[BlueCat]

Hmm, what IT course should I apply for.

Computing and IT - IT Practitioners L2 BTEC Diploma:

What is this course about?
This is a practical work related course. You will learn by completing projects and assignments. This course is made up of 7 Units. These include: Working in the IT Industry, Computer Systems, Website Development and Customising Software.

Why choose this course?
Join an IT course at Riverside College to gain a better insight into the working world of ICT. You will do this through gaining a range of transferrable skills and by using state of the art equipment and resources for the ever changing world of technology.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade D or above including English or the BTEC Introductory Diploma or other related level 1 qualification.

What will this course lead on to?
The qualification provides you with a good grounding to go on to a more advanced course such as the BTEC Extended Diploma in IT. The qualification also prepares you for employment in the IT industry, with opportunities such as: • User Support Technician
• Trainee IT Support Officer
• Junior IT Consultant


What will I learn on this course?
This courses will introduce to a number of different facets of ICT to give you an overall view of where you would like to specialise in the future. You will; discover the skills required to become a valued employee in the sector, be able to set up and maintain computer systems. You will also be able to customise a variety of different software to improve efficiency and develop the required design skills to plan and implement websites.

Enrichment Opportunities
There are a variety of Enrichment activities that you can get involved in:
CISCO IT Essentials
CISCO CCNA
Local and National Competitions
Trips and Visits into industry related organisations


How will I be assessed?
Themes will be used for assignment briefs to cover the assessment criteria for a range of units. There will be opportunities to assess by other methods throughout the year including; Observation, Video or Audio.

Are there any costs associated with this course?
Tutors will expect students to have a USB flash pen as well as standard course materials (Pen, Pencil, and Paper etc). You will be required to pay for trips and visits.

Level 3:

What is this course about?
You will study a wide range of ICT subjects enabling you to develop highly sought after skills in the ICT industry. The course is a mixture of practical and theory activities which allows you as a student to develop understanding of the topics covered. Units include: Communication & Employability Skills, Computer Systems, Computer Game Design, Software Design & Development, Website Production, Communications Technology, Digital Graphics and Controlling Systems using ICT. The course is made up of 18 Units, 3 are common core units and 15 are specialist units

Why choose this course?
Join IT at Riverside College or Cronton Sixth Form for the all round learner experience, to gain a better insight into the working world of ICT. You will do this through gaining a range of transferrable skills, using state of the art equipment and resources for the ever changing world in technology.

Entry requirements
You will need a minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above. You must have a grade C in English and Maths.

What will this course lead on to?
BTEC National Diplomas are valued by employers and universities. You can pursue careers in many IT related disciplines such as programming and technical support. You can also progress to professional status in your chosen field, alternatively you may progress into higher education and study a degree in subjects such as: Computing, E-Commerce, IT Practitioners, Multimedia, Website Development, Visual Programming and Networking.

What will I learn on this course?
You will explore a number of different facets of ICT to give you an overall view of where you would like to specialise in the future. You will; discover the skills required to become a valued employee in the sector, be able to set up and maintain computer systems, develop the required design skills to plan and implement websites and also computer game design. You will also have the opportunity to build and control robots using ICT, and create a number of different Visual Basic programmes.

Enrichment Opportunities
There are a variety of Enrichment activities that you can get involved in:
CISCO IT Essentials, CISCO CCNA, Local and National Competitions and Trips and Visits into industry related organisations

How will I be assessed?
Themes will be used for assignment briefs to cover the assessment criteria for a range of units. There will be opportunities to assess by other methods throughout the year including; Observation, Video or Audio.

Are there any costs associated with this course?
Tutors will expect you to have a USB flash pen as well as standard course materials (Pen, Pencil, and Paper etc). You will be required to pay for trips and visits.

[chmod]

It depends where you feel you are knowledge wise, the second course looks like it's more advanced especially since the entry requirements are higher, with the first course looking like it's more of an introduction (which could lead on to the second course if you need to work up to it)

So to sum up I would take the second course if I had high enough grades and a decent understanding of IT.

[BlueCat]

It depends where you feel you are knowledge wise, the second course looks like it's more advanced especially since the entry requirements are higher, with the first course looking like it's more of an introduction (which could lead on to the second course if you need to work up to it)

So to sum up I would take the second course if I had high enough grades and a decent understanding of IT.

I was thinking that to, As I do not want to dive into something that I do not know knowledge wise. Start of easy and build my way up. Thanks Bro. mile:

[chmod]

No problem, by all means if you think you will be comfortable doing the more advanced course go for it (I can't really comment on whether or not you would) but there's nothing worse than sitting through a course that's too easy/advanced, it just feels as though you are wasting your time and you will take very little from it.

[BlueCat]

No problem, by all means if you think you will be comfortable doing the more advanced course go for it (I can't really comment on whether or not you would) but there's nothing worse than sitting through a course that's too easy/advanced, it just feels as though you are wasting your time and you will take very little from it.

Too be honest, I would not want to go on a more advanced course simply because you can not just dive straight into something without knowing the core of the subject so that's why am going to start off on the easier course. mile:

[chmod]

No problem, by all means if you think you will be comfortable doing the more advanced course go for it (I can't really comment on whether or not you would) but there's nothing worse than sitting through a course that's too easy/advanced, it just feels as though you are wasting your time and you will take very little from it.

Too be honest, I would not want to go on a more advanced course simply because you can not just dive straight into something without knowing the core of the subject so that's why am going to start off on the easier course. mile:

That's fair enough, good luck with this and don't forget to keep up updated on your progress and maybe share some of what you learn!

[BlueCat]

No problem, by all means if you think you will be comfortable doing the more advanced course go for it (I can't really comment on whether or not you would) but there's nothing worse than sitting through a course that's too easy/advanced, it just feels as though you are wasting your time and you will take very little from it.

Too be honest, I would not want to go on a more advanced course simply because you can not just dive straight into something without knowing the core of the subject so that's why am going to start off on the easier course. mile:

That's fair enough, good luck with this and don't forget to keep up updated on your progress and maybe share some of what you learn!

Sure will do, although the course starts in September, Months away yet and once again, Thanks mile:

[chmod]

Any time! months away yes, but that means you have plenty of time to get ahead :Grin:

[BlueCat]

Any time! months away yes, but that means you have plenty of time to get ahead :Grin:

Indeed!

[The Real Slim Shady]

Doing a course thats too easy is just as bad as doing one thats too hard. Im doing a web design course right now that is soooo basic and i know 90% of what they are teaching, but ive still got to go through and spend over an hour on labs following instructions from a book. Its sooo tedious and boring

And a few years ago I took a course called Hands on Local Area Networking. And it was soooooo basic. We got an introduction to pinging. Told to visit a website we've never visited to check if the internet is having issues, etc. It was like - wtf is this. I took that course after completing 3, 3rd level uni courses (for fun) in Network Administration & Security and it was just like a serious waste of money.

I'd recommend you talk to a school advisor and discuss which course would be better for you specifically.