Change ICT exams

[WelshTom]

I've just purchased changeictexams.org.uk, in the hope to create a mass online petition to make the ICT exams at GCSE and A level harder, if anyone has seen the papers issued by the exam boards such as COEA, WJC etc, you will realise how stupidly easy they are, and infact, not keeping up with todays ICT market.

I'm hoping to get some press coverage for this aswell, along with the support of educational rights organisations.

Do you think its a good idea?

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by Thomas

I've just purchased changeictexams.org.uk, in the hope to create a mass online petition to make the ICT exams at GCSE and A level harder, if anyone has seen the papers issued by the exam boards such as COEA, WJC etc, you will realise how stupidly easy they are, and infact, not keeping up with todays ICT market.

I'm hoping to get some press coverage for this aswell, along with the support of educational rights organisations.

Do you think its a good idea?

No, why make things harder on yourselves. Thank god I'm through them - don't complain if its too easy because you will find so many things in life unfairly hard.

Life levels out after you've lived a while - you get a great deal on some things and a rubbish deal on others!

I've got through both my GCSEs and A Levels so it doesn't really make a difference to me!

[WelshTom]

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

No, why make things harder on yourselves. Thank god I'm through them - don't complain if its too easy because you will find so many things in life unfairly hard.

Life levels out after you've lived a while - you get a great deal on some things and a rubbish deal on others!

I've got through both my GCSEs and A Levels so it doesn't really make a difference to me!

Because asking questions like the following is nothing but a mockery at GCSE level:

1) Is this paragraph bold, italics or underlined?

[Ben]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Because asking questions like the following is nothing but a mockery at GCSE level:

1) Is this paragraph bold, italics or underlined?

LOL. That is what they ask you for ICT exams? I think I agree with you now on this. Anyone who simply spends a little amount of time on forums or wordpad will easily know that question . I am looking forward to my GCSE ICT exam now lol.

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by Thomas

Because asking questions like the following is nothing but a mockery at GCSE level:

1) Is this paragraph bold, italics or underlined?

Originally Posted by Ben

LOL. That is what they ask you for ICT exams? I think I agree with you now on this. Anyone who simply spends a little amount of time on forums or wordpad will easily know that question . I am looking forward to my GCSE ICT exam now lol.

Sorry I gotta disagree on both counts.

Its easy for you because you use computers all the time. It may not be easy for others.

I have known 16 year olds (the age at which GCSEs are taken) that hardly ever use computers and forget the difference between bold, italic and underlined.

Just as in Maths I would laugh if you didn't know the difference between an integral, a log and a dimension - because to me this is very easy. Does that mean Maths exams should be harder?

If your good at something of course you will find the exam easy!

[Ben]

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

Sorry I gotta disagree on both counts.

Its easy for you because you use computers all the time. It may not be easy for others.

I have known 16 year olds (the age at which GCSEs are taken) that hardly ever use computers and forget the difference between bold, italic and underlined.

Just as in Maths I would laugh if you didn't know the difference between an integral, a log and a dimension - because to me this is very easy. Does that mean Maths exams should be harder?

If your good at something of course you will find the exam easy!

Very good point there, DPS. However, I don't think GCSE ICT is mandatory. So I don't think someone with absolutely no experience would take GCSE ICT. But I get your point .

[flesso]

I don't have to do GCSE ICT because I'm doing business studies.

And DPS, I have to bloody idea what you're talking about with the integrals and everything. :S

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by flesso

I don't have to do GCSE ICT because I'm doing business studies.

And DPS, I have to bloody idea what you're talking about with the integrals and everything. :S

Precisly my point - to me it seems easy, but then again it should do for someone who has done A Level Maths!!

All GCSEs and A Levels will get harder soon enough anyway when they remove all coursework modules from all subjects within the next couple of years as the government has announced. They believe coursework is too easy to get help of parents or friends to help you complete it and get a good grade.

So if your more than a couple of years away from your GCSEs you've got a load more exams to look forward to!

Boy am I glad I'm at Uni now!

[Ben]

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

Precisly my point - to me it seems easy, but then again it should do for someone who has done A Level Maths!!

All GCSEs and A Levels will get harder soon enough anyway when they remove all coursework modules from all subjects within the next couple of years as the government has announced. They believe coursework is too easy to get help of parents or friends to help you complete it and get a good grade.

So if your more than a couple of years away from your GCSEs you've got a load more exams to look forward to!

Boy am I glad I'm at Uni now!

Boy thanks, DPS lol. I heard that GCSE exams aren't fun lol?

[DPS Computing]

Originally Posted by Ben

Boy thanks, DPS lol. I heard that GCSE exams aren't fun lol?

Not fun is an understatement - nightmare might be more appropriate!

However in my day (lol, I sound old!) we had to do quite a few more GCSEs and subjects than you do these days. Also, my high school being a top school, they tried to push us even further over the limit!

I did 11 GCSEs - most people now only have to do around 8 so I had a lot longer in lessons, a longer day and more exams so the coursework was a little perk that we deserved!! .

Just out of interest, how long does school last a day now? And what breaks do you get?

[Ben]

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

Not fun is an understatement - nightmare might be more appropriate!

However in my day (lol, I sound old!) we had to do quite a few more GCSEs and subjects than you do these days. Also, my high school being a top school, they tried to push us even further over the limit!

I did 11 GCSEs - most people now only have to do around 8 so I had a lot longer in lessons, a longer day and more exams so the coursework was a little perk that we deserved!! .

Just out of interest, how long does school last a day now? And what breaks do you get?

Different schools do different open & closing hours. Normally school opens at 8:30AM and closes at 3PM a lot of schools vary.

[DPS Computing]

OMG, I used to have to be in by 8:30 and didn't get to leave till 4:15. We got 1 hour for lunch and a 20 minute break mid morning.

God, you have it easy these days!

[flesso]

Originally Posted by DPS Computing

OMG, I used to have to be in by 8:30 and didn't get to leave till 4:15. We got 1 hour for lunch and a 20 minute break mid morning.

God, you have it easy these days!

We begin at 8:55 and finish at 3:35, with the 20 min mid morning break and 1 hour lunch time. I have to leave at 8:20 in the morning though because of traffic.. I would get the bus but then I would have to leave the house at 7:45!

[DPS Computing]

I can't believe how much has changed in 4 years!

[WelshTom]

The fact is that Maths is targeted for people at all levels, whereas ICT is aimed at the minority of people who perhaps find the subject difficult - it should be offered to a variety of groups who are at different educational levels.