Information Technology Skills for Access to HE

Understand how to use word processing software.

Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Pages or other appropriate word processing applications could be used for this learning outcome.

This learning outcome could be mapped to a graded unit where the student has to produce a clear and well-presented document such as a research report. A separate task, such as a workbook could also be used. Tasks should enable the student to demonstrate that they can use various features of a word processing document to format a document (e.g. using the appropriate font type and size, inserting a contents page, emboldening text, inserting headers/footers and importing images and/or graphs).   

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Use different word processing features to produce a document e.g.

  a) select an appropriate font type and size e.g. (Times New Roman, font size 12).

  b) insert a header and/or footer.

  c) insert a contents page.

  d) bullet point and/or numbering items in a list.

  e) embolden text to make headings and subheadings stand out in a document.

  f) insert a table into a document.

  g) import images or graphs from another source (e.g. internet or spreadsheet).   

Know how to create a presentation.

Google Slides, PowerPoint or other appropriate presentation software could be used for this learning outcome.

This learning outcome could either be mapped to another unit where the student needs to create a presentation, or a separate task could be set. Students should be able to demonstrate that they can insert a slide and add text, images and/or other objects into the slides. They also need to demonstrate that they can add animations and/or transitions (e.g. applying animations to texts, images or objects).   

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Create a clear and logically sequenced presentation by:

  a) inserting slides

  b) including a title slide

  c) inserting appropriate images into slides

  d) using animations and/or transitions. 

Understand how to use spreadsheets to analyse data.

Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets or other appropriate spreadsheets could be used for this learning outcome.

Students should be able to demonstrate that they can format cells by placing borders around them and wrapping text within those cells.

Students also need to demonstrate that they can use a range of formulas/functions to carry out calculations on numerical and/or categorical data. E.g.

●=Sum

●=Average

●=Median

●=Mode

●=Count if

●=STDEV (standard deviation)

Students should also use spreadsheets to create graphs e.g. pie charts, bar charts, histograms.

This learning outcome could be mapped to another unit. For example, it could be mapped to a research project where students have to use spreadsheets to analyse data they have collected as part of a research project. Alternatively, a separate task could be set e.g. workbook with spreadsheet exercise to complete. 

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Use spreadsheets to:

  a) format cells (e.g. wrap text, place borders around cells)

  b) carry out calculations on numerical and/or categorical data

  c) create graphs.