Further to my previous post regarding the extension of our CBQs, I am pleased to advise that the Diploma in Data Analytics has been extended for a further two years. See details below: Code: GL30 48 Title: Diploma in Data Analytics at SCQF Level 8 End Accreditation Date (lapsing date): 31/03/2022 End Certification Date (finish date): 31/03/2026 If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
It’s been a long time since I first announced that we were about to review a suite of the most popular HN qualifications in Computing, which I immodestly called “the HN Review”. The main reason for the delay was the HN Next Generation project, which was going to have a big impact on the design of all future HN awards. There was broad agreement that we (Computing) wanted to be part of that important change — and that meant waiting…
We’ve received a lot of requests for the presentations from the recent Computing Conference. They’re now available for download. The event commenced with two keynote presentations from Judy and Melinda. KeynoteSpeaker1 ProfJudyRobertson KeynoteSpeaker2 MelindaMatthews-Clarkson This was followed by a number of workshop presentations. Workshop 1: Digital Literacy: W1 Digital Literacy units W4 Intro to National Progression Awards W5 National Qualifications Workshop 2: HN Review: W2 HN Review Workshop 3: HND Cyber Security: W3 HND Cyber Security Launch Event Workshop 4:…
Event 1: Ethical Hacking 1 – reconnaissance and scanning webinar Thursday 12 March, 2:30-3:30pm Ethical Hacking 1 – Reconnaissance and Scanning Webinar Event 2: Ethical Hacking 2 – exploitation and covering tracks webinar Tuesday 24 March, 2:30-3:30pm Ethical Hacking 2 – exploitation and covering tracks webinar These two webinars will support lecturers delivering the Ethical Hacking unit within the HNC/D in Cyber Security. Joining instructions to access the sessions will be issued upon booking. Event 3: Industry Current Practice on…
This year’s annual Computing Conference took place yesterday, at the Stirling Court Hotel in the grounds of the University of Stirling. It was the biggest Computing Conference that we’ve ever held, with almost 160 people in attendance. The event commenced with two keynote presentations from Judy Robertson, of Edinburgh University, and Medlinda Matthews-Clarkson of CodeClan. The remainder of the day was spent in workshops which covered a number of topics including cyber security, data science, National Qualifications, vocational qualifications, and…
This year’s Computing Conference is approaching. It takes place next Wednesday (5 February) at the Stirling Court Hotel (Stirling University). So far, over 170 educationalists have registered so it’s going to be a busy event. The keynotes will be given by Professor Judy Roberson, of Edinburgh University, and Melinda Matthews-Clarkson, the CEO of CodeClan. There will be workshops on cyber security, data science, National Qualifications and Higher National Qualifications — among others. The conference is open to everyone with an…
I am pleased to advise that a one-year extension has been approved for the following CBQs: Code: GL2J 45 Title: Diploma in Digital Application Support at SCQF Level 5 End Accreditation Date (lapsing date): 31/03/2021 End Certification Date (finish date): 31/03/2024 Code: GL2K 46 Title: Diploma in Digital Application Support at SCQF Level 6 End Accreditation Date (lapsing date): 31/03/2021 End Certification Date (finish date): 31/03/2025 Code: GL2L 45 Title: Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 5 End…
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has picked up the development of National Occupational Standards (NOS) relating to IT since the demise of E-Skills. SDS has commissioned new Standards relating to software development, Machine Learning, AI and cyber security, and is currently seeking feedback on the draft Standards. You can check the new Standards and provide feedback via this link. National Occupational Standards form the foundation for a wide range of vocational qualification since they define the workplace standards expected from a…
CyberFirst is a key part of the UK government’s National Cyber Security Programme. It covers a broad range of activities, which includes a girls only competition. Young girls and women don’t often consider a career in cyber security, which means that industry is missing out on a lot of young talented people. This competition is a great start to get young girls motivated and interested in this sector. Teams are made up of up to four girls, who have to work…
As stated in previous posts, the digital assessments for the NPA Data Science have been in production for some months now. As a reminder, there are assessments being produced for the following units: J2HN 44 Data Citizenship J2G2 44 Data Science J2HN 45 Data Citizenship J2G2 45 Data Science J2GT 45 Data Science Project J2G6 45 Machine Learning J2HN 46 Data Citizenship J2G2 46 Data Science J2GT 46 Data Science Project J2G6 46 Machine Learning The units highlighted in bold…
Happy New Year to everyone. We hope that you had a nice holiday. This year is shaping up to be a busy year. In February, we’re holding the 2020 Computing Conference in Stirling, which will be a much bigger event than usual. We’re hoping that up to 200 teachers attend. We’re also providing hands-on training for teachers of cyber security that month at various locations throughout Scotland. We’re expecting NPA Data Science to be offered by a lot of centres…
We stop today and return on Monday, 6 January. The team would like to wish you a Merry Christmas. We’ve had a busy year. Helen and Emma returned from maternity leave this year, returning the team to normal after Claudia, Caitlin and Lorraine provided cover. Caitlin and Lorraine found permanent positions within SQA and Claudia became a teacher. The annual Computing Conference took place in February. The early part of the year saw us working on HND Cyber Security and…
We have made good progress in PDA Cyber Security and now we are looking for unit writers and vetters for the following units: Software Security Level 7 Application Security Level 7 Threat Analysis Level 8 Cyber Security Controls Level 8 Intrusion Detection, Analysis and response Level 8 Cyber Security Risk Management Level 9 Cyber Security Resilience Level 9 The unit outlines that provide info about the key knowledge and skills required are available on request. If you are interested, please…
A few months ago, I mentioned changes to the annual Computing Conference. Next year’s conference is going to be bigger than normal and will include a wider range of subjects, and a different format. The event will take place on Wednesday, 5 February, 2020, at Stirling Court Hotel (part of the University of Stirling campus). We’re hoping that around 200 people will attend. The 2020 Computing Conference is aimed at teachers and lecturers, and will focus on a wide range of…
Centres should have all received a set of the enhanced learning and teaching materials for the NPAs in Cyber Security. As stated in a previous post, we are also producing alternative assessments for this award. The assessments will follow a portfolio approach and will be based around tasks and activities that have been produced as learning and teaching materials for these NPAs. Therefore, learners will be able to generate evidence in the classroom and use it for assessment purposes. The…
I attended a Digital Skills Partnership event on data science recently, which was held at the Langside Campus of Glasgow Clyde College. The purpose of the event was to update college lecturers about developments in data science. The presentations and workshops were presented by lecturers from St Andrews and Edinburgh universities. I enjoyed the event a great deal, and learned something about Jupyter Notebooks, which look great for teaching and learning. We’re doing a lot of developments in this area.…
The Digital Skills Partnership’s Critical Friends Programme is a free mentorship programme, funded by Scottish Funding Council and Skills Development Scotland, in which lecturers are matched with industry friends for 12 months to provide insight into current industry practice and discuss how to help ensure students have the skills they need to succeed in industry. If you are delivering HNC/D or Undergraduate level courses in the area of Computer Science you could be matched with one of the following industry…
Following my recent announcement that SQA was about to begin the development of a suite of new, advanced qualifications in data science, the Qualification Development Team (QDT) met for the first time on Saturday in SQA’s offices in Glasgow. The QDT has representation from colleges, industry and national organisations but we’re looking for more members, particularly from the university and employment sectors, so please let Emma know if you’re interested in working with us. I was particularly pleased to welcome…
All centres should have received a set of teaching and learning material for NPA Cyber Security. We now plan to provide training on the use of the material, and also demonstrate teaching approaches. I’m now able to provide more information about this training. There will be three training events. 1. Wednesday, 5 February at Stirling Management Centre. 2. Friday, 21 February at Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow. 3. Friday, 28 February at Radisson Blu Hotel in Edinburgh. The first event…
The Short Life Working Group (SLWG), which I previously mentioned, met today to discuss how best to support the new NPA in Data Science. We looked at ways of providing additional support to teachers because of the unique challenges that data science presents to practitioners. The recently produced materials for NPA Cyber Security have been very well received by teachers and, ideally, we’d like to do something similar for this qualification. But that material was funded by central government, as…
The web log of the qualification team for Computing within SQA. Look out for news about Computing qualifications and related information.
