The document discusses current and upcoming qualifications in computing from SQA, including: 1) An overview of the current portfolio and developments like the HN Review. 2) Details on the revised HNC in Computing, including updated mandatory units and less assessment. 3) Plans to finalize the updated HNDs in Computing and release support materials for the new qualifications. 4) Other qualification developments and the use of Web 2.0 for assessment in the new HNC. 5) Links between SQA awards and vendor courses and certifications like Microsoft and CompTIA.

1. SQA COMPUTING Bobby Elliott
Qualifications Manager
QUALIFICATIONS bobby.elliott@sqa.org.
uk

2. CONTENTS OF
PRESENTATION
• Current portfolio
• Current developments
• HN Review
• Links with vendors
• Educational and external trends
• Challenges and opportunities

3. COMPUTING TEAM
caroline.douglas@sqa.org.uk
hilary.weir@sqa.org.uk

4. http://sqacomputing.blogspot.com/

5. http://twitter.com/sqacomputing

6. PORTFOLIO The current vocational
Computing portfolio

7. PDAs
HNDs
HNCs
Higher
National Units
National
Certificates
NPAs
Nation
al Units

10. CURRENT Review of HN awards
and other current
DEVELOPMENTS developments

11. QUALIFICATION
DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
Individuals
QSTs
Sector Panel
QDT
Other

12. HN REVIEW
HND
Computing
HND HNC HND
Computing:
Technical Computin Computing:
Networking
Support g
HND
Computing:
Software
Developmen
t

13. HNC COMPUTING
Mandatory units (6 credits)
 Computer Systems Fundamentals
 Developing Software: Introduction
 Troubleshooting Computing Problems
 Team Working in Computing
 Professionalism & Ethics in Computing
 Graded Unit (Examination)
Optional units (6 credits)
 Cloud Computing
 Computer Forensics
 Ethical Hacking

14. Credit
Unit title Level Type Vendor Writer Vetter Verifier
value
David
Cloud Computing 7 1 New George Banks
McDade
Graeme
Computer Networking: Fundamentals 7 1 New Chris Deegan
Downey
Derek
Computer Systems Fundamentals 7 1 New Janice Maxted Chris Jones
Summers
Convergence Technologies 8 2 New CompTIA Ted Hastings Chris Jones
Pete
Databases: Introduction 7 1 New George Banks
Ainsworth
Developing for the World Wide Web: Robert
7 2 New Fiona Murnin
The Mobile User Experience Mulligan
Nicola
Human Computer Interaction 7 1 New Fiona Murnin
Houston
Derek
Introduction to Developing Software 7 1 New Gillian Leitch Pauline Belford
Summers
Managing a Web Server 7 1 New Linux/MS George Banks Shaun Miller
Magnus
Mobile Technology 8 1 New Chris Jones
Tullock
Derek
Open Source Operating Systems 1 8 1 New Linux Shaun Miller Ted Hastings
Summers
Professionalism & Ethics in Derek
7 1 New Anne Russell Ted Hastings
Computing Summers
Relational Database Management Hugh
8 2 Major Oracle Frank Duffy
Systems McDiarmid
Derek
Server Administration 8 2 New Microsoft Ted Hastings Chris Jones
Summers
Vivien Derek
Team Working in Computing 7 1 New Gillian Leitch
Gallacher Summers
Derek
Troubleshooting Computing Problems 7 1 New Ted Hastings Janice Maxted
Summers
Working in IT 8 2 New Anne Russell Chris Jones

15. HNC COMPUTING
More up-to-date
 Professionalism & Ethics, Cloud Computing, Ethical
Hacking, Convergence Technologies
More relevant
 Core skills in context
 Team Working in Computing
 Key skills
 Computer Systems Fundamentals
 Developing Software: Introduction
Less assessment
 55% reduction compared to old HNC
More support…

16. SUPPORT MATERIALS
Assessment exemplars
 All HNC mandatory units
 Three published to date
 All published by 1 August
 Optional units
 Additional 32 packs coming
 Mandatory and optional units in HNC/Ds
 ETA Autumn 2012
Teaching and learning
 E-learning materials for five units
 Mandatory units in HNC
 ETA September2012

17. THINGS TO DO…
• Finalise HNDs
 HND Computing
 HND Computing: Networking
 HND Computing: Technical Support
 HND Computing: Software Development
• Arrange validation event
• Conduct validation
• Create Arrangements
• Code and publish

18. http://hnreview.blogspot.com/

19. OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
• E-Commerce units (SCQF Levels 6, 7, 8)
• NC Computer Games (SCQF Level 6)
• NC Digital Media Computing (SCQF Levels
4, 5, 6)
• PC Passport (SCQF Levels 4, 5, 6)
• HNC/D Information Technology

20. HN 2.0
• Using Web 2.0 for summative assessment
in the new HNC
• Social assessment
• Smart assessment
• Integrated assessment
 Knowledge: forum
 Practical abilities: blog

21. VENDORS Links with vendors
within SQA awards

22. Vendor Vendor Course Specific SQA Group Award (If Optional within NC/HN
Applicable) Awards
HNC/D Computing
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support HNC/D Information
Technician PDA in Desktop Support at SCQF Level 7 Technology
HNC/D Computer
Networking
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator HNC/D Computing
PDA in System Administration at SCQF
Microsoft Level 7 HNC/D Computer
Networking
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer PDA in Systems Engineering at SCQF HNC/D Computer
Level 8 Networking
Microsoft Visual Basic (MVB) PDA Advanced Certificate in Software -
Development (Microsoft Visual Basic)
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) PDA Certificate in Office Applications HNC/D Computing
(Microsoft Office)
Microsoft Windows 2000 PDA Advanced Certificate in Networking HNC/D Computer
(Microsoft Windows 2000) Networking
Microsoft Digital Literacy NC Digital Media
NPA in Digital Literacy at SCQF Level 3
Computing
CompTIA A+, Network+ & Server+ HNC/D Computing
PDA in Computer Support at SCQF Level
7 HNC/D Computer
Networking
Strata No Specific Group Award (aspects N/A
throughout various awards)
Oracle Internet Academy Oracle Internet Academy Program – HNC/D Computing
Introduction to Computer Science and PDA in Database Programming at SCQF
Level 8 HNC/D Information
Business
Technology
HNC/D Computing
Cisco Network Academy Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) PDA in Network Technology at SCQF HNC/D Information
Level 8 TechnologyHNC/D
Computer Networking
- PDA in Applications of ICT in Libraries at -
SCQF Level 7
ICTL
- PDA in Applications of ICT in Libraries at -
SCQF Level 8
ITIL ITIL Foundation Exam PDA in IT Service Management at SCQF HNC/D Computing

23. NEW WAY OF WORKING
WITH VENDORS
Vendor credits Centres deliver
SQA adds to
and levels SQA and
frameworks
qualifications vendor awards

24. VENDOR AWARDS
WITHIN NEW HN
• Pilot (reviewed 2013)
• Vendor “box” within options
• Capped at 25% of overall award
• Actual vendor qualifications
• SCQF credited and levelled
• No shadow units
• Vendor responsibility to seek inclusion
• QST decides on inclusion

25. TRENDS Trends in computing
and computer education

26. TRENDS
Educational Technological
 Regionalisation  Cloud Computing
 Funding changes  Mobile technology
 HN Review  App development
 Curriculum for excellence
 E-learning and e-
assessment
 Web 2.0/social media
 MOOCs

28. CHALLENGES & Challenges and
opportunities for
OPPORTUNITIES colleges and their staff

29. Challenges Opportunities
 Keeping up-to-date  Get involved
 Curricular changes  Sector Panel
 Technological changes  Qualification Support
 CPD Teams
 Engaging learners  Qualification
Development Teams
 New learners
 Unit writing
 New ways of teaching
and learning  Assessment exemplars
 New ways of assessing  Become an External
Verifier
 Improving
 Teaching and
achievement
learning
 Pass rates
opportunities
 Progression
 Exciting field!