Computing – Page 96 – Computing & Digital Blog

New Introduction to Computers

February 15, 2012 - Bobby - 0

It’s the time of the year when you look at your operational plan — and realise that there are some things that still need to be done! One of those things is the development of a new introductory, key skills unit in the area of Computing/IT. A sort of Introduction to Computers for the 21st Century. If you’re as old as me, you will remember the original Introduction to Computers. At one time, it was the most popular SCOTVEC module…

Visiting centres

February 7, 2012 - Bobby - 0

Although we try to make ourselves available to you via social media, I appreciate it’s not the same as a face to face meeting. As I’ve pointed out previously, we’re happy to visit your centre in person. Either myself or one of my team would be happy to come to your college, school or training centre to discuss any aspect of qualifications or assessment. For example, I have previously visited colleges to talk about the qualification portfolio to help with…

Online mailing list

February 6, 2012 - Bobby - 0

Over the last few years, the team has worked hard to use social media to engage with stakeholders. This blog has become an established channel of communication between SQA and centres. Our Twitter feed is growing in popularity, with almost 350 followers. But the team’s mailing lists have fallen into dis-use, which is a pity since they go way back to around the year 2000 when we first started to use e-groups.com (RIP) to communicate with teachers and lecturers. At…

Re-assessing Graded Units

February 3, 2012 - Bobby - 3

I have been in discussion with External Verifiers (EVs) this week about the re-assessment of students’ projects done as part of their Graded Units within various HNs. The discussion has been around the amount of help that teachers can give students, and how this should be reflected in marking. It caused me to look at a number of (project based) Graded Units in my area to check what advice is given about teacher assistance, and how teachers should mark resubmitted…

E-commerce qualifications

February 1, 2012 - Bobby - 0

We’ve been looking at our e-commerce qualifications recently, with a view to updating them. So, yesterday’s E-Commerce Workshop, organised by Scotland IS, was very timely. And since it was held in the Raddison Hotel in Glasgow, it was also very convenient. The full team attended since our existing e-commerce qualifications span the advanced and non-advanced sectors. It was an excellent event. Around 40 people attended, mostly from Scottish businesses. The event was very practical, the aim being to provide practical…

Free online course for teachers of Computer Games

January 30, 2012 - Bobby - 0

Scotland’s Colleges and SQA Academy are working together to support teachers who deliver the NPAs in Computer Games Development. A short course is available to teachers from 14-28 February. The course is designed to provide support for the delivery and assessment of the NPAs, and is open to any teacher in Scotland (college or school). It’s mostly an online course, but one day attendance (on 28 February) is required. The course is free. The programme begins on 14 February via…

Royal Society report on Computing in schools

January 24, 2012 - Bobby - 1

Readers of this blog will be aware of the on-going discussions about Computing in schools. Co-incidentally to the Minister’s announcement about the subject, the Royal Society recently produced a report about the issue. Shut Down or Restart? [PDF] makes 11 recommendations about Computing in schools. Although the report focuses on England, most of the recommendations relate to the entire UK. It makes interesting reading. Of particular interest is the criticism of “ICT” as a description of the subject, and a…

NC Computer Games Development

January 20, 2012 - Bobby - 0

The fourth meeting of the QDT for the new National Certificate (NC) in Computer Games Development was held yesterday afternoon in the SQA offices in Glasgow. The lead developer, Frank Duffy of Motherwell College, presented a draft framework to the meeting. In fact, Frank presented two frameworks: one for a “technical” NC and one for a “creative” NC. He has spent a lot of time since the last QDT meeting in discussion with various individuals and organisations, such as representatives…

Sector Panel and Support Teams

January 18, 2012 - Bobby - 0

We engage with stakeholders in a number of ways, such as the annual Heads of Computing event. But we run two committees that are particularly important in this regard. The Sector Panel for Computing & IT seeks to get feedback from you in a direct way — through bi-annual face-to-face meetings. The Sector Panel includes representatives from colleges, schools and industry, including E-Skills UK. The Qualifications Support Teams (there are two – one for non-advanced and one for advanced qualifications) are…

New Internet Safety qualification is coming

January 17, 2012 - Bobby - 0

I mentioned the review of the Internet Safety unit previously. We’ve fallen a litte behind our original schedule. I met with the lead developer yesterday (thanks to the wonders of Skype) to get a progress report. The new unit will be validated in mid-February and available to centres from the end of that month. We will also have online learning materials available from the middle of February, including mobile phone materials that will permit learners to undertake the course via…