Audio and video software — WJEC Vocational Digital Skills & IT

The WJEC Level 1 Award for IT Users (ITQ) is a vocationally-related qualification that develops practical digital skills for the modern workplace. It covers essential IT competencies such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and safe online practices, preparing learners for further study or employment.

The WJEC Level 1 Award for IT Users (ITQ) is designed to equip learners with the fundamental digital skills needed in today's world. It covers a range of topics including using computer hardware, managing files, creating documents, and understanding online safety. This qualification is vocationally-related, meaning it focuses on practical, real-world applications rather than just theory, making it ideal for students who want to develop employability skills.

The course is structured around units that reflect common IT tasks, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and using email. Each unit is assessed through practical tasks, allowing students to demonstrate their competence. The qualification is flexible and can be tailored to individual needs, making it suitable for a wide range of learners, from those new to IT to those looking to formalise their existing skills.

Mastering these skills is essential for success in further education and the workplace. Whether you are writing a report, analysing data, or communicating online, the abilities gained from this qualification are directly transferable. Moreover, the emphasis on safe and responsible use of IT ensures that students are not only proficient but also ethical digital citizens.

• →Hardware and software: Understanding the physical components of a computer and the programs that run on them.
• →File management: Creating, saving, organising, and retrieving files and folders.
• →Word processing: Using software like Microsoft Word to create, edit, and format text documents.
• →Spreadsheets: Using software like Excel to store, calculate, and analyse data using formulas and functions.
• →Online safety: Knowing how to protect personal information and stay safe when using the internet.

• Award credit for demonstrating correct setup and use of recording equipment (e.g., microphone, camera) and successful import of captured sequences into editing software.
• Award credit for accurately applying basic editing operations such as trimming, splitting, and arranging clips on a timeline, with evidence of a logical sequence structure.
• Award credit for exporting the final sequence in an appropriate file format that maintains quality and ensures compatibility, and for demonstrating correct playback using suitable software or devices.
• Award credit for saving work systematically, including separate project and export files, and for documenting the editing process where required.

• 💡Maintain a step-by-step log or screenshot evidence of your capture and editing process to demonstrate competence against each learning objective.
• 💡Prioritise clean, functional editing over unnecessary effects; assessors look for technical accuracy rather than creative complexity.
• 💡Test your exported audio/video on at least two different playback devices to verify compatibility and quality before final submission.
• 💡Always read the question carefully and identify the command word (e.g., 'describe', 'explain', 'state') to know how much detail is required.
• 💡In practical tasks, save your work regularly and check that you have completed all parts of the task before moving on.
• 💡Use correct terminology in your answers, such as 'cell reference' instead of 'box', to show your knowledge.

• Confusing audio and video file formats, resulting in exports that do not play properly on target devices.
• Forgetting to save project files independently from exported files, which prevents future re-editing.
• Neglecting to monitor and adjust audio levels during capture or editing, leading to poor sound balance in the final output.
• Overusing flashy transitions and effects, which detracts from the content and often obscures underlying editing errors.
• Misconception: 'The internet and the World Wide Web are the same thing.' Correction: The internet is the global network of computers, while the World Wide Web is a service that uses the internet to access websites.
• Misconception: 'Saving a file and saving it as a different format are the same.' Correction: Saving a file stores it in its current format, while 'Save As' allows you to choose a new format or location, which is useful for compatibility.
• Misconception: 'A spreadsheet is just a table for text.' Correction: Spreadsheets are designed for numerical data and calculations, using formulas to perform automatic updates.

1. 1Week 1: Focus on hardware and software. Create flashcards for key terms and practice identifying components. Complete a short quiz on file management.
2. 2Week 2: Practice word processing tasks, such as formatting a document with headings, bullet points, and images. Then move to spreadsheets, learning to enter data and use basic formulas like SUM and AVERAGE.
3. 3Week 3: Review online safety topics, including creating strong passwords and recognising phishing emails. Take a mock exam paper to identify weak areas.
4. 4Week 4: Consolidate learning by revisiting all topics, focusing on areas where you lost marks. Practice past papers under timed conditions.

• 📋Multiple-choice questions: These test recall of key facts, such as definitions of hardware/software. Read each option carefully and eliminate obviously wrong answers.
• 📋Short-answer questions: Often ask you to 'state' or 'identify' a feature, e.g., 'Name two input devices.' Be concise and accurate.
• 📋Practical tasks: You may be given a scenario and asked to create a document or spreadsheet. Follow the instructions step-by-step and save your work in the correct format.
• 📋Extended response questions: These may ask you to 'explain' or 'describe' a process, such as how to stay safe online. Structure your answer with clear points and examples.

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