I had to ask special permission to do this . The SQA have been busy and have produced some excellent digital literacy standards to replace the current core skill of IT.
This is in line with what is happening across the rest of the UK and in rest of the world . It has taken our system a bit longer than other parts of UK and rest of the world to get this moving. But good news that work is now on the move - I've been dripping in global , EU and UK models for some years now and I think the fresh approach really aligns well with changes around the world and will empower learners.
I'm particularly pleased as we have squeezed in relevant references to understanding open licensing as part of the core standard.
I'm sharing frameworks here and inviting you to comment on them.
The links below take you straight to a document you can comment on.
Providing/Creating Information
Accessing Information
I'm also trying to show SQA that this a more effective way to gather feedback that the more traditional model of emailing the usual suspects and asking for feedback .
If you are a College or a school who has been sent the documents and the invitation to feedback - this model can will help you too . Why not simply add your comments to these google.docs
The formal invitation to comment from SQA team is below . There is a tight timeline on getting feedback in. In any event I hope you find the new standards of value and this approach useful .
Dear Colleague,
Most of you will be aware that the Research, Policy, Standards and Statistics team has been undertaking a Thematic Review of Core and other essential generic skills. This approach uses research and evidence to inform and support qualifications’ design, assessment and quality assurance. The findings from our recent national survey and from the more detailed focus groups suggest that substantial change in the Core Skill: ICT to include more of a ‘digital literacy’ approach would be welcomed by all sectors.
Working together with representatives from across Scotland’s education community, we have been updating Core Skills Framework standards to make them more relevant for today’s and tomorrow’s digital world.
Please find attached the proposed draft standards for the two components of Accessing Information and Providing/Creating Information. Also, we have provided a link below to the current Core Skills Framework: Information and Communication Technology standards in order that you can compare those current and with the proposed/updated ones.
We wanted to share them with you today, in case of any RED FLAGS! That would tell us there is something specific in the proposed standards that you just cannot live/work with. We recognise that there may be instances where some staff development and exemplar materials might be needed. Following approval of the updated Framework, new Core Skill units for this area are planned, along with associated support.
We do plan to caveat everything with “to be formally agreed/approved”; however it would be good to get your GREEN FLAG to include these as standards in the proposed, updated Core Skills Framework, if possible.
Please can you let us know by 25 May whether this is a green flag or, if there are any specific red ones, please let us know your reasoning. A nil response will count as acceptance of the proposed draft standards.
If you have any questions regarding this final request for feedback, please get in touch with me (andrew.kerr@sqa.org.uk) or Margaret (margaret.tierney@sqa.org.uk).
Thanks again for all your continued support.
Kind regards
Andrew Kerr
