Coursework

Coursework requirements for GCE Applied ICT challenge students to put their acquired knowledge into practice and produce materials for and solutions to realistic business requirements. The following table summarises the coursework requirements for each unit:

Unit Title Coursework Content
AS Unit 1 Information & Communication Students must:
  • produce a report for management that explains the nature, importance and use of information in a business organisation and the importance of ICT in documenting and communicating this information; and
  • demonstrate four different ways in which information can be communicated for a range of different purposes in an organisation.
AS Unit 3 Organisations and Information Systems Case study.

Students must research the case study thoroughly and apply their knowledge and understanding to a range of business solutions. Students must produce a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate their understanding of the unit material by practically applying it to the case study.

AS Unit 4 Web Design Case study.

Students must produce a professional and functional small business website based on their investigation of the enterprising business described in the case study material. They must also produce a written document outlining the website plan, design, and development. This might include organisational charts and illustrations. The emphasis, however, should be on the website as a mode of information communication.

AS Unit 5 Spreadsheets for Business Applications Students must design a spreadsheet application to suit a particular purpose and be able to define the user’s requirements in terms of input, processing required and output.
AS Unit 6 Internet and Business Students must produce a professional portfolio for a chosen client from a business or official organisation. The portfolio must advise on how best to exploit the Internet to benefit business and staff. The portfolio should include:

  • recommendations on the best type of Internet connectivity to suit the business;
  • service providers;
  • e-commerce solutions;
  • advice on potential problems the client might face; and
  • recommendations on any policy requirements.
A2 Unit 8

Database Development Students must develop a working relational database system which captures data and validates, stores and processes data to produce information. The system must be fully tested and assessed in terms of:

  • the organisation of data;
  • the quality of user interface;
  • the use of error messages; and
  • the quality of output.

Students must also produce user documentation to go with the database.

A2 Unit 9 Website Design and Management Students must produce:
  • a professional functional website that fully meets client needs and includes evidence of advanced content such as dynamic scripting or media; and
  • a project plan outlining the website specification, page layout ideas, content guidelines, dynamic content, remote management ideas and feasibility.
A2 Unit 10 Multimedia Technology Students must:
  • work in teams to produce a multimedia presentation to a specification of user requirements; and
  • demonstrate their knowledge of multimedia design by using correct terminology and technical language.
A2 Unit 11 Application Software Development

 Students must produce:
  • a digital training resource to assist new members of an organisation to understand company vision, aims and management structure;
  • an automated support system which makes use of database technology;
  • a digital briefing resource for management that evaluates and explains the roles and functions of electronic communication tools; and
  • an e-portfolio containing all of the aspects outlined above.
A2 Unit 12 Visual Programming Students must produce:
  • a working system which has been designed to meet user specified requirements and produced using a visual programming tool;
  • a design document storyboarding the system to be developed and detailing the data requirements and outputs to be produced by the system;
  • evidence of implementation by including annotated screen dumps and code listings for the GUI application built;
  • user documentation that makes use of graphics and is suitable for a novice user;
  • technical documentation to enable the installation of the package from the deployment media;
  • comprehensive testing documentation with a test plan and evidence that the tests have been carried out;
  • evaluation of the effectiveness of the solution in terms of the user requirements; and
  • evidence of the use of standard ways of working.
A2 Unit 14 Implementing a Business Solution Students must produce a software solution to a defined business problem, taking into consideration the needs of the end user. Students must explore and select appropriate design methods and develop, test, document and demonstrate their solution. Students must also produce a clear statement of the user’s needs.