KeyNet: Assessment Guide: Annexe 4: Practical activities and written tests to assess IT competence

EXAMPLE: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LEVEL 3

BACKGROUND

There are two examples of these tests. The first is a practical test, in which the trainee's achievement in IT is arrived at by observation. The second is a formal written test. This is an example of a form of assessment in which students and trainees are assessed at the end of a course or programme on the Key Skill of IT. However, the test is so designed that it can be attempted by ALL students and trainees, no matter what IT training they have received. In other words, their background shouldn't interfere with their skills in IT. It can, therefore, be taken by job seekers who have not undergone formal education or training for many years.

To achieve this Unit the student must plan and carry through at least ONE substantial activity that includes tasks for the components of the IT learning programme, designated IT 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3. A further example of each of these tasks, carried out for a different purpose, must also be demonstrated, although this could be achieved through different activities.

In this first example, that of a Practical Exercise, the trainer/assessor observes the trainee and makes the following observations/comments: At Levels 1 and 2, there is an emphasis on the under-pinning skills associated with each Key Skill.

The student has (x):

	Planned how to obtain and use the information required
	Chosen appropriate sources and techniques for finding information
	Carried out effective searches
	Made selections based on judgements of relevance and quality
	Entered and brought together information in a consistent form
	Used automated routines appropriately
	Created and used structures and procedures to explore and develop information and derive new information
	Used effective methods of exchanging information to support the purpose
	Developed the structure and content of using the views of others, where appropriate to guide refinements
	Presented information effectively using a style and format that suits the purpose and the audience
	Ensured the work is accurate and makes sense

I confirm that the student has demonstrated the Level 3 IT requirements as listed below.

The next assessment is that of a formal written test.

EXEMPLAR TEST

LEVEL
Key Skills - Level 3

PAPER
Information Technology

THERE ARE THREE TASKS IN THIS PAPER (TOTAL 50 MARKS)

WHAT YOU NEED:

access to a computer, software and a printer;

this task booklet.

ADDITIONAL AIDS

bilingual dictionaries may be used.

TIME ALLOWED - 1 HOUR AND 30 MINUTES.

To complete this activity successfully you will need to:

use the information supplied in this task booklet to complete the three tasks;

complete the tasks using the computer and software available;·

give all print outs appropriate file names.

Instructions to candidates

Write your personal details in the spaces provided on the cover sheet.

Do not open this task booklet until you are told to do so by the supervisor.

Read each question carefully.

You should attempt all questions.

Make sure you print out all of your work and that it is clearly labelled.

At the end of the assessment attach your printouts securely to your cover sheet and hand them along with this task booklet to the supervisor.

Candidates are required to answer all parts of each task. The questions in this paper are all based upon the theme 'Working in a local video shop'.

You work as an assistant in the local video shop. You have been asked to set up a database to enable easy selection of the information stored.

The video shop database will hold details of all the videos, which are available for hire. An extract of this information is shown below.

Task 1

1. Create a new database using a suitable file name. (2 marks)

2. Create a table, giving it a title which includes your full name. (2 marks)

3. Create a structure for the table with the field titles shown below. Use appropriate data types for each field. (4 marks)

4. Enter the following details. (6 marks)

Certificate	Video Title	Running Time	Price
12 15 18 15 15 18 15 12 PG PG 18 PG 15	King Ralph The Piano The Shining Ghost Back Beat The Exorcist My Life Bird on a Wire Free Willy Hocus Pocus Carrie Mrs Doubtfire Sniper	102 90 120 110 124 105 100 140 120 95 126 150 107	£1.00 £2.00 £1.50 £2.00 £2.00 £2.00 £1.00 £1.00 £2.00 £1.50 £1.00 £1.50 £1.00

5. Check for accuracy and print out a copy. (1 mark)

6. Add the details of three videos, which have come into the shop for rental. They are all certificate 15,
with running times of 105 minutes at price £2.00. The videos are Urban Legend, The Haunting, and
Patch Adams. (2 marks)

7. Sort all the records by certificate in ascending order. (2 marks)

8. Check for accuracy, save your work and print out a copy. (2 marks)

IT Level 3 - Exemplar Test Marking
Commentary

TASK 1

1.	1 mark - opening new database (or a spreadsheet with database facilities) 1 mark - suitable name (e.g. videos) 2 marks in total
2.	1 mark - creating a table 1 mark - name added 2 marks in total
3.	4 marks - 1 for each field title with appropriate data type 4 marks in total
4.	1 mark for currency symbol 1 mark for integer display for running time 1 mark for 2 decimal places for money 3 marks for accuracy 3 for 0 errors 2 for 1-2 errors 1 for 3-4 errors 6 marks in total
5.	1 mark 1 mark in total	printout all on one page
6.	2 marks - 2 marks in total	1 mark for information entered with no errors 1 mark for information entered with one error
7.	2 marks - 2 marks in total	1 mark all data sorted by certificate 1 mark sorted in ascending order
8.	2 marks - 2 marks in total	accuracy of printout

TOTAL FOR TASK 1 - 21

TASK 2

1 mark for including both correct videos and no data
2 marks for including one video and data
3 marks for including both correct videos and data
4 marks for both correct videos and data and no others

4 marks in total

1 mark - video titles column first
1 mark - no running time field

TASK 2

1. From the table select those videos which are certificate 12 and cost less than £2.00 to rent. (4 marks)

2. Arrange the columns so that the video titles appear in the first column and remove the 'Running Time' column. (4 marks)

3. Use your name in the title for this selection and add the text 'Certificate 12'. (2 marks)

4. Check for accuracy, save your work and print out a copy of the selection. (2 marks)

TASK 3

The video shop owner has decided to sell all the videos in the database. You have been asked to produce a leaflet with two printed sides of A4 to publicise the sale. The leaflet must include a list of the videos and a suitable image.

1. On the first page enter a brief statement drawing attention to the sale. Make sure that your font is of appropriate
size for a leaflet and is in bold. (3 marks)

2. Select a suitable image, insert it on the first page and resize it as needed to fit with the text and the page layout.
(3 marks)

3. The second page is for you to show the videos available for sale. Import the complete list of videos, omitting the
price field, and place it in a suitable position on the page. (4 marks)

4. Add a footer with your name, the text 'leaflet' and with page numbers. (3 marks)

5. Check your leaflet for accuracy, save it using a suitable filename and printout a copy. (3 marks)

6. Print out, from the place you saved your work, a copy of all file names you used during the assignment. This can
be either in the form of a screen print out or a list of filenames which has been signed and dated by the supervisor.
(1 mark)

END

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