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Preview

How the specialism project works

This is the first page of the lesson. Read it and have a go at the activities. The rest is in the full lesson.

40 minutes

A real project, one skill at a time

Think of a job you would like. A software developer gets a problem. They work out what users need. They design a solution, build it and test it. Then they ask users what they think and improve it.

The specialism project asks you to do all of these on one big scenario. You show what you can do. It is not a test of facts.

Key words

WordWhat it meansExample
ScenarioAn imagined situation that the project is about.a club needs a waiting list
Performance outcomeA skill you must show, such as designing or testing.design, implement and test software
PortfolioA folder of your work and your proof.plans, code, test results
SupervisedA teacher watches while you work.a lesson in class
Controlled conditionsRules about where, when and with what help you work.no copying from others
EvidenceProof of what you did.a screenshot of a test
SpecificationThe official document that says what the course and the project must include.the Pearson specification
Awarding bodyThe group that sets and marks the qualification.Pearson
StakeholderAnyone who cares about the solution.the manager and the members

The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.

The conditions in the specification

The specification says:

  1. The project is done over several sessions. In total, up to 50 hours 30 minutes are supervised.
  2. Some work is supervised and some is under controlled conditions. In some tasks you work without a supervisor.
  3. The internet may be used for all tasks except Task 3b.
  4. You send in a portfolio of evidence. Pearson marks it.
  5. Pearson sets a start date and an end date for each task. Your college plans the supervised sessions between them.

AI in Task 1

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In Task 1, Activity C, you use a generative AI tool. It writes short pieces of code, one job at a time. It must not write the whole solution. You show your prompts and you check what it gives you. You practise this in the lesson about design and AI.

Ask your lecturer

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Which parts are supervised and which are not? What help may you get? What may you bring? How is the portfolio saved? The live rules come from the awarding body. Write the answers down.

Quick check: the conditions

Have a go

Quick check: the conditions

6 questions
Have a go: your answers are marked here and then forgotten. Sign in if you would like your score kept, and to pick up where you left off.Sign in to keep your score

Your answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.

Worked example: where the 144 marks go

Performance outcomeIn simple wordsMarks out of 144
PO1Work out what users need and how to know it is done24
PO2Design, build and test software57
PO3Change, maintain and support software18
PO4Work with other people and share tools9
PO5Find and use reliable sources18
PO6Work ethically, manage risks and follow the law18
TotalAdd all six lines: 24, 57, 18, 9, 18 and 18144
Check24 + 57 = 81, then 81 + 18 = 99, then 99 + 9 = 108, then 108 + 18 + 18 = 144144

The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.

The lesson goes on

4 more parts of this lesson are in the full curriculum, with the tasks, the final check and the labs. A college account gives your students all of it.

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