This qualification is for those planning to become IT professionals, offers high quality, vocational learning, providing learners with the tools they need for the IT industry. The new BTEC in IT offers learners a practical approach to studying IT and gives you the chance to shape the course and qualification to their needs. For 2010, we have redeveloped the units and added new ones to create a flexible, high quality vocational qualification ideally suited to the needs of all your learners.
Progression for learners
A BTEC in IT can help your students achieve their full potential. Learners are rewarded along the way for consistent hard work and demonstration of their knowledge. A BTEC in IT offers active learning in a vocational context and builds confidence, competence and motivation in your learners.
Motivating your students to achieve their best
In developing the new BTEC IT qualification we have taken feedback from more than 300 centres. This allowed us to take the strengths from the previous BTEC IT qualifications whilst also developing new units which we know you want to teach. The BTEC is a qualification that allows a learner to explore the elements of IT which engage and interest them. This also allows you to be more creative in your teaching and ensure that all your learners are motivated and achieve their best.
Flexible to fit around your curriculum
Some learners are incredibly focused, determined to make a success of their chosen career in IT. For others, it’s not so clear cut. A BTEC is a flexible qualification, made up of a number of units, which are determined by the level and size being studied. These units can be taken independently or alongside more traditional qualifications, to suit the interests and the aspirations of the learner. Teachers and tutors can work together to plan and create their own resources or use our new and improved range of support materials. Fully embedded vendor awards can be delivered as part of the BTEC Level 2 and Level 3 IT qualification, with no requirement for double assessment. The range of over 30 units including vendors such as CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle and VMware ensure learners are equipped with practical skills that can be used as they embark on their careers in the IT industry.
Engaging for everyone
Students, of all abilities, often fail to see the link between what they learn in an academic sense and the world of work. BTECs in IT change all that. The vocational learning style is completely different from the more traditional routes. Students may research their topics and present results in a wide variety of ways other than written text. They don’t have to work alone – group interaction can often play a part, for example through teamwork and role-play. BTECs can enhance the performance of all learners and develop the skills that employers will value. They are learning in a practical way without the need to commit to an apprenticeship.
Rewarding hard work and effort
Students learn best when they can apply their own knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to a subject. In a subject like IT, and in others, it’s often the case that learners are already motivated, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. It’s right that this natural energy can be focused and rewarded. A BTEC in IT allows it to happen. Hard work is rewarded. Assessment is ongoing, motivating students to analyse and improve their own performance.
Ideal for everyone
There is something for everyone in the new BTEC IT – including students who wish to work in IT, as well as those students who want to learn how to use IT creatively to get them ready for the workplace.
Courses to support part-time and workplace learners
Our BTEC in IT is not only for those in full-time education. Those already employed in the IT sector can study for the BTEC level 2 or BTEC level 3 on a part-time basis. Knowledge and expertise gained in the workplace is valued and can play a part in the assessment methodology. School leavers and adults alike can continue to pursue an interest in IT and a desire to learn through the BTEC Level 3 Nationals in IT. These courses are designed to motivate, building on the achievements from Key Stage 4 or other level 2 qualifications for those that wish to explore a vocational route at level 3.
Awards that are recognised and understood
BTECs are the leading vocational qualification in the UK. They have an established reputation for quality whilst offering the learner a challenging and rewarding qualification. They are recognised by employers and higher education institutions around the world.
Unrivalled help and support
If you are new to BTECs, you can feel reassured in the knowledge that a robust support structure is set in place. We’re here to offer curriculum and qualification updates, local training and network opportunities, plus advice, guidance and support. We also have a Subject Advisor for IT, Gareth Byrne, who you can contact directly with any queries or for advice you may need in implementing BTECs in your centre. Central to the subject advisor service is our online ICT Community Forum which provides you with an opportunity to speak to other teachers, raise concerns and ask advice. Whether you have concerns about new specifications or assessment, or you want to know what books and resources to use to support your teaching, you can use our ICT Community Forum as a means to find out more. If you are an existing Edexcel centre, you can use the site and the materials posted on it to help with your planning and teaching of our current ICT qualifications. You can also provide us with feedback as to how we can improve our qualifications, our support and our services. Gareth has worked in the IT sector as a programmer and project manager. He taught in secondary schools for ten years, four of them as Head of Department, before joining Edexcel.