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Computing & Digital Blog

May 23, 2014

Digital Literacy Framework

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…

Categories: Computing

Bobby 0

May 20, 2014

Digital Passport pilot

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…

Categories: Computing

Bobby 0

May 14, 2014

Cloud-based unit development

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…

Categories: Computing

Bobby 0

May 14, 2014

Cyber security

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…

Categories: Computing

Bobby 0

May 12, 2014

PC Passport and Digital Passport

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…

Categories: Computing

Bobby 0