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Computing & Digital Blog

June 24, 2015

New Digital Skills HNU

The new Higher National Unit entitled Digital Skills is now available [PDF] on the SQA website. This Level 7 Unit is designed for non-specialists who want to gain essential knowledge and skills in digital technologies. Its contents are up-to-date including a range of digital devices (such as PCs, tablets and smartphones) and digital services (including social media). The Unit also covers online safety, cyber security, information skills, and rights and responsibilities. It should be appropriate to a wide range of learners including, perhaps,…

Categories: Digital literacy, HN, Unit Specification

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June 23, 2015

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The team started to use FAQs for new or revised qualifications last year, when we created one for the Digital Passport development. Since then we have created FAQs for all  subsequent developments such as PC Passport and Cyber Security. They’ve proven to be popular since they address the most common questions about new developments such as “What’s in it?” and “When will it be ready?”. So we will continue to create a FAQ for every new development. Look out for them in future, and please…

Categories: Computing, Promotion & Marketing

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June 22, 2015

Cyber Security Fundamentals

As part of the Cyber Security development, we are also producing a stand-alone National Unit at SCQF Level 4 entitled Cyber Security Fundamentals. The Unit was suggested to us by Police Scotland. This Unit is designed for the beginner who wants to learn the basics of online safety and aims to raise their awareness of the potential threats posed by online systems and the Internet. It focuses on “cyber hygiene” and aims to show best practice in online protection. The Unit…

Categories: Computing

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June 19, 2015

Training HN Unit writers

A Unit writing event took place today, in Glasgow, for people involved in reviewing HNC/D Information Technology, HNC/D Interactive Media and HNC/D Computer Games Development. We decided to hold a single event for all of the developments, rather than separate events, since the principles of unit writing do not change from one subject to another. The event went well. There have been changes in the way SQA defines units (units are now more open with more flexible) so even experienced unit writers, I…

Categories: Computing

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June 18, 2015

Cyber security workshops

I’m speaking today at a workshop, in Glasgow, organised by Education Scotland. The event is intended to raise awareness of the Cyber Security Badge, designed by Kyle Academy and Police Scotland, and the new NPAs in Cyber Security. There was a fantastic turnout, with standing room only at the event. There is clearly a lot of interest in this area. I opened the workshop with an explanation of what’s in the new awards. It seemed to be well received. A surprising number…

Categories: Computing, NPA, Promotion & Marketing

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