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.
BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills V1.4 Page 4 of 14 Qualification Specification
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.
BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills V1.4 Page 5 of 14 Qualification Specification
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.
BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills V1.4 Page 6 of 14 Qualification Specification
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
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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
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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
ledge, skills and understanding required
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
es non-routine or unfam
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
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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
ledge, skills and understanding required
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
es non-routine or unfam
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
the user will take som
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
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L Certificate in IT Application Skills V1.4
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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
ledge, skills and understanding required
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
es non-routine or unfam
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
the user will take som
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
BCS Level 2 ECDL Certificate in IT Application Skills V1.4 Page 11 of 14 Qualification Specification
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).
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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)
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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.
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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).