Computing – Page 138 – Computing & Digital Blog

HND Computer Games QDT and lead developer

September 5, 2008 - Bobby - 1

This morning I put out a request for volunteers for the Qualification Development Team (QDT) for the new HND Computer Games Development qualification. As previously noted, we had an open meeting of all interested parties last month and, as a result, decided to progress with this work. The first stage in any new development is to form a QDT, and appoint a person to lead the work (a “lead developer”). So, I posted an appeal on the online group (there…

Online groups

September 4, 2008 - Bobby - 0

The Computing team has been using online groups (Smartgroups (RIP), Yahoogroups and, more recently, Jiglu) for a long time. In the days of Smartgroups they were very active indeed. They are less active now. At the Computing team meeting on Tuesday, we discussed the use of these groups. There are a lot of groups still in existence, although many of these are hardly used. So, we decided to review the groups and rationalise them by combining the low usage ones.…

Professional Development Workshops

September 2, 2008 - Bobby - 0

For the last few years SQA has been organising PDWs to help teachers to understand standards in NQ Courses. You may already have heard that this year a PDW is being organised for Higher Information Systems. The workshop will use examples of candidates’ work from the 2008 examination diet to develop delegates’ understanding of national standards. More details can be found here.

PC Passport and UCAS points

September 2, 2008 - Bobby - 2

We’ve been trying to get PC Passport recognised for UCAS credit for some time. This is important for schools that want to help students progress to university. I spent some of this morning checking a proposal to allocate “40 to 50” UCAS points to PC Passport at Higher level. While this is not official yet, it is very promising and I’m hoping that a definitive value will be assigned soon. Watch this space…

NC Digital Media Computing Level 6

August 28, 2008 - Bobby - 3

Bobby and I met yesterday to discuss the progress of the NC DMC level 6 Award. The award went live this month with the arrangements document and Units available to download on the SQA Website. We are currently producing Assessment Support Packs for the following Units: Computing: Digital Media Elements for ApplicationsComputing: Office and Personal Productivity ApplicationsComputing: Computer Hardware and SystemsComputing: Authoring a WebsiteComputing: Plan and Build a Computer NetworkDigital Acquisition and Editing: AudioDigital Acquisition and Editing: Video These packs…

Welcome to National Qualifications colleagues

August 28, 2008 - Bobby - 1

SQA is actively looking at ways of using technology (and particularly Web 2.0 tools and services) to work more closely with schools, colleges and other centres. We’re currently looking at tools like blogs and wikis to help us do that in a more inclusive and collaborative way than we’ve done in the past. The result should be that you notice a change in the way that SQA communicates and works with you in the coming months and years. One immediate…

Welcome back

August 21, 2008 - Bobby - 0

I’ve been trying to find the time since Monday to post a “welcome back” message. I still miss the long summer holidays (as a Head of Department I was probably going to lose them anyway) and I know the “return to work” feeling that many of you will be currently experiencing. Anyway, welcome back! The summer holiday has been quite productive for the Computing team. We’ve progressed the HND Interactive Media development and commenced the HND Computer Games Development. I’ll…

Internet Safety and Strathclyde Police

August 15, 2008 - Bobby - 0

During the last year, Strathclyde Police has put every new cadet through the Internet Safety qualification. I met with Rob Hay yesterday afternoon to discuss how the project has gone. It has went well. Of the 63 cadets recruited last October, 45 of them completed the unit (which is consistent with the normal cadet drop-out ratio). Rob reported that those who finished, enjoyed and benefited from the qualification. Rob came up against the usual challenges when introducing something new (such…

NC Digital Media Computing – Level 6

August 14, 2008 - Bobby - 0

The arrangements document for the National Certificate in Digital Media Computing (Group Award Code – G90L 46) is available for download from the SQA website. All associated Units are available for download using the NQ Unit search facility on the SQA website.

New National Occupational Standards for IT

August 14, 2008 - Bobby - 0

E-Skills UK (the Sector Skills Council for IT) has been working on an update to the National Occupational Standards (NOS) during the last few months. I’ve been involved in some behind-the-scenes discussions about the new Standards. I received notification today that the draft Standards are now available for public consultation. E-Skills would like your feedback. The new Standards are important for many reasons. They underpin SVQs and, increasingly, other qualifications are expected to be “compatible” with them – so this…