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Computing & Digital Blog

February 23, 2016

PC Passport update

I’ve received a few enquiries about the review of PC Passport so I thought that it would be a good time to provide an update. PC Passport was originally introduced in 2004 and first reviewed in 2007. We commenced the second review in 2013. This second review was “parked” for a while since it was decided to split the development into two: one to develop a new suite of qualifications entitled “Digital Passport” and one to update PC Passport. Digital…

Categories: Digital literacy, NPA, PCP, Vendor

Bobby 0

February 23, 2016

PDA Software Development is now live

The subject page for the Professional Development Award in Software Development (SCQF Levels 7, 8 and 9) was made live this morning. You can find out more about this new qualification on that page, such as its structure and how it is assessed. There is also a link to the Group Award Specification. I’m pleased about how this suite of qualifications has turned out. They have a simple structure, they’re short (240 hours), sharply focussed (on coding), and flexible (you can…

Categories: PDA, Software development

Bobby 3

February 22, 2016

Working as an External Verifier

I attended a meeting this morning about the selection of External Verifiers (EVs) for 2016/17. Qualifications Managers (QMs) were reminded that we are responsible for maintaining an adequate team of EVs to ensure that national standards are maintained across Scotland (and internationally). I’ve posted before about the EV role and how it is a fantastic CPD opportunity for practising teachers and lecturers. EVs visit centres (colleges, schools and training centres) to ensure that they are carrying out assessments to national…

Categories: External Verification

Bobby 0

February 19, 2016

Dundee & Angus Code Academy

I attended a presentation by Simon Hewitt, of Dundee & Angus College, yesterday morning about his college’s new programming initiative. The meeting was held in the Scottish Government offices. Simon explained that the Code Academy has taken over two years to turn from an idea into a reality. He attributed the initial concept to a keynote talk at a Heads of Computing event. The Academy officially launched a few weeks ago. It’s a collective effort by the college, the local…

Categories: Software development

Bobby 0

February 15, 2016

NPA PC Passport – core Units are coded and published

The core Units within the revised NPAs in PC Passport SCQF Levels 4, 5 and 6 have now been published on the SQA website. There are nine new Units in total. These are: HA6J 44 Web Apps: Presentations (SCQF Level 4) HA6J 45 Web Apps: Presentations (SCQF Level 5) HA6J 46 Web Apps: Presentations (SCQF Level 6) HA6L 44 Web Apps: Spreadsheets (SCQF Level 4) HA6L 45 Web Apps: Spreadsheets (SCQF Level 5) HA6L 46 Web Apps: Spreadsheets (SCQF Level 6) HA6M 44 Web Apps: Word Processing (SCQF Level 4) HA6M 45 Web Apps: Word Processing (SCQF Level 5) HA6M 46 Web…

Categories: Computing, NPA, Unit Specification

Helen 8