ESSENTIAL DIGITAL SKILLS (EDSQ)

The Learning Machine has a new suite of two qualifications available (EDSQ).
These can be taken as separate qualifications with progression available from Entry to Level 1. The benefits for students of this progression is that the qualifications’ approaches are similar – centre delivery can therefore be run contiguously or concurrently, and learners will be able to tailor their learning to reflect the skills that need to be developed.

EDSQ Entry Level

The Entry Award is an appropriate size for learners who need to develop confidence in using information technology–for individuals who primarily wish to gain IT skills for life, with aspects of IT skills for work supporting perhaps training or preparation for employment (or initial induction) where IT plays a part. The qualification is designed to meet the requirements of the Essential Digital Skills’ (EDSQ) frameworks and is designed for adults with no or little prior experience of using digital devices or the internet. It can complement Apprenticeship provision.

The qualification also provides an opportunity for learners to begin to utilise information technology to explore a range of vocational sectors.

What does this qualification cover?

All the content of the qualification relates directly to the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to support adults to begin to access information technology having had no or little prior experience of using digital devices or the internet. The qualification is six credits in size-built up from five units:

 

The Entry Award may be studied alongside other qualifications and activities

NUMBER

603/7077/4

 LEVEL

Entry Level

TQT

50

GLH

46

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Internally assessed and externally moderated portfolio of evidence, practical tasks, and external examination

OPERATIONAL DATE

21 January 2021.

GRADING SCALE

Pass/Fail.

FUNDED

YES

This qualification is aimed at adults with no or little prior experience of using digital devices or the internet who wish to enhance their information technology skills. It is for individuals who primarily wish to gain IT skills for life, with aspects of IT skills for work supporting perhaps training or preparation for employment (or initial induction) where IT plays a part.

The primary outcome of this qualification is to support adults in gaining confidence in the use of information technology and applying it–thereby, supporting perhaps training or preparation for employment (or initial induction) where IT plays a part.

The Entry Award is an appropriate size for learners to start to develop their IT skills for life, with aspects of skills for work. The qualification is designed to meet the requirements of the EDS frameworks and is designed for adults with no to little experience of using digital devices and the internet who wish to develop their information technology skills. It can complement Apprenticeship provision.

There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements for this qualification.

Acceptance is at the discretion of the Centre. However, learners must be aged 16 or above to undertake this qualification.

Centres are responsible for ensuring that this qualification is appropriate for the age and ability of learners. They need to make sure that learners can fulfil the requirements of the assessment criteria and comply with the relevant literacy, numeracy and health and safety aspects of this qualification.

Learners registered on this qualification should not undertake another qualification at the same level with the same or a similar title, as duplication of learning may affect funding eligibility.

Progression Opportunities Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to:

•TLM Essential Digital Skills (Level 1)

It may also be useful to learners entering a range of vocational sectors

Assessment is the process of measuring a learner’s skill, knowledge and understanding against the standards set in a qualification.

The Learning Machine EDSAward (Entry) is both internally assessed which is externally moderated, and externally assessed.

Practical assessment

Three practical tests will be set and marked by The Learning Machine.

External Examination

An external examination will be set by and marked by The Learning Machine.

The qualification is a ‘stand-alone’ qualification, but learners may progress onto The Learning Machine Essential Digital Skills Award (Level 1), after completion of the Entry Award. The Learning Machine also offers a range of other information technology qualifications which provide suitable progression opportunities.

The Learning Machine Essential Digital Skills Award (Entry) provides a thorough introduction to the information technology required in training or early employment roles where information technology is used. By studying the Award, learners will secure a strong foundation of knowledge and skills in preparation for confident and increased use of information technology as part of their employment.

EDSQ Level 1

The Level 1 Award is an appropriate size for adults who lack secure basic digital skills and need to strengthen and further develop their confidence in using information technology ideally in an early employment role. It is for individuals who wish to strengthen their IT skills for life and skills for work, perhaps building their IT skills in their early years of employment or undergoing induction, where IT plays a part. Although it could support more established workers who have had limited experience of using information technology before. The qualification is designed to meet the requirements of the Essential Digital Skills’ (EDSQ) frameworks and is designed for adults with some experience of using digital devices and the internet. It can complement Apprenticeship provision

The qualification also provides an opportunity for learners to begin to utilise information technology to explore a range of vocational sectors.

What does this qualification cover?

All the content of the qualification relates directly to the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to support adults to begin to access information technology having had no or little prior experience of using digital devices or the internet. The qualification is six credits in size-built up from five units:

 

The Level 1 Award may be studied alongside other qualifications and activities

NUMBER

603/7076/2

 LEVEL

Level 1

TQT

55

GLH

50

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Internally assessed and externally moderated portfolio of evidence, practical tasks, and external examination

OPERATIONAL DATE

21 January 2021.

GRADING SCALE

Pass/Fail.

FUNDED

This qualification is aimed at adults with some experience of using digital devices and the internet who wish to strengthen their information technology skills; typically, complimenting and enhancing their contribution in an early employment position.

The primary outcome of this qualification is to strengthen adults’ information technology skills, applied typically in an early employment role.

The Level 1 Award is an appropriate size for learners to strengthen their IT skills for life and skills for work, perhaps building their IT skills in their early years of employment or undergoing induction, where IT plays a part. The qualification is designed to meet the requirements of the EDS frameworks and is designed for adults with some experience of using digital devices and the internet who wish to strengthen their information technology skills. It can complement Apprenticeship provision.

There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements for this qualification.

Acceptance is at the discretion of the Centre. However, learners must be aged 16 or above to undertake this qualification.

Centres are responsible for ensuring that this qualification is appropriate for the age and ability of learners. They need to make sure that learners can fulfil the requirements of the assessment criteria and comply with the relevant literacy, numeracy and health and safety aspects of this qualification.

Learners registered on this qualification should not undertake another qualification at the same level with the same or a similar title, as duplication of learning may affect funding eligibility.

Progression Opportunities Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to:

  • TLM Level 2 IT User Skills in Open Systems and Enterprise
  • TLM Level 2 in Open IT Management
  • TLM Level 2 Cyber Security and Digital Forensics

It may also be useful to learners entering a range of vocational sectors.

Assessment is the process of measuring a learner’s skill, knowledge and understanding against the standards set in a qualification.

The Learning Machine EDS Award (Level 1) is both internally assessed which is externally moderated, and externally assessed.

Practical assessment

Three practical tests will be set and marked by The Learning Machine.

External Examination

An external examination will be set by and marked by The Learning Machine.

The qualification is a ‘stand-alone’ qualification, but learners may progress onto other The Learning Machine information technology qualifications.

The Learning Machine Essential Digital Skills Award (Level 1) provides a thorough strengthening in the use of information technology required typically, in early employment roles where information technology is used. By studying the Award, learners will strengthen their knowledge and skills in preparation for further and more confident use of information technology as part of their employment.

If you would like to become a TLM centre then please email helpdesk@tlm.org.uk with your centre information and a TLM representative will be in contact with you.

TLM EDSQ is approved and available for automatic funding for adult learners including 16 - 19 learners who do not have the basic digital skills.

The practical tasks are set by us and marked by the centre following a mark scheme provided.  The 14-day window is requested by the centre when they are ready.

Yes, the exam is multiple choice.

There are 2 x component Resits per candidate allowed per year.

The first Resit of a component will be free

The second Resit of a component is charged at £5.

If learners fail a qualification, they may resit the ‘failed’ components of the assessment in order to increase their aggregate score.

They may carry forward the results from component tasks that have been ‘achieved’.

To allow for additional teaching and learning time, Centres should allow at least two weeks between a ‘failed’ test and a Resit.

There are three paper-based/guided practical tasks requiring digital evidence and an online exam (no specific platform required).

Practical tasks can normally be completed within one hour. Allow for set-up, phasing etc.
Concluding in one multiple-choice examination which is roughly 30 minutes.

Both the practical tasks and the examination are to be supervised.

The three Practical tasks and Examination components are all weighted equally.

Compensatory model – marks aggregated across 4 x components.

A specific level of achievement against learning outcomes overall is required to reach the ‘Pass’ level.

Completion of examination – marks moderated by TLM.

Need more info? Call us +44 (0)1827 305940 or fill the contact form and our representative will contact you back.

Qualification request