Computing – Page 34 – Computing & Digital Blog

HND Cyber Security progress

December 14, 2018 - Bobby - 1

This seems like a good time to update you about HND Cyber Security. This development is the second part of a three-stage development that has produced HNC Cyber Security (stage 1), is currently developing HND Cyber Security (stage 2), and will produce PDA Cyber Security (stage 3). Since my last update, we have finalised the qualification structure, appointed unit writers and vetters, and carried out training. So, right now, we’re at the sharp end of the development, with a team…

HN Review update

December 5, 2018 - Bobby - 3

Since the last update, we have been in discussions with stakeholders about our plans, and specifically the idea to combine technical support and networking into a single, new award. There has been support for this change so we now intend to develop the following awards. HNC Computing HND Computer Science HND Networking & Infrastructure HND Software Development. Apart from Networking & Infrastructure, the other awards will have relatively minor changes — although a significant amount of updating will have to…

Computing Conference 2019

December 4, 2018 - Bobby - 1

I’m pleased to let you know that this year’s Vocational Computing Conference will take place Friday, 1 February at Jury’s Inn in Glasgow. This is a long-standing event, which goes back (at least) 20 years. It provides an opportunity to meet face-to-face, and network with colleagues from other centres. Although the focus is college qualifications, there has been an increasing school presence due to the popularity of some National Progression Awards, such as the NPA Cyber Security. Of course, all…

Digital Skills Partnership Events Registration

November 26, 2018 - sqablogs - 7

Please see below to register for the upcoming Digital Skills Partnership Events; Webinar on Digital Forensics– for further details and to register visit – events.cdn.ac.uk/ehome/372854?&t=9efcdb6dc99952ff12edc5b9c3404654 28 November – from 13:15 – 15:30 (Hosted by UHI). Cyber Security 2 (more advanced session) – for further details and to register visit – events.cdn.ac.uk/ehome/374816?&t=c52b409c7572abbcdc2394f795074465 6 December – from 13:30 – 17:00 at the Hamish Wood Building at Glasgow Caledonian University. Cyber Security 2 (more advanced session) – for further details and to register…

Engineering Strategy Group

November 22, 2018 - Bobby - 0

I was invited to speak at the Engineering Strategy Group meeting yesterday, which was held at the College Development Network building in Stirling. Engineering qualifications are going through a major review, similar to the HN Review for Computing awards. I was invited to speak about the new Higher National units that have been developed during the last couple of years. The engineers were interested in units such as Computer Programming, Emerging Technologies & Experiences, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and Machine…

ASP Update – Non Advanced Qualifications

November 22, 2018 - sqablogs - 0

Computer Games Development Level 5 – will be published early next week. Artificial Intelligence for Computer Games – currently still in development with an estimate completion date of early January. Digital Design and Web Development: Graded Unit currently still in development with an estimate completion date of early January.

NPA Data Science update

November 19, 2018 - Bobby - 9

We’re making a lot of progress with this qualification. We now have a draft qualification structure, and unit writers (and vetters) have now been selected. Although the structure isn’t finalised (yet), the final form of the award won’t be a million miles away from this. Most of the debate has been around the options, so we’ve taken a belt-and-braces approach and included all of the ideas that were being discussed. I’m fairly confident that the mandatory units will survive (at…

External Verifier standardisation meeting

November 17, 2018 - Bobby - 0

The annual standardisation meeting for External Verifiers (EVs) took place today in the SQA offices in Glasgow. The meeting was led by the Senior External Verifier. The purpose of the meeting is to prepare EVs for their forthcoming visits to centres and to ensure that the whole team apply the same national standards. Me and my team attend these meetings for two reasons. Firstly, to find out more about field issues and also to update EVs about new and revised…

HNC/D Data Science

November 15, 2018 - Bobby - 1

I’m pleased to let you know that I’ve been given the green light to “scope” the development of a new HNC and HND in Data Science. Data science is a hot topic these days and I’ve had lots of enquiries about the availability of an intermediate (Higher National) award in this area. There are already lots of graduate and post-graduate degrees in Data Science, and we’re in the process of creating an introductory qualification in data science so this, potentially,…

Blockchain units now available

November 14, 2018 - Bobby - 0

We commenced the development of new units in Blockchain in July. I’m pleased to let you know that these units are now available to centres. Two new units were developed: Blockchain (SCQF Level 7) Blockchain (SCQF Level 8). The Level 7 unit is non-specialist but it’s particularly appropriate for business, computing or financial services learners. However, I think, any learner would benefit from understanding the principles of this important, new technology. The Level 8 unit is specialist and more suitable…