T Level - Digital Foundation Year

What will you learn?

Throughout the course you will study the following units:

• Online World
  How do websites work? How do emails reach your computer? How does the use of computer applications affect your daily life? This unit provides an introduction to themodern online world. Starting with your own  experiences, you will extend your knowledge of online services and investigate the technology and software that supports them. You will learn more about a range of services including email, online data storage, collaborative software, search engines and blogging.
• Technology Systems
  Technology systems are involved in many of the objects we use every day, from a laptop computer and routers relaying internet traffic, to logging in to a social networking site. This unit provides a first look at how the main building blocks of technology systems work.
  You will explore the common hardware components of technology systems, such as a touch screen or a printer, and the internal building blocks of a computer like the processor, buses and memory. The unit also covers the purpose of networks, which allow different devices within a technology system to communicate.
• Digital Portfolio
  A digital portfolio is an excellent way to showcase your skills, achievements and creativity. It allows you to present your work professionally, making it easy to share with employers, universities and prospective clients.
  You will learn how to plan, design and create your own digital portfolio using a series of linked web pages. You will explore how effective layouts, navigation and multimedia elements, including images, audio and video, can be used to create an engaging user experience.
  You will develop a professional portfolio that highlights your achievements and demonstrates your digital skills. Once completed, you will review your portfolio, gather feedback from others and evaluate possible improvements.
• Mobile Apps Development
  With smartphones and tablets becoming an essential part of everyday life, mobile applications are used for everything from communication and entertainment to shopping, banking and education. There is a growing demand for people with the skills to design, develop and test mobile applications.
  You will investigate the purpose, features and uses of a range of mobile apps, exploring how they are designed to meet the needs of different users. You will learn about the mobile app development process, including planning, user interface (UI) design and testing.
  You will design, develop and test your own mobile application using MIT App Inventor. Through its intuitive block-based programming environment, you will learn how apps are built, developing the logical thinking, problem-solving and coding principles that underpin modern software development. Once completed, you will review your application, gather feedback from others and evaluate possible improvements.
• Website Development
  With the internet being central to how most organisations and individuals communicate and do business, the creation and maintenance of websites is an important job role. There is a strong demand in the job market for web developers with appropriate technical and creative skills.
  You will investigate the features and uses of websites by exploring what they are and how their integrated components and applications interact with each other.
  You will also learn how to design, develop and test a website for a brief. Once this is completed you will review your website, having obtained feedback from others.
• Computer Networks
  In this unit, you will come to understand the features and uses of computer networks by exploring what networks are, as well as the different types of network and how they affect user experience. You will investigate issues such as reliability (frequency of network failure and performance) and how quickly data are transferred across the network under different conditions. You will be able to apply some of your findings to
  your own computer network. You will also learn about the different hardware and software devices needed for networking, and how these can be combined to make a computer network. You will also put your knowledge and skills into practice by designing, developing and testing your own computer network for a brief. Once completed, you will review your network against the brief and obtain feedback
  from the client and from others, and evaluate possible improvements.

It is targeted at students who want to undertake Foundation skills in Digital.

You will require a minimum of 4 GCSEs at Grade 3 or above including English or Maths at Grade 4,

Alternatively, successful completion of a relevant Level 1 qualification, plus Functional Skills in English and Maths, is required. You must have achieved at least Level 1 in both subjects, with either English or Maths at Level 2.

25% externally assessment (exam board will set and mark these assessments)

Portfolio assessed work (internal marking)

Students will complete work experience to equip them with the skills and confidence needed in employment.

Level 3 courses you can progress to within Digital:-

• T-level in Digital Software Development
• T-level in Digital Support and Security
• UAL Games Development

IT Helpdesk Support, Hardware/Software installation support, Junior Software Developer and Junior Programmer.

It prepares students to progress and be successful on a T level and will build knowledge and skills in English and Maths.  It will further inspire and enthuse students to consider a career in the Digital and Computing sector. You’ll be based in central Bournemouth.  This is a very practical, hands-on programme integrating new and emerging technologies.

Stakeholder Recognition statement:

Cisco – “The qualification when achieved at Level 2 will support learners to progress to employment or within employment in a range of job roles across industry.” “These qualifications provide an appropriate level of knowledge and skills, meeting the needs of the business and the individual, ensuring employees are appropriately skilled for the job and able to deliver to the standard that the sector expects.” – Ian Foddering – CTO and Technical Director – Cisco

Awarding Body:
BTEC

Qualification:
Level 2 Certificate

Curriculum Area:
Creative, Digital, Tech and Service Industries - Digital and Computing