OCR Nationals
Encyclopedia
OCR Nationals are vocationally-related qualifications which were officially launched by the OCR Board
in September 2004. The qualifications are designed to meet the needs of those seeking vocational education
in place of the traditional, theory
-intensive, academic route. Although the target audience are teenagers (14-19), the qualifications are also suitable for adult learners, much like the GNVQ.
They are available in the following subject areas:
The OCR Level 2 Nationals in ICT have been developed to recognise learners' skills, knowledge and understanding of Information and Communication Technology functions, environments and operations.
The learners carry out a range of tasks that have been designed to recognise their achievements in a modern, practical way that is relevant to the workplace.
They do not certificate competence on the job but are work-related qualifications which will support progression to an NVQ once a candidate is in the workplace.
Specification aims
These qualifications specifically aim to:
* develop learner's knowledge and understanding of the Information and Communication Technology sector
* develop learner's skills, knowledge and understanding in contexts that are directly relevant to employment situations, thereby enhancing their employability within the Information and Communication Technology sector
* develop learner's ability to work autonomously and effectively in an Information and Communication Technology context
* enable learners to develop knowledge and understanding in specialist areas of Information and Communication Technology, and demonstrate the skills needed to participate in the operation and development of ICT specific or ICT non-specific business organisations
* encourage progression by assisting in the development of skills, knowledge and understanding that learners will need to access further or higher education programmes or occupational training on a full-time or part-time basis
* encourage progression by assisting in the development of skills, knowledge and understanding that learners will need to enter employment or enhance their current employment status
* promote interaction between employers, centres and learners by relating teaching and assessment to real organisations.
All units are centre-assessed and externally moderated by OCR. There are no timetabled exams for this qualification; candidates may complete units at a time that suits the centre. The full award and units from this qualification are graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.
The units are split into three sections A,B and C.
A=1
B=2-18
C=19-23
For the equivalent of 1 Gcse's you need:
1A
1B
1C
For the equivalent of 2 GCSE'S you need:
1A
2B
2C
For the equivalent of 3 GCSE's you need:
1A
4B
2C
List of Unit Titles
Mandatory
* Unit 1 ICT skills for business
Optional
* Unit 2 Webpage creation
* Unit 3 Digital imaging - plan and produce computer graphics
* Unit 4 Design and produce multimedia products
* Unit 5 Desktop publishing
* Unit 6 Spreadsheets - design and use
* Unit 7 Databases - design and use
* Unit 8 Technological innovation and e-commerce
* Unit 9 Customer support
* Unit 10 Planning and supporting telecommunications
* Unit 11 Career planning for IT
* Unit 12 Work experience in IT
* Unit 13 IT systems and user needs
* Unit 14 Installation of applications
* Unit 15 System testing and maintenance
* Unit 16 Repair and decommission of IT equipment
* Unit 17 CAD and CAM
* Unit 18 Application of computer control
* Unit 19 Application of data logging
* Unit 20 Creating animation for the WWW using ICT
* Unit 21 Creating computer graphics
* Unit 22 Creating sound using ICT
* Unit 23 Creating video
Source: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/nationals/ict/l2/index.html
Qualifications
OCR. (2011). Qualification structure. Available: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/nationals/ict/l2/qual_structure/index.html. Last accessed 31 March 2011.
Unit 1 ICT Skills for Business
In unit 1 student’s will show the ability to create files in word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software. Students will have the ability to communicate using email and use the Internet to search for information.
There are six assessment objectives in unit 1.
AO1 – This assessment objective involves good working practices with files and folders.
AO2 – This assessment objective involves searching for information on the Web and using E-Mail.
AO3 – This assessment objective involves creating a business presentation using presentation software.
AO4 – This assessment objective involves producing business documents.
AO5 – This assessment objective involves creating simple business spreadsheet.
AO6 - This assessment objective involves creating a business database.
OCR (examination board)
OCR is an examination board that sets examinations and awards qualifications . It is one of England, Wales and Northern Ireland's five main examination boards....
in September 2004. The qualifications are designed to meet the needs of those seeking vocational education
Vocational education
Vocational education or vocational education and training is an education that prepares trainees for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic, and totally related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation...
in place of the traditional, theory
Theory
The English word theory was derived from a technical term in Ancient Greek philosophy. The word theoria, , meant "a looking at, viewing, beholding", and referring to contemplation or speculation, as opposed to action...
-intensive, academic route. Although the target audience are teenagers (14-19), the qualifications are also suitable for adult learners, much like the GNVQ.
New alternative
OCR Nationals are available at Levels 1, 2 and 3, and are perceived to be a viable alternative to the withdrawn GNVQs.They are available in the following subject areas:
- BusinessBusinessA business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
- DesignDesignDesign as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
- HealthHealth careHealth care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
& Social care - Information TechnologyInformation technologyInformation technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
- LeisureLeisureLeisure, or free time, is time spent away from business, work, and domestic chores. It is also the periods of time before or after necessary activities such as eating, sleeping and, where it is compulsory, education....
/TravelTravelTravel is the movement of people or objects between relatively distant geographical locations. 'Travel' can also include relatively short stays between successive movements.-Etymology:...
& TourismTourismTourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a... - MediaMass mediaMass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...
- Public ServicesPublic servicesPublic services is a term usually used to mean services provided by government to its citizens, either directly or by financing private provision of services. The term is associated with a social consensus that certain services should be available to all, regardless of income...
- ScienceScienceScience is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
- SportSportA Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
OCR National ICT Level 2
The OCR Level 2 Nationals in ICT have been developed to recognise learners' skills, knowledge and understanding of Information and Communication Technology functions, environments and operations.
The learners carry out a range of tasks that have been designed to recognise their achievements in a modern, practical way that is relevant to the workplace.
They do not certificate competence on the job but are work-related qualifications which will support progression to an NVQ once a candidate is in the workplace.
Specification aims
These qualifications specifically aim to:
* develop learner's knowledge and understanding of the Information and Communication Technology sector
* develop learner's skills, knowledge and understanding in contexts that are directly relevant to employment situations, thereby enhancing their employability within the Information and Communication Technology sector
* develop learner's ability to work autonomously and effectively in an Information and Communication Technology context
* enable learners to develop knowledge and understanding in specialist areas of Information and Communication Technology, and demonstrate the skills needed to participate in the operation and development of ICT specific or ICT non-specific business organisations
* encourage progression by assisting in the development of skills, knowledge and understanding that learners will need to access further or higher education programmes or occupational training on a full-time or part-time basis
* encourage progression by assisting in the development of skills, knowledge and understanding that learners will need to enter employment or enhance their current employment status
* promote interaction between employers, centres and learners by relating teaching and assessment to real organisations.
All units are centre-assessed and externally moderated by OCR. There are no timetabled exams for this qualification; candidates may complete units at a time that suits the centre. The full award and units from this qualification are graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.
The units are split into three sections A,B and C.
A=1
B=2-18
C=19-23
For the equivalent of 1 Gcse's you need:
1A
1B
1C
For the equivalent of 2 GCSE'S you need:
1A
2B
2C
For the equivalent of 3 GCSE's you need:
1A
4B
2C
List of Unit Titles
Mandatory
* Unit 1 ICT skills for business
Optional
* Unit 2 Webpage creation
* Unit 3 Digital imaging - plan and produce computer graphics
* Unit 4 Design and produce multimedia products
* Unit 5 Desktop publishing
* Unit 6 Spreadsheets - design and use
* Unit 7 Databases - design and use
* Unit 8 Technological innovation and e-commerce
* Unit 9 Customer support
* Unit 10 Planning and supporting telecommunications
* Unit 11 Career planning for IT
* Unit 12 Work experience in IT
* Unit 13 IT systems and user needs
* Unit 14 Installation of applications
* Unit 15 System testing and maintenance
* Unit 16 Repair and decommission of IT equipment
* Unit 17 CAD and CAM
* Unit 18 Application of computer control
* Unit 19 Application of data logging
* Unit 20 Creating animation for the WWW using ICT
* Unit 21 Creating computer graphics
* Unit 22 Creating sound using ICT
* Unit 23 Creating video
Source: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/nationals/ict/l2/index.html
Qualifications
| Qualification | Number of units required | Equivalent GCSEs |
|---|---|---|
| National First Award | 1 Mandatory, 1 optional | 1 GCSE (A* - C) |
| National Award | 1 Mandatory, 2 optional | 2 GCSEs (A* - C) |
| Nationals First Certificate | 1 Mandatory, 3 optional | 3 GCSEs (A* - C) |
| Nationals Certificate | 1 Mandatory, 4 optional | 4 GCSEs (A* - C) |
OCR. (2011). Qualification structure. Available: http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/type/nationals/ict/l2/qual_structure/index.html. Last accessed 31 March 2011.
Unit 1 ICT Skills for Business
In unit 1 student’s will show the ability to create files in word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software. Students will have the ability to communicate using email and use the Internet to search for information.
There are six assessment objectives in unit 1.
AO1 – This assessment objective involves good working practices with files and folders.
AO2 – This assessment objective involves searching for information on the Web and using E-Mail.
AO3 – This assessment objective involves creating a business presentation using presentation software.
AO4 – This assessment objective involves producing business documents.
AO5 – This assessment objective involves creating simple business spreadsheet.
AO6 - This assessment objective involves creating a business database.
External links
- OCR Nationals
- OCR Nationals ICT
- OCR Board official website