE, professional bodies and industry, we are confident these new qualifications are fit for purpose, delivering university applicants with the right balance of research skills, professional behaviours and up-to-date industry knowledge.

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The qualification titles have changed

The same size as: Guided learning hours (GLH)

Current title: Pearson BTEC Level 3

New title: Pearson BTEC Level 3

0.5 A level 180 BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in IT BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Information Technology

1 A level 360 BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in IT BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology

1.5 A levels 510 BTEC Level 3 90-Credit Diploma in IT BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Information Technology

What’s changed?Changes to the new BTEC Nationals reflect HE requirements for students entering degree-level study:

• Assessments taken by all studentsIn addition to the traditional BTEC assignments, the new courses include assessments set and marked by Pearson (including tasks and performances) taken under test conditions. At least 41% of the BTEC Nationals in Information Technology courses are assessed in this way.

• Core of mandatory contentThere is a larger core of mandatory units which provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skills for all students. At least 76% of the BTEC Nationals in Information Technology courses is mandatory.

• Research skillsThe course content and assessments put more emphasis on research skills.

• English and mathsEnglish and maths skills are strengthened in all courses, where appropriate.

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Courses at a glanceHere is a breakdown of the units for each qualification showing the core of mandatory units and the range of assessment types, ensuring a core of consistency across all students.

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Types of assessment

Assignment - Set and marked internally

Task - Set and marked by Pearson

Written Exam - Set and marked by Pearson

Certificate 180 GLH

Extended Certificate 360 GLH

Foundation Diploma 510 GLH

TOTAL: 2 UNITS TOTAL: 4 UNITS TOTAL: 6 UNITS

2 MANDATORY UNITS 3 MANDATORY UNITS 4 MANDATORY UNITS

1. Information Technology Systems Ext (120 GLH)

1. Information Technology Systems Ext (120 GLH)

2. Creating Systems to Manage Information (90 GLH)

2. Creating Systems to Manage Information (90 GLH)

2. Creating Systems to Manage Information (90 GLH)

3. Using Social Media in Business (90 GLH)

3. Using Social Media in Business (90 GLH)

3. Using Social Media in Business (90 GLH)

4. Programming (90 GLH)

0 OPTIONAL UNITS 1 OPTIONAL UNIT 2 OPTIONAL UNITS

Optional Unit (60 GLH) Optional Unit (60 GLH)

Optional Unit (60 GLH)

Set and marked by:Centre (school, college or training provider)

Verified by:Pearson

Set and marked by:Pearson

Set and marked by:Pearson

What’s involved?Students complete a series of activities set in a work-related scenario which may be tailored to local industry needs.

What’s involved?Students complete, in controlled conditions, a task tackling an everyday challenge; some tasks also draw on pre-released information.

What’s involved?Students draw on essential information to create written answers to practical questions in test conditions.

What’s the result?Students generate relevant evidence, drawing on their knowledge, understanding and skills to complete an assignment over a period of time, working either individually or in a team.

What’s the result?Students show they can apply their learning successfully to situations they could encounter regularly in the workplace or on a higher education course.

What’s the result?Students can confidently recall and apply technical knowledge, a skill which provides a solid foundation for working life and further study.

Assignments Tasks Written exams

A range of vocational assessments The new BTEC Nationals in Information Technology use a combination of assessment styles to give students the study skills needed to continue their learning and also the confidence to apply their knowledge in the workplace.

4© 123rf/Pavel Timofeev

Information Technology

Unit title What will students study? Assessment

1. Information Technology Systems

This unit looks at the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system, the way systems work individually and together as well as the relationship between the user and the system. Students explore:• the use of digital devices, peripheral devices, computer software and emerging technologies in

IT systems• the concepts, process and implications of transferring data within and between IT systems• online systems and online communities – benefits and risks• the issues and implications of storing and transmitting information in digital form• the uses, issues and implications of IT systems and their impact on individuals and organisations

including the legal, moral and ethical issues relating to the use of IT systems.This is a synoptic unit in which the assessment requires students to draw on their learning from across the qualification.

Exam

2. Creating Systems to Manage Information

This unit examines the structure of data, its origins and how an efficient data design follows through to an effective and useful database. Students examine:• the purpose and structure of relational database management systems• standard methods and techniques to design relational database solutions.

The assessment task requires students to design, create, test and evaluate a relational database system to meet a given brief.

Task

Mandatory units - a solid foundation for all learnersThe larger core of mandatory content in the new BTEC Nationals means that you can be confident that BTEC-qualified students are well prepared for higher level study and assessment methods.

This table breaks down the mandatory unit content and explains what the students learn and which skills they develop.

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Unit title What will students study? Assessment

3. Using Social Media in Business

This unit considers different social media websites, the ways in which they can be used and the potential pitfalls when using them for business purposes. Students consider the use of social media by businesses to promote their products and services. They explore:• available social media websites• the ways in which businesses use social media to promote their products and services• the impact of the use of social media on the businesses, including risks and issues

Students develop a plan to use social media strategies for business purposes to achieve specific aims and objectives, implement their plan, collect data and review the effectiveness of their strategy.

Task

4. Programming This unit explores computational thinking skills and the principles of designing and developing computer programs. Students study the underpinning concepts and implications of programming languages to design, develop and test computer programs. They:• examine how computational thinking skills are used in analysing problems and processes • study the principles of computer programming• design a software solution to meet client requirements

For the assessment, students design, develop, test, refine and review computer programs for a given range of purposes.

Task

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Courses in depthHere’s a complete list of all the units available in the BTEC Nationals in Information Technology courses. You’ll be able to see which are mandatory and optional, and how each unit is assessed.

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Unit (Number&Title)Guided

Learning Hours

(GLH) GLH

Certificate (180 GLH)

Extended Certificate (360 GLH)

Foundation Diploma

(510 GLH)

2 UNITS 4 UNITS 6 UNITS2 MANDATORY 3 MANDATORY 4 MANDATORY

0 Optional 1 Optional 2 Optional1. Information Technology Systems Ext 120 M M

2. Creating Systems to Manage Information 90 M M M

3. Using Social Media in Business 90 M M M

4. Programming 90 M

5. Data modelling 60 O O

6. Website Development 60 O O

7. Mobile Apps Development 60 O

8. Computer Games Development 60 O

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Contact detailsIf you have any questions or would like further details please contact David MacKay, Head of Awarding Body Stakeholder Engagement, (Higher Education), Pearson UK

David.MacKay@pearson.com

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