Computing – Page 26 – Computing & Digital Blog

CBQs – Extension approved

January 27, 2020 - sqablogs - 2

I am pleased to advise that a one-year extension has been approved for the following CBQs: Code: GL2J 45 Title: Diploma in Digital Application Support at SCQF Level 5 End Accreditation Date (lapsing date): 31/03/2021 End Certification Date (finish date): 31/03/2024 Code: GL2K 46 Title: Diploma in Digital Application Support at SCQF Level 6 End Accreditation Date (lapsing date): 31/03/2021 End Certification Date (finish date): 31/03/2025 Code: GL2L 45 Title: Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 5 End…

New National Occupational Standards

January 24, 2020 - Bobby - 1

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has picked up the development of National Occupational Standards (NOS) relating to IT since the demise of E-Skills. SDS has commissioned new Standards relating to software development, Machine Learning, AI and cyber security, and is currently seeking feedback on the draft Standards. You can check the new Standards and provide feedback via this link. National Occupational Standards form the foundation for a wide range of vocational qualification since they define the workplace standards expected from a…

CyberFirst Girls Competition 2020

January 13, 2020 - sqablogs - 4

CyberFirst is a key part of the UK government’s National Cyber Security Programme. It covers a broad range of activities, which includes a girls only competition. Young girls and women don’t often consider a career in cyber security, which means that industry is missing out on a lot of young talented people. This competition is a great start to get young girls motivated and interested in this sector. Teams are made up of up to four girls, who have to work…

NPA Data Science assessments – Update

January 13, 2020 - sqablogs - 5

As stated in previous posts, the digital assessments for the NPA Data Science have been in production for some months now. As a reminder, there are assessments being produced for the following units: J2HN 44 Data Citizenship J2G2 44 Data Science J2HN 45 Data Citizenship J2G2 45 Data Science J2GT 45 Data Science Project J2G6 45 Machine Learning J2HN 46 Data Citizenship J2G2 46 Data Science J2GT 46 Data Science Project J2G6 46 Machine Learning The units highlighted in bold…

Happy New Year from the team

January 6, 2020 - Bobby - 5

Happy New Year to everyone. We hope that you had a nice holiday. This year is shaping up to be a busy year. In February, we’re holding the 2020 Computing Conference in Stirling, which will be a much bigger event than usual. We’re hoping that up to 200 teachers attend. We’re also providing hands-on training for teachers of cyber security that month at various locations throughout Scotland. We’re expecting NPA Data Science to be offered by a lot of centres…

Happy Christmas from the team

December 23, 2019 - Bobby - 11

We stop today and return on Monday, 6 January. The team would like to wish you a Merry Christmas. We’ve had a busy year. Helen and Emma returned from maternity leave this year, returning the team to normal after Claudia, Caitlin and Lorraine provided cover. Caitlin and Lorraine found permanent positions within SQA and Claudia became a teacher. The annual Computing Conference took place in February. The early part of the year saw us working on HND Cyber Security and…

Unit writers and vetters for PDA Cyber Security

December 20, 2019 - Helen - 1

We have made good progress in PDA Cyber Security and now we are looking for unit writers and vetters for the following units: Software Security Level 7 Application Security Level 7 Threat Analysis Level 8 Cyber Security Controls Level 8 Intrusion Detection, Analysis and response Level 8 Cyber Security Risk Management Level 9 Cyber Security Resilience Level 9 The unit outlines that provide info about the key knowledge and skills required are available on request. If you are interested, please…

Computing Conference 2020

December 11, 2019 - Bobby - 7

A few months ago, I mentioned changes to the annual Computing Conference. Next year’s conference is going to be bigger than normal and will include a wider range of subjects, and a different format. The event will take place on Wednesday, 5 February, 2020, at Stirling Court Hotel (part of the University of Stirling campus). We’re hoping that around 200 people will attend. The 2020 Computing Conference is aimed at teachers and lecturers, and will focus on a wide range of…

Alternative assessments for NPA Cyber Security

December 11, 2019 - sqablogs - 2

Centres should have all received a set of the enhanced learning and teaching materials for the NPAs in Cyber Security. As stated in a previous post, we are also producing alternative assessments for this award. The assessments will follow a portfolio approach and will be based around tasks and activities that have been produced as learning and teaching materials for these NPAs. Therefore, learners will be able to generate evidence in the classroom and use it for assessment purposes. The…

Training in data science

December 6, 2019 - Bobby - 5

I attended a Digital Skills Partnership event on data science recently, which was held at the Langside Campus of Glasgow Clyde College. The purpose of the event was to update college lecturers about developments in data science. The presentations and workshops were presented by lecturers from St Andrews and Edinburgh universities. I enjoyed the event a great deal, and learned something about Jupyter Notebooks, which look great for teaching and learning. We’re doing a lot of developments in this area.…