I stop tonight for a 2 week break where I head off into the Hollywood Hills to soak up some sun. In my absence, Angela will deal with any urgent enquiries and I shall pick up all other enquiries on my return to the office. Have a nice day !
I posted a message on the SQA mailing list this morning appealing for people to assist with a number of new projects that the team are about to commence. We’re looking for unit writers/vetters, assessment writers/vetters, teaching material writers and other roles. I asked anyone who may be interested in helping to contact Angela. The work is interesting — and paid.
SQA is celebrating the 80th anniversary of HN qualifications this year. Ted Hastings recently sent me an interesting history of HNC/D Computing which he wrote in the 1990s. It brought back many (happy) memories to me since I taught these awards at both Clydebank and Cardonald colleges.
Tony Hamilton has joined the SQA team as administrator. We’ve also re-shuffled some of the responsibilities within the team. You can download the current organisation chart here.
The SQA website now has some pages dedicated to DIVA – the Digital media and ICT Vendor Alliance. DIVA is intended to improve the vocational relevance of SQA awards – and provide learning material to centres.
Angela and I visited Stow College this morning to discuss computer games. Stow recently developed an HNC Computer Games Development which they are offering this year for the first time. I was there to discuss how SQA could support the new award. We agreed to develop a number of assessment exemplars. We also discussed the possibility of devising one or two National Units in this area – specifically units (probably called Computer Games) at Intermediate 1 (SCQF 4) and Intermediate…
Angela is currently organising a launch event for the new HND Computing award. The event takes place on Friday 9 September in Glasgow and provides an opportunity for SQA and staff from centres to discuss the unique features of this new award such as its strong links with vendor certification. You can register online by clicking on this button:
Sorry for using the blog for a personal reason but it’s for charity so I thought it would be OK. I’m running in this year’s Great Scottish Run on behalf of Cancer Research and I’m looking for sponsorship. All donations go straight to Cancer Research.
I updated the e-group FAQ this morning. Groups come and go so it’s worth checking the FAQ to find out what groups are available.
I met with Graeme Clark this afternoon to discuss online assessments. Graeme is working with SQA to develop a number of online assessments as part of the SOLAR project. He updated me on progress and developments. The purpose of the SOLAR project is to develop a large number of online assessments for a range of HN subjects – including Computing. In fact, the project will produce 160 complete assessments for units within HNC/D Computing. These assessments should be available to…
Almost 150,000 Scottish students received their exam results today. The results continued the improvement of recent years.
SQA provides a toolkit for centres that wish to develop their own (“centre-devised”) awards. It contains lots of useful procedures and forms. The toolkit has recently been updated.
I’ve created a new community for people interested in National Certificate provision in Computing/IT. We are currently developing a number of new units in this area and a review of the whole NC portfolio will take place later this year so it seemed a good idea to create a dedicated forum. You can subscribe by visiting the home page or sending an e-mail.
Today’s Herald has a front page story about Individual Learning Accounts. Every adult in Scotland is now entitled to a £100 grant towards certificated IT training up to SCQF level 5 (Intermediate 2). A wide range of Computing awards can be used — but PC Passport (at Intermediate 1/2 levels) is particularly suitable. The low cost of PC Passport should mean that centres can effectively offer this qualification for £10 (the minimum charge) – which will make it hugely attractive…
The web log of the qualification team for Computing within SQA. Look out for news about Computing qualifications and related information.