Computing – Page 53 – Computing & Digital Blog

Working with centres

February 20, 2017 - Bobby - 0

Last Friday, we shot a promotional video showing how the team works with centres. Three centres were used as case studies: Kyle Academy which offers the NPA Cyber Security, Dundee & Angus College and its Code Academy, which uses various SQA awards, and Code Clan, which uses the new PDA in Software Development. These centres were selected as examples of Scottish centres delivering modern qualifications in innovative ways. The video will be available soon. Contact Emma if you want to know more about NPA…

Mathematics within Computing awards

February 15, 2017 - Bobby - 3

Some time ago, I mentioned that we would be reviewing the role of maths within Computing awards. I’m now in a position to take that forward. The review was prompted by two things: (1) the re-levelling of existing Maths units; and (2) dissatisfaction with the treatment of maths within Computing qualifications. The Maths team, within SQA, had (provisionally) reviewed a number of units that are used within Computing awards – and, generally, levelled these units down since they were not…

New way of developing qualifications

February 9, 2017 - Bobby - 0

I recently mentioned that we were working on a new qualification development process. We discussed how we developed qualifications at our last team meeting and agreed that we could do things faster, cheaper and better. So we have came up with new ways of working. This won’t directly affect most people who work with us since it is mostly behind the scenes activities. But centres should see qualifications developed more quickly — 12 months at the maximum, even for major…

HNC Data Analytics is published

February 8, 2017 - Helen - 0

The new HNC Data Analytics is now published. The subject page can be found here. The Group Award Specification and all the component units are available on the SQA website. The qualification FAQ containing useful information and links is available here. We do not develop SOLAR assessment for the qualification at the moment. However, if there is any plan for such development, centres will be notified. For information about SOLAR assessment, please contact the SOLAR team. We are looking for people to write assessments…

HND Computer Science scoping

January 31, 2017 - Helen - 0

The HND Computer Science GG7D 16 was last developed in 2012 and is now due to review. As Bobby mentioned in his previous post, we will start the scoping exercise first before the full review process. More information about the scoping remit can be found here. We are seeking to recruit a practitioner to undertake this work. Please contact me if you are interested or have any query.

Working with SQA

January 30, 2017 - Bobby - 1

This seems a good time of the year to remind you about opportunities to work with SQA. One of the unique features of Scottish qualifications is the way that we work with stakeholders. We don’t hand down qualifications from on-high – we develop them in conjunction with practitioners, which includes teachers, lecturers, trainers and employers. There are lots of things that you could do for us – ranging from writing assessments to leading a development. Most of the work is…

NPAs and NCs – Scoping

January 30, 2017 - sqablogs - 0

Further to Bobby’s post last week, we are currently looking for volunteers to scope the qualifications listed below. In order to keep providing you with good and sound qualifications, we aim to review our qualifications at least every five years, although some of the ones listed are overdue. Hence the importance of scoping before proceeding with the review. Among other things, we would like to find out what works and what doesn’t, what could be improved and how. Qualification SCQF level NPA Computer…

Developments

January 27, 2017 - Bobby - 1

I’m pleased to let you know that we are about to commence a number of developments. We will be reviewing the following qualifications: NPA Computer Games Development NC Computer Games Development NPA Web Design Fundamentals NPA Digital Media Basics/Editing HNC Computer Science (new) HND Computer Science. We have delayed the review of some of these qualifications (for example, the Computer Games ones are overdue) due to staff shortages but we’re now in a position to commence them. At this time,…

HNC/D Information Technology update

January 20, 2017 - Bobby - 0

We met with the Lead Developer for the review of HNC/D Information Technology yesterday afternoon. This development has been on hold for a while. It commenced in 2015 but, due to a number of factors, progress has been slow. We’re now ready to get on with it. I’ve previously announced a name change for the qualification. It’s proposed to call it HNC/D Technologies in Business. We’ve also created a draft structure for the revised award. We now need to get down to…

Safer Internet Day 2017

January 20, 2017 - sqablogs - 0

Many of you may already be aware but for those of you who are still recovering from the post-Christmas blues, I thought I’d send a reminder of the upcoming Safer Internet Day 2017. This year it is taking place on 7th February, and SQA will be supporting this initiative once again. As part of our activities on and around the day, we’ll be issuing a number of top tips to help users, particularly young people, to stay safe, and be mindful of…