Digital Technology
Overview
Digital Technology enables pupils to gain an awareness of a range of modern technologies and an appreciation of the potential impact that these may have on individuals, organisations and society. Pupils will develop an understanding of social, ethical and legal consequences related to digital technology and the course will provide opportunities for pupils to access career paths within professional IT management.
Digital Technology
Team
- Mrs A O’Hare
- Mr D Mulgrew
GCSE
YEAR 11
Pupils will study one theory unit.
Unit 1: Digital Technology
Topics include: Representing Data, Representing Images, Representing Sound, Data Portability, Software, Database Applications, Spreadsheet Applications, Computer Hardware, Network Technologies, Cyberspace, Network Security and Data Transfer, Cloud Technology, Ethical, Legal and Environmental Impact of Digital
Technology on Wider Society, Legislation, Moral and Ethical Considerations, Changes in Employment Opportunities, Skills Requirements and Work Practices, Health and Safety, Digital Applications.
YEAR 12
Pupils will study two units:
Unit 2: Digital Authoring Concepts is a theory module. In this unit, pupils will develop understanding of the concepts involved in the development of digital systems.
Topics include: Designing Solutions, Digital Development Considerations, Multimedia Applications,
Multimedia Authoring, Database Development, Significance of Testing and Developing Appropriate Test Plans, Evaluation of Digitally Authored Systems Against a Set of User Requirements
Unit 3: Digital Authoring Practice is the Controlled Assessment task. Pupils will create a digital solution to a problem by designing a relational database and a website that includes elements of scripting.
A LEVEL
Topics studied include:
• System development methodologies, tools and techniques.
• Programming constructs, Data representation, Hardware and Software; internal CPU architecture, storage devices, Application and System Software.
• Web technology and Multimedia; HTML, CSS and protocols.
• Networking; resources, protocols, transmission media, error checking techniques.
• Databases; data modelling, normalisation, SQL.
• Applications of digital technology; AI, robotics, data mining, expert systems, mobile
technologies, cloud computing.
• System development methodologies, tools and techniques.
• Programming constructs, Data representation, Hardware and Software; internal CPU architecture, storage devices, Application and System Software.
• Web technology and Multimedia; HTML, CSS and protocols.
• Networking; resources, protocols, transmission media, error checking techniques.
• Databases; data modelling, normalisation, SQL.
• Applications of digital technology; AI, robotics, data mining, expert systems, mobile
technologies, cloud computing.