Welcome to
Cambridge Nationals
The Next Generation of Vocational ICT Qualifications
BETT 2012
Mark Dawe
OCR Chief Executive
Cambridge Nationals
Introducing:
The Next Generation of
Vocational Qualifications
Cambridge Nationals
• Vocational revolution: embracing a new challenge
Post Wolf
• Importance of a balanced curriculum in schools
• Traditional GCSEs and subject-based learning do not
suit all learners equally
• Many learners motivated by practical, experiential
approach to learning
Cambridge Nationals
The new name for OCR Nationals
• We have redeveloped the Nationals in response to Wolf,
and in close collaboration with leading practitioners
• Designed for 14 – 16 years olds, and to meet new DfE
requirements
• Cambridge Nationals available in five subjects:
ICT, Business, Health & Social Care, Science and Sport
• The Cambridge Nationals suit a wide range of learning
styles and abilities and offer experiential learning
A new suite of vocational qualifications for post 16
• Cambridge TECs available at Levels 2 & 3
• Subjects:
– IT, Business, Health & Social Care have been accredited
– Art & Design, Media and Sport in development
• Designed using units from the QCF
• Features visiting moderation
• Full launch March / April, first teaching September 2012
Cambridge Nationals Briefing Session: Agenda
Overview of the changes
Simon Banks, OCR
Content Highlights
Creative Unit: Tony Stephens
Technical Unit: Chris Swan
Project Unit: Jane Strugnell
Short break
Case Study
Success with the Nationals at Brooke Weston Mark Willimott
Panel Discussion
Questions to our speaking panel
Simon Banks
OCR Qualifications Group Manager, ICT
How has our review post Wolf affected
the Nationals in ICT?
We have:
• Introduced external assessment
• Established qualifications at 60, 120 & 240 glh
• Retained visiting moderator visits
• Streamlined the number of units
• Combined Levels 1 & 2
How has our review post Wolf affected
the Nationals in ICT?
We have:
• Added a Distinction* to reward highest achievers
• Reduced subjectivity of marking by providing clear
markband descriptors and guidance on allocation of
marks
• Retained ‘best fit’ assessment principles
As a result, we have
• Introduced compensation – you could fail an individual
unit but still pass the overall qualification
Within schools qualifications, what makes the
Cambridge Nationals distinctive?
• Strong vocational and career focus
• Learning by doing – focus on practical,
experiential learning – candidates feel direct
relationship between what they study and a career
to which they aspire
• Full unit coverage - Units written with awareness
of NOS and job role competencies, prescribing
range of what must be demonstrated in the
assessment
Within schools qualifications, what makes the
Cambridge Nationals distinctive?
• Range of specialisms – allows candidates to
explore areas of interest in detail
• Enable learning and assessment to be
customised easily
• No restriction on resits
• No linearisation, and no terminal rule.
Content Highlights
Creative Strand
Tony Stephens
Assistant Head Teacher, The Westwood Academy
The Westwood Academy
Coventry
Tony Stephens
About me –
• Teaching ICT for a number of years
• Head of ICT in three schools
• Presently Assistant Head teacher
responsible for e-learning and ICT
Three Creative Units
• Creating an interactive product using
multimedia components
• Creating dynamic products using sound
and vision
• Creating digital images
Benefits
Transferable Skills
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The Design Process
Planning Methodologies
The Law and Legal Implications
File Saving, Exporting and Naming
Conventions
• Testing & reviewing
• Gaining feedback and critical self evaluation
Creating an interactive product
using multimedia components
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•
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Sourcing and storing Assets
Web Authoring
Game Making
App Development
Presentation software
Combining assets
Creating Navigation
Creating Interaction
Using Effects
Creating dynamic products
using sound and vision
• Asset Editing
– Sound
– Animation
– Movie
• Asset Enhancement
• Combining Assets
Creating digital images
The camera never lies or does it…….
1917 we had the Cottingley Fairies
Today we have photo manipulation of models
and scenes
What can today’s students do……where
would they like to go that they have
never been before!
Benefits
• Gives a wide scope of creation in terms of
software and criteria
• Can use freeware as well as commercial
industrial standard software thus not restricting
schools choice of units based on budget
• Allows both students and teacher to be
challenged (if they want to be!)
Excited!!
• That’s Me!!!!
• Why? Because I can expand the areas
that interest my pupils
– App creation
– Digital manipulation
– Animation
– Game creation
• But I also become the pupil!
Technical Strand
Christine Swan
Director of ICT and Enterprise
The Stourport High School and Sixth Form Centre
The Stourport High School and
Sixth Form Centre
About SHS
• 11-18 Academy and National Teaching School
with over 1300 students
• OCR Nationals in ICT delivered in Year 9 (First
Award)
• Year 10 and 11 students can opt to build up
their qualification to National Certificate
Introducing the new Nationals
• Consultation revealed what teachers liked
and did not like about the current qualification
• Content has been updated to provide
pathways made up of complementary
modules
• Emphasis is placed on current and future
technologies
The new technical strand
• This strand gives learners an opportunity to get to
grips with technical aspects of IT
• The units provide “tasters” of programming, hardware
and networks and control systems
• Each unit provides opportunity for progression to
further study but also may spark an interest as a
possible career path
• Links to Computing curriculum
The
new
technical
strand
The
Technical
Strand
• Consists of three modules:
– Introduction to Computer Programming
– Exploring Computer Hardware and
Networks
– Developing Control Systems
Introduction to
Computer Programming
• Proprietary or Open Source products can be
used e.g. Microsoft’s Small Basic, Visual Basic
and Kodu Game Lab or Scratch, Alice
• Straightforward programming constructs can
be taught through problem-solving challenges
• Extension ideas could be app and game
programming (although some app
development kits are expensive)
Exploring Computer Hardware
and Networks
• Bits and pieces can be collected to build
“dead” computers (working with live systems
can be costly and has safety implications)
• Old, live computers can be used for operating
system installation and configuration
• Simple networks can be built using hubs,
switches, cables or wireless access points
• There will be problems which provide
opportunities for troubleshooting
Developing Control Systems
• Systems used at KS3 e.g. Flowol and Logo can
be used to simulate control systems
• Hardware systems e.g. Lego Mindstorms,
Robosapien with XNA Development Studio or
development boards with sensors and output
devices
• There is no requirement to build working hardware
systems but this could provide a curricular link to
a GCSE D&T programme
Why I will be choosing the
Cambridge Nationals in ICT
• Wolf compliant qualification
• Content is current, exciting and varied
• A L1/2 qualification is suitable for a broad
range of learners
• Allows learners to develop in-demand,
technical skills
• Provides a great launch-pad for level 3 study
Unit 11
Understanding
Technology
A Project Approach
Jane Strugnell
Consultant Trainer & Assessor
Jane Strugnell
• Recently retired teacher and Curriculum Leader (Computing
& IT) from Solihull Sixth Form College
• Has taught GCE ICT, GNVQ ICT, AVCE ICT, Key skills ICT,
Functional skills ICT, BTEC ICT, Advanced ICT Diploma &
Extended Project Qualification
• Unit writer for two units for the Cambridge Nationals
qualification
• Currently a Senior Examiner and Moderator for two awarding
bodies
• Currently delivers CPD courses on A level IT specifications at
schools & colleges
Student initiated individual project
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Opportunity
Choice
Breadth
Depth
Transferable skills
Inspire
Motivate
Project Ideas
Creative
• Web site design for a specific user
• Complex animation for school intranet
Project Ideas
Technical (Hardware)
• What is the best way to network 3 PC’s
and a printer for a typical family?
• How does the School IT Network work?
Project Ideas
Hypothesis
• Most of the features of the latest mobile
phones are never used
• Use of social networking sites such as
Facebook is damaging young people’s
ability to communicate effectively.
Project Ideas
Analytical
• What are the benefits of a Smartphone
compared to a standard mobile phone?
• How has Computer Technology changed
the Art of Film Making?
Project Ideas
Knowledge
• Artificial Intelligence – what progress has
been made?
• Careers in IT – what skills are needed to
be a Network Manager?
Project Ideas
Software Development
• Development of a computer program to
calculate exam grades
• Development of a database – a loan
system for a school department
Process v Outcome
• Process of completing the project is important
• Outcome of the project itself is not marked
• The learning gained as a result of carrying out
the project is important
• There is freedom for the learner to choose the
way they present their Project log & Project
outcome
What teaching is required?
• How to choose a Project topic ,set
objectives, identify success criteria &
techniques to create project plans
• How to conduct research for their Project
• How to record and monitor the progress of
their Project
• How to review their Project
Why teach this qualification?
Opportunity
Choice
Breadth
Depth
Skills
Inspire
Motivate
Short Break
Please explore Project further
Find out about brand new support materials from
Hodder
Brooke Weston Academy
Our experience of ICT Nationals
Mark Willimott
Brooke Weston
Academy
OfSTED January 2011
“Excellent workplace and other skills that contribute
to the students’ future economic well-being are
delivered through the academy’s outstanding
curriculum which puts innovation and enterprise into
the heart of the provision”
“The excellent, broad and balanced curriculum meets
the wide range of students’ needs and aspirations”
Brooke Weston’s Track Record
Long tradition of delivering KS4 and Post-16 applied
courses
2004+ 100% 5 A* - C (including equivalencies)
2011 84% EM +3 (including equivalencies)
84% EM +3 (GCSE only)
Sharing expertise with 250+ schools across UK –
curriculum materials, support, training, consultancy
Intake Distribution
<70
70-80
7
11
80-90
18
90-100
36
100-110
110-120
120-130
130-140
140+
56
36
18
11
7
Our KS4 Curriculum
KS4 offering:
• Traditional GCSE courses (27) with
additional time in maths and English
• Fast track opportunities and
personalisation
• Applied courses (ICT, science, art
and design)
• Construction option (off-site)
• IMI Motor Vehicle (off-site)
ICT Nationals @ BW
• Transferable skills
• Relevant skills
• GCSE/A Level equivalence
• Modular, staged courses
• Challenge for all learners
ICT Nationals @ BW
• Creativity
• Engaging and motivating
• Playing to their strengths
• Hands-on approach
• Develops independence
Forms of Evidence
• Outcomes of activities/tasks e.g. printouts
• Video/Audio
• Electronic file
• Statements from witnesses
• Observation
• Personal statement by candidate
• ePortfolio
New Qualification
Unit R005: Creating an interactive product using
multimedia components
• Website or multimedia product (adapting our
assignments from current Unit 2 and 4)
• Currently most popular units with our students in
current qualification
LO1 - be able to design interactive products
LO2 – be able to create interactive products
containing multimedia components
LO3 – be able to carry out usability testing
Link to R006 – Creating digital images
• LO2 – be able to create digital images
• Link to R007 – Creating dynamic products using
sound and vision
• LO2 – be able to create dynamic products
Our plans for the new Specification
• Year 1 – deliver 120 GLH qualification
• ROO1 and R002
• ROO5 – Interactive Product
• ROO6 – Digital Images
• Year 2+ – deliver 240 GLH qualification
• ROO1 and ROO2
• R005 and R006
• R003 (spreadsheets) and R004 (databases)
• R007 (sound and vision)
• R011 (project)
Questions to our Panel
Thank you
To find out more please visit
www.cambridgenationals.org.uk
Draft ICT Specification now online