The Department for Education in England and Wales has issued the specifications for a new digital skills exam. Well, two cheers for that: it’s about time there was something from the DfE for young people which doesn’t expect them to develop a deep knowledge of computer programming.

(Unfortunately, I have been unable to update my seminal work on alternative qualifications because of work and other pressures. However, you may wish to purchase it not only as part of your historical archive, and not only to help put bread on my lowly table, but also because it may still actually be useful. How? By providing ideas on what else is (or maybe was) “out there”. Much of it, I think, still is.)

So why only two cheers? Well, it seems a bit pedestrian to me, that’s number one. Secondly, it doesn’t seem much different from the kind of basic qualifications that were around in the 90s.

Still, it’s a start. At the moment there are two levels: Entry Level and Level 2. Have a look. I’m sure the examination boards (aka awarding bodies) will start coming up with interesting ideas for the new qualification’s implementation.

Here’s the link: Digital Functional Skills Qualification

Thanks to the Technology, Pedagogy and Education Association for the heads-up in their newsletter.