ICT : Key Stage 4

The ICT GCSE Option offered in Key Stage 4 is called ‘DiDA’ (Diploma in Digital Applications) DiDA can be studied as a 1, 2 or 4 GCSE equivalent qualification, depending on whether students choose the CiDA (certificate) or DiDA (diploma) option in Year 10.

DiDA is paperless. There are no exams. Instead, students complete a Summative Project Brief (SPB) set by Edexcel for each unit. They present their evidence in an eportfolio which is marked by a teacher and then uploaded to the examining body. DiDA focuses on the use of digital tools to find things out, develop ideas and make things happen, exchange and share information and review, modify and evaluate work.

The first unit combines software tasks and applies knowledge already taught in ICT lessons in Year 9.

The Graphics and Multimedia units use digital software in more detail and teach techniques of combining and creating source material, such as images, sound and video as well as how to plan, design, build and test final products. The ICT in Enterprise unit is project based and you will learn how ICT can improve efficiency and competitiveness in business, as well as being essential for marketing and advertising.

What is an eportfolio? An eportfolio is a collection of digital evidence. For teachers to find things easily, it must include some means of navigating from one piece of evidence to the next. This means that most evidence will be presented as web pages (HTML files).

How is students' work graded?

DiDA units and qualifications are graded: Pass, Credit, Merit, Distinction.
At Level 2 the equivalencies with GCSE are:
Distinction: A*, Merit: A, Credit: B and Pass: C.
At Level 1 the equivalencies with GCSE are:
Distinction: C, Merit: D, Credit: E and Pass: F/G