Hardley School
BTEC Level 2 Information Technology
Unit 1: Communicating in the IT Industry
Hardley School
A Business & Enterprise College
ICT
BTEC Level 2 Certificate in
Information Technology
Assignment Briefing Document
Unit 1:
Communicating in the IT Industry
(5 credits)
Page 1 of 8
Hardley School
BTEC Level 2 Information Technology
Unit 1: Communicating in the IT Industry
INSTRUCTIONS FOR LEARNERS
1. Your teacher(s) will tell you how long you have to complete the assignment and
the access you may have to resources.
2. Read the Assignment carefully and make sure that you understand the work you
should hand in and what is required of you. If you are uncertain, discuss it with
your teacher(s).
3. The ASSIGNMENT requires you to work by yourself and to produce original work.
You should not share your work with any other learners. For example, if you
produce an illustration diagram electronically, you should not give it to another
learner. Similarly, you should not accept and use such information from others.
You are required to sign that the work submitted is your own.
4. If you work in a group at any stage, you must present your own responses to
each task for assessment.
5. Information taken from sources for research, e.g. Internet and textbooks, must
be identified and not presented as your own work. You should list the sources
used.
6. Some tasks may require Observation Records/Witness Statements. Your
teacher(s) will organise for these to be completed and you must attach these to
your submitted work.
7. In presenting your final work, you should not include draft work or reference
materials such as handouts, notes and leaflets, unless the tasks specifically ask
you to do so.
8. Presentation of your work:
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Check that you have completed all tasks.
Label work with the appropriate task/sub task number.
Present tasks in the correct order.
Label each page with your name and page number.
Submit all electronic materials in paper format
Clearly label video or audiotapes submitted as part of your assignment.
All papers should be securely bound.
The completed ASSIGNMENT should NOT be presented in plastic envelopes, a
box file or a lever arch file.
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Hardley School
BTEC Level 2 Information Technology
Unit 1: Communicating in the IT Industry
BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Information Technology
Unit 1: Communicating in the IT Industry
(5 credits)
The aim of this unit is to enable youto use IT tools to communicate and exchange
information safely, securely and effectively with different audiences. You will also
consider the impacts of IT.
Introduction
Communication skills are key to success in any sector but are particularly important
in highly technical sectors such as IT where the language used can become full of
jargon. It is important that you are able to communicate with technical and nontechnical staff and understand how interpersonal skills affect communication.
IT provides opportunities for us to communicate more effectively using many
different tools. Therefore, as well as developing interpersonal skills through more
traditional methods of communication such as the spoken word, you will be
introduced to the software packages and tools that are used to present information.
You will be prompted to consider their audience when discussing IT-related
information. Explaining an IT-related topic to a non-technical person can be
challenging and avoiding jargon difficult. You will communicate with people with
technical knowledge as well as those without.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit you should:
1. Be able to communicate information to suit audience, purpose and content
2. Be able to use IT tools to communicate and exchange information
3. Understand the impact of IT on individuals, communities and society.
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Hardley School
BTEC Level 2 Information Technology
Unit 1: Communicating in the IT Industry
Assignment 1: Communicating in IT
Scenario
You are employed as a junior IT consultant and have been
requested to design a user guide for the use of e-mail. You
have been asked to produce a word processed document
aimed at complete beginners and explaining with the aid of
diagrams how to use e-mail. You must also produce a
presentation aimed at casual IT users and a booklet aimed at
frequent IT users. Each of the three guides should include a
section on safety measures appropriate for the level of user.
Through each task you will be assessed against the following:
General communication skills:
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adapting content and style to audience eg modulating voice, terminology,
format;
providing accurate information;
techniques for engaging audience interest eg changing intonation, use of
technology such as multimedia or use of animation in presentations;
ensuring the message gets across eg asking questions to check
understanding
Interpersonal skills:
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methods for communicating interpersonally eg verbal exchanges, signing, lip
reading;
techniques and cues eg body language, use of intonation, use of emoticons,
capitalisation of text in emails;
positive and negative language;
paying attention and active engagement eg nodding, summarising or
paraphrasing
Communicate in writing:
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following guidelines and procedures;
identifying and conveying key messages in
writing eg letter, fax, email;
using correct grammar and spelling;
reviewing and proofreading own written
work;
reviewing and editing documents created by
others;
note taking
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Hardley School
BTEC Level 2 Information Technology
Unit 1: Communicating in the IT Industry
Tasks
1. Create a ‘dummy’s’ guide to using e-mail. Use word to create a guide aimed at nonIT users. Remember to include a section on safety measures that are explained in
simple terms.
P3
2. Create a PowerPoint presentation aimed at casual IT users on how to use e-mail,
include a section on safety measures. You will be expected to present your
presentation.
P1
3. Create a booklet that explains how to use e-mail to frequent
IT users. Add a section on safety measures and remember these
readers have a good understanding of IT
terminology.
P2
Through these tasks you need to show that you can use proofing tools (at least two),
such as thesaurus and spell checker in order to check communications
P4
These tasks will provide evidence for P1, P2, P3 & P4
Presentation Guidelines
You must produce your work in the formats specified in the task. Your written assignment tasks
will be assessed formally and written feedback provided by your assessor. Your presentation
needs to be delivered in a formal business manner using appropriate presentation techniques. It
is strongly recommended that you use a data projector and presentation software such as
"Microsoft Powerpoint" to enhance the quality and impact of your presentation. Your
presentation will be witnessed by a member of staff, who will provide individual witness
statements for your portfolio. Evidence of your presentation, such as a print-out of the
slideshow, and speaker notes must also be inserted into your portfolio.
Grading Criteria
To achieve a
merit, you must:
To achieve a pass, you must:
To achieve a
distinction, you
must:
P1: demonstrate effective
interpersonal skills in face to face
communication
P2: communicate IT-related information to a
technical audience
P3: communicate IT-related information to a
non technical audience
P4: use IT tools safely to effectively
communicate and exchange information
Deadline:
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N/A
N/A
Hardley School
BTEC Level 2 Information Technology
Unit 1: Communicating in the IT Industry
Assignment 2: Specialist Communication Channels
Scenario
You are employed by a recruitment agency and deal with
clients face to face, over the telephone and through video
conferencing. You are to produce a blog explaining how to
use video conferencing.
Tasks
1. Select, set up and use a specialist communication channel (eg
blogs, wikis, vlogs, podcasts, video conferencing) to communicate and
exchange information. Evidence can come from screenshots and/or
a written report. You should identify common safety issues
(personal information; viewing digital content; uploading digital content;
respect towards others; data protection regulations; securing data eg
encryption, firewalls, backups, secure sites) and use appropriate
methods to protect yourself and your data.
P5
2. In a report describe the social impacts of the use of IT.
P6
3. Use one of the specialist communication channels selected in P5. Write a report to
explain how the communication channel was effective for a given purpose (video for
blog).
M1
Note: Your justification should show an understanding of user requirements and
appropriate characteristics of the chosen specialist channel.
4. In a presentation discuss the potential threats which the use of IT has
introduced
M2
5. Explain how they use appropriate methods to ensure safety and security when
setting up and using a specialist communication channel to communicate and exchange
information. This should cover personal safety as well as the security of data being
transferred. Evidence for this criterion can come from screenshots or a written report.
D1
This task will provide evidence for P5, P6, M1, M2 and D1
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Hardley School
BTEC Level 2 Information Technology
Unit 1: Communicating in the IT Industry
Presentation Guidelines
You must produce your work in the formats specified in the task. Your written
assignment tasks will be assessed formally and written feedback provided by your
assessor. Your presentation needs to be delivered in a formal business manner using
appropriate presentation techniques. It is strongly recommended that you use a data
projector and presentation software such as "Microsoft Powerpoint" to enhance the
quality and impact of your presentation. Your presentation will be witnessed by a
member of staff, who will provide individual witness statements for your portfolio.
Evidence of your presentation, such as a print-out of the slideshow, and speaker notes
must also be inserted into your portfolio.
Grading Criteria
To achieve a pass, you
must:
To achieve a merit, you
must:
P5: select, set up and use a
specialist communication
channel to communicate and
exchange information
M1: justify why a specialist
communication channel is
effective for a given purpose
P6: explain the social
impacts of the use of IT.
M2: discuss the potential
threats which the use of IT
has introduced.
To achieve a distinction,
you must:
D1: explain how to ensure
safe and secure use of a
specialist communication
channel.
Deadline:
Assignment’s tasks
Assessment Criteria
Assignment 1
P1, P2, P3 & P4
Assignment 2
P5, P6, M1, M2 & D1
Deadline for Unit 1:
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Hardley School
BTEC Level 2 Information Technology
Unit 1: Communicating in the IT Industry
Unit Resource List
Textbooks
Maggio R – The Art of Talking to Anyone: Essential People Skills for Success in Any
Situation (McGraw Hill Higher Education, 2005) ISBN 007145229X
Websites
www.btplc.com/responsiblebusiness/supportingourcommunities/l earningandskills
www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/CommunicationIntro.htm
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