Computing in partnership with OCR
Jade Cassidy
March 2013
OCR Mission
OCR is a not-for-profit
organisation so success, for us, is
measured through the impact and
reach of our activities and the scale
of our contribution to helping
learners realise their aspirations.
Our purpose is to work in
partnership with others to provide
assessments that support education
in ways which enable all learners to
reach their
full potential and to recognise and
celebrate their achievements.
Computing
KS4
KS5
Entry Level
Computing
GCSE
Computing
GCE
Computing
(A-level)
GCSE
ICT
GCE
ICT
(A-level)
Cambridge
Nationals ICT
Cambridge
Technical ICT
Cambridge
Nationals Creative
iMedia
Cambridge
Technicals Media
ICT
Pre KS4
Media
Entry Level
ICT
GCSE Computing: 3 Complimentary Units
1
A451
Computer Systems
and Programming
40%
1.5hr exam
(80 marks)
2
A452
Practical
Investigation
30%
Controlled Assmt
Investigative Task
(45 marks)
3
A453
Programming
Project
30%
Controlled Assmt
Programming Task
(45 Marks)
A451 - Content
Assesses the fundamental concepts that
candidates need to know, understand and apply
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Computer systems
Computing hardware
Software
Data representation
Databases
Networks
Programming
These form the
basis or starting
point for the
practical
investigation in
A452
Learnt alongside
A453
A452 - Content
A controlled assessment unit based around a brief
scenario - students will need to research and then
carry out practical exercises.
Task Setting – High Control
OCR provide a bank of at least 6 assignments that
centres will be able to choose from
Task Taking – Medium Control
Work to be completed under informal supervision to
ensure no plagiarism
Research – Low Control
No need for formal supervision
A452 - Content
This unit is mostly practical
This unit provides the opportunity to have hands on
experience covering material beyond A451. Some
background work will be necessary and teacher
guidance is expected to help students get started
on the task. Learners will be expected to complete
a report on the findings.
Some sample tasks include Little Man Computer, A
Shopping Cart, JavaScript – validating web forms,
Encryption using a spreadsheet…
A452 - Content
This unit is mostly practical
This unit provides the opportunity to have hands on
experience covering material beyond A451. Some
background work will be necessary and teacher
guidance is expected to help students get started
on the task. Learners will be expected to complete
a report on the findings.
Some sample tasks include Little Man Computer, A
Shopping Cart, JavaScript – validating web forms,
Encryption using a spreadsheet…
A452 - Content
Guided learning hours: (suggested)
• Introduction to the concepts required within
normal teaching time
• Introduction to the task
- 2 hours
• Initial research and practice
- 6 hours
• Completing the task and writing the report
-12 hours
A453 - Content
The programming unit is designed for the students to
demonstrate the use of various standard programming
techniques.
The tasks are set to make it likely candidates will use a
good range of the techniques listed in the specification
– however it is clear in the Controlled Assessment
candidates do NOT need to utilise all the techniques to
score.
Again a small selection of tasks will be available on our
Interchange system.
A453 - Techniques
• Use variables, operators, inputs, outputs and assignments
• Use the three basic programming constructs used to
control the flow of a program: Sequence; Conditionals;
Iteration
• Use suitable loops including count and condition controlled
loops
• Use different types of data including Boolean, String,
Integer and Real appropriately
• Use basic string manipulation
• Use basic file handling operations: open, read, write and
close
• Use arrays as appropriate when solving problems
A453 - Content
• Candidates should plan their solution effectively and
demonstrate the use of algorithms to define their
solutions.
• Testing is an essential element and must be
demonstrated throughout the ‘report’
• Evaluation of the solution using test results is also
essential.
Whilst there is a ‘report’, the nature of this report is flexible
• Students may submit video, printed output, screen shots,
presentations, annotated code, other?
Computer Science in the EBacc
•
From January 2013 the OCR GCSE Computing counts as a science
option in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) for secondary school
league tables - alongside Physics, Chemistry and Biology
•
Any student who sits any three of the four separate sciences and
achieves at least a C in two of them will meet the science requirement
of the EBacc
•
Science plus Additional Science will still count towards the EBacc as
an alternative combination. Computing cannot be substituted for
Science or Additional Science in this combination.
•
Currently it would be existing GCSE qualifications that would be
counted within the EBacc measure
•
Any CS specifications to be included in the EBacc will have to be
approved by the BCS (The Chartered Institute for IT) – which our is!
Key Partners
Google
• Google announced on 29 January they were going to provide funding
for 15,000 free Raspberry Pi computers to be distributed to schools to
support and promote delivery of Computing.
Raspberry Pi
• OCR are working in close partnership with Raspberry Pi to promote
Computing in the classroom, including developing free classroom
resources (developed with Rasp Pi & CAS) to support the delivery of
OCR specs & working with them at BETT to provide demos.
Computing at Schools (CAS)
• Working on supporting CAS with the training of specialists or ‘master
teachers’ who can then provide further training and advice to a wider
teaching group.
Got to be in it, to win it!
OCR is a key partner of the Google sponsored
Raspberry Pi Project. Together, we will be
delivering FREE Raspberry Pis to shortlisted
centres around the country
If your centre (school/college) would like to be considered
please email your contact details to the OCR Contact Centre
General.qualifications@ocr.org.uk
We will be in touch with details of how to express your
interest when the project is fully launched
Entry Level Certificate - Computing
A certificate that offers a learner the chance to develop and apply
computing capabilities before they move onto GCSE Computing.
Providing the opportunity to gain accreditation at:
Entry Level 1
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 3
The Entry Level Certificate in Computing enables candidates to:
• Develop their understanding of the fundamental hardware of a
computer system
• Develop their understanding of common types of software
• Develop an understanding of simple logic
• Acquire the skills to write simple computer programs
• Develop an understanding of the development of a computer
technology and the effects it has had
Entry Level Computing – *NEW*
Entry Level Certificate - Computing
OCR expects teachers to supervise and guide candidates who
are undertaking work that is internally assessed. The degree of
teacher guidance will vary according to the kind of work being
undertaken. It should be remembered, however, that candidates
are required to reach their own judgments and conclusions.
Appropriate Candidates…
• Entire cohorts at KS3, to include some Computer Science in KS3
programmes of study with a recognised qualification, and enable
pupils to make informed choices about studying Computing at KS4
• In mixed ability KS4 classes, to provide a “gentle introduction” to
Computer Science alongside studying GCSE, motivating pupils by
gaining early recognition for their learning
• Smaller cohorts of after school learners with a passion for
Computing
Schools are considering using the results of Entry Level Certificate to
pin point learners who might be best suited to the GCSE Computing
Progression…
•
An entry level qualification assesses levels 1-3 of the national
curriculum. GCSE assesses level 4 and above
•
The ELC provides an introduction to the topics on the OCR GCSE
in Computing. As the GCSE makes no assumptions of prior
knowledge, there is a small overlap
•
Strands 1, 2 and 3 of the ELC correspond roughly to the units of
the OCR GCSE in Computing
•
Progression between ELC and GCSE was considered when
designing the specification (eg binary numbers)
Note that candidates entered for this specification may also be
entered for an OCR GCSE full course in Computing in the same
session. There are no exclusions.
Support - www.ocronlinetraining.org.uk
Support - training
Entry Level Computing – London 26th April
“Getting to know the specification”
FREE half day event event
Questions?
Jade Cassidy
OCR Regional Account Manager
07872415344
jade.cassidy@ocr.org.uk