Mandatory unit

This approach looks for a description of how using IT has helped the learner become a more selective and efficient IT user.

• ITQ doesn’t require a specific number of tasks to be presented as evidence. Instead learners can produce the most appropriate number of tasks that address the criteria.
• For the Mandatory unit, evidence doesn’t have to be work-related. Instead the learner can tackle a scenario-based assessment activity at the ITQ centre.

Holistic ITQ assessment is an efficient way to work with learners.

• The ITQ learner and assessor meet to discuss and plan the units needed for ITQ and agree on the types of evidence the learner will produce.
• The assessor encourages the learner to consider tasks and activities they will be carrying out using IT, rather than approach ITQ unit by unit. Many tasks carried out at work or for a real purpose can cover criteria from several units.

This is an excellent way to assess the Mandatory Unit holistically. Candidates have the chance to present a wealth of evidence to the assessor when they meet to discuss the candidate’s use of IT.

What happens at a professional discussion?

• As part of the plan, do, review and improve approach, a professional discussion can be a planned series of discussions where learners talk about their increased effectiveness in using IT.
• The assessor and candidate can focus on real-life tasks, such as:

  - problem solving
  - setting up new systems within their organisation
  - case histories
  - critical incidents

See some case studies of professional discussions

The role of the assessor

Professional discussions aren’t question and answer sessions – rather, the assessor asks the candidate to take the floor.

However, the assessor needs to handle the discussion to keep the candidate on track, using skilled questions to guide them to explore and explain situations where IT is used.

The assessor could start the discussion by getting the candidate to explain how they chose the applications for carrying out their tasks. They could then prompt the candidate to take over the conversation to clarify decisions about:

• Understanding the requirements for the task
• Any constraints that applied
• Selecting the best software
• Carrying out the task
• Evaluating the final product or outcome