Essential Digital Skills L1 - Practical Assessment - Set 2 — Open Awards Essential Digital Skills Digital Skills & IT Revision
This practical assessment evaluates the learner's ability to apply fundamental digital skills in realistic workplace and everyday scenarios. Tasks require
Topic Synopsis
This practical assessment evaluates the learner's ability to apply fundamental digital skills in realistic workplace and everyday scenarios. Tasks require the safe and effective use of devices, creation and editing of documents, managing files, and communicating online. Successful completion demonstrates competence in using technology to solve problems and complete routine tasks independently.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Using devices and handling information: Understanding how to turn on and log into a device, connect to Wi-Fi, use a web browser, and manage files and folders (e.g., saving, opening, and deleting files).
- Creating and editing digital content: Being able to create simple documents (e.g., using word processing software), add text and images, and edit content using basic formatting tools like bold, italics, and bullet points.
- Communicating online: Knowing how to send and receive emails, attach files, use instant messaging, and participate in video calls. Understanding the importance of clear and respectful communication.
- Transacting securely: Performing online transactions such as shopping, banking, or filling in forms safely. Recognising secure websites (https), protecting personal information, and understanding payment methods.
- Staying safe and responsible online: Identifying common online risks (e.g., phishing, scams, cyberbullying), creating strong passwords, understanding privacy settings, and knowing how to report concerns.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- Read each task instruction fully before starting; underline or highlight the specific actions required to avoid missing any steps.
- During the assessment, if you get stuck on a step, move on and return later. You may recall the process or find it easier after completing other tasks.
- Practice the file management and email tasks repeatedly as these are often weighted as essential evidence for the qualification.
- Use the on-screen help or accessibility features if allowed—knowing how to access spell check or find and replace can save time and improve accuracy.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to save work regularly, leading to data loss when the application unexpectedly closes.
- Using weak or easily guessable passwords, such as 'password123' or personal names, which fail security requirements.
- Sending emails without an attachment or attaching the wrong file, then failing to check before submission.
- Inserting images into documents without resizing or aligning them, causing messy formatting.
- Using only a single generic search term instead of refining the search with quotation marks or minus operators, resulting in irrelevant results.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for identifying and applying appropriate security measures, such as using a strong password and locking the screen when away from the device.
- Evidence of using a word processor to create a structured document containing formatted text, inserted images, and a table, with accurate spelling and grammar.
- Demonstrate accurate file management by saving files with an appropriate file name, in the correct folder, and noting the file size and type.
- Show correct use of email functions: composing a new message, adding attachments, using the CC field, and applying a meaningful subject line.
- Carry out a specific online search using multiple keywords and filters to locate relevant information, then capture and reference a screenshot of the results.