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Subject criteria for computing AS/A level
ACCAC
CCEA
QCA
GCE ADVANCED SUBSIDIARY (AS) AND ADVANCED (A) LEVEL SPECIFICATIONS
SUBJECT CRITERIA FOR COMPUTING
1. Introduction
1.1 AS and A level subject criteria set out the knowledge, understanding, skills and assessment objectives common to all AS and A level specifications in a given subject. They provide the framework within which the awarding body creates the detail of the specification.
Subject criteria are intended to
- help ensure consistent and comparable standards in the same subject across the awarding bodies;
- define the relationship between the AS and A level specifications, with the AS as a subset of the A level;
- ensure that the rigour of A level is maintained;
- help higher education institutions and employers know what has been studied and assessed.
Any specification which contains significant elements of the subject Computing must be consistent with the relevant parts of these subject criteria.
2. Aims
2.1 AS and A level specifications in Computing should encourage students to:
- develop an understanding of the main principles of solving problems using computers;
- develop an understanding of the range of applications of computers and the effects of their use;
- develop an understanding of the organisation of computer systems including software, data, hardware, communications and people;
- acquire the skills necessary to apply this understanding to developing computer-based solutions to problems.
2.2 In addition, A level specifications in Computing should encourage students to:
- develop an understanding of the main principles of systems analysis and design, methods of problem formulation and planning of solutions using computers, and systematic methods of implementation, ing and documentation;
- develop their capacity for critical thinking, see relationships between different aspects of the subject and perceive their field of study in a broader perspective;
- develop their project management skills and understanding of the need for team working.
3. Specification Content
3.1 AS specifications in Computing should be concerned with developing students' knowledge and understanding of computer systems and the principles of computing, and how these are applied to the solution of problems using computers. A level specifications should require students to develop further the skills associated with applying this knowledge and understanding to producing computer-based solutions to real problems. A level specifications should also require an additional understanding of systematic methods such as the use of algorithms and test strategies, the maintenance of computer systems, and the skills associated with documenting solutions.
3.2 Knowledge and Understanding
AS and A level specifications should require students to develop a knowledge and understanding of the following topics. AS specifications must address each of the sections in a balanced way but need not make explicit requirements for every item.
Applications and Effects
- the purpose and impact of a range of computing applications;
- the information system, processing, and communication requirements;
- the user interface;
- the systems development life cycle;
- the economic, social, legal, ethical and other consequences of current uses of computing.
Hardware and Communications
- the characteristics of contemporary processors and input, output and storage devices;
- the need for and means of connection between devices;
- the characteristics of networks and the importance of adopting standards;
- possible future developments.
Software
- the need for and functions of systems software;
- the need for and attributes of software packages, and their appropriateness for particular purposes;
- the criteria for selecting appropriate software;
- data types/structures, their representation and implications for software development;
- the need for and characteristics of a variety of programming paradigms;
- the systematic approach to problem solving using computers.
Information
- the characteristics of information, including its status, source, ownership, currency and accuracy;
- the organisation and structuring of information to facilitate its effective use;
- the methods of finding, selecting, exchanging and managing information to meet particular purposes.
3.3 Skills
AS and A level specifications should require students to develop skills in the following topics. AS specifications must address each of the sections in a balanced way but need not make explicit requirements for every item.
Analysis
- derive the user and information requirements of a system considering the human aspects and physical environment;
- judge the feasibility of a computer-based solution to a problem;
- specify and document the data flow and the processing requirements for a system;
- identify possible needs for development of a system.
Design
specify and document, using appropriate systematic methods:
- the functions of the parts of a system;
- the inter-relationships between the various parts of a system;
- the selection of an appropriate hardware and software configuration;
- the method of solving the problem including, where appropriate, evaluation of alternative proposals;
- the algorithms, data types/structures and other requirements of the solution;
- the method of testing the solution and the selection of test data;
- the effectiveness of the solution in meeting the requirements of the problem.
Implementation
- select appropriate software and hardware, and techniques for their use;
- develop and/or assemble the implementation;
- carry out and evaluate testing;
- develop technical and user documentation.
Evaluation
- evaluate methods and solutions on the basis of effectiveness, usability and maintainability.
4. Key Skills
4.1 AS and A level specifications in Computing should provide opportunities for developing and generating evidence for assessing the Key Skills listed below. Where appropriate, these opportunities should be directly cross-referenced, at specific level(s), to the criteria listed in Part B of the Key Skills specifications.
- Communication
- Information Technology
- Application of Number
- Working with Others
- Improving Own Learning & Performance
- Problem Solving
4.2 AS and A level specifications in Computing should:
- provide explicit signposting of opportunities for students to develop the six Key Skills where these support the acquisition of computing subject knowledge, understanding and skills;
- provide guidance on the opportunities for students to produce evidence of achievement in the six Key Skills as part of their programme of learning in computing; in particular in relation to the internal assessment component of the scheme of assessment.
5. Assessment Objectives
5.1 AS and A level specifications have the same assessment objectives. In A level specifications, the assessment objectives related to the skills of analysing, designing, implementing, testing and evaluating systems are given a higher weighting because of the increased emphasis on students developing their own computer-based solutions to real problems.
5.2 Knowledge, understanding and skills in Computing are closely linked. Specifications should require that students demonstrate the following assessment objectives in the context of the content and skills prescribed.
AO1 Knowledge and understanding
Candidates should be able to
- describe and explain the use and impact of Computing in a range of applications and show an understanding of the characteristics of computer systems (hardware, software and communication) which allow effective solutions to be achieved;
- describe and explain the need for and the use of various forms of data organisation and processing to support the information requirements of a particular application;
- describe and explain the systematic development of high quality solutions to problems and the techniques appropriate for implementing such solutions;
- comment critically on the social, economic, legal, ethical and other consequences of the use of computers.
AO2 Skills
Candidates should be able to
- analyse a problem and identify the parts which are appropriate for a computer-based solution;
- select, justify and apply appropriate techniques and principles to develop data structures and algorithms for the solution of problems;
- design, implement and document an effective solution using appropriate hardware and software.
5.3 In each assessment scheme, the assessment objectives are to be weighted as follows.
|
Weightings | |||
|
AS |
A2 |
A level | |
|
AO1 |
50-662/3% |
30-50% |
40-50% |
|
AO2 |
331/3-50% |
50-70% |
50-60% |
The assessment objectives apply to the whole specification.
6. Scheme of Assessment
Internal Assessment
6.1 All AS specifications in Computing may have a maximum weighting of 40% for internal assessment.
6.2 All A level specifications in Computing may have a maximum weighting of 50% and should have a minimum weighting of 162/3% for internal assessment.
6.3 Internal assessment in AS specifications in Computing should:
- allow candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of computer systems and how they are analysed, designed, implemented, tested and evaluated;
- include at least one piece of work addressing a problem at an appropriate level which allows candidates to demonstrate at least two of the skills of analysing, designing, implementing, testing and evaluating systems.
In addition, internal assessment in A level specifications in Computing should:
- allow candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of computer systems and the principles of computing, and their skills at analysing, designing, implementing, testing and evaluating systems, by undertaking one substantial piece of work over an extended period of time. This work should complement the assessment carried out in the examination and should be presented as a written report;
- support and illustrate the practical application of the principles of problem-solving using computers, as set out in the criteria, and enable the candidate to demonstrate the techniques of system documentation and system development.
Synoptic Assessment
6.4 All A level specifications must include a minimum of 20% synoptic assessment. Five percent (5%) of the total synoptic requirement may be internally assessed and the remaining 15% should be externally assessed. All synoptic assessment units should be taken at the end of the course.
Synoptic assessment should draw on both assessment objectives and be designed to test candidates' understanding of the connections between different elements of the subject.
Synoptic assessment in Computing should require candidates to make connections between different areas of computing represented in the specification. In particular, candidates should be required to draw on:
- their knowledge and understanding of information, software, hardware, communications, applications and effects, when demonstrating the skills associated with analysis, design, implementation and evaluation of computer-based systems, for example, applying knowledge and understanding of the methods of organising and structuring information when designing a system;
- their knowledge of hardware and communications, software and information when discussing the applications and effects of computing, for example, drawing on their understanding of the characteristics of networks when discussing the economic, social, legal, ethical and other consequences of computing.
In practice, this will require specifications to ensure that the two assessment objectives are brought together in a single assessment component.
6.5 Key Skills Assessment
The Key Skill of Communication must contribute to the assessment of Computing at AS and A level as stated in paragraph 13 of the Advanced Subsidiary and Advanced level qualification-specific criteria.
The requirement for both AS and A level specifications to assess candidates' quality of written communication will be met through the two assessment objectives.
The following Key Skills must also contribute to the assessment of Computing at AS and A level:
- Information Technology
- Application of Number
- Working with Others
- Improving Own Learning & Performance
- Problem Solving
7. Grade Descriptions
7.1 The following grade descriptions indicate the level of attainment characteristic of the given grade at A level. They should be interpreted in relation to the content outlined in the specification; they are not designed to define that content. They give a general indication of the learning outcomes and levels of attainment likely to be shown by a representative candidate performing within each stated grade. In practice most candidates will show uneven profiles across the attainments listed, with strengths in some areas compensating in the award process for weaknesses or omissions elsewhere.
7.2 Grade A
Candidates demonstrate
- good understanding of theoretical concepts
- appropriate and accurate use of technical language
- detailed knowledge of a range of applications
- informed opinions on effects of computing on society
- the application of knowledge and understanding to unfamiliar problems
- good understanding of data types and structures and how to use them
- effective and appropriate use of a range of software
- ability to design and produce effective solutions to complex problems
- a methodical, analytical and critical approach to problem solving
- the ability to design, operate and justify appropriate testing strategies
- clear communication of design decisions and solutions to problems
- effective skills of evaluation
7.3 Grade C
Candidates demonstrate
- understanding of the main theoretical concepts
- accurate use of technical terms
- knowledge of a range of applications and their main effects on society
- the application of knowledge and understanding to familiar problems
- understanding of data types and structures and their uses
- ability to use a range of software
- ability to design and produce solutions to substantial problems
- a methodical and analytical approach to problem solving
- the ability to design and operate appropriate testing strategies
- clear communication of solutions to problems
- skills of evaluation
7.4 Grade E
Candidates demonstrate
- some relevant knowledge and limited understanding of theoretical concepts
- use of basic technical terms
- basic knowledge of computing applications and their effects
- recognition of hardware and software elements appropriate to a given situation
- some knowledge of data types and structures
- basic use of analytical methods to solve straightforward familiar problems
- some limited skill in justifying or considering alternatives
- the ability to test solutions in a limited way
- the ability to produce basic documentation
- basic evaluative skills