Delay in frameworks

We had hoped to have the draft frameworks available but there has been a (small) delay in the QDT finalising them. The time has been well spent. We're having good (internal) conversations about what should be in them. Once the QDT has agreed the frameworks, we will then carry out the following steps:

1. consult with the wider community on the draft frameworks (this will be done using an online survey)
2. revise frameworks in the light of feedback
3. identify a list of new/revised units (from the four frameworks)
4. ask for volunteers to write and vet the units
5. select the writers and vetters
6. train the unit writers and vetters. 

The qualification leader for each award is busy finalising their draft frameworks.

Draft frameworks

The development team are busy working on the draft frameworks for each of the awards.

Janice Maxted (Langside College) is working on the HNC Computing framework, Chris Deegan (City of Glasgow) is working on HND Computer Networking, Willie McCabe (James Watt College) is developing the framework for HND Technical Support, and Peter Ainsworth (Motherwell College) is working on HND Software Development. At this stage, we are not going to produce a framework for the generic HND Computing award (being led by Derek Summers of Perth College).

I should have these frameworks by this Friday and we will then give you an opportunity to comment on them.

Contact Gerry if you want more information about how things are progressing.

HNC Computing sub-team meeting

The sub-team responsible for developing the new HNC Computing award, led by Janice Maxted of Langside College, met this morning. Janice wanted a meeting to discuss the aims and consider the units to be included in the framework. The HNC will underpin all of the new HNDs so we felt it important to get this one sorted first.

We had already made some decisions about the structure. For example, we want to use an examination as the Graded Unit. We had also agreed to carry a number of core skills in the mandatory section of the HNC award, such as Communications and Working with Others, not as stand-alone units but integrated into vocational (Computing) units.

At today's meeting we agreed a draft framework for the mandatory part of the HNC award, including a number of new units relating to professional issues, software development and trouble-shooting. We also had an interesting discussion about the core skills that we want to include.

At the end of the meeting, we agreed that Janice would write-up today's decisions so that we can consult more widely about the draft HNC framework.

Contact Caroline for more information about the HN review.