BTEC Assignment Brief

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in

Qualification
Information Technology
Unit number and title
Unit 4: Programming

A: Examine the computational thinking skills and principles

Learning aim(s) (For NQF of computer programming
only)

Concepts of Programming
Assignment title

Assessor

Issue date

Hand in deadline

You are a junior employee at a small software development

company. Your company has been invited by a local college
to give a guest lecture on programming.
Vocational Scenario or
Your supervisor has provided you with a portfolio of
Context
computer programs and has asked you to research the
programs with regard to the concepts used to create a
knowledge base and prepare for the visit.

Research

Review the computer programs you have been provided with

and conduct research into programming languages and how
programming principles have been applied to produce
effective applications.

You will research principles of programming and:

● explain what computational thinking is and analyse
how programmers use it to solve problems, including
how programmers identify and describe problems and
Task 1
how they communicate features and processes. How
programmers recognise patterns, generalise and
abstract information required, and how programmers
represent problems or systems
● explain the uses of software applications and how
they can solve problems and meet the needs of
clients
● explore the features and characteristics of
programming languages, to explain the use of
different types of programming language, what
particular problems each programming language
 discussed can be used to solve, giving a comparison
of those programming languages
● describe the constructs and techniques available in
different programming languages, explain how they
are implemented and documented, contrasting their
implementation in different programming languages.
● analyse the application of logic to program design,
considering principles of mathematical and
propositional logic, the use of sets and iteration
● evaluate how design and implementation of a
software application can affect its quality

When evaluating the quality software applications you should

consider the degree to which user requirements are met, the
robustness of the code, its maintainability, efficiency,
portability and ease of use

Checklist of evidence A report evaluating computational thinking skills and how the
required principles of software design and computer programming are
applied to create effective, high-quality software
applications.
Criteria covered by this task:
Unit/Criteria
To achieve the criteria you must show that you are able to:
reference
Evaluate how computational thinking skills can impact software design
4/A.D1
and the quality of the software applications produced.
Analyse how computational thinking skills can impact software design
4/A.M1
and the quality of the software applications produced.
Explain how the principles of software design are used to produce
4/A.P3
high-quality software applications that meet the needs of users.
Explain how principles of computer programming are applied in different
4/A.P2
languages to produce software applications.
Explain how computational thinking skills are applied in finding solutions
4/A.P1
that can be interpreted into software applications.
Sources of information Stroustrup B. "Programming: Principles and Practice Using
to support you with this C++", Addison-Wesley Professional, 2014, 9780133796742
Assignment

Other assessment Sample programs for review with task 1

materials attached to
this Assignment Brief

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BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
Note to assessor:

Scenario

Learners should be provided with samples of program code and developed

applications to review for task 1. These should be varied in purpose and
programming language used. They should provide the learner with plenty of
scope to cover the concepts listed in the unit specification.

Task 1, 2, 3
etc.

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BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015
Evidence for this assignment will be in the form of a written response that investigates
computational thinking skills and the principles and purpose of different programming
languages. The report will make use of specific examples of code implementation (and the
chosen paradigm) to explore how the example code has been implemented to meet specific
needs. The code base used by learners in their investigation must be of sufficient complexity to
allow analysis of the implementation of a range of programming constructs, including standard
and language-specific techniques, logical structures and mathematical principles.

For distinction standard, learners will provide an evaluation of how computational thinking
skills are used to find solutions to problems and how this can impact software design and the
applications developed. They will provide a clear and balanced evaluation of the use of
different programming languages (in identified programs) to solve different, specific problems.
Learners will provide a detailed analysis of the programming principles used in the identified
programmes. They will evaluate the success of their implementation in terms of the quality of
code produced, and in a wider context where applicable. Quality will be considered in terms of
the degree to which user requirements are met, the robustness of the code, its maintainability,
efficiency, portability and ease of use. Learners will provide an evaluation of the identified
programming languages. They will consider the principles they have analysed and explain why
specific programming languages are used and what advantages they may offer to the
programmer and the end user. Learners must articulate their arguments and views fluently and
concisely, providing an evaluation that makes reasoned and valid judgements. The evidence
will demonstrate high-quality written/ oral communication through the use of accurate and
fluent technical vocabulary to support a well-structured and considered response that clearly
connects chains of reasoning.

For merit standard, learners will analyse how computational thinking skills can impact
software design, highlighting features of decomposition, pattern recognition and pattern
generalisation and abstraction. Learners will show a clear understanding of how different
programming languages are implemented to solve problems. They will provide a balanced and
reasoned analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the identified code in solving the
problems and the quality of the implementations. They will analyse the strengths and
weaknesses of the identified languages and how they affect the requirements of the user and
the development of a program to meet defined needs. The evidence will be technically accurate
and demonstrate good-quality written or oral communication.

For pass standard, learners will explain how computational thinking skills are used to find
solutions to problems. They will explain the range of programming languages available, as
given in the unit content. Learners will explain how each differs in terms of constructs,
techniques, use and requirements. They must choose one example program that has been
created to solve a particular problem/meet a specific need, and provide descriptions of how
programming constructs and the principles of software design have been applied to develop a
solution to meet the required needs of users. Learners will also consider how computational
thinking skills may have been applied when exploring the principles of software design. They
will explain how different software design methods can be used to produce effective
applications. This can be achieved by using supporting examples. The evidence may have
some inaccuracies and may include limited use of examples to illustrate the explanations.

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BTEC Assignment Brief v1.0
BTEC Internal Assessment QDAM January 2015