Field           Computing and Information Technology

 

Review of Computing unit standards

 

Subfield

Domain

ID

Computing

Computer Support

18750, 29798, 29810

Generic Computing

2797, 5968, 18756, 29785-29797, 29799-29809, 29811, 29812, 29814-29816

Software Development -Programming

18741, 29813

 

National Qualifications Services (NQS) and Toi Mai Workforce Development Council have completed the review of the 37 Level 3 and 4 Computing unit standards listed above, with those proposed to expire in bold.

 

Date new versions published                                                               April 2022

 

Planned review date                                                                              December 2026

 

Summary

 

The review was undertaken in line with the 2021 scheduled review cycle and included all 75 current Computing standards split into two sets. This set included 37 Computing unit standards at Levels 3 and 4, including those aligned to meet the requirements of the following New Zealand qualifications:

 

·         NZ Certificate in Computing (Intermediate User) (Level 3) [Ref: 2592]

·         NZ Certificate in Computing (Advanced User) (Level 4) [Ref: 2593]

·         NZ Certificate in Information Technology Essentials (Level 4) [Ref: 2594]

 

The other set included 38 current Computing unit standards at Levels 1-5 with a focus on Level 1 and 2 standards, plus standards expiring at Levels 3-5 without replacement.  Current and future demand for computing unit standards was explored, and it was noted that there was no or low usage reported for the Level 4 qualification [Ref: 2594] specific unit standards between 2018-2020.  However it was considered prudent to maintain the suite of standards that align with the reviewed qualification during the transition phase to the Toi Mai Workforce Development Council (WDC).

 

From November 2020 to July 2021, a panel with the necessary IT and computing skills and experience with target learners, programme development and unit standards assessment met to review the standards.  The project was further informed by pre-review stakeholder feedback, and input from the e-network during the review process.

 

Key stakeholders and organisations with consent to assess had the opportunity to review the standards and offer feedback.  The proposed standards were available to the stakeholder network for consultation and endorsement August-September 2021.  All feedback was considered and actioned where appropriate.

 

Main changes

·      Guidance information, outcomes, and performance criteria were updated to reflect terminology used in the current template, to better align the standards with the reviewed qualifications, updated legislation and current practice, and to ensure they remain relevant and current.

·      Ten standards had titles changed to better align with and reflect the intent of the reviewed qualifications and current practice.

·      Seven standards had credits increased and one standard had credits reduced to better reflect complexity of current knowledge and skill requirements and practice, and to align with the reviewed qualifications.

·      Eight new standards were developed as a result of combining and replacing existing standards and to better reflect the graduate outcomes of the reviewed Level 3-4 qualifications and current practice.

·      Six standards were designated expiring without replacement (Category D), as they were no longer relevant, fit for purpose or duplicated content in new or current standards, or no longer aligned with the reviewed qualification [Ref: 2594].

·      Three standards were designated expiring with replacement standards (Category C).

 

Category C and D unit standards will expire at the end of December 2024

 

The last date for assessment of superseded versions of Category B unit standards is December 2024

 

Impact on existing organisations with consent to assess

 

Current consent for

Consent extended to

Nature of consent

Classification or ID

Level

Nature of consent

Classification or ID

Level

Standard

2797

3

Standard

32941

3

Standard

18756

3

Standard

32942

3

Standard

29813

4

Standard

32946

4

 

Impact on Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR)

All Category B standards were moved to CMR 0099 from CMR 0113 and CMR 226.

 

Detailed list of unit standards – classification, title, level, and credits

 

All changes are in bold.

 

Key to review category

A

Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number

B

Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number

C

Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new ID

D

Standard will expire and not be replaced

 

Computing and Information Technology > Computing > Computer Support

ID

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

18750

Produce a learner focused electronic training package for organisation use

Produce an interactive electronic training package for organisational use

3

5

B

29798

Troubleshoot, fix and escalate a range of common hardware and software problems

3

3

B

29810

Apply essential IT technical knowledge and concepts to provide support of a computer's hardware, software and network

4

10

D

32943

Apply IT technical knowledge and professional practice to provide support of a computer’s hardware, software and network

4

15

New

 

 

Computing and Information Technology > Computing > Generic Computing

ID

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

2797

 

32941

Demonstrate knowledge of the principles of computer networks

Demonstrate and apply knowledge of the principles of computer networks

3

 

3

4

 

5

C

5968

Discuss the social implications of information technology

3

3

B

18756

 

32942

Use and maintain a computer database for business reporting and decision making

Use and maintain a computer database to meet organisational requirements

3

 

3

3

 

3

C

 

 

29785

Use a word processing application to integrate images, spreadsheet and database data into documents

3

4

5

B

29786

Produce a spreadsheet for organisational use

3

3

5

B

29787

Produce and use a database to provide a solution for organisational use

Produce and use a relational database to provide a solution for organisational use

3

3

 

5

B

29788

Develop and evaluate an interactive website for organisational use

Develop, test, and evaluate an interactive website for organisational use

3

5

B

29789

Use a presentation application to produce an interactive multimedia presentation

3

3

B

29790

Apply digital tools to create and monitor a project plan

Use digital tools to create and monitor a project plan

3

3

B

29791

Capture and prepare digital media for integration into other applications

3

2

B

29792

Use a desktop publishing application to produce documents

3

4

B

29793

Investigate, plan, design and create digital outcome solutions to meet the requirements of a specified brief

3

5

B

29794

Implement security solutions when using digital tools

Describe risks and implement security solutions when using digital tools

3

5

B

29795

Apply ethical behaviour when using digital tools

3

5

B

29796

Collaborate effectively with others in a digital environment

Collaborate and communicate with others effectively and safely in a digital environment

3

7

B

29797

Synchronise data across digital devices and multiple platforms

3

2

B

29799

Apply advanced word processing features and functions to produce complex documents

4

4

5

B

29800

Apply advanced spreadsheet features and functions to meet the requirements of a brief

4

4

5

B

29801

Plan, produce and deliver an interactive multimedia presentation using digital tools to meet requirements of a brief

Plan, create, test and implement an interactive multimedia product to meet the requirements of a brief

4

3

 

 

5

B

29802

Produce and use a relational database to address an organisational information system need

Design, create, operate, and test a relational database to address an organisational information system need

4

6

 

5

B

29803

Use a desktop publishing application to produce documents integrating media for a stakeholder

Use a desktop publishing application to produce documents integrating media for a client

4

3

 

5

B

29804

Develop and evaluate an interactive website for a stakeholder

Develop and evaluate an interactive website for a client

4

5

 

 

B

29805

Design and create an integrated digital solution to meet the requirements of a specified brief

4

5

B

29806

Use digital tools and critical thinking to analyse data and identify solutions to problems

4

10

B

29807

Communicate professionally in a range of digital contexts, to maintain relationships and achieve objectives

4

3

B

29808

Use digital technologies and systems securely, legally and ethically to gather, store, access and share information

4

5

B

29809

Investigate current and emerging trends in the use of digital tools to support operational efficiency and effectiveness

4

5

B

29811

Describe the role of information systems and information technology in organisations

4

4

D

29812

Apply knowledge and concepts of web design and scripting to plan, create and test an interactive user interface

4

10

D

29814

Apply and evaluate digital tools to support the development and implementation of an IT project

4

10

D

29815

Describe professional and ethical principles and practices, and comply with legal and organisational IT requirements

4

5

D

29816

Communicate information and maintain relationships in an IT context

4

5

D

32939

Maintain, update, test, and evaluate an interactive website for organisational use

3

4

New

32940

Demonstrate the application of new skills achieved with self-directed learning in a digital context

3

3

New

32944

Design, develop and test a relational database solution using professional practice and project management methodologies

4

15

New

32945

Apply knowledge of business analysis, user experience and interface design, to create and test interactive digital media

4

15

New

 

Computing and Information Technology > Computing > Software Development - Programming

ID

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

18741

Create a computer program to provide a solution to a problem

3

6

B

29813

 

32946

Apply essential knowledge and concepts of software development to create a program

Apply knowledge and concepts of software development to create applications

4

 

4

10

 

15

C