Spec & Goals 3 min
AQA Spec 3.8 · Ethical, legal & environmental impacts (whole unit)
By the end of this lesson you can:
- Revise and self-check the whole of Unit 8, spotting your weak topics.
- Answer exam questions — including extended "Discuss" responses — for the marks on offer.
- Make a focused revision plan that targets the topics you got wrong.
Warm-Up — command words & the paper 5 min
This is the last lesson of Unit 8 — and the last unit of the course. First, know the exam.
Command words tell you what to do
| Command word | What it demands |
|---|---|
| State / Name | A word or short phrase (e.g. the correct Act). |
| Describe | Say what something is, with detail. |
| Explain | Give reasons — the how or why. |
| Discuss | Both sides, across lenses and stakeholders, plus a reasoned conclusion. |
Key Concept — your Unit 8 spec checklist 14 min
Tick each spec point. If you cannot do one, that is a topic to revise tonight.
| Spec point | You should be able to… |
|---|---|
| Types of impact | Name the five lenses (ethical, legal, cultural, privacy, environmental); define stakeholder. |
| Privacy | Explain how data is collected and the privacy benefits vs risks. |
| Ethical & cultural | Explain the digital divide, misinformation, bias, censorship. |
| Data Protection Act 2018 | State what it protects; give its principles. |
| Computer Misuse Act 1990 | Describe its three offences (hacking & malware). |
| Copyright, Designs & Patents Act 1988 | Explain what it protects and infringement. |
| Software licensing | Compare open source and proprietary. |
| Environment | Explain e-waste, energy use, and how to reduce impact. |
| "Discuss" technique | Structure a balanced, reasoned extended answer. |
Worked Example — a full multi-part question 12 min
Here is one question with three parts. We earn the marks aloud.
Part (a) — Name the law broken when someone spreads a virus that deletes files. [1 mark]
The Computer Misuse Act 1990 (unauthorised modification) (1).
Part (b) — Describe two principles of the Data Protection Act 2018. [2 marks]
Data must be kept secure (1); and used only for the specified purpose it was collected for (1).
Part (c) — Discuss the environmental impacts of replacing devices frequently. [6 marks]
Benefits: newer devices can be more energy-efficient. Drawbacks: more e-waste (toxic in landfill), more mining of rare materials, more manufacturing energy. Reduce by recycling, repairing and extending device life. Conclusion: frequent replacement's footprint usually outweighs efficiency gains, so reuse is greener.
Try It Yourself — timed mini-paper 12 min
Give yourself 12 minutes. Write full answers; check them with your teacher.
Name the three pieces of UK legislation covered in this unit. [3 marks]
Describe the difference between open source and proprietary software. [2 marks]
Explain why e-waste is harmful to the environment. [2 marks]
Discuss the impacts of companies collecting large amounts of personal data. [6 marks]
Discuss the impacts of self-driving cars becoming common. [6 marks]
📝 Exam Practice 10 min
These questions span the whole of Unit 8. Match your answer to the command word and the marks.
State which law controls how organisations handle personal data.
Mark scheme
- The Data Protection Act 2018 (1).
Describe two offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
Mark scheme
- Unauthorised access to computer material (1).
- Unauthorised access with intent / unauthorised modification of data (1).
Explain one advantage of open source software for a school.
Mark scheme
- It is free, saving money / the source code can be modified (1).
- So it suits a tight budget / can be adapted to the school's needs (1).
A hospital introduces wearable devices that send patients' health data to doctors. Discuss the impacts on stakeholders.
Mark scheme
Levels-marked (up to 6). Balanced points, e.g.:
- Benefits — earlier diagnosis, continuous monitoring, fewer hospital visits (patients, doctors).
- Concerns — privacy/security of sensitive medical data, reliance on devices, who else can access it (insurers), digital divide.
- Mention the Data Protection Act and a reasoned conclusion for top marks.
Recap & Key Terms 3 min
Use your mini-paper marks to plan tonight's revision.
- Vague on the five lenses / stakeholders? Redo CS-L8-01.
- Privacy unclear? Redo CS-L8-02.
- Digital divide / ethics? Redo CS-L8-03.
- Muddled the three Acts? Redo CS-L8-04, CS-L8-05, CS-L8-06.
- Open vs proprietary? Redo CS-L8-07.
- Environment shaky? Redo CS-L8-08.
- "Discuss" answers losing marks? Redo CS-L8-09 — structure and balance.
- Stakeholder
- A person or group affected by a technology.
- Data Protection Act 2018
- Controls how personal data is handled (incorporating GDPR).
- Computer Misuse Act 1990
- Makes unauthorised access and modification (hacking, malware) illegal.
- Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
- Protects creators' original work from being copied without permission.
- Open source vs proprietary
- Shared, free, modifiable code vs closed, paid, officially supported software.
- E-waste
- Discarded electronic equipment — a key environmental impact.
Homework 1 min
Task (≤ 15 min): Revisit your weakest topic from the mini-paper. Open that lesson and redo its Exam Practice section.
You've now completed all eight units of the AQA 8525 course — bring one question you still find hard from any unit to the next session, so we can work through it together.