GCSE ICT - Website to be built - what software do they use?

bingo_bango

My son is just starting Yr11. He told me today that he needs to build a website as part of the course, and wants me to give him some tuition. He lives with his Mum (who is as computer literate as my cat), and wants me to give him some heavy tuition.

Now I code from the ground up normally, but I suspect that with this being GCSE, it will be Google sites or Frontpage or similar. Does anyone know?

I've been on the BBC Bitesize site, but it doesn't mention websites. I'd appreciate a bit of help from anyone who knows.

peachyprice

Have you Googled CiDA or DiDA, you might get more info with that.

peachyprice

Here you go, looks like there's no set software, for DiDA at least, so you'll have to ask the school what they're going to be using.

http://www.didacourse.com/Teachers/software.html

Oldernotwiser

As it's your son's GCSE, shouldn't he actually know what's needed, or at least be the one to go and ask for advice from staff.

minimoneysaver

I would put a call in to your childs ict teacher. They'll be more than happy to tell you what packages they use and may be able to give you a syllabus for the GCSE year so you can keep your child on track.
Congratulations on wanting to be there for your child and be involved. I wish more parents were like you.

topher_2

No software is normally specified for GCSE - a large number of schools will use Dreamweaver (they get a big discount!) or possibly Serif Webplus. Some will use open-source stuff like Komposer, and some use old versions of Frontpage.

Your son could simply have a look what software is installed on the school computers or ask the IT teacher.

Hope this helps!

Gavin83

I'd imagine it'll be frontpage or dreamweaver. They aren't really assessed on their coding skills at GCSE, although a really basic knowledge of HTML would be useful. They'll be more assessed on the design process and the quality of the finished product.

Savvy_Sue

Please don't do anything before checking with the child's teacher that it's OK to do so.

I know in some subjects DS3 was not allowed to do ANY coursework at home because it was only by having it done in school, during lessons, that the staff could be sure it was the student's own work.

Plus at GCSE this is a subject which is barely beyond the competence of the average cat. A level is not a lot better: DS1, self-taught, knew more than his tutor and far more than he needed to know.

It really is incredibly basic.

topher_2

That really depends on the exam board chosen - some A-level IT is tough, others aren't. GCSE level qualifications are the same - some are much harder than others. Schools are under a huge amount of pressure to get results, no matter what and therefore they'll chose what they think is the easiest option.

Even if you aren't allowed to do the coursework at home (technically it's a controlled assessment rather than coursework) then students can still practice the skills at home.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Probably dreamweaver. Even the local private schools use it.

Savvy_Sue

topher wrote: »

Even if you aren't allowed to do the coursework at home (technically it's a controlled assessment rather than coursework) then students can still practice the skills at home.

I would do it as an entirely separate exercise then. Son wants to build a website - let him do it without the constraints of his coursework. If he can then transfer some of those skills to his coursework, great, but be prepared for that not being an option, because the course is so basic.