SQA Corporate BlogAs many of you will be aware, we are at the final stage of developing the HND Cyber Security, which will be available for delivery from August 2019. More information about this development can be found in our blog post here. As part of the development process, SQA seeks feedback on qualifications as they are being developed. Therefore, before we take the award to validation in May, we would greatly appreciate your views on the qualification so far. The link…
Following on from the creation of HNC Cyber Security last year, we’ve been working on the HND, which was announced last July. The development is nearing its completion. The qualification structure has been agreed for some time and we’ve been busy writing the component units for the last few months. Most of these are finished now and you will start to see published versions of the units appear on the website in the next few weeks. The validation event for…
The Digital Skills Partnership will be running events in May with a specific focus on cloud architecture and cloud services. These events are primarily aimed at early stage lecturers who want to make sure they have a working knowledge of how industry is deploying cloud. The DSP will also be running an event to support lecturers with the introduction of the HND in Cyber Security. Details of this event will be released in week commencing 8 April. More information about…
The NPA Data Science units are currently being validated. We are now, therefore, looking for writers to produce the Assessment Support Packs (ASP’s) for the Data Citizenship Units. If you would be interested in writing these ASP’s for this project, please add your name to the Register of Interest, which you can access via the link ;
As regular readers will know, Helen and Emma have been on maternity leave during the last year. I’m pleased to let you know that Helen returned today. Helen has been on leave since last April. During that time she has been covered by Claudia and Caitlin. Helen will resume her responsibilities for the “advanced” part of my portfolio — Higher Nationals and PDAs. This means that she will pick-up a number of developments including HND Cyber Security and the review…
Last month I posted something about how HN Next Gen would affect the on-going review of HN Computing awards. At that time, I thought that the review of Computing awards would be in the second phase of developments but I’m pleased to let you know that Computing will now be in the first phase of developments, along with other subjects such as Engineering. There has been a slight delay to the start of HN Next Gen (originally April, now August)…
Last year Bobby mentioned we have been given the green light to “scope” the development of a new HNC and HND in Data Science. However, scoping does not necessarily lead to development (one of the outcomes of scoping is not to develop). But it’s an important stage in development, if we do decide to proceed, because it outlines the size and nature of the required work. . We have assigned an appointee who is currently carrying out the scoping/consulting exercise.…
The HND Cyber Security units are currently being validated. We are now, therefore, looking for writers and vetters to produce the Assessment Support Packs (ASP’s) for the mandatory units If you would be interested in writing an ASP for this project, please add your name to the Register of Interest, which you can access via the link below; https://1drv.ms/w/s!Av71_tveB0_uhd4j_G-wtTusk3oJMA Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries or would like more information.
Me and Lorraine met with representatives of DataLab this morning. It was a productive meeting. The DataLab people were very interested in the forthcoming NPA in Data Science. DataLab mostly deals with the “high end” of education (Masters degrees and Doctorates) so the NPA represents the other end — but both ends will contribute to the “skills pipeline”. The meeting has prompted me to provide an update on progress with the NPA. The development is progressing well. We now have…
As regular readers will know, Caitlin replaced Claudia, who replaced Helen, in September. Helen has been on maternity leave since last March. Her maternity leave is coming to an end soon, and Helen is now doing some “keep in touch” days to ease herself back into her job. I’m pleased to let you know that Caitlin will transfer to the Business Team on a permanent basis from Monday (4 March). Helen returns to her post, full-time, from Monday, 1 April…
The following qualifications have been extended for a further year (lapsing date) to allow time for the qualifications to be updated. Code: GL30 48 Title: Diploma in Data Analytics at SCQF Level 8 Start Date: 23/03/2016 End Accreditation Date (lapsing date): 31/03/2020 End Certification Date (finish date): 31/03/2024 Code: GL2J 45 Title: Diploma for Digital Application Support at SCQF Level 5 Start Date: 23/03/2016 End Accreditation Date (lapsing date): 31/03/2020 End Certification Date (finish date): 31/03/2024 Code: GL2K 46 Title:…
We’re looking for members for the validation panels for NPA Data Science and HND Cyber Security. Although both developments are on-going, we’re getting to the stage, particularly with the HND, when we will be selecting people to serve on the respective validation panels. The validation event is a vital stage in the qualification development process. The panel consists of experienced and independent stakeholders, who have not been involved in the development, who will scrutinise the proposed awards and make a…
It’s been a couple of months since I last updated you about what’s happening with HND Cyber Security so this seems a good time to let you know about progress. Most of the component units are now complete, so me and my team are in the process of validating these units. Validation is the final checks before the units are coded and published on the website. There are 14 new or revised units being produced — 13 entirely new units…
Martin Boyle gave one of the keynotes at last week’s Computing Conference. Martin spoke about the next generation of HN qualifications — or HN Next Gen as the project is called. You can see his presentation here. The current “direction of travel” (see slide 13 in his presentation) involves: HNCs consisting of 120 SCQF points (15 SQA credits) and HND’s 240 (30 SQA credits) common core in all HN awards of “21st Century skills” (see slide 8) “bigger” units – perhaps…
I mentioned my intention to review the Lead Person Network (LPN) at the recent Computing Conference. The LPN was established in 2014, with the intention of having a point of contact in each of the new, merged colleges. The idea was to have a single point of contact, through which we could communicate with colleges and get feedback on qualifications and support materials. The Lead Person in each college was meant to cascade information to colleagues and act as a…
The annual Computing Conference was held on Friday at Jury’s Inn in Glasgow. It was well attended, with over 40 people in attendance, representing schools, colleges, universities and training centres. The two keynotes were particularly well received. Martin Boyle introduced “HN Next Gen”, a major review of Higher National Qualifications, and Natalie Coull, of Abertay University, explained what universities are doing in cyber security. There were also presentations from the Lead Developers for two important developments currently taking place —…
As part of the Enhancement project, we plan to provide improved support to teachers of NPA Cyber Security so that new (and existing) teachers feel that there is somewhere to turn for help. Although this additional support will mostly be provided from next session (August), we hope to provide help right now via our existing Yammer group. I’ve asked some experienced practitioners to try to help anyone who requests assistance via this group. So, if you currently teach the NPA,…
We recently finalised the agenda for the forthcoming Computing Conference for colleges, schools and training centres, which will take place on Friday, 1 February at Jury’s Inn in Glasgow. This annual event has taken place for the last 25 years. This year’s event will include two keynote presentations: one about HN Next Gen, which is a major review of Higher National awards, and one about university qualifications in cyber security. We will also provide updates on specific developments – including…
I’d like to offer a belated welcome back. I’ve recently returned to work after taking a post-Christmas holiday. The team has a busy year coming up. We’re in the middle of developing a new National Progression Award in Data Science, which is progressing well. This will be available to schools, colleges and training centres from August. We’re also producing more support materials for NPA Cyber Security, which is popular in Scottish schools. Please contact Lorraine about these projects. The HN…
We are looking for collaborators to work with us on this exciting development. To make these qualifications the best they can be and relevant to all across the educational community, Please click here for information If you would like to work with us by contributing ideas, writing, vetting, validating or all of the above then please contact the Digital Team qualsdigital@sqa.org.uk
The web log of the qualification team for Computing within SQA. Look out for news about Computing qualifications and related information.