QQI Consultation on: NFQ Level 5 Certificate in Office Informatics and a Capstone Minor

Transcription

1 QQI Consultation on: NFQ Level 5 Certificate in Office Informatics and a Capstone Minor Following publication by QQI of the new suite of IT awards: 1. Level 5 Certificate in Computer Systems and Networks 2. Level 5 Certificate in Software Development 3. Advanced Certificate in Computer Systems and Networks 4. Advanced Certificate in Software Development Fasttrack to IT (FIT) identified a need for an additional major award in the Common Awards System in office informatics at NFQ Level 5. This is because there is a big demand for people with proficiency in office productivity tools. Informatics concerns human interaction with computer systems that store, process, retrieve and communicate information. The residual credit allowance in the certification requirements will allow training providers to adapt their programmes by incorporating other CAS components. QQI established a standard development group (the Group) with current knowledge of this domain and pedagogical expertise to review the learning needs of the target learners with a view to establishing an award(s) specification(s) to meet the current and expected future (next five years) needs of learners and employers to consider the proposal and make a recommendation to QQI. The group comprised: Dermot Douglas (Chair), former Director of Academic Affairs IOTI Mark Taylor, Fasttrack to IT (FIT) Ann Dunne, City of Dublin ETB Catherine Geoghegan, Killester College Alistair Fyfe, SQA, Scotland Kevin Sweeney, CPL Edmund Nevin, DIT The Group developed the following awards specifications in accordance with the terms of reference and recommended them to QQI, including a capstone minor that requires evidence of integrated learning and the demonstrated achievement of the major awards expected learning outcomes. 1

2 QQI would like to consult with stakeholders on the proposed new award standard. How to respond to this consultation document QQI invites interested persons or organisations to make written observations on the drafts. Prompts for feedback: 1. Clarity: Overall does the document make the expected knowledge, skill and competence sufficiently clear? 2. Alignment: Do you think that the expected learning outcomes align well, in terms of knowledge, skill and competence, with the NFQ s Advanced Certificate award-type descriptor? 3. Amendment: Would you like to suggest amendments? 4. Comparability: How does the standard compare with the expectations of other relevant qualifications with which you are familiar? 5. Is there anything else that should be considered? Submissions should be made by to consultation@qqi.ie not later than Friday 9 January

3 CERTIFICATE DETAILS Title: Certificate in Office Informatics Award Class: Major Level: 5 Credit Value: 120 FET Credits December 2014/CS12

4 Title: Certificate in Office Informatics Purpose The purpose of this award is to enable the learner to receive, store, analyse, secure, research, generate, process and distribute information in a physical or virtual work environment using a range of contemporary communications tools in a variety of collaborative settings or to progress to further and/or higher education and training. The learner should be able to: 1 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the essential functionality of individual elements within the spectrum of office communications tools including word processors, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, and internet web browsers. 2 Demonstrate an understanding of the role played by individual communications technologies in the support of business and personal goals. 3 Use appropriate office informatics tools to integrate and analyse input from disparate sources to convey a coherent and holistic message to the intended audience. NFQ level Indicators Breadth Broad range of knowledge Knowledge Kind Some theoretical concepts and abstract thinking, with significant depth in some areas Range Demonstrate a broad range of specialised skills and tools 4 Build and/or maintain a communications resource framework in which to store information which can be easily accessed to assist in the implementation of solutions that address both recurring and novel requirements. 5 Meet the disparate information communication demands of a wide range of operating environments (such as voluntary/community groups, sole traders, small to medium enterprises and national/multinational companies), in a manner that demonstrates a commitment to consistent highquality output. Know-how and skill Context Selectivity Evaluate and use information to plan and develop investigative strategies and to determine solutions to varied unfamiliar problems Act in a range of varied and specific contexts, taking responsibility for the nature and quality of outputs; identify and apply skill and knowledge to a wide variety of contexts 4

5 Title: Certificate in Office Informatics 6 Use their knowledge of office informatics, autonomously or under general supervision, to receive, store, analyse, secure, process, research, generate and communicate information efficiently and effectively while operating as an individual or as a member of a group. 7 Identify areas for development of personal and technical competence in office informatics, and take responsibility for ensuring that development goals are achieved within the context of their operating environment. 8 Appreciate the legal, ethical and commercial implications surrounding the handling of information. Assume full responsibility for insight gained from reflection and feedback and the control of personal responses. Role Learning to learn Insight Exercise some initiative and independence in carrying out defined activities; join and function within multiple, complex and heterogeneous groups Learn to take responsibility for own learning within a managed environment Assume full responsibility for consistency of selfunderstanding and behaviour Certificate Requirements All of the following component(s) Code Title Level Credit Value 5N1358 Word Processing N1977 Spreadsheet Methods N0783 Database Methods N1611 The Internet 5 15 NEW Capstone for Office Informatics 5 15 A minimum credit value of 15 from the following component(s) 5N0972 Customer Service N1367 Team Working N1357 Work Experience 5 15 Any remaining credit required to achieve an overall credit value of 120 can be obtained by using relevant component(s) from level 5. A maximum of 15 credits may be used from either level 4 or level 6. Specific Validation Requirements Specific validation requirements of the minors apply. 5

6 CERTIFICATE DETAILS Title: Capstone for Office Informatics Award Class: Minor Level: 5 Credit Value: 15 FET Credits

7 Title: Capstone for Office Informatics Purpose This award specification is exclusively associated with the major award in Office Informatics. The award will be available to those learners who have demonstrated knowledge, skill and competence prescribed in this award specification. Specifically award of the capstone minor requires evidence of integrated learning involving the expected learning outcomes specified by all the minors required to qualify for this major and the demonstrated achievement of this major award s expected learning outcomes. The learner should be able to: 1 Assess how office informatics can add value from the perspective of an individual, an organisation; their resources and competitive position; considering also any personal attributes required to manage information flow appropriately 2 Assess the capabilities of contemporary office informatics tools used in routine communication in work and leisure contexts. The assessment should include a rationale for choosing the most suitable tool or combination of tools befitting the situation and/or message NFQ level Indicators Breadth Broad range of knowledge Knowledge Kind Some theoretical concepts and abstract thinking, with significant depth in some areas 3 Analyse the legal, ethical and commercial implications for an individual and an organisation of factors affecting the management of information. Such factors include: data protection legislation, copyright law, confidentiality, data security (account, application and file security), encryption, virus protection and the role of backups in the protection of electronic assets 4 Demonstrate proficiency in personal communications skills: awareness of visual (non-verbal) cues, verbal interactions suited to different contexts, questioning techniques, reception and delivery of feedback, active listening and control of personal response 5 Apply drafting, proofreading and editing skills to produce a range of communications (e.g. documents, messaging, Know-how and skill Context Range Demonstrate a broad range of specialised skills and tools Selectivity Evaluate and use information to plan and develop investigative strategies and to determine solutions to varied unfamiliar problems Act in a range of varied and specific 7

8 Title: Capstone for Office Informatics social media) that follow the conventions of language usage (spelling, punctuation, syntax), drawing from the mandatory modules to include creative writing, business proposals, correspondence, reports, memoranda, minutes, and presentations 6 Demonstrate proficiency in integrating office informatics tools with good research technique. Such proficiency to be evidenced by good reading technique, ability to search and filter effectively, capacity to identify primary and secondary information sources, and a demonstrable awareness of how to acknowledge, validate and ensure the reliability of information sources 7 Participate effectively in a workplace setting: comply with time-keeping obligations, work independently or under general supervision, work cooperatively within a team, meet deadlines, maintain good standards of personal hygiene and presentation, adhere to health, safety and other relevant regulations 8 Enhance personal employability by reflecting on workplace experiences, soliciting and analysing feedback, identifying opportunities for continuous professional development, devising personal development plans and maintaining an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae. Role Learning to learn Insight contexts, taking responsibility for the nature and quality of outputs; identify and apply skill and knowledge to a wide variety of contexts Exercise some initiative and independence in carrying out defined activities; join and function within multiple, complex and heterogeneous groups Learn to take responsibility for own learning within a managed environment Assume full responsibility for consistency of selfunderstanding and behaviour Assessment Technique(s) including weighting(s) Portfolio/ Collection of Work 70% Learner Record 30% (check) Access Requirements To access programmes leading to this award the learner should have reached the standards of knowledge, skill and competence associated with the preceding level of the National Framework of Qualifications. This may have been achieved through a formal qualification or through relevant life and work experience. 8