Prescription 150 – Computer Concepts

Prescription 150 Computer Concepts, was reviewed during 2004.  An initial draft was released for national consultation.  Feedback from this consultation was considered by the review team and a final draft was produced.  The final draft of the reviewed prescription was endorsed by the National Advisory Committee for Business Studies (NACBS) and then published for use. 

The 2004 Applied Business Education Conference – computing forum, requested that the recent release of prescription 150 Computer Concepts be further reviewed.  NZQA withdrew the released version and requested that the review team meet again to reconsider the content of the prescription.  This work was completed. 

It was then decided by NZQA that it would be preferable that the latest version be released under the recently endorsed prescription structure.  This is due to the registration of the NZDipBus on the register of Quality Assured Qualifications and the current prescription review project outcomes (see circulars T2005/009, T2005/010 and T2005/011.  Craig Eves was contracted to work with NZQA to translate the reviewed fourth draft to the new prescription structure.  This fourth draft has been included as Appendix one. 

Feedback on this fourth draft of 150 Computer Concepts (now titled Business Computing) is now requested.   Please provide your feedback by 2 September 2005 on the form provided within appendix two, to Lois Francis, Tertiary Assessment and Moderation.

150 Computer Concepts Review Team

Assessment

The key elements within a prescription are used to define what the student evidence must include, to show that the learning outcome has been achieved.  Most often the learning outcome will contain the action required by the student, for example:

Learning Outcome One

Students will explain and evaluate components of an information system to meet business requirements.

Key elements

a)      Components:

·        procedures

·        hardware

·        software

·        people

·        data.

In some instances, how the evidence is presented is flexible and up to the assessment designer.  Key elements should not be addressed without relation to the learning outcome.

The prescription level (based on Register criteria) defines the complexity of learning and is categorised as the process capability, learning demand and amount of responsibility that could be expected from the student.  For example, at level 4 a student could be required to analytically interpret information and be responsible for the quality and quantity of output.  While at level 6, the student would be expected to complete an analysis, reformat and evaluate a wide range of information.  They would have complete accountability for personal and or group outcomes.

Enquiries

Any enquiries relating to the contents of this circular should be directed to:

Circulars are available from the Qualifications Authority’s website at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/publications/circulars.

Linda Glogau

Manager

Tertiary Assessment and Moderation