Internet fundamentals — 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 qualification 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 entry-level employment.

The course is structured around practical, real-world tasks that require you to demonstrate competence in using common software tools. For example, you might create a business letter in a word processor, analyse sales data in a spreadsheet, or design a multimedia presentation. The emphasis is on 'doing' rather than just 'knowing', so you will be assessed through practical assignments rather than written exams. This makes the qualification highly relevant for careers in administration, customer service, retail, and many other sectors where IT skills are essential.

Mastery of this qualification shows employers and educators that you can use IT confidently and productively. It also provides a stepping stone to higher-level qualifications, such as the WJEC Level 2 Award for IT Users or other vocational IT courses. By the end of the course, you should be able to select and use appropriate IT tools to solve problems, communicate information, and improve your own productivity.

• →File management: Understanding how to organise, save, and retrieve files in a logical folder structure, using appropriate file names and formats.
• →Word processing: Creating, editing, and formatting documents, including using styles, tables, images, and mail merge to produce professional-looking outputs.
• →Spreadsheets: Using formulas (e.g., SUM, AVERAGE), functions, cell references, and charts to analyse and present numerical data effectively.
• →Databases: Designing simple tables, queries, forms, and reports to store, sort, and retrieve information efficiently.
• →Safe internet use: Knowing how to evaluate online sources for reliability, protect personal data, and avoid common cyber threats like phishing and malware.

• Award credit for correctly connecting to a Wi-Fi network and troubleshooting basic connectivity issues.
• Expect learners to demonstrate opening, closing, and switching between multiple tabs, and using forward/back navigation.
• Marks for using search operators (e.g., quotation marks, minus sign) to refine results and citing sources.
• Evidence of sending an email with a relevant subject line and attachment, or submitting a completed online form.
• Credit for identifying secure websites (HTTPS, padlock icon) and explaining consequences of weak passwords.

• 💡Always provide annotated screenshots as evidence, clearly showing the steps taken to complete tasks.
• 💡Practice using different browsers to become comfortable with varied interfaces and shortcut keys.
• 💡When searching, document the search terms used to show the process of refining queries.
• 💡In communication tasks, adopt a professional tone with clear subject lines and proofread content.
• 💡Before submitting, verify all safety and security requirements have been met and evidenced in your work.
• 💡Read each task carefully and identify the key requirements before you start. Underline command words like 'create', 'format', 'calculate', or 'save' to ensure you address every part of the task.
• 💡Pay attention to file naming and storage instructions. Examiners often deduct marks if files are not saved with the correct name or in the specified folder. Always double-check your file path before submitting.
• 💡Use the help function within software if you get stuck. Knowing how to find answers independently is a key skill that examiners look for. It also saves time and shows resourcefulness.

• Confusing the browser address bar with the search box, leading to inefficient navigation.
• Neglecting to evaluate the credibility of search results, accepting unverified information.
• Forgetting to log out of accounts on shared or public devices, compromising security.
• Using simple, repeated passwords across multiple sites without enabling two-factor authentication.
• Downloading files from untrusted sources without virus scanning, risking malware infections.
• Misconception: 'I don't need to save my work regularly because the software autosaves.' Correction: Autosave may not always work, especially if the software crashes or you lose power. Always save your work manually every few minutes and keep backup copies.
• Misconception: 'Using lots of different fonts and colours makes my document look professional.' Correction: Overusing fonts and colours can make documents look cluttered and unprofessional. Stick to one or two complementary fonts and use colour sparingly for emphasis.
• Misconception: 'Spreadsheet formulas are too complicated; I'll just do the calculations manually.' Correction: Manual calculations are time-consuming and prone to error. Learning basic formulas like SUM and AVERAGE saves time and ensures accuracy. Start with simple formulas and build up.

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