A team of writers and vetters has been working on devising “alternative assessments” over the last few months. The assessments have been designed to provide a “university experience” to college students by combining the assessment of a number of outcomes into an examination or project. The team has devised six “Alternative Assessment Approach Support Packs” (AAASPs). Here is a summary of what each one covers. For example, the HND Networking examination covers all of the knowledge and understanding in two…
Read moreRead more about Alternative assessments for HN courses
The Qualification Support Team (QST) for Computing met today in the SQA offices in Glasgow. Thirteen people attended today’s meeting. Members are drawn from colleges, schools and training providers. The role of the QST is to “effect on-going improvements to group awards and exemplify national standards”. In plain English, that means the QST monitors qualifications and suggests improvements. A key role is to consider proposals from centres to change awards. Over the course of a year, we get many suggestions…
Read moreRead more about Qualification Support Team
I recently mentioned SQA’s Digital Literacy Competency Framework, which we have been using as the basis of the new Digital Passport awards. I asked for feedback, and one of the comments that I took to heart was that it’s not a competency framework (more a list of knowledge and skills). So it’s been retitled Digital Literacy Framework (DLF). It’s also been updated (a little). It’s interesting to see how the “traditional” view of digital literacy (as computer literacy) is shrinking…
Read moreRead more about Digital Literacy Framework
I wrote to centres last week to invite you to participate in the pilot of Digital Passport. We’ve had a good response so far with 14 centres already coming forward. We’ve also had a lot of questions from centres about such things as: “What involved in the pilot?” and “What support materials are available?”. Pilot centres will be used to trial the qualification. In return, we will provide tailored help and support. A big part of the pilot will be…
Read moreRead more about Digital Passport pilot
I’ve previously mentioned that we’re producing a couple of new HN Units in the area of big data. These are: Big Data (SCQF Level 7) Data Science (SCQF Level 8). The Big Data unit will be generic (but suitable for HNC Computing) and the Data Science unit will be more suited to STEM subjects (such as HND Computer Science). I’m taking a non-standard approach to the development of these units. I plan to use the cloud (in this case, Microsoft’s…
Read moreRead more about Cloud-based unit development
I attended a meeting last night about the skills gap in cyber security, held in the Scottish Government offices in Glasgow. The event was organised by Martin Beaton of Sicsa. It was one of a number of events around Scotland to discuss what can be done to improve the “supply pipeline” of young people entering university to study information security. At present, too few people are undertaking degrees in this area to satisfy the demand from employers. We had an…
Read moreRead more about Cyber security
A letter is on its way to schools and colleges about PC Passport and Digital Passport. Readers of this blog will know that the PC Passport review forked into two separate developments some time ago. One development will make minor revisions to PC Passport and the other development will introduce a new suite of awards entitled Digital Passport. The letter confirms that information but also invites centres to come forward to pilot the new award. Pilotting Digital Passport will allow SQA to…
Read moreRead more about PC Passport and Digital Passport
The Qualification Support Team (QST) for vocational Computing qualifications meets annually and the next meeting is coming up on 28 May. The QST, as the name infers, is responsible for supporting qualifications. The members are drawn from colleges, schools and training providers. A key responsibility is to advise SQA about the materials needed to support new or existing awards. The meetings provide an opportunity for you to tell us what you need. Another important job for the QST is to…
Read moreRead more about Qualification Support Team
I’ve received a few enquiries from centres about SQA qualifications in the area of big data. A centre proposed a new PDA in this field and I am taking that forward with the representative through SQA’s normal procedures (which commences with an Ideas Capture Form). We also plan to develop a couple of generic Higher National Units in this area. These will be called Big Data (at SCQF Level 7) and Data Science (at SCQF Level 8). The Big Data unit would be…
Read moreRead more about Big data
I received an invitation this morning to attend an event for university and college staff, who teach HE awards, which seeks to explain the changes that will be introduced in schools as a result of the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE). The event will take place on 15 May and will explain the changes in learning and assessment that are taking place and how these changes will effect the students who will be coming to universities and colleges in the future.…
Read moreRead more about Curriculum for Excellence event for universities and colleges