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Information and Communication Technology
What needs to be covered?
Assessment
Assessment of all key skills is in two parts:
- Internal assessment via a portfolio of evidence
- External assessment via an externally set and marked
test.
A candidate must achieve a pass in both parts to achieve
the unit
Proxies and exemptions
QCA has issued a list of qualifications and grades that
can be used as proxies and exemptions for all or part of each
key skills qualification. In ICT, a number of qualifications
can act as full exemptions from the ICT key skill qualification.
Other ICT-related qualifications act as proxies for the external
tests. As this list can change from time to time it is essential
that you have the most up to date information on proxies.
It can be found on the
QCA website.
Internal assessment - portfolio building
One component of key skills assessment is the portfolio of
evidence that demonstrates that the candidate can use and
apply their skills purposefully and in a relevant context.
The range of skills and the number of times that they must
be demonstrated, and to what standard, is in Part B of the
unit specification.
View specifications and guidance (pages 65-82).
In outline each candidate must:
- give evidence of applying skills for two different purposes.
At Level 3, one of these must be a substantial activity
comprising all the evidence components and assessment criteria.
- include evidence of the process of development as well
as the finished work. This evidence might be in the form
of draft or rough work, notes, annotations, highlighting
or alterations. Alternatively, the evidence might be a signed
statement from the person who has witnessed the process
providing sufficient detail.
Where can evidence come from?
Students can generate portfolio evidence from a wide variety
of sources.
The levels
In all the key skills, progression through the levels is
based on four themes:
- the use of wider and more complex techniques
- increasing responsibility for choice and decision-making
- becoming more aware of factors affecting performance
- working in more challenging contexts.
External assessment
This takes the form of externally set and marked tests. Check
with your awarding body for the availability of these tests.
At Levels 1 and 2 the test is in the form of a multiple-choice
paper with 40 questions. The questions focus on Part A of
the unit, ie the candidate's underpinning knowledge of ICT.
Any aspect of Part A can be tested.
At Level 3, the test is taken on a computer and puts more
emphasis on application. Questions are based on a scenario.
Data about the scenario is released by QCA in advance of the
test and should be downloaded for candidates to practise manipulating
and working with it.
Guidance on the key skills tests is available on the QCA
website www.qca.org.uk.
This is essential information for everybody preparing candidates
for external tests.
Past papers, some with mark schemes, are available from
the QCA or awarding body websites. Your awarding body may
also publish a Chief Examiner's Report on each test. These
reports provide useful advice on pitfalls to avoid when preparing
for and taking key skills tests.
Students will need to be confident in their skills before
they are entered for the test. They will also need to do at
least a couple of practice papers so that they are fully prepared.
At Level 3 they should practise with the pre-supplied data
in advance of the test date.
Initial and diagnostic assessment
There are a number of commercial products on the market
that test candidates' skills (or perceptions of their skills!).
As yet there is no 'authorised' assessment as there is for
Application of Number and Communication.
Possible assignments for vocational students
View suggested first tasks (PDF 8kb)
Writing assignments that meet the requirements of vocational
courses is a challenge. Writing vocational assignments that
integrate the delivery of key skills is an even more demanding
task. Each of these assignments includes a brief for students
and guidance notes for the teacher. They may refer to information
in the LSDA Industry Information Packs. Refer to the Vocational
Learning website for details of these.
View information about vocational assignments with
key skills 2 CD-ROM.
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