Desktop publishing software — WJEC Vocational Digital Skills & IT

The WJEC Level 1 Award for IT Users (ITQ) is a vocationally-related qualification designed to equip students with essential digital skills for the modern workplace. This award covers a range of IT applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, and using the internet safely and effectively. It is ideal for students who want to build a solid foundation in IT, whether for further study or to enhance their employability in roles that require basic digital literacy.

The qualification is structured around practical, real-world tasks. For example, in word processing, you will learn to create professional documents with formatting, tables, and images. In spreadsheets, you will use formulas, functions, and charts to analyse data. The course also emphasises e-safety, ensuring you understand how to protect your personal information and recognise online threats. By the end of the award, you will be confident in using common software applications and understand how IT is used in business and everyday life.

This award fits into the wider subject of Digital Skills & IT by providing a stepping stone to more advanced qualifications, such as the WJEC Level 2 Award for IT Users or GCSE Computer Science. It is also recognised by employers as proof of basic IT competence. The skills you gain are transferable across all subjects and careers, making this qualification a valuable addition to your CV.

• →File management: Organising files and folders logically, using appropriate naming conventions, and understanding file extensions (e.g., .docx, .xlsx).
• →Formatting: Applying consistent styles (fonts, colours, alignment) to improve readability and professionalism in documents and presentations.
• →Formulas and functions: Using basic arithmetic operators (+, -, *, /) and functions like SUM and AVERAGE in spreadsheets to automate calculations.
• →Database queries: Using filters and sorting to extract specific information from a database, and understanding the difference between a table, query, form, and report.
• →E-safety: Recognising phishing emails, creating strong passwords, and knowing how to keep personal data secure online.

• Award credit for selecting a layout that clearly matches the publication's purpose and target audience.
• Evidence of accurate text entry with correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Effective use of text frames, alignment, and spacing to create a structured page.
• Appropriate scaling and positioning of images without distortion.
• Consistent use of fonts, styles, and colours throughout the publication.

• 💡Always begin by analysing the brief to ensure your design choices serve the intended purpose and audience.
• 💡Use templates and grid systems in the software to maintain consistent alignment and structure.
• 💡Preview the publication at actual size before finalising to check image quality and text flow.
• 💡Save iterative versions of your work to avoid losing progress and to document your development.
• 💡Read the task carefully: Many students lose marks because they miss key instructions, such as 'use a formula to calculate the total' or 'insert a header with your name'. Underline the command words.
• 💡Show your working: In spreadsheet tasks, if you use a formula, make sure it is visible in the cell (not just the result). For database tasks, clearly show the criteria you used in a query.
• 💡Check your spelling and formatting: A document with consistent font, correct spelling, and proper alignment looks professional and can earn you marks for presentation.

• Using excessive fonts and sizes, resulting in a cluttered and unprofessional look.
• Ignoring margins, white space, and alignment guides, leading to uneven layouts.
• Inserting low-resolution images that appear pixelated when printed or displayed.
• Overlooking proofreading, leaving spelling and grammatical errors in the final publication.
• Misconception: 'Saving a file once is enough.' Correction: Always save your work regularly (every few minutes) and keep backup copies in different locations (e.g., USB drive and cloud storage) to avoid losing data due to crashes.
• Misconception: 'Spreadsheet formulas are too hard.' Correction: Start with simple formulas like =SUM(A1:A10) and use the 'Insert Function' wizard to guide you. Practice makes perfect.
• Misconception: 'E-safety is just about not talking to strangers.' Correction: It also includes protecting your devices with antivirus software, not clicking suspicious links, and understanding privacy settings on social media.

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