ICT GCSE or OCR Level 2 National Award?

[klm4765]

DD is in Yr 9, and in Feb will have to choose options for KS4, so I'm trying to find out all I can, so that we're ready. Apparently, in ICT the options are ICT GCSE, OCR Level 2 National Award in ICT or OCR Level 2 National First Award in ICT. I think the latter 2 are more practical/ vocational than the GCSE. Does anyone know the advantages and disadvantages of either route, ie, which looks better on your CV, and which actually teachs the skills she is likely to need? Thanks

We are at a similar stage, although not yet seen the options for the current year.
Based on what was on offer at DD1s school last year, it was compulsory ICT AIDA (equiv. 1 GCSE) and further options for ICT CIDA (1 option choice, equiv 2 GCSEs) or ICT DIDA (2 otion choices, equiv 4 GCSEs).

So it could depend more on how many option choices your DD wants to use up on IT when she looks at what else she wants/needs to do.

My personal opinion (and I work in IT) is that ICT as a separate subject is a waste of time in school as the basic skills are covered in most other subjects anyway. It is more about using applications than the Computing taught in schools in the 70's / 80's when it was actual programming and technical stuff. Even if they want to go into IT as a career, employers look more favourably at maths and science qualifications.