Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Information Technology - Core Terminology

Essential terminology and definitions from the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Information Technology specification.

Total Qualification Time (TQT)

The estimated total number of hours required for a learner to complete and show achievement for a regulated qualification.

Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

Activities directly involving teachers and assessors—such as lessons, tutorials, online instruction, and supervised study—in teaching, supervising, and invigilating learners.

Synoptic Assessment

An assessment that requires learners to identify and use an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories, and knowledge from across the qualification in an integrated way to complete a key vocational task.

Database Structure

An arrangement composed of fields (single pieces of data), records (complete sets of fields), and tables (collections of records).

Data Dictionary

A centralised repository of information about data, including meaning, relationships to other data, origin, usage, tables, fields, and format.

Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD)

A diagrammatical representation of database tables and the types of relationships connecting them.

Normalisation

The process of organising raw data into separate related tables to minimise data redundancy.

Database Query

A Structured Query Language (SQL) select statement that extracts data from a table or tables matching defined criteria.

Decomposition

A computational thinking skill that involves identifying and breaking down problems and processes into distinct, structured steps.

Pattern Recognition

A computational thinking skill involving the identification and interpretation of common elements, features, or differences across problems or systems.

Pattern Generalisation and Abstraction

A computational thinking process of identifying necessary information required to solve a problem while filtering out irrelevant details.

Native App

A mobile application that is specifically programmed for and installed on a particular mobile platform.

Web App

A remote application, such as a mobile web page, that is accessible across devices without requiring installation on the local device.

Hybrid App

An application built using cross-platform-compatible scripting that can be installed directly on a mobile device.

Risk Severity

A metric determined by the calculation: $\text{Risk severity} = \text{probability of occurrence} \times \text{expected impact level/value of the loss}$.

Firewall

A software or hardware device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic, applying rules to allow or disallow specific traffic types.

Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT)

A group of assigned individuals (including a team leader and incident lead) assembled to assess, report, contain, investigate, and recover from an IT security incident.

IT Service

Any activity or process performed by an organisation that requires IT systems to achieve its aims, such as email, e-commerce, or automated processes.

IT Service Catalogue

A document where all the IT services of an organisation are formally identified and their requirements described.

IT Service Life Cycle

A methodology for identifying, defining, planning, delivering, and continually managing and evaluating solutions to meet the IT service needs of an organisation.

IT System

An integrated set of software and hardware components for collecting, storing, and processing data and information.

Business Process

A series of logically related activities completed by an organisation that produce a defined set of results when performed together.

Enterprise

The process of using creativity and innovation to identify market gaps and meet customer needs and aspirations.

Lean Business Planning

A start-up planning approach that allows entrepreneurs to iteratively develop products and services (such as minimum viable products) to reduce development time, market risks, and waste.

Malpractice

Acts that undermine the integrity and validity of assessment, qualification certification, or the authority of those responsible for delivering assessment.