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Computing & Digital Blog

November 26, 2020

HN Next Generation update

It’s been a while since I last updated you about the “HN-Next Gen” initiative so this seems a good time to do so. Computing is one of three subjects (along with Broadcasting & TV and Engineering) that will prototype new Higher National qualifications during the next couple of years. This will be done in two phases. Phase 1: HNC qualifications, piloted during session 2021/22. Phase 2: HND qualifications, piloted during session 2022/23. Five Computing qualifications are involved in the development.…

Categories: Computing

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November 16, 2020

Can you help?

Me and my team are helped by four important committees, without which we couldn’t do our job. These are: Sector Panel: The Sector Panel provides strategic guidance about business, industrial, technological and educational trends to ensure that Computing qualifications are relevant, appropriate and up-to-date. Members include representatives of industry, universities, colleges, schools, training centres and national agencies. Qualification Support Team: The QST helps us maintain qualifications by advising how existing qualifications can be kept up to date and supported in…

Categories: Computing

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November 10, 2020

NPA Computer Networks – Update

This development has progressed well and is nearing completion. The revised Group Award has now been validated and the final steps for operationalising the award are now underway. The subject page for this award, which will include a link to the Group Award Specification, should be on the SQA website in the next few weeks. As advised in a previous post, the three component units of this award were being revised. This work is now complete and there are links…

Categories: Computing

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November 10, 2020

NPA Cyber Alternative assessments – Update

Some time ago, we advised in a blog post that we would be producing alternative assessments for the NPA Cyber Security. The aim of these assessments was to provide centres with a portfolio approach assessment. The work was well underway when COVID-19 drove the country into lockdown, so some projects had to be put on the back burner. Unfortunately, this was one of them. Furthermore, upon reviewing these assessments, issues were identified that impeded their publication and caused a further…

Categories: Computing

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October 27, 2020

Update on assessment arrangements for session 2020/21

Since I last wrote about new arrangements for assessment for the current session, further information has been provided to centres. We recently informed centres that the requirement for a Graded Unit within Higher National qualifications has been removed this year. Centres were informed about alternative approaches, although can continue to use Graded Units if circumstances permit. Please note that some subjects are required to complete a Graded Unit as normal, but Computing is not one of them. In August, we…

Categories: Computing

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