BTEC
BTEC
Delivery guidance
This unit provides an opportunity to build core skills which will underpin the whole qualification. You will
help learners to explore how computer hardware, digital devices and relevant software combine to form
small- and large-scale systems. Focus on developing learners’ understanding of how Information Technolo-
gy systems (IT systems) can be used in vocational contexts to solve problems and/or meet the needs of or-
ganisations and users. Learners will need to be able to analyse the impact of IT systems, evaluate the effec-
tiveness of systems in a range of contexts and, where appropriate, suggest and plan improvements to cur-
rent solutions. Learners should be able to justify the solutions they propose.
Give learners opportunities to explore a range of contexts to which they can apply their
knowledge and demonstrate their ability to choose appropriate IT systems to meet a range of
needs. Help them to use their knowledge to make decisions, plan, and evaluate IT systems.
Learning aim A asks learners to explore the ways in which data is transmitted within and by
computer systems. Allow learners to explore the technologies that enable devices and systems to
communicate and share data with each other, and how the features and characteristics of these
technologies affect each system and its effectiveness. Make learners aware of different
connection types, the role of different networks and the issues relating to the use of technologies
to transmit data.
Learners should understand that there is often a range of possible solutions, and that success in
IT relies on an ability to explore and evaluate these options to find the best one. They should
understand that, on some occasions, the solution chosen will be a compromise due to the
limitations of available technologies, cost or efficiency, compatibility between new and existing
systems, and perceived benefits (such as improved productivity or security).
In the final part of learning aim A, learners will explore how the increased use of internet-based
technologies and services affects the ways in which users and organisations use and interact with
IT systems. Allow learners to access different online systems for accessing, sharing and storing
data. Ask them to research the ways in which online communities are integrated into many
aspects of the IT systems used by individuals and organisations. Help learners to develop a strong
understanding of the capabilities and limitations of available services, technologies and
procedures, and to explore how and why these technologies are used.
Learners should not forget that there could be negatives from operating online as well as
positives; there will be significant opportunities for discussion of issues such as personal privacy.
For learning aim B, learners consider how organisations use data and information. They begin by
examining the difference between data and information and considering how information at
various levels supports the activities of an organisation. Learners will benefit from visiting
speakers who can demonstrate their use of business information. Each speaker should discuss
data and information that their business generates and uses through its activities, such as stock
levels, customer data, financial and cash flow data etc. They should aim to give a good insight into
the differences between the data used at different levels of business, and the information
required by different stakeholders (including customers).
Learners will also consider how businesses use online communities in different ways to generate
business or provide post-sales support.
The final part of learning aim B focuses on the use and manipulation of data and provides an
opportunity for learners to gather primary data, make use of their own previously gathered
primary data (which has been interpreted to become secondary data), and work with numerical
and data models to produce results. Explore the importance of primary and secondary data, and
the use of models within the wider vocational context – for example: Why is it important for an
organisation to get the correct data? Why would an organisation model a range of potential
outcomes? etc.
Learning aim C introduces threats to IT systems and to the data those systems store and use.
Ensure learners are able to assess the possible impact of a threat on a given situation if adequate
steps are not taken to mitigate it. Ask learners to explore ways in which IT systems can be
protected from threats and the possible implications of implementing (or not) the identified
protection methods. Learners should consider threats to small- and large-scale systems as well as
the measures and responsibilities – at both personal and organisational level – that can protect
systems. Introduce a range of relevant legislation and allow learners to examine native practices
to identify possible improvements.
Learners should explore the moral, legal and ethical issues resulting from the use of IT systems.
Demonstrate how the use of IT systems by individuals and organisations affects the ways in which
people conduct their personal and professional lives, and examine the subsequent implications of
this. Help learners to gain a strong grasp of relevant local legislation relating to the use of IT
systems, and ensure they understand the guidelines and codes of practice produced by relevant
professional and public bodies. Learners must know how to remain informed about legal issues,
for example: What are the sources of information? Where can they access information that will
ensure they remain up-to-date?
Throughout this unit, give learners opportunities to explore and analyse situations to identify
problems, suggest and evaluate solutions, and discuss the wider considerations of implementing
and using IT systems. Deliver the content using a combination of tutor presentations, individual
and group learning tasks, visits, guest speakers and detailed case studies.
In preparation for assessment, ensure learners understand the command words used (as detailed
in the units) and, during teaching, allow learners to undertake classwork that demonstrates their
understanding of the requirements to obtain full marks in response to these command words.
For further guidance on assessment, see the criteria and exemplification in the specification.
Assessment model
Assessment guidance
This unit has a set assignment. Learners must complete a Pearson Set Assignment Brief. An assignment
is set by Pearson and marked by the centre. Learners must complete it under supervised conditions.
The suggested supervised assessment period for this unit is 20 hours.
Getting started
This gives you a starting point for one way of delivering the unit, based around the
recommended assessment approach in the specification.
Introduction
IT systems support and enable individuals and organisations to achieve their aims and are present
in almost everything people do. Being able to effectively select and use appropriate IT systems is a
valuable skill in any area, vocational or personal. In delivering this unit, give learners a sound
knowledge of a wide range of IT systems used to support the aims of individuals, groups or
organisations.
Learners should be able to apply this knowledge to identify needs and plan solutions, and to
analyse and evaluate situations and outcomes relating to the use of IT systems.
These transferable skills will equip learners for further study or employment in a wide range of
vocational areas.
Learning aim A: Explore how IT infrastructure meets the needs of organisations and
their stakeholders
A1: Purpose and functions of organisations
● Begin by introducing the aim of the unit (i.e. to become a highly-skilled IT user who can analyse
situations to select appropriate IT systems). Explain how an understanding of IT systems,
including their possibilities and limitations, can be applied to plan solutions and to analyse and
evaluate outcomes or decisions in many situations.
● Briefly explore the functions of organisations. This will enable you to link IT system components
with real functionality. If possible, invite a guest speaker who can talk to learners about their use
of IT systems to support their activities.
A2: Digital devices, their functions and use
● Introduce the concept that an IT system can be anything from a single digital device to a global
collection of computers and interconnected devices. Explain that even large IT systems are often
made up of smaller devices across a range of technologies that can both perform isolated
individual roles and be part of a larger IT system.
● Assess learners’ prior knowledge of digital devices. Start with common devices (such as
computers and mobile devices) before moving on to consider more specialised or less common
devices. You may wish to introduce each digital device with an overview of the tasks it can
perform, to give learners a little context. At the very early stages, only go into enough depth to
allow learners to understand the key concepts; they will develop a deeper and more complex
understanding of ‘how’ and ‘why’ as the unit progresses.
A3: Peripheral devices and media
● Ensure learners understand the concept of ‘input – process – output’ and know that this is the
basis of any computer system. Establish learners’ current understanding of common hardware
used by computer systems. If necessary, spend some time ensuring learners have a sound
grasp of subject-specific terminology in this area.
A4: Computer software in an IT system
● Use a range of group and individual activities to give learners opportunities to explore the
concepts and implications of software in IT systems. Introduce more common uses of software
first, before progressing to more specialised software.
● Ensure learners understand that, in the modern world, there are very few organisations that do
not use computers and a range of software to manage their activities. Explain that most
organizations realise technology can improve their core activity and organisational efficiency,
using examples from:
o education (such as remote learning, interactive learning, the use of MOOCs)
o health (such as improvements in post-operative care through the interconnectivity of
support services)
o manufacturing (such as research and development and the use of IT in design,
prototyping (using technologies such as 3D printing) and CAD/CAM systems to manage
the full manufacturing process)
o social care (such as faster critical response with higher-quality information).
● Make learners aware of both established and emerging technologies and how they influence the
ways in which individuals and organisations use IT systems. Consider questions such as:
o How can the Internet of Things (IoT) revolutionise manufacturing?
o How does Big Data measured in real time contribute to maintenance in manufacturing
to improve downtime and reduce costs?
● Support traditional classroom-based activities with visits and guest speakers.
● Give learners practical tasks in which they analyse scenarios and make informed choices about
the selection of IT systems. Set these learning activities within realistic scenarios, to allow
learners to consider a range of factors that might influence the choice of parts, or all, of a
system. For example, the scenario below could be used as a basis for whole-class discussion,
with all learners encouraged to contribute:
o A large company wishes to introduce a CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
system to be used across the business by both technical and non-technical users,
including office-based and field-based staff. How would all users interact with the
systems? What technologies could be used? What concerns could there be? Are there
any technical restrictions that need to be accommodated?
Remind learners that there is no right answer but, as IT practitioners, they must be able to
defend their ideas and choices.
● Make links between this content and other topics in the unit. After ensuring learners have
established a strong understand of the concepts of systems, hardware and software, continue
to develop and reinforce their understanding in conjunction with other topics.
A5: Connectivity
● Introduce this topic by asking learners to consider different methods of connecting devices and
systems and to think about the features, limitations and implications of different connection
methods.
● Where possible, give learners practical tasks and opportunities to select and use different
connection methods to achieve different aims. Allow learners to compare results from first-
hand experience; this will give them a clearer idea of what can or cannot be achieved.
A6: Networks
● Demonstrate how devices and systems can be connected to form different types of network.
Learners should develop a strong grasp of how different types of network are used and the
factors that influence the choice of network. Explain how the component parts affect the
function and performance of the network as a whole. Use a range of activities to support
learning for this topic area, including:
o visits to local employers to see how networks are used to meet organisational, user and
customer needs
o individual and group research and discussion tasks, supported by guest speakers and
Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Qualifications in Information Technology – Delivery Guide
Issue 1 – June 2020 © Pearson Education Limited 2020 6
BTEC INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
UNIT 1: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS – STRATEGY, MANAGEMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE
case studies of real-world examples (such as a local library that has to connect with
regional and national systems for inter-library loans, or a transport system (e.g. a city
bus system) in which GPS updates are transmitted to bus stops along a route to inform
customers about the arrival of the next bus, etc.)
o practical activities involving setting up and using different types of network.
A7: Issues relating to transmission of data
● Explain the factors to be considered when transmitting data, in addition to the impact of the
devices and other hardware that form the network. Give learners opportunities to explore these
factors, which include the protocols used, security issues and bandwidth. They should
understand, for example, the implications of compression used to reduce file sizes and speed
up transmission.
● Ask learners to work through tasks based on a variety of scenarios and to plan solutions and/or
make and evaluate decisions relating to transmission of data. Learners should consider a wide
range of implications and apply them to realistic and varied examples. Vary the level of
scaffolding provided, to support learners effectively.
● Where possible, base these tasks on a scenario that contextualises the learning. For example,
learners could consider:
o a photographer sending image files to a printing service
o a group of architects in different locations sharing architectural drawings
o a graphic designer working on illustrations for a new book.
A8: Online systems
● Due to the integrated nature of many modern systems, you may already have touched on areas
of this topic (depending on the scenarios used so far). Draw learners’ attention to these natural
links using suitable visits and case studies.
● Explain the ways in which online systems are used by individuals and organisations. Learners
should explore the features of a range of online systems used to store data and perform tasks
(such as contributing to an organisation's disaster recovery plan). They should then investigate
the impact and implications of these systems.
A9: Emerging technologies
● Learners should understand that technology never stays still: there are always new, sometimes
revolutionary, emerging technologies which affect the world in different ways.
● Consider human augmentation technologies (such as augmented intelligence, immersive
workspaces, emotion AI and biotech), autonomous systems and automation in general,
distributed cloud technologies, DARQ, personal profiling, AI, intelligence analytics, data analytics
and data policing, medical developments etc.
● Learners should be able to debate the pros and cons of technology and understand how
developments may fundamentally change what we know and can achieve.
Learning aim B: Understand how organisations make use of data and information
B1: Data and information in an organisation
● Learners should examine data and information in organisations – how it is generated and how it
is used to support different levels of decision making (such as operational, strategic and
management).
● Learners must be able to make judgements about the types of data that would be held and
generated by different functional areas of an organisation. They should also make connections
between different functional areas and the ways in which they use data in a range of contexts
(e.g. managing day-to-day tasks, identifying and planning improvements, communicating with
stakeholders such as staff, customers etc.).
● Enable learners to recognise and explain the five Vs in relation to data: volume, velocity, variety,
veracity and value.
B2: Online communities
● Give learners opportunities to explore the widespread integration of online communities with
personal and professional activities. For example, learners could investigate Microsoft's
purchase of LinkedIn and consider questions such as:
o What was the rationale for this purchase?
o What benefits were there to Microsoft?
o Were there any drawbacks?
● Learners should understand the features and services offered by these communities to
individuals and organisations, and the impact and associated implications of their use. For
example, continuing the example above, learners could consider whether all LinkedIn users
would be happy about their data being available to a large commercial company.
● Learners should develop the ability to analyse impacts and implications in depth. Ask them to
explore a wide range of factors (as listed in the specification) and consider how these factors
link with, and have an impact on, each other.
● Make learners aware of the importance of data, and how it is collected, stored and processed by
IT systems. Ask learners to explore the implications of storing, using and processing data, for
individuals and organisations.
B3: Using and manipulating data
● Explain how data can be collected and processed and describe ways in which the accuracy and
reliability of data can be improved. Learners should be able to apply their understanding to real-
world scenarios. Support this learning using activities such as:
o research projects exploring and comparing the usefulness, reliability and accuracy of
primary and secondary sources
o data collection exercises which use different collection methods or involve creating data
collection systems for others to use (for example, using wearable technologies to gather
data for sports performance analysis)
o creating and using numerical models in spreadsheet software – for example, using
what…if modelling to process scenarios with changing variables (such as the impact of
increased oil prices on the profitability of a logistics business)
o creating and using database software
o individual and group research and discussion tasks supported by guest speakers
(ideally from a market research or marketing company) and case studies.
● Use activities which integrate content from learning aim B. For example, learners could use
different platforms to collect information and data, then manipulate/analyse and model this
data to provide new/alternative information or targeted information for stakeholders in a given
context.
● You could also use the outcome of testing activities in other units (Unit 4: Programming, Unit 5:
Data Modelling, Unit 6: Website Development, Unit 7: Mobile Apps Development, Unit 8: Computer
Games Development, Unit 9: IT Project Management, Unit 11: Cyber Security and Incident
Management, Unit 14: Customising and Integrating Applications and Unit 17: Digital Animation and
Effects). Testing outcomes will be drawn from a range of different testing activities using a
variety of platforms. The data can then be modelled and used to provide targeted information
for developers/development teams or more generic information for the client(s).
● Consider this topic in the wider context, taking in analytics in social media, cookies etc.
Details of links to other BTEC units and qualifications, and to other relevant
units/qualifications
This unit links to:
● Unit 2: Creating Systems to Manage Information
● Unit 3: Using Social Media in Business
● Unit 5: Data Modelling
● Unit 11: Cyber Security and Incident Management
● Unit 12: IT Technical Support and Management
● Unit 14: Cloud Storage and Collaboration Tools.
Resources
In addition to the resources listed below, publishers are likely to produce Pearson-endorsed
textbooks that support this unit of the BTEC Internationals in Information Technology. Check the
Pearson website at http://qualifications.pearson.com/endorsed-resources for more information
as titles achieve endorsement.
Journals
● MDPI – Publishes peer-reviewed open-access journals for all computing sectors.
Websites
● DLA Piper Data Protection – Includes information about ‘Data Protection Laws of the World,
which will allow learners to compare the legislative requirements of different countries.
● BBC Technology – The BBC’s technology pages provide news and information about technology
and IT.
● Forbes.com – This site contains news and information about technology and IT.
Pearson is not responsible for the content of any external internet sites. It is essential for tutors to preview each website before
using it in class so as to ensure that the URL is still accurate, relevant and appropriate. We suggest that tutors bookmark useful
websites and consider enabling learners to access them through the school/college intranet.