The OCR National is a new course covering the latest developments in ICT.

The compulsory unit - ICT Skills for Business - is taught at the start of the course.

The unit is designed to take 60 hours and covers the following areas:

• File Management
• Finding Information and Efficient Internet Usage
• Email Communication
• Business Spreadsheets
• Business Databases
• Creating Business Documents
• Desktop Publishing
• Presentation Skills

All work is assessed via completion of a portfolio, at the moment this is paper based, but it can also be electronic, e.g. a website.

Pupils complete units of study that comprise of either 60 or 30 hours.

These units build to produce the final portfolio, which is submitted for accreditation.

Pupils will cover a selection of the following units;

60 Hour units

• Webpage creation
• Digital imaging
• Multimedia products
• Desktop publishing
• Spreadsheets - design and use
• Databases - design and use

30 Hour units

• Animation
• Creating computer graphics
• Creating sound

The units aim at work-related learning qualifications that provide pupils with a taste of a vocational area, without restricting future options. These high-quality, industry-recognised certificates are geared to vocational sector requirements, enabling pupils to develop relevant skills and knowledge.

They offer a fresh approach to learning as pupils can study at their own pace.

Pupils receive certificates for individual units, full qualifications, or any combination of units, meaning they can gain recognition for their achievements as they progress.

ICT skills are taught as part of each unit, and pupils have opportunities to practice these skills before final assessment. Each unit has a checklist to ensure students complete all the necessary evidence to pass each unit.