Sector Panels

I attended a meeting last week about Sector Panels. SQA is looking at the possibility of creating Sector Panels to provide advice and support to Qualifications Managers. The Panels would advise QMs about external trends and also identify priorities for development. The QM would then decide if these developments were feasible and, if so, ask the Qualifications Support Teams to assist him to produce the required awards. New Panels will be created in four subject areas – and Computing is…

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Computer games qualifications

IMGP0969 Originally uploaded by bobbyelliott. Joe Wilson and I went with a group of Scottish lecturers to Doncaster today to discuss games software. There were representatives of Cardonald College, Stow College, Fife College, Telford College and Motherwell College. We visited Doncaster College and Sheffield Hallam University. Doncaster College has recently invested in state-of-the-art hardware and software to permit the college to offer games development courses and Sheffield Hallam offer degree and post-graduate qualification in games development. It was a fascinating…

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E-Qualifications units are now available

The units within the E-Qualifications suite of awards were uploaded to the SQA website this morning. You can find them via the HN search facility. We’ll also upload them to the E-Qualifications e-group later this week. The availability of the unit specifications means that the awards are now fully developed. The group awards have been available to centres for a couple of weeks. The full Arrangements can be downloded here. We’re still working on an approval procedure for these new…

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Moderators meeting

Computing Moderators – Nov 2004 Originally uploaded by bobbyelliott. The moderators responsible for HN and SVQ qualifications met this morning. Unlike the previous moderators meeting, this one was subject specific. The meeting was led by Hugh McDiamid, the full-time Computing moderator. The purpose of the meeting was to update moderators on the developments relating to HN and SVQ awards – and there have been lots. We discussed the new HNC Computing award, the current HND Computing revision, links with vendor…

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Armenian delegation

Armenian delegation Originally uploaded by bobbyelliott. A delegation of from Armenia visited SQA this week to look at the Scottish qualification system. This morning I gave a presentation on PC Passport. They seemed genuinely interested (the translator asked how she can take PC Passport!) and they are considering offering PC Passport in Armenian schools and colleges.

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HN annual update letter

I sent an update letter to centres last week. I send a general letter once every year which covers a wide range of developments and issues relating to Computing and Information Technology This one contains important information about run-out periods (for the HNC/D Computing), news about the HND Computing review, information about the recently validated HN awards in Networking, Multimedia and IT, and news about proposed Professional Development Awards. The letter also contains details about a forthcoming consultation event for…

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Awarding Bodies meeting

Awarding Bodies defining evidence Originally uploaded by bobbyelliott. A number of UK awarding bodies met on Saturday to agree common evidence requirements for the new S/NVQs for Practitioners. The meeting took place in Birmingham. Participants included OCR, EdExcel and SQA. Although some work still needs to be done, the outcome will be that most UK awarding bodies will have common requirements with respect to the amount and type of assessment material expected from candidates.

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