Using ICT to produce publications

Using ICT to produce publications.
Level 1
At level 1 candidates are required to handle simple textual and graphical
information in the context of short straightforward tasks, using basic techniques.
There is no requirement to combine information at this level but in most cases
candidates combine text and image when creating documents such as posters.
Many centres use the requirement to identify and obtain a suitable image to fulfil
ICT 1.1 (Find and select relevant information).
The level 1 document produced for the Premier Coaches scenario is a poster
advertising the company’s services. The poster is an example of good work for
this level. Much work at level 1 would not be as sophisticated as this example,
however, it should be noted that the document uses few features that would
suggest that the candidate was working at level 2.
At level 1, candidates are expected to be able to enter text and to be able to copy
text and images. They should be aware of methods that will aid further
processing. This candidate has imported images and overlaid them. In the
portfolio you would expect to see a series of draft documents leading to the
presentation of the final version.
Level 1 candidates should make use of formats such as design templates and
style sheets. This candidate has not used these facilities but has made use of
text boxes to position text over the image, although this may be regarded as a
level 2 skill, it is insufficient to allow this candidate to claim level 2 performance.
At level 1 it is common to see candidates using facilities such as WordArt.
However, the use of these facilities should come with a health warning –
candidates rarely realise that the spell checking facilities are not available when
using this feature.
When developing information at this level, candidates should know how to
change the format of their work, size of text, size of image, use of borders etc.
Level 2
To produce work at level 2, a candidate will have found and selected the
information to be presented in the publication. Rather than the selection of an
image that was acceptable at level 1, the candidate will have carried out paper
based and/or an ICT based series of searches to gather information and will
have selected what is needed for the identified purpose.
The candidate will then have entered and combined the information using
formats that will have aided the development of the content. These formats are
likely to include the use of table structures and features such as text wrap to
combine text and image in the publication.
The information has been developed using headings and tables. The information
has been laid out to allow the leaflet to be followed at appropriate points. New
information has been derived through the combination of a range of elements.
The information has been presented using a variety of techniques such as the
use of indents, column and headings, highlighting information to increase its
impact. The candidate has ensured that the information suits the needs of the
audience.
Level 3
Many candidates present documents such as coursework reports to evidence
working at level 3. However, in many cases candidates and/or centres have
failed to appreciate the demands of the specification for this level of
achievement. A document that truly provides evidence of working at this level is
likely to be a very professional or complex piece of work.
Candidates should make use of the features of their software packages that will
improve efficiency. This would include facilities such as style sheets, automatic
contents pages and indexing. Completed documents will demonstrate a
consistency of presentation and structure. Candidates should make appropriate
use of facilities such as templates to ensure this consistent approach.
The four page brochure demonstrates the use of many of the more advanced
features of the word processing package used. The use of this type of purpose
gives an opportunity to demonstrate level 3 skills. When a coursework report is
being used to provide level 3 evidence, the centre should ensure that the work
demonstrates level 3 ICT skills. On occasion centres confuse quality of content
with demonstration of level 3 ICT competency.