Introduction Aims
Symbols used
This book has been written to provide the knowledge, understanding and practical skills that you need for the Cambridge International Examinations Advanced Level and Advanced Subsidiary Level in Applied Information and Communication Technology. In particular, the book, together with the accompanying CD provides:
Throughout the book there are a number of elements. These are described below, in the style in which they are presented in the text, if appropriate.
◆
◆
◆ ◆
◆
practice examination questions for the theory elements of the A Level course practice tasks which offer guidance on how to answer questions for the practical elements of the A Level course activities which allow students practice in answering questions for the practical elements of the A Level course practice source data files for the tasks and activities hints and tips for the written and practical examination papers teacher’s notes, suggesting possible teaching methods.
Although it has been written with the CIE syllabus in mind, it can also be used as a useful reference text for other practical Applied ICT qualifications at AS Level, A Level and other equivalent Level 3 courses.
Using the book The text is in 16 chapters. Although it is possible that some elements of the practical chapters may be examined in the theory question papers, and vice versa, the sections for the AS Level examinations are: ◆ ◆
Chapters 1–4 cover the theory work Chapters 8–14 cover the practical work.
These are examination-style questions at the end of each theory chapter for students to answer. Model answers are available in portable document format (.pdf) on the CD. These answers also include a detailed breakdown of the mark scheme, in a similar format to that used for the AS and A Level examinations.
Hint
◆
Examination questions
These give hints, tips, shortcuts and advice on examination techniques.
Tasks These are examination-style questions in the
practical section (which often include the use of source files from the CD for the practical tasks) that are answered within the chapter. The text demonstrates the techniques used to solve the task and gives some example answers. These provide easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, so that practical skills are developed alongside the knowledge and understanding.
For the A2 Level examinations: ◆ ◆
Chapters 1–7 cover the theory work Chapters 8–17 cover the practical work.
Introduction
vii