The validation event for Digital Passport was held yesterday in the SQA offices in Glasgow. The purpose of a validation event is to check that new (or revised) qualifications fulfil a genuine need and are properly designed. Validation events are “meetings of peers” — we’re all there to improve the qualification. The “panel” is made up of stakeholders (representing schools, colleges, employers and national bodies), and the Qualification Development Team (QDT) is made up of the people (usually classroom practitioners)…

I met with Sheila Page, of Education Scotland, on Friday morning to discuss her review of Computing in Scottish colleges. Sheila wanted to discuss a number of curricular issues with me, relating to provision in colleges. Education Scotland is in the process of carrying out a follow-up review to the 2009 Aspect review [PDF], which looked at teaching and learning (of Computing) in colleges. That report identified several challenges, and this one is going to look at what progress has…

I’m a member of the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) of the University of the West of Scotland, which provides advice to the University about its programmes and courses. The Board meets twice per year. I attended its winter meeting yesterday afternoon. It’s a huge committee, with over 60 people attending yesterday’s event. SQA does something similar with our Sector Panel. The purpose of this committee is to provide strategic guidance and support for SQA qualifications. There are members from colleges, schools,…