HNC Computing – Exam Exemplars

Today saw the three final additional HNC Computing exam exemplars uploaded to the SQA secure wesbite. There are now six fully moderated versions in total available for use by centres. Thanks to the writers, vetters & moderators who have been working on the materials to ensure that all timescales were met. Access to all exemplars are through the usual channels within your centre (ie SQA Co-ordinator).

HNC Information Technology

The HNC IT was successfully validated yesterday with the QDT (Qualifications Design Team) being led by George Johnston Reid Kerr College. It is planned that a letter will be send (by post) to centres after the Easter break with details about this award. However, in the interim you can e-mail Angela Lees angela.lees@sqa.org.uk to gain any information your centre may require at this stage. Our next steps (with the timelines) are – 1 Making the unit specifications available via the…

NC Computing Developments – Stirling Management Centre Event

On Friday the 24th of March we held a very productive meeting in Stirling Management Centre to gain feedback from individuals representing centres to help shape the first steps of the NC Computing developments. The principles behind this meeting were 1 to explain the ‘design principles’ relating to the development of these awards 2 to gain feedback from the field from the seven workshops which each having a particular focus The data/information gathered was in order that the QDT (Qualifications…

SQA DIVA ProgrammeApple Education Update for Colleges10:00-16:00, Wednesday 26 April 2006Jury’s Inn Hotel, GlasgowFind out about the latest Apple hardware including the Intel-based desktop, portable, iPOD and Server devices. The morning session will focus on Apple’s award-winning Operating System iLife06 and Keynote software, including hardware and software overviews for education users. The afternoon session will include specialist sessions in Final Cut Pro and Logic. With lots of opportunity for networking and informal discussion. Depending upon volume of registration and interest…

HN Conference

Today the Computing Team attended the HN Conference which was held at Murrayfield Stadium. The conference was well attended by Colleges, Universities and Industry and presentations were made by SQA, Anniesland College, Scottish Funding Council and the University of Aberdeen. The afternoon session was dedicated to various workshops on E-Assessment, DiVA, Graded Units, Marketing HNC/Ds etc and delegates had a chance to discuss these topics in detail.

Update on the SQA DIVA Programme

Liz Wallis has requested that this communication be sent on to centres as feedback is required to assist moving this project forward. If you, or your centre, have feedback that can help then please contact Liz (liz.wallis@sero.co.uk) who will welcome your comments. You will find details within her original communication about the project which is listed below. SQA DIVA ProgrammeLearning Provider Reference Group 1100-1400, Tuesday 21 March 2006Jury’s Inn Hotel, Glasgow Background on DIVAThe Digital media and ICT Vendor Alliance…

Welcome to Mike

I posted a message a few weeks ago about a secondment that I was about to commence. Mike Jannetta (of Lauder College) was selected to stand-in for me for the duration of the secondment (31 July). Mike started today. So welcome to Mike. He’s well known in the FE community and is heavily involved in SQA work so the job should not be much of a surprise to him. The rest of the team (Angela, Caroline, Tony and Vannessa) remain…

Sector Panel meets to discuss NC review

The Sector Panel for Computing & Call Centres held its third meeting this morning. The main purpose of the Panel is to provide strategic guidance to SQA. The focus for today’s meeting was the review of National Certificate provision. I wanted guidance from the Panel on the general direction of the review. Walter Patterson gave a presentation on the background and also the current thinking on where we’re heading. He received some excellent advice and it was very consoling that…

Princeton professor foresees computer science revolution

Vendor credit transfer letter sent to centres

I received confirmation this morning that a letter has now been despatched to centres relating to credit transfer between SQA awards and vendor qualifications. You should receive the letter in the next day or two.