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Qualification Specification

BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills (QCF)

600/6943/0

Version 1.4

March 2016.

Contents

1. About BCS 3 2. Equal Opportunities 3 3. Introduction to the qualification 4

3.1 Qualification summary 4 3.2 Purpose of the qualification 4 3.3 Structure of the qualification 5 3.4 Prior learning 5 3.5 Learner progression 6

4. Units 6

4.1 Guidance on the unit content 6 4.2 Learning outcomes and assessment criteria 7

5. Assessment 11

5.1 Summary of assessment methods 11 5.2 Availability of assessments 11 5.3 Grading 11 5.4 Synoptic assessment 12 5.5 Externally assessed units 12 5.6 Specimen assessment materials 12 5.7 Support materials 12 5.8 Access to Assessment 13

6. Contact Points 14

BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills V1.4 Page 3 of 14 Qualification Specification

1. About BCS

Our mission as BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, is to enable the information society. We promote wider social and economic progress through the advancement of information technology science and practice. We bring together industry, academics, practitioners and government to share knowledge, promote new thinking, information the design of new curricula, shape public policy and inform the public. Our vision is to be a world class organisation for IT. Our 70,000 strong membership includes practitioners, businesses, academics and students in the UK and internationally. We deliver a range of professional development tools for practitioners and employees. A leading IT qualification body, we offer a range of widely recognised qualifications. 2. Equal Opportunities

BCS wishes to ensure good practice in the area of Equal Opportunity. Equality of opportunity extends to all aspects for the provision of BCS qualifications. Further information about our equal opportunities policy can be found on the Approved Centre Forum, a secure website for approved centres.


3. Introduction to the qualification

3.1 Qualification summary Qualification Title QAN Accreditation

Start BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills (QCF)

600/6943/0 1st August 2013

The BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills qualification is a fixed selection of four level 2 application units developed by e-Skills, the sector skills council for IT and Telecoms. All BCS qualifications are subject to our quality assurance and validation process. This ensures that new and revised qualifications are fit for purpose. Qualifications are reviewed to ensure the alignment of the qualification with agreed design principles, regulatory requirements and to ensure accuracy and consistency across units and qualifications. Through our quality assurance and validation process, we ensure the qualification, its units and assessments, are fit for purpose and can be delivered efficiently and reasonably by centres. 3.2 Purpose of the qualification This qualification is designed for young people who are looking to gain knowledge and skills of IT software applications to progress their learning in IT, or any subject where basic IT skills are required. This qualification covers core IT applications commonly used in many organisations around the world. Completing this qualification will improve the learner’s understanding of these IT applications and teach them how to use the software efficiently. It will also teach them how to use a computer confidently and effectively, and encourages problem-solving, creativity and communication.


3.3 Structure of the qualification The BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills qualification structure is shown in the table below. This structure meets the requirements for a Level 2 Certificate in terms of the number of guided learning hours and credits from level 2 units; it includes the Improving Productivity using IT unit at level 2; and meets the required rule of combination. Mandatory Units Unit code Level Credit

value Word Processing R/502/4628 2 4 Spreadsheet Software F/502/4625 2 4 Presentation Software M/502/4622 2 4 Improving Productivity using IT

J/502/4156 2 4

Total Credits 16

Qualification Level 2 Descriptor Summary x Achievement at level 2 reflects the ability to select

and use relevant knowledge, ideas, skills and procedures to complete well-defined tasks and address straightforward problems.

x It includes taking responsibility for completing tasks and procedures and exercising autonomy and judgement subject to overall direction or guidance.

Knowledge and understanding

x Use understanding of facts, procedures and ideas to complete well-defined tasks and address straightforward problems

x Interpret relevant information and ideas x Be aware of the types of information that are

relevant to the area of study or work Application and action

x Complete well-defined, generally routine tasks and address straightforward problems

x Select and use relevant skills and procedures x Identify, gather and use relevant information to

inform actions x Identify how effective actions have been

Autonomy and accountability

x Take responsibility for completing tasks and procedures

x Exercise autonomy and judgement subject to overall direction or guidance

3.4 Prior learning There are no pre-requisites that a learner must achieve prior to taking this BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills qualification, all knowledge, skills and understanding about the subject will be covered within the training.


3.5 Learner progression Following completion of the BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills qualification, learners can progress onto other QCF qualifications. In particular, ITQs are available in a number of sizes (Award, Certificate, and Diploma) and levels (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3). The benefits of this are that learners can progress in two ways; either by working towards a larger qualification at the same level or by working towards a higher level qualification. This qualification and its credits can be used to contribute towards a larger ITQ qualification either at Level 2 or 3 or by size to an ITQ Diploma. 4. Units

4.1 Guidance on the unit content The units indicated below form the fixed units packaged for the purpose of obtaining the BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills qualification. There is no specific order for completion of the units. However, it is recommended that the learner should complete the Improving Productivity using IT unit as the final unit as this brings together components from the Software Application units.

Unit Name (Level 2) Unit Code Unit Owner

Guided Learning Hours

QCF Credits

Improving Productivity using IT J/502/4156 e-skills UK

The Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology

30 4 Presentation Software M/502/4622 30 4 Spreadsheet Software F/502/4625 30 4 Word Processing Software R/502/4628 30 4

BCS

Level 2 ECD

L Certificate in IT Application Skills V1.4

Page 7 of 14

Qualification S

pecification

4.2 Learning outcom

es and assessment criteria

Improving Productivity using IT (J/502/4156)

Learning outcom

es The learner w

ill…

Assessment criteria

The learner can…

Know

ledge, skills and understanding required

Performance C

riteria K

nowledge

Plan, select and

use appropriate IT system

s and softw

are for different purposes

Plan how

to carry out tasks using IT to achieve the required purpose and outcom

e

Describe the purpose for using IT

An interm

ediate user can plan and review

their use of predefined or com

monly used IT tools for activities

that are at times non-routine or

unfamiliar. A

s a result of reviewing

their work, they w

ill be able to devise solutions to use IT tools to im

prove productivity. A

ny aspect that is unfam

iliar will require support and

advice from other people.

An activity will typically be ‘non-

routine or unfamiliar’ because:

x the task or context is likely to require som

e preparation, clarification or research (to separate the com

ponents and to identify w

hat factors need to be considered, for exam

ple, time

available, audience needs, accessibility of source, types of content, m

essage and meaning)

before an approach can be planned; and

x the techniques required w

ill involve a num

ber of steps and at tim

es be non-routine or unfam

iliar.

Describe the m

ethods, skills and resources required to com

plete the task successfully

Select and use IT system

s and software

applications to complete planned tasks

and produce effective outcomes

Describe any factors that m

ay affect the task D

escribe how the purpose and

outcomes have been m

et by the chosen IT system

s and software

applications D

escribe any legal or local guidelines or constraints that m

ay apply to the task or activity

Review

and adapt the ongoing use of IT tools and system

s to make

sure that activities are successful

Review

ongoing use of IT tools and techniques and change the approach as needed

Describe w

hether the IT tools selected w

ere appropriate for the task and purpose

Review

outcomes to m

ake sure they m

atch requirements and are fit for

purpose

Assess strengths and w

eaknesses of final w

ork D

escribe ways to m

ake further im

provements to w

ork D

evelop and test solutions to im

prove the ongoing use of IT tools and system

s

Develop solutions to im

prove own

productivity in using IT R

eview the benefits and draw

backs of IT tools and system

s used, in terms of

productivity and efficiency

Test solutions to ensure that they work as

intended D

escribe ways to im

prove productivity and efficiency

BCS

Level 2 ECD


Page 8 of 14

Qualification S

pecification

M/502/4622 IT U

ser Presentation Software Level 2

Learning outcom

es The learner w

ill…

Assessment criteria

The learner can…

Know


Performance C

riteria K

nowledge

Input and combine

text and other inform

ation within

presentation slides

Enter text and other inform

ation using layouts appropriate to type of inform

ation Identify w

hat types of information are

required for the presentation A

n intermediate user can select and

use a wide range of interm

ediate presentation softw

are tools and techniques effectively to produce presentations that are at tim

es non-routine or unfam

iliar. Any aspect that is unfam

iliar may require support and

advice from others.

Presentation tools and techniques w

ill be described as ‘interm

ediate’ because: x

the software tools and functions

used will be at tim


iliar; x

the choice and use of input, m

anipulation and output techniques w

ill need to take account of a num

ber of factors or elem

ents; and x

the user will take som

e responsibility for inputting, structuring, editing and presenting the inform

ation, which at tim

es m

ay be non-routine or unfamiliar.

Insert charts and tables into presentation slides

Identify any constraints which m

ay affect the presentation

Insert images, video or sound to enhance

the presentation O

rganise and combine inform

ation of different form

s or from different sources

for presentations S

tore and retrieve presentation files effectively, in line w

ith local guidelines and conventions w

here available U

se presentation softw

are tools to structure, edit and form

at slide sequences

Select, change and use appropriate

templates for slides

Identify what slide structure and

themes to use

Select and use appropriate techniques to

format slides and presentations

Identify what presentation effects to

use to enhance the presentation S

elect and use appropriate techniques to edit slides and presentations to m

eet needs S

elect and use animation and transition

effects appropriately to enhance slide sequences

Prepare slideshow

for presentation

Prepare slideshow

for presentation D

escribe how to present slides to

meet needs and com

municate

effectively C

heck presentation meets needs, using

IT tools and making corrections as

necessary Identify and respond to any quality problem

s with presentations to ensure

that presentations meet needs

BCS

Level 2 ECD


Page 9 of 14

Qualification S

pecification

F/502/4625 IT User Spreadsheet Softw

are Level 2 Learning outcom

es The learner w

ill…

Assessment criteria

The learner can…

Know


Performance C

riteria K

nowledge

Use a

spreadsheet to enter, edit and organise num

erical and other data

Enter and edit num

erical and other data accurately

Identify what num

erical and other inform

ation is needed in the spreadsheet and how

it should be structured

An interm

ediate user can select and use a w

ide range of intermediate

spreadsheet software tools and

techniques to produce, present and check spreadsheets that are at tim


iliar. Any aspect

that is unfamiliar m

ay require support and advice from

others. S

preadsheet software tools and

techniques will be defined as

‘intermediate’ because:

x the range of data entry, m

anipulation and outputting techniques w

ill be at times non-

routine or unfamiliar;

x the tools, form

ulas and functions needed to analyse and interpret the data requires know

ledge and understanding (for exam

ple, m

athematical, logical, statistical or

financial); and x


e responsibility for setting up or developing the structure and functionality of the spreadsheet.

Com

bine and link data across worksheets

Store and retrieve spreadsheet files

effectively, in line with local guidelines and

conventions where available

Select and use

appropriate form

ulas and data analysis tools to m

eet requirements

Select and use a range of appropriate

functions and formulas to m

eet calculation requirem

ents

Identify which tools and techniques to

use to analyse and manipulate data

to meet requirem

ents U

se a range of tools and techniques to analyse and m

anipulate data to meet

requirements

Select and use

tools and techniques to present and form

at spreadsheet inform

ation

Select and use appropriate tools and

techniques to format spreadsheet cells,

rows, colum

ns and worksheets

Plan how

to present and format

spreadsheet information effectively to

meet needs

Select and form

at appropriate chart or graph type to display selected inform

ation D

escribe how to find errors in

spreadsheet formulas

Select and use appropriate page layout to

present and print spreadsheet information

Check inform

ation meets needs, using

spreadsheet tools and making corrections

as necessary

Respond appropriately to any problem

s w

ith spreadsheets

BCS

Level 2 ECD


Page 10 of 14

Qualification S

pecification

R/502/4628 IT User W

ord Processing Software Level 2

Learning outcom

es The learner w

ill…

Assessment criteria

The learner can…

Know


Performance C

riteria K

nowledge

Enter and

combine text and

other information

accurately within

word processing

documents

Use appropriate techniques to enter text

and other information accurately and

efficiently

Identify what types of inform

ation are needed in docum

ents A

n intermediate user can select and

use a range of intermediate w

ord processing softw

are tools and techniques to produce docum

ents that are at tim


iliar. Any aspect that is unfam

iliar may require support and

advice from others.

Word processing tools and

techniques will be described as

‘intermediate’ because:

x the softw

are tools and functions w

ill be at times non-routine or

unfamiliar;

x the choice of techniques w

ill need to take account of a num

ber of factors or elem

ents; and x


e responsibility for the inputting, m

anipulating and outputting of the inform

ation.

Select and use appropriate tem

plates for different purposes S

elect and use a range of editing tools to am

end document content

Identify when and how

to combine and

merge inform

ation from other softw

are or other docum

ents C

ombine or m

erge information w

ithin a docum

ent from a range of sources

Store and retrieve docum

ent and tem

plate files effectively, in line with local

guidelines and conventions where

available C

reate and modify

layout and structures for w

ord process docum

ents

Create and m

odify columns, tables and

forms to organise inform

ation Identify the docum

ent requirements for

structure and style

Select and apply styles to text

Identify what tem

plates and styles are available and w

hen to use them

Use w

ord processing softw

are tools to form

at and present docum

ents effectively to m

eet requirem

ents

Select and use appropriate techniques

to format characters and paragraphs

Identify how the docum

ent should be form

atted to aid meaning

Select and use appropriate page and

section layouts to present and print docum

ents C

heck documents m

eet needs, using IT tools and m

aking corrections as necessary

Describe and quality problem

s with

documents

Respond appropriately to quality

problems w

ith documents so that

outcomes m

eet needs


5. Assessment

5.1 Summary of assessment methods All units within this qualification are tested in controlled exam conditions using automated testing (see sections 5.5/5.6). As part of the BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills qualification all four units must be completed using external assessment, in the form of automated testing (section 5.6). This exceeds the DfE requirement for 50% of the qualification being externally assessed. 5.2 Availability of assessments To be able to offer BCS Qualifications you need to become a BCS Approved centre. All staff members who are involved in the management, invigilation and training must be registered with BCS. Suitably qualified individuals may be registered for more than one role. At least two members of staff must be registered with BCS in one of the roles in order for the centre to retain centre approval. 5.3 Grading The BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills qualification has a four-tier grading structure, ranging from Pass to Distinction-star. This grading structure has been developed to ensure consistency across our range of qualifications and to differentiate this qualification (as a Vocational Qualification) from GCSE qualifications.

x To achieve a ‘Pass’, a learner must obtain an overall mark of 70% or above.

x To achieve a ‘Merit’, a learner must obtain an overall mark of 75% or above.

x To achieve a ‘Distinction’, a learner must obtain an overall mark of 80% or above.

x To achieve a ‘Distinction*’, a learner must obtain an overall mark of 85% or above.

The qualification grade will be determined by the average score across all units within the qualification. The pass mark across all units, with the exception of Improving Productivity using IT, is 75% and each assessment is pass/fail. The Improving Productivity using IT unit carries a pass mark of 55% (see section 5.4).


5.4 Synoptic assessment Synoptic assessment can be defined as a form of assessment which requires a learner to demonstrate that they can identify and use effectively, in an integrated way, an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories, and knowledge from across the whole vocational area, which are relevant to a key task. The synoptic assessment element of this qualification is covered within the Improving Productivity using IT unit. In order to reflect the standards of competence expected by industry and employers, assessment of the Improving Productivity using IT unit must demonstrate that learners can apply their relevant skills and knowledge to develop a specified outcome, product or solution. The learner must independently determine, select and apply the necessary IT tools and techniques to achieve their goal. Learners should use skills gained in previous units to complete “scenarios” which prove their understanding of using IT to improve productivity. To successfully pass the Improving Productivity using IT unit, and therefore the full qualification, learners are required to achieve at least 55% in order to pass this assessment. 5.5 Externally assessed units External tests from BCS come in the form of automated tests. The tests cover all the units within the qualification and offer instant results to the learner. As part of the BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills qualification all of the units must be completed using external assessment in the form of automated testing. 5.6 Specimen assessment materials Sample tests and diagnostic tests are available for all units. Diagnostic tests provide detailed feedback, advising of areas for improvement. 5.7 Support materials BCS provides the following resources specifically for this qualification: Description How to access Syllabus Available on website Sample tests Available on website Unit guidance Available on website Courseware Available from approved third party

providers (see www.bcs.org/ecdl)


5.8 Access to Assessment BCS seeks to provide equal Access to Assessment for all learners, ensuring that there are no unnecessary barriers to assessment and that any reasonable adjustments for learners preserve the validity, reliability and integrity of the qualification. We will consider requests from BCS approved centres for reasonable adjustments and special considerations to be approved for a learner. The decision will be based on the individual needs of the learner as assessed by suitably qualified professionals. In promoting this policy, BCS aims to ensure that a learner is not disadvantaged in relation to other learners and their certificate accurately reflects their attainment. Further information about our access to assessment policy can be found on the Approved Centre Forum.


6. Contact Points

BCS Qualifications Client Services is committed to providing you with professional service and support at all times through a single, dedicated point of contact. With a flexible and proactive approach, our team will work together with you to ensure we deliver quality solutions that are right for you. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT First Floor, Block D, North Star House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1FA T: +44 (0) 1793 417530 E: [email protected] W: www.bcs.org/qualifications If you require this document in accessible format please call +44 (0) 1793 417 530 © BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, is the business name of The British Computer Society (registered charity no. 292786).

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Qualification Specification - Weeblymrbennell.weebly.com/uploads/5/6/7/8/56785503/it-application-skills... · BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills V1.4 Page 6 of