SUSSEX DOWNS COLLEGE
CREATIVE & DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
AN EXCITING NEW RANGE OF TECHNICAL PATHWAY PROGRAMMES FOR 2017
“
We are very excited to offer a brand new range of study programmes, designed to teach cutting edge skillsets to highly motivated students looking to pursue a future in the fast moving Digital Technologies Sector.
Programme Manager - Creative & Digital Technologies
“
George Hedges
Overview These qualifications are new Technical Pathways designed to address the recognised skills shortage in the Digital Technologies sector and are aimed at learners who are 16 -19 years old. Equivalent in size to 3 A levels over 2 years, they are intended to be their full study programme. These qualifications allows learners to study IT in a context that enables them to learn and be assessed in ways that are practical and relevant to the IT sector. Employers have stated that they need people who are able to help them develop their systems or the systems for their customers, to use IT to strategically view the IT landscape and to exploit new technologies to gain business advantage. They have identified that future skills gaps need to be filled for new and emerging technologies. These qualifications, therefore, are specifically designed to give learners comprehensive knowledge, not available in the smaller qualification sizes, which will allow them to specialise with breadth and depth into more specialist and cutting edge job roles across the sectors.
These exciting new courses are:
Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner (L3) Offered at Eastbourne & Lewes Campuses
Application & Web Development (L3) Offered at Eastbourne & Lewes Campuses
Software and Games Development (L3) Offered at Lewes Campus only
Digital Business Practitioner (L2) Offered at Lewes Campus only
THESE ARE ALL FULL TIME STUDY PROGRAMMES
Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner
Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner What will I study?
Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner
In the first year of this exciting new study programme, you will gain a sound understanding of IT technologies and practices together with a greater comprehension of how organisations use information sources both internally and externally and how they store and manage their data. You will learn about both virtual and an augmented reality technologies and how they are used. You will research both technologies and create designs for both. You will explore potential ideas for these new applications and develop the fundamental designs using either traditional methodologies or more recently adapted agile approaches within the IT development environment. You will learn about the Internet of Everything (IoE) and how it is used. This will broaden your knowledge and understanding of the wider potential of mobile technologies and its consequences to people and businesses and will include looking at digital marketing and the use of social media as a concept. You will also develop your knowledge, skills and understanding to enable you to successfully install or upgrade a wide range of software, including operating systems and application software. Learners will take the designated mandatory units for this pathway and carefully chosen Pathway units:
Manadatory units: Fundamentals of IT:
A sound understanding of IT technologies and practices is essential for IT professionals. Information learnt in this unit will provide a solid foundation in the fundamentals of hardware, networks, software, the ethical use of computers and how business uses IT. After completing this unit, the knowledge, skills and understanding you have developed will underpin your study for the additional units.
Global information:
Virtual and augmented reality:
Virtual reality is a simulated environment that is intended to replicate the physical experience of being in places in the real or imagined worlds whereas Augmented reality is the process of changing the user’s view of the real world in order to give them an improved, or more detailed, view of what they are seeing.
Pathway units: Project management:
Project management skills are essential transferrable skills that can be used for all IT related projects whether it’s traditional methodologies or more recently adapted agile approaches within the IT development environment. These skills can be adapted and used even on the smallest ‘tasks’ during the planning and implementation stages.
Mobile technology:
The aim of this unit is to broaden your knowledge and understanding of the wider potential of mobile technologies and its consequences to people and businesses. This unit is as much about new technologies as it is about promoting critical analysis of existing situations and proposing better solutions.
Developing a Smarter Planet:
You will investigate the evolution of the Smarter Planet in a variety of contexts, including the impact it is having on society. You will consider potential Smarter Planet developments and put forward a business proposal for a Smarter Planet concept to potential stakeholders, revising the business proposal as necessary following their feedback.
Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner
This unit will provide you with a greater understanding of how organisations use information sources both internally and externally and the types of information you will encounter. The skills gained by completing this unit will give you knowledge of the functionality of information and how data is stored and processed by organisations. You will also learn about how individuals use information of various types.
Internet of Everything:
Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner
This unit is about the use of the internet and how it is impacting people and society. You will learn about the Internet of Everything (IoE) and how it is used. Using your knowledge, you will carry out a feasibility study for a potential idea. You will pitch your idea to potential stakeholders and use their feedback to revise your proposal.
Computer systems – software:
Software comprising of operating systems and application software needs to be installed, configured and maintained correctly in order for the systems to remain efficient. This unit will help you to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding to successfully install or upgrade a wide range of software, including operating systems and application software. The pathway units will draw on the knowledge acquired from the mandatory units and will further enhance learners’ knowledge, skills and understanding with respect to the use and development of virtual and augmented reality or emerging technologies for a variety of contexts including mobile technology and digital marketing and the visualisation of Big data analytics. Learners will have a good understanding of the issues surrounding cyber security and will be able to incorporate solutions into their designs to minimise risk.
Second Year In the second year of the course, learners will take units that provide an insight into the IT sector, as they investigate the pace of technological change, IT infrastructure, and the flow of information on a global scale, as well as the important legal and security considerations.
Cyber security reflects an important development in the sector
around information security, and requires learners to consider how data should be protected and how the IT sector should respond to emerging threats such as cyber terrorism.
Cloud technology
develops this knowledge into the global usage, application and practice with Cloud technology.
Enterprise computing allows learners to evaluate global organisations and make recommendations for how the application of Enterprise Computing can meet changing business needs.
Cognitive computing
Entry Requirements: Learners will need a good level of literacy and numeracy skills and an excitement for technology. 5 A* to C grade GCSE including Maths and English Language are required to enrol onto this exciting new course.
What qualification will I receive? Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in IT
What could this qualification lead to? Employment The Digital Technician pathway (achieved after completion of the second year) could lead to specific job roles which include: IT Technical support, Database Administrator, Field Technician, Network Technician, Infrastructure Technician, Network Planner, Network Engineer, Junior Digital Content Developer, 3D Graphics Technician, Virtual Reality Software Technician, Software Developer, Digital Identity Planners or Digital Content Developer.
Progression to Higher Education The qualification will enable learners to acquire a range of transferable skills and knowledge which are highly regarded by higher education
Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner
will prepare learners for job roles which involve creative, smart thinking and learning systems that will second guess humans in thinking, research and complex analysis tasks to suggest credible and operational options.
Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner
providers and employers. It has UCAS tariff points and provides a good grounding for progression to university to take one of many relevant degree programmes, for example: Computing and ICT; Computing Science; Software Developments; Software Engineering; ICT and Computer Networks; Business Information Systems. (It is always important for learners to check individual course requirements when applying to university) The qualification could also provide learners with a head start into apprenticeship programmes (e.g. Network Engineer or Software Developer), or directly into employment, whilst still providing learners with the option of progression into a related Higher Education (HE) course as listed above.
building the future of computing, and what it means to be connected to the internet, for the vast majority of human beings.� Dieter Bohn, The Verge
Emerging Digital Technology Practitioner
“ Right now we have been and are
Application & Web Development
Application & Web Developement What will I study?
Application & Web Development
In the first year of this exciting new study programme, you will gain a sound understanding of IT technologies and practices together with a greater comprehension of how organisations use information sources both internally and externally. You will explore potential ideas for new applications and develop the fundamental designs using either traditional methodologies or more recently adapted agile approaches within the IT development environment. This will broaden your knowledge and understanding of the wider potential of mobile technologies and its consequences to people and businesses and will include looking at digital marketing and the use of social media as a concept. You will also develop skills in designing and developing a prototype for a simple game, which will enable you to consider the logic of the programming structures required, as well as the interface design. In addition to this you will research, design and produce an interactive, responsive website that is specific to a client’s needs. Typical job roles within this pathway include; Web Application Developer, Software Engineer, Mobile Application Developer, Application Developer or Software Analyst. Learners will take the designated mandatory units for this pathway and carefully chosen Pathway units:
Mandatory Units: Fundamentals of IT:
A sound understanding of IT technologies and practices is essential for IT professionals. Information learnt in this unit will provide a solid
foundation in the fundamentals of hardware, networks, software, the ethical use of computers and how business uses IT. After completing this unit, the knowledge, skills and understanding you have developed will underpin your study for the additional units .
Global information:
Application Design:
In this unit you will explore potential ideas for a new application and develop the fundamental design for it. You will then develop the designs for an application and how users will interact with it. The application that you design can be for any sector and for any purpose. You will have the opportunity to present your ideas, prototype them, and gain feedback before refining your design.
Pathway Units: Project management:
Project management skills are essential transferrable skills that can be used for all IT related projects whether it’s traditional methodologies or more recently adapted agile approaches within the IT development environment. These skills can be adapted and used even on the smallest ‘tasks’ during the planning and implementation stages.
Mobile technology:
The aim of this unit is to broaden your knowledge and understanding of the wider potential of mobile technologies and its consequences to people and businesses. This unit is as much about new technologies as it is about promoting critical analysis of existing situations and proposing better solutions.
Application & Web Development
This unit will provide you with a greater understanding of how organisations use information sources both internally and externally and the types of information you will encounter. The skills gained by completing this unit will give you knowledge of the functionality of information and how data is stored and processed by organisations. You will also learn about how individuals use information of various types.
Social Media and Digital Marketing:
This unit looks at digital marketing as a concept and then offers you the opportunity to explore the possible impacts, both positive and negative, that may be generated by the use of social media as a digital marketing tool.
Games Design & Prototyping:
Application & Web Development
This unit will help you develop skills in designing and developing a prototype for a simple game. It will enable you to consider the logic of the programming structures required, as well as the interface design. You will then build a prototype in order to demonstrate an element of your game.
Web Design & Prototyping:
In this unit you will research, design and produce an interactive, responsive website that is specific to a client’s needs, culminating in presenting the concept of the website using the prototype to the client. The optional units will draw on the knowledge acquired from the mandatory units and will further enhance learners’ knowledge, skills and understanding with respect of specifications and the designing, building or testing of applications for a variety of contexts including mobile technology and digital marketing and the visualisation of Big data analytics. Learners will have a good understanding of the issues surrounding cyber security and will be able to incorporate solutions into their designs to minimise risk.
Second Year In the second year of the course, learners will take units that provide an insight into the IT sector, as they investigate the pace of technological change, IT infrastructure, and the flow of information on a global scale, as well as the important legal and security considerations.
Cyber security reflects an important development in the sector
around information security, and requires learners to consider how data should be protected and how the IT sector should respond to emerging threats such as cyber terrorism.
Data analysis and design ensures learners acquire the
skills and knowledge required to use data analysis techniques and develop data design solutions to meet specific business requirements.
Cloud technology develops this knowledge into the global usage, application and practice with Cloud technology.
Enterprise computing allows learners to evaluate global Cognitive computing will prepare learners for job roles
which involve creative, smart thinking and learning systems that will second guess humans in thinking, research and complex analysis tasks to suggest credible and operational options.
Entry Requirements:
Learners will need a good level of literacy and numeracy skills and an excitement for technology. 5 A* to C grade GCSE including Maths and English Language are required to enrol onto this exciting new course.
What qualification will I receive? Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in IT
What could this qualification lead to? Employment
The Application Data Practitioner pathway (achieved after completion of the second year) will lead to specific job roles which include: Web Application Developer, Software Engineer, Mobile Application Developer, Application Developer, Software Analyst, Data Analyst, Data Quality Analyst, Statistical Data Analyst, Big Data Architect, Digital Data Analyst or Customer Insight Analyst, Software Developer, Digital Marketer, Software Tester, Data Analyst, Cyber Intrusion Analyst, IT
Application & Web Development
organisations and make recommendations for how the application of Enterprise Computing can meet changing business needs.
Technical Sales and Digital Service Operator.
Progression to Higher Education
Application & Web Development
The qualification will enable learners to acquire a range of transferable skills and knowledge which are highly regarded by higher education providers and employers. It has UCAS tariff points and provides a good grounding for progression to university to take one of many relevant degree programmes, for example: Computing and ICT; Computing Science; Software Developments; Software Engineering; ICT and Computer Networks; Business Information Systems. (It is always important for learners to check individual course requirements when applying to university) The qualification could also provide learners with a head start into apprenticeship programmes (e.g. Network Engineer or Software Developer), or directly into employment, whilst still providing learners with the option of progression into a related Higher Education (HE) course as listed above.
the new digital hub, but also the bridge to the physical world. That’s why mobile will affect more than just your digital operations, it will transform your entire business.” Thomas Husson, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research
Application & Web Development
“ Mobile is becoming not only
Software & Games Development
Software and Games Development Overview
Software & Games Development
This qualification has been developed in consultation with academics to ensure that it incorporates the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to enable progression to higher education. In addition, employers and professional bodies have been consulted on the content development to confirm its relevance to current industry practice used in IT and related occupational disciplines.
What will I study? In the first year of this exciting new study programme, you will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system as well as examining the structure of data and its origins, and how an efficient data design follows through to an effective and useful database. You will explore different social media websites and develop a plan to use social media strategies for business purposes to achieve specific aims and objectives. You will learn about computational thinking skills and the principles of designing and developing computer programs. As part of this programme you will investigate mobile apps, how they are used, why they are created, the differences between devices and the implications of creating and using software on mobile devices. You will also investigate the technologies used in the computer gaming industry and the implications they have for users allowing you to analyse how user needs and preferences impact on game design. Finally, you will design, create and review a computer game to meet requirements and reflect on the skills and understanding applied during the design and development process.
Learners will take the designated mandatory units for this pathway:
Information Technology Systems
You will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system, and the way that systems work individually and together, as well as the relationship between the user and the system. You will examine issues related to the use of IT systems and the impact that they have on organisations and individuals.
You will examine the structure of data and its origins, and how an efficient data design follows through to an effective and useful database. You will examine a given scenario and develop an effective design solution to produce a database system. You will then test your solution to ensure that it works correctly.
Using Social Media in Business
You will explore different social media websites, the ways in which they can be used and the potential pitfalls when using them for business purposes. You will develop a plan to use social media strategies for business purposes to achieve specific aims and objectives.
Programming
You will learn about computational thinking skills and the principles of designing and developing computer programs. You will apply computational thinking skills to design, develop, test, refine and review computer programs for a given range of purposes. By developing your analytical, problem-solving and programming skills, this unit will help you to progress to higher education or to employment as a software developer. Learners will then take course specific optional units:
Mobile Apps Development
In this unit you will investigate mobile apps, how they are used, why they are created, the differences between devices and the implications of creating and using software on mobile devices. You will study the design considerations
Software & Games Development
Creating Systems to Manage Information
inherent in mobile apps and general software design. You will design, develop, test and review a mobile app to fulfil a specific set of client requirements.
Computer Games Development
Software & Games Development
In this unit, you will investigate the technologies used in the computer gaming industry and the implications they have for users, developers and organisations. You will analyse how user needs and preferences impact on game design and how target technologies affect the design and development of a computer game. Finally, you will design, create and review a computer game to meet requirements and reflect on the skills and understanding applied during the design and development process. The optional units will draw on the knowledge acquired from the mandatory units and will further enhance learners’ knowledge, skills and understanding with respect to the use and development of computer games and software applications for a variety of contexts including mobile technology and digital marketing. Learners will have a good understanding of the issues surrounding cyber security and will be able to incorporate solutions into their designs to minimise risks.
SECOND YEAR Website Development
As a website developer, you must use sophisticated techniques to capture user interest and to ensure that customers are served. The scripting involved in the development of websites has become crucial: website developers need to understand and acquire the necessary skills to find solutions to a variety of scenarios and problems.
IT Project Management
Ensuring the quality of IT projects in any sector is an essential requirement. In this unit, you will investigate the principles of project management and different project management methodologies, as used in the IT industry. You will deliver an IT project using at least one project management methodology and complete the five main stages of a project.
Cyber Security and Incident Management
Our increasing reliance on computer systems and the data they contain makes us vulnerable to attacks from cyber criminals, and also to the loss of these systems if there is an accident or a natural disaster. You will examine the many different types of cyber security attacks, the vulnerabilities that exist in networked systems and the techniques that can be used to defend an organisation’s networked systems.
In this unit, you will learn about the different software testing methodologies that are used as part of commercial software development projects, and the effects of different software development methodologies. You will analyse the user requirements for a software product or service to produce suitable test plans, based on specifications and development tasks, and select and apply different test methodologies to the software post development.
IT Service Delivery
You will explore a range of organisations and investigate their IT service needs, examining the computer systems that have been set up, used and integrated to deliver IT services to users and customers. You will examine issues related to the use of IT and the implications for organisations and their customers. You will analyse the IT services and requirements of organisations to plan the implementation of the IT service delivery solution.
Customising and Integrating Applications
In this unit, you will explore how different technologies, such as Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), AppleScript, application programming interface (APIs) and third-party extensions can be used to extend the functionality of applications, including cloud products such as Software as a Service (SaaS). These technologies allow businesses to customise and integrate applications with greater scope and flexibility than is possible using off-the-shelf software.
Cloud Storage and Collaboration Tools
In this unit, you will learn about how different cloud-based technologies
Software & Games Development
Software Testing
can be used to meet a range of clients’ needs. You will explore the characteristics, benefits and drawbacks of these technologies, considering their impact on individuals and organisations. You will analyse the IT needs of an organisation and how cloud storage and collaboration tools will meet the organisation’s needs. Finally, you will design and implement a cloud-based solution to meet a client’s need.
Software & Games Development
Entry Requirements:
Learners will need a good level of literacy and numeracy skills and an excitement for technology. 5 A* to C grade GCSE including Maths and English Language are required to enrol onto this exciting new course.
What qualification will I receive? First Year BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Information Technology Second Year
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Information Technology
What could this qualification lead to?
In addition to the IT sector-specific content, the requirements of the qualification enables learners to develop the transferable and higherorder skills that are highly regarded by higher education providers and employers. For example, the study of IT particularly encourages development of research and analysis skills, project management and prioritising, effective communications, the synthesis skills of adapting and integrating, and the evaluation skills of assessing, interpreting and validating. As this qualification is equivalent in size to three A Levels, it fully meets the requirements for progression to a wide range of degree programmes in IT and related areas. These include: • BSc in Business Information and Technology
• BSc in Digital Technology Solutions • BSc(Hons) in Computer Games Technology • BSc(Hons) in Creative Technology • BSc(Hons) in Information Technology Management for Business • BSc in Computing Forensics • BSc in Computer Networks and Security.
In the BTEC National units there are opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing employability skills such as: Cognitive and problem-solving skills Intrapersonal skills Interpersonal skills
Who is this qualification for?
Software and Games Development is a full time study programme and is equivalent in size to three A Levels over two years. It is designed to be offered to 16–19 learners who are interested in progressing to further study in higher education IT-related disciplines. The qualification gives learners a broad base of knowledge of the IT sector. The optional units enable learners to explore their own choice of areas for further study. Learners could also progress to employment in the IT sector.
Software & Games Development
How does the qualification provide employability skills?
Software & Games Development
“ Our lives will be facilitated by a myriad of adaptive applications running on different devices, with different sensors, all of them collecting tidbits about everything we do, and feeding big digital brains that can adapt applications to our needs simply because they get to know us. ” Márcio Cyrillo, Executive Director at CI&T
Digital Business Practitioner Level 2
Level 2 Diploma in IT Digital Business Practitioner
Level 2 - Digital Business Practitioner
This qualification is for learners of 16 years old or over who want to study IT. The qualification provides them with an introduction to the IT sector enabling them to learn and be assessed in practical and relevant ways. They are not required to undertake external assessments to achieve this qualification and the expectation is that they will use the Award as a stepping stone into employment or further study.
What does this qualification cover? Overview We have designed this study programme to have refreshing and exciting content, that is up to date, engaging, fit for purpose and suitable for the needs of students and ensure they will gain the right combination of knowledge, understanding and skills required for the 21st century. This qualification aims to develop students knowledge, understanding and skills of the essentials of IT and Cyber Security. Students will gain an insight into the IT sector as they investigate the pace of technological change, IT infrastructure on a global scale, and the importance of legal and security considerations. Designed in collaboration with industry experts the qualifications focus on the requirements that todays employers demand. A wide range of centre assessed units with practical and wider project-based assessment opportunities, as well as examined units on the Essentials of IT and Essentials of Cyber Security has resulted in a focused qualification. Students will practically apply their skills and knowledge in preparation for further study, apprenticeship or the workplace. Students will also develop professional, personal and social skills through interaction with peers, stakeholders and clients, as well as theoretical knowledge and understanding to underpin these skills. These support the transferable skills required by employers such as communication, problem solving, time management, research and analytical skills. This programme focuses on preparing students for a role as a digital business practitioner through the research and discussion of IT applications which can be used to solve business problems. They will develop skills to identify the
most suitable channel to communicate a business need, create content and use social media tools available to publish this content. They will also learn the skills required to support the needs of business through data analysis and decision making and learn about the design fundamentals, software and hardware required to create computer generated visual products to meet business needs.
The IT solutions that businesses use in the modern world are made up of many different component parts. These parts can include PCs, that are linked together to form a network, devices and wearable technologies that are attached to the PC or the network via the Cloud and the internet. These business solutions are designed to help businesses to operate.
Essentials of Cyber Security
This unit has been designed to enable you to gain knowledge and understanding of some of the threats and vulnerabilities that can have an impact on individuals and organisations. You will learn about some of the measures that can be used to protect against a cyber-security attack. You will be able to apply your knowledge and understanding of these measures by recommending ways in which a digital system can be best protected.
Creating Business Solutions
This unit will prepare you for a role in the Digital Business Practitioner pathway through the research and discussion of IT applications which can be used to solve business problems. You will learn to differentiate between generic and specialist software and be able to select the most appropriate application for a particular business need and then use the selected application to create the solution.
Using Social Media Channels for Business
You will develop skills to identify the most suitable channel to communicate a business need. You will create content and use the social media tools available to publish this content. To help you do this you will need to know about different social media channels and understand the implications of what
Level 2 - Digital Business Practitioner
What will I study? Essentials of IT
you create on the business and the opportunities the business will gain as a result.
Using Data Analysis Software
Level 2 - Digital Business Practitioner
This unit will enable you to understand the difference between data and information and the quality of the data, which data needs to be analysed for a given business need and how to carry out the analysis and present the findings and recommend the use of your analysis model for future analyses and decision making.
Creating Visual Business products
This unit will provide you with the knowledge of design fundamentals, software and hardware required to create computer generated visual products. It will also guide you in the skills needed to design and create visual products to meet a business need.
What qualification will I receive? Level 2 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT
Progression
Cambridge Technicals provide a strong base for progression to further study apprenticeships or employment.
What could this qualification lead to?
The Digital Business Practitioner Pathway could lead to specific job roles which include: Social Media Content Administrator, Social Media Marketer and Data Administrator
you have to wait until there is a competitor doing something. Being customer-focused allows you to be more pioneering.” Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder
Level 2 - Digital Business Practitioner
“ If you’re competitor-focused,
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