FEATURE DIGITAL FUNCTIONAL SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS

Five Categories Of Dfsqs

The government guidelines on Digital Functional Skills Qualifications state these should cover five core areas:

1 Using devices and handling information – device features, apps, system settings, navigating online content, internet searches

2 Creating and editing – using apps, combining different types of information for a given purpose

3 Communicating – texts, email, messaging apps, graphics, videos, images

4 Transacting – requesting a service or making a purchase, data validation, verification

5 Being safe and responsible online – phishing, hacking, data compromise, authentication methods, minimising physical stress of computer use, security software of DFSQs. “The subject content, which all awarding organisations have to base their qualification specifications on, is already available to teachers,” he says. “This is the first thing we recommend any delivery staff familiarise themselves on, as this provides the detail on which the qualification will be delivered.”

NCFE will be creating initial and diagnostic assessments, along with the creation of individual skills plans that allocate bespoke resources to learners to help identify their starting point and map their learning progress. “We will also be creating teaching resources that will offer classroom (virtual and face-toface-enabled) sessions and activities to support tutors in their delivery of these new qualifications,” says Redden.

It is important to acknowledge that context is important when it comes to DFSQs. “Not everyone will be ready for the launch of DFSQs in 2023,” Liogier admits. “A large number of teachers will need to deliver these courses, and digital needs to be embedded across the curriculum. There is much work to be done to ensure everyone is ready, and we are waiting to hear from the DfE about what is going to be done to help the education sector prepare for this.”

For Scott, the main points to keep in mind are that these qualifications may have a younger as well as an adult audience, that we need to look carefully at availability of equipment, and that we need to bridge any gaps in the additional digital literacy of educators as this is potentially a significant barrier.

“Tutors should also explore the interconnection with their learners of how the identified digital skills apply and transfer across both the workplace and into everyday life,” he concludes.

The ETF’s Essential Digital Skills CPD programme offers support to help deliver the new Essential Digital Skills Qualifications, or for teachers and trainers more generally. There are specific sets of activities for those involved in prison education, ESOL provision, preparation for life and work programmes and SEND provision, as well as a community of practice. Visit enhance. etfoundation.co.uk/eds for more information