June 11, 2020 - sqablogs -
The NPA Computer Games Development was revised in 2018 (GP02 44, GP03 45, GP04 46). When awards are revised, the previous version of the award goes into lapsing for a period of time, during which centres can still enter candidates for the ‘old’ award while they become familiar with the revised award. So, for some time, both versions of the award coexist. After a period of 3-4 years, the previous version of the award is removed from the catalogue. It…
Read moreRead more about NPA Comp. Games Dev. (G9RP 44, G9RR 45 and G9RT 46) – Finish date extended
June 9, 2020 - sqablogs -
The PDA Data Science development at SCQF levels 7, 8 and 9 is well underway and validation will take place at the end of the month. We are now in a position to share more details with you regarding this development, such as the aims, frameworks and units. We would be interested in your views, which you can provide through the consultation form below: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2LTEKxW0bE-LuCwphdcXHznh9ZB__vhLoPF9ACVVFIxUMzVXSEZVMkpMTUVUMDJGT0xVNVFaMlRGNSQlQCN0PWcu You will be able to access a ‘Qualification summary’ document once you are in the…
Read moreRead more about PDA Data Science consultation
June 2, 2020 - sqablogs -
Earlier this year, scoping was carried out on a number of our qualifications in order to gauge how centres felt about the awards and to inform any decision on the best way to proceed. One of the awards scoped was the National Progression Award in Computer Networks and Systems (G9J8 45). The scoping report revealed some key points, such as the fact that the structure of the award is considered to be good. Consequently, taking into account the feedback from…
Read moreRead more about NPA Computer Networks and Systems – Revision
As regular readers will know, we’re currently developing a new suite of qualifications in data science. The Professional Development Awards in Data Science will be available at SCQF Levels 7, 8 and 9. The Level 7 award is for everyone or, at least, everyone who works with data. This qualification will provide data analysis skills for people who don’t want to become data scientists but need to know how to handle large datasets and make business decisions based on that data.…
Read moreRead more about PDA Data Science update
An important milestone in any qualification development is the appointment of lead developers. I’m pleased to let you know that we have now appointed five experienced teachers to lead each of the developments in the HN Next Gen project. For privacy reasons, I’ll only name their centres. HNC Computing: Glasgow Clyde College HND Computer Science: University of the Highlands & Islands HND Data Science: Edinburgh College HND Networking & Infrastructure: Open University HND Software Development: City of Glasgow College. Although…
Read moreRead more about Lead developers for HN Next Gen
Since my previous post about this, I’m pleased to let you know that the Data Education in Schools team, within the University of Edinburgh, has been selected to develop the additional support materials for NPA Data Science. The new materials will come in two parts. An Educator’s Guide will provide advice to teachers about getting started with the qualification (such as the software that you’ll need and how best to timetable the course) and a Learner’s Guide, which will cover all…
Read moreRead more about Teaching and learning material for data science
May 15, 2020 - sqablogs -
A few days ago we received a query regarding Core Skills in an MA framework. I feel it is important to share this with you, as the discovery I made will not be obvious to many of you. The query related to the MA in Digital Applications. There is a statement within the framework stating that “Core Skills in ICT (SCQF Level 6). Problem Solving (SCQF Level 5) and Working With Others (SCQF Level 5) are embedded within the mandatory…
Read moreRead more about Embedded Core Skills in MA frameworks
Early this year we carried out a scoping exercise to identify changes needed for three existing qualifications: G9J8 45 NPA Computer Networks and Systems, G8L5 48 PDA Network Technology and G9HL 44 NPA Software Development. The scoping reports were produced after consultations were conducted with our stakeholders, as a result of which, we have decided to revise G9J8 45 NPA Computer Networks and Systems (and no changes will be made to G8L5 48 PDA Network Technology and G9HL 44 NPA…
Read moreRead more about NPA Computer Networks
May 12, 2020 - sqablogs -
At the beginning of May, The UK Government, with NCSC and the National Crime Agency, launched a number of programmes in an online/virtual format. Learners undertaking these courses will receive SCQF credit points. These courses should be of particular interest to anyone who is undertaking or interested in the NPAs Cyber Security, as they will acquire evidence for the NPA Cyber Security at the relevant level. Please see below for more details. Cyber Discovery’s Virtual Cyber Security School: https://cyber-school.joincyberdiscovery.com/ (13…
Read moreRead more about Online cyber learning opportunities for teenagers
May 11, 2020 - sqablogs -
As things start to settle down and we become more used to life and work in lockdown, it is probably a good time to give you an update on the PDA Data Science. We have just concluded the unit writing training for this development, which took place last week. We held the training via Microsoft Teams and Bobby and I delivered the training over a 90-minute session. I am pleased to say that it worked well and, consequently, we may consider…
Read moreRead more about PDAs Data Science – Update