SQA Computing computing.groupsite.com

We have commissioned a new single credit Unit covering the basics of Computing/ICT.  The title is still to be confirmed but will be a one stop shop for basic online skills, covering basic knowledge of computers and the internet, key online and safety skills.

We will need a vetter for the Unit and Assessment Support Pack when ready.  The material is expected in a few weeks, vetting work must be completed before end March.  Standard QDS fees apply.

Please contact me if you are interested in this work.

Hilary

There are some PC Passport Leckie and Leckie course notes Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced available if anyone would like them (no charge). These are still suitable for use with revised (August 2010) versions of PC Passport.

Please contact me with contact name/address and I will mail to you.

Hilary

We are looking for writers of the Assessment Support Packs for these recently validated Awards.  We have agreed that there should be three integrated packs (one for each strand), rather than one for each Unit.  The strands are:

Computer Games: Design (SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6)

Computer Games: Media Assets (SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6)

Computer Games: Development (SCQF levels 4, 5 and 6)

Although this is a non-standard way to develop ASPs, it makes sense given the hierarchical nature of these NPAs.

This means that we only need three writers (one for each strand).

There will be ASP ..

I am still looking for reviewers to check the changes made to the Unit specifications and ASPs for the above Units.  If anyone is interested please let me know.

A consultant has been undertaking a review of PC Passport to address the assessment issues.  I am looking for some help with the changes required to the ASPs for levels 5 and 6 so that the new material will be ready for centres early in 2010.  The recommendations are very detailed and specific guidelines will be provided.  If you are interested in helping with this work please contact me.

We held our first unit writers' training event yesterday afternoon, in Glasgow. More on the SQA blog.

Anyone who attends this training will be endorsed on this Groupsite so that we know who has, and who has not, attended. In time, we will only use people to write units who have attended this training.

So, if you have attended the training and you don't see an endorsement on your profile please contact Caroline.

It was agreed at our recent QST meeting that the following Unit specifications would be reviewed and changes made to the corresponding ASPs for:

F3SY 12 Computing: Computer Hardware and Software

F1KF 11 Computing: Install and Maintain Computer Hardware

F1KR 11 Computing:Computer Hardware and Systems

DW7J 11 Social Software

If you are interested in undertaking any of this work please contact Hilary Weir for further information.

We recently set-up a Twitter account so please follow us for real-time updates to your PC or phone. You'll find us here.

We normally train unit writers on an ad hoc basis but this can be time-consuming and inefficient since it can result in a couple of SQA people training a couple of unit writers. So we have decided to batch the training. There will now be two training events each year (maximum 25 people per event) when we will provide training. In time, we are hoping to create a register of trained writers and only use people from that list so it will be important that you are on the register if you want to be involved in writing units.

More information ..

I've been spamming various online groups recently to promote this group in an effort to increase membership.

My target is 50 members and we're currently sitting at 32. So, we're getting there, but we have a little way to go. In the meantime, members should complete as much of their profiles as possible so that we know something about your background, experience and interests.

Please note that this blog will only relate to this group. There is a generic Computing blog that we use to update people about general qualification developments.