DiDA (Diploma in Digital Applications)
Examination Board: Edexcel
“Vocational GCSE”
Why study IT?
Information Technology has transformed the way we work and a career in IT today is likely to be exciting and challenging. IT affects every area of work life so an IT qualification is a must for any job you are considering.
DiDA is a revolutionary suite of four paperless qualifications that focuses on the practical application of technology. DiDA qualifications prepare students for the real world of work or further education. They are designed to stimulate students’ creativity and develop real-world, practical skills that will motivate learning across a wide range of subjects. It is an ideal qualification for those candidates who want a broad background in ICT.
The suite of DiDA qualifications is designed to:
What can I do with a DiDA qualification?
This qualification supports progression into further education, training or employment.
How is the course structured?
This new Diploma will be in the form of a one to four unit qualification and equivalent to between one to four GCSEs.
The DiDA suite contains four units. The first Unit (Using ICT) is compulsory for every candidate. Choices of three other Units are available at present:
As a suite of qualifications, DiDA offers progression from the Award (AiDA), which is equivalent to one GCSE, to the Certificate (CiDA), which is equivalent to 2 GCSEs, the Certificate + (CiDA+) which is equivalent to 3 GCSEs, on to the full Diploma (DiDA), equivalent to four GCSEs.
|
Award in Digital Applications (AiDA) |
Certificate in Digital Applications (CiDA) |
Certificate + in Digital Applications (CiDA+) |
Diploma in Digital Applications (DiDA) |
|
plus |
plus |
plus |
|
|
or |
plus |
plus |
|
|
plus |
They will be assessed through internally assessed portfolio (course-work) units. Each unit will carry equal weight.
What will I be taught?
Unit 1: Using ICT Using ICT is the keystone for the Award, Certificate and Diploma. The main elements of this course are:
Unit 2: Multimedia Unit 2 enables students to gain practical ability in a range of multimedia applications such as website design. The content of the unit includes:
Unit 3: Graphics Unit 3 gives students the ability to design and produce artwork that is effective at communicating with different audiences on screen and in print. The unit has many links with courses in art, design and media. Course content includes:
Unit 4: ICT in Enterprise Unit 4 gives students the chance to apply business techniques such as market research, financial planning and product promotion to their skills in digital applications. It develops important real-world skills, including communication, problem solving and decision making. The course includes:
How will I be Assessed?
Day to day assessment will be used to give advice to students as to how they can improve their work.
Each unit is assessed via a summative project in which students bring together the knowledge, skills and understanding they have acquired throughout the unit into one substantial piece of work. This is marked by the teacher and externally moderated. Students complete the project toward the end of the course.
The project is an important and sizeable piece of work, which must be done in school, college or whatever centre in which the learning is taking place. It is recommended that a minimum of 30 hours should be allowed for each project.
Marks are awarded for project planning, selecting and capturing information, evaluation and the eportfolio, in addition to the specific requirements of each of the four units.
Level Descriptors
|
Level 1 (Equivalent GCSE Grade G-C) |
Level 2 (Equivalent GCSE Grade C-A*) |
|
Distinction (C) |
Distinction (A*) |
|
Merit (D) |
Merit (A) |
|
Credit (E) |
Credit (B) |
|
Pass (F/G) |
Pass (C) |
Homework
Homework will be set each week and will be largely linked to this Portfolio work. Whilst it is not necessary for each pupil to have access to IT facilities at home we recognize that many do, and those pupils will be encouraged to use such facilities.
Setting - Year 11
|
|
|
|
GCSEs |
|
|
Set |
Course Length |
No of lessons per week |
Min |
Max |
|
11Ait1 |
2 Years |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
11Ait2 |
2 Years |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
11Aid3 |
2 Years |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
11Cid1 |
2 Years |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
11Cid2 |
2 Years |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
11Gid1 |
2 Years |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
11Gid2 |
2 Years |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
11Jid1 |
2 Years |
6 |
1 |
2 |
|
11Jid2 |
2 Years |
6 |
1 |
2 |
|
11Pid1 |
2 Years |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
11Xid1 |
1 Year |
2 after-college sessions |
1 |
1 |
Setting - Year 10
|
|
|
|
GCSEs |
|
|
Band/Set |
Course Length |
No of lessons per week |
Min |
Max |
|
10Aid1 |
3 Years |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
10Aid2 |
3 Years |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
10Cid1 |
3 Years |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
10Did1 |
3 Years |
3 |
2 |
3 |
|
10Fid1 |
3 Years |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
10Gid1 |
3 Years |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
103id1 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
103id2 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
103id3 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
102id1 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
102id2 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
10KMid1 |
3 Years |
4 |
2 |
3 |
|
10KMid2 |
3 Years |
4 |
2 |
3 |
Setting – Year 9
|
|
|
|
GCSEs |
|
|
Band/Set |
Course Length |
No of lessons per week |
Min |
Max |
|
96id1 |
3 Years |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
96id2 |
3 Years |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
96id3 |
3 Years |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
95id1 |
3 Years |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
95id2 |
3 Years |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
95id3 |
3 Years |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
94id1 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
94id2 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
94id3 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
93id1 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
93id2 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
93id3 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
92id1 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
92id2 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
91id1 |
3 Years |
2 |
1 |
2 |
FAQ
What qualification (AiDA, CiDA, CiDA+, DiDA) will each cohort be entered for?
All of year 11 will be entered for CiDA (Certificate = 2 GCSEs) apart from 11Xid1 who will be entered for CiDA+ (Certificate + = 3 GCSEs)
Year 10 will be entered for AiDA , CiDA, Cida+ or DiDA (between 1 and 4 GCSEs depending on student’s progress)
Year 9 will be entered for AiDA , CiDA or Cida+(between 1 and 3 GCSEs depending on student’s progress)
Identified Gifted and Talented students would have the opportunity to work towards DiDA (Diploma = 4 GCSEs)
What are the advantages of this course?
The course is flexible as students can be entered for the number of GCSEs that suit them. They are able to specialise during KS4.
How will the level of study be determined?
This will depend on the student’s progress and the discretion of the teacher.
11Aid1,2&3, 11Cid1&2, 11Gid1 2 11Jid1&2 and 11Xid1
10Aid1 & 2, 10Cid1, 10Did1, 10Fid1, 10Gid1, and 103id1,2&3
96id1,2&3, 95id1,2&3, 94id1,2&3 and 93id1,2&3 will be entered for Level 2.
11Pid1, 102id1&2 10KMid1&2, 92id1&2 and 91id1 will be entered for Level 1 but some students may progress to Level 2.
How many teachers will I have?
Students should only have one teacher during their course of study
How will the 3 year cohort differ from the 2 year cohort?
The majority of the 3 year cohort will have fewer lessons per week but they will cover some elements of Year 9 Scheme of Work.
What are the advantages of a paperless course?
What other resources will I use?
What software will I use?
What equipment will I need to purchase?
USB storage pen