Review of the year

I like to look back over the year at this time. The year had many highlights – and some low lights. The highlights include: making the new PDA in Software Development available to centres; passing 700 followers on Twitter; Emma joining the team; finalising the new PC Passport units; Aneta joining us; PC Passport was validated; we updated Internet Safety; we produced a new NPA in Software Development; we re-organised our online groups; the new version of HNC/D Interactive Media was…

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Professional learning needs of teachers

I’ve been asked to promote a survey being carried out by SQA, Education Scotland and the Scottish Government relating to the staff development needs of Computing Science teachers in Scottish schools. The results will help shape the professional development of teachers so it sounds like time well spent if you can spend a little time completing the survey. You can find it here. Please note that the questionnaire should only be completed by teachers of Computing Science in Scottish schools.

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Lead Person Network event

We had to cancel last year’s Heads of Computing event due to staff shortages. That was a pity since we had been running them, without interruption, for over a decade. I’m pleased to let you know that these events will resume next year. Some time ago we established the Lead Person Network (LPN). The LPN is a group of college staff who we consult with about various aspects of Computing qualifications and who cascade information from SQA to their respective teams.…

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Employer engagement event

I attended an employer engagement event, at Glasgow Clyde College, yesterday entitled Shaping Computing Science for Scotland. The event was organised by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and SQA. Its aim was to discuss how best to get employers involved with the development of Computing qualifications. The event was well attended with representatives of large and small employers across Scotland. My presentation covered the current range of qualifications available, how we develop qualifications, and how we currently work with employers. I’ve previously posted…

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HNC/D Computer Games Development is now validated

I was delighted to discover this morning that the conditions and recommendations imposed by the Validation Panel at the recent validation event have now been addressed and the award is now validated. That was great news. The development started in May last year, so it’s taken a while but I think that the final form of the qualification looks great. The QDT has made several improvements to the existing qualification – including a new approach to mathematics – and generally…

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Diploma in Digital Application Support at SCQF Level 6

A new guidance document regarding evidence required has now been published at http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/76674.html, under the heading Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material Its called Guidance for Design Software and Imaging Software units and has been created to show where evidence can be generated for Design Software units and Imaging Software units.

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