Computing – Page 54 – Computing & Digital Blog

The revised HNC/D Computer Games Development is published

January 19, 2017 - Helen - 0

The revised HNC/D Computer Games Development (2016) 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 (for example, links to the unit specifications for new and revised units within the award) is available here. The assessment is also under development. For any update on ASPs, please contact the Support Materials team. We do not develop SOLAR assessment for…

New qualification development process

January 19, 2017 - Bobby - 0

Another topic discussed at the recent team meeting was how to improve the way that we develop qualifications. We think that we take longer than we should so we have devised new processes to speed things up. We will classify developments as minor, intermediate and major depending on how long we think the development will take. We will aim to complete minor developments in three months, intermediate ones in six months, and major ones in twelve months. We have streamlined processes…

Lead Person Network 2017

January 17, 2017 - Bobby - 0

Following on from my earlier post about this event, I can now let you know that the Lead Person Network event (formerly, Heads of Computing event) will take place on 10 March in Glasgow (exact venue to be decided). We have re-started these annual events now that the team is back to full strength. In future, I hope to hold them earlier in the academic year, around December time. Helen is organising this year’s event. She is currently working on the membership…

Qualification changes and new ideas

January 13, 2017 - Bobby - 1

One of the things that we discussed at the recent team meeting was how to standardise the way that we deal with ideas from centres about changes to qualifications or ideas for new qualifications. Our problem is that we get suggestions in a wide range of formats (from telephone calls to e-mails) and some can be pretty vague. We have now devised an online form. if you complete that form then we will take forward your proposal. You can still…

Who does what in the team

January 12, 2017 - Bobby - 0

I recently mentioned that Emma has returned from maternity leave and, previously, that Hilary had joined the team. We had a team meeting on Tuesday to discuss the responsibilities of each person. We agreed that Emma would be the lead officer (LO) for non-advanced awards (such as NPAs), Hilary for SVQs and CBQs, and Helen for advanced awards (such as HNDs). This diagram summarises who does what. You might want to download and print it for future reference. Please contact…

HNC Data Analytics is validated

January 9, 2017 - Bobby - 1

I’m delighted to let you know that HNC Data Analytics is now validated. The validation took place a few months ago so it’s taken some time to address the conditions and recommendations – but we’re there now. Big data is a new, and growing, field and we’re delighted to be the first UK awarding body to have a specialised qualification in this field. This new qualification was designed in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and some Glasgow colleges. The award,…

Updated portfolio diagram

January 5, 2017 - Bobby - 1

I updated my portfolio diagram today. You can see the latest version here. The portfolio diagram shows all of the vocational qualifications in Computing. The new (or revised) qualifications are in bold and include: HNC Data Analytics HNC/D Computer Games Development HNC/D Digital Design & Web Development PC Passport. The diagram also illustrates the developments that are about to commence (these are italicised). These include: HNC/D Computer Science NC Computer Games Development NPA Computer Games Development. I hope that you…

Welcome back and looking forward

January 4, 2017 - Bobby - 0

SQA returned from holiday today. I’m delighted to let you know that Emma has returned from maternity leave so the team is “back to normal”. Emma is now a permanent member of the team. She was originally covering Hilary’s (Weir) secondment as Digital Literacy Manager but Hilary and Emma have now been consolidated in their respective posts. We also have Hilary (Cuthbertson) in the team to help (Hilary is part time with me), and one of my first tasks for…

Review of the year

December 22, 2016 - Bobby - 0

I like to look back over the year at this time. The year had many highlights – and some low lights. The highlights include: making the new PDA in Software Development available to centres; passing 700 followers on Twitter; Emma joining the team; finalising the new PC Passport units; Aneta joining us; PC Passport was validated; we updated Internet Safety; we produced a new NPA in Software Development; we re-organised our online groups; the new version of HNC/D Interactive Media was…

Professional learning needs of teachers

December 19, 2016 - Bobby - 0

I’ve been asked to promote a survey being carried out by SQA, Education Scotland and the Scottish Government relating to the staff development needs of Computing Science teachers in Scottish schools. The results will help shape the professional development of teachers so it sounds like time well spent if you can spend a little time completing the survey. You can find it here. Please note that the questionnaire should only be completed by teachers of Computing Science in Scottish schools.