Computing – Page 74 – Computing & Digital Blog

Update letters

September 30, 2014 - Bobby - 0

I asked the admin team to send out two update letters on Friday: one for non-advanced awards and one for advanced awards. They contain important information about changes to vocational Computing awards. The non-advanced letter includes information about new National Units, new group awards (such as NPA Digital Passport) and changes to existing awards (such as PC Passport). The advanced letter includes information new Higher National Units and details about new and revised awards at SCQF Levels 7 and 8.…

Aspect report for Computing

September 26, 2014 - Bobby - 0

I’ve previously mentioned the Aspect report for Computing. The final version was published this morning. The report can be downloaded here [PDF]. I haven’t had time to read this version but I was privvy to a late draft version, which was much more positive than the previous report (2009). These subject-based Aspect reports are important. They provide an objective measure of teaching, learning and acheivement in a subject context. So, there is a lot to be taken from them. From…

Digital evidence

September 23, 2014 - Bobby - 0

SQA’s vision is to “digitally transform” over the coming years, and we are currently looking for examples of good practice within centres. We’re specifically looking for examples of where you have used digital approaches to the generation of evidence. For example, you may have used a blog to record learner activity and used that as evidence for a unit. We’d like to know the name of the qualification, the nature of the assessment, and how you (digitally) went about it.…

Sector Panel

September 22, 2014 - Bobby - 0

The Sector Panel for Computing met today. The Panel meets once per year and its purpose is to provide guidance about external developments. The members include representatives of schools, colleges, universities, training providers, employers, national organisations and professional bodies. There was a good attendance today and a busy agenda, which included a discussion about the recently published report entited “Education Working for All” and soon to be published Aspect report on Computing. We were particularly fortunate to have HMIE Sheila…

Review of HNC/D Interactive Media

September 15, 2014 - Bobby - 0

As you may know, we are currently revising HNC/D Interactive Media. The Qualification Design Team (QDT) met for the first time on Friday. The QDT is responsible for all aspects of the development. I chair the group. The QDT has representatives of various Scottish colleges (including City of Glasgow, Fife, Ayrshire and New College). It was a positive and productive meeting. There was a lot of agreement about the changes that need to be made. And one in particular –…

NC Computing with Digital Media

September 12, 2014 - Bobby - 0

I received notification yesterday that the Group Award Specifications for the National Certificate in Computing with Digital Media are now available on the SQA website. The Specifications can be found on the non-advanced Computing page or you can access them individually at these links: NC Computing (Level 4) NC Computing (Level 5) NC Computing (Level 6). The support materials for these awards are available on SQA Secure. Please note the change in title. The previous award was called Digital Media Computing.…

Operational plan

September 4, 2014 - Bobby - 0

The team’s operational plan is our work plan for the year. It defines what we aim to do during the current financial year (April to March). There are two ways for a development to get onto the plan: one way is for the qualification to be due a review (normally every five years); the other way is when a business case has been made and approved. The starting point for many new developments is the ideas capture form. My current…

Popularity of awards

August 25, 2014 - Bobby - 0

Around this time of the year, I get the annual statistics for my subject area. I received the data for 2013/14 today. It always makes interesting reading. It’s fascinating to see what’s actually popular in centres. It takes me a little while to do a detailed analysis of my area but a quick glance reveals that the single most popular award is (new) HNC Computing. But the entire HN family of awards is growing in popularity, particularly HND in Software…

Big Data HN Unit

August 19, 2014 - Bobby - 0

Some time ago I explained that we were developing a new Higher National Unit on big data. The Unit isn’t finished yet, but it’s a long way along the road so it seems like a good time to get your feedback. Here is the current version of the Unit. I wanted to develop this Unit is a non-standard way, through collaboration with the wider community. Using this link you can comment on, or edit, the specification. Please feel free to…

Qualification Officer vacancy

August 18, 2014 - Bobby - 0

Hilary is about to begin a secondment as SQA’s Digital Literacy Engagement Manager, to push forward SQA digital literacy agenda. As many of you will know, she has been heavily involved in this area for the last year, particularly through her work with Digital Passport. As a result of Hilary’s secondment, we are looking for someone to replace her as Qualifications Officer for the next couple of years. The post would focus on non-advanced qualifications such as NPAs and NCs.…