Using the Internet — 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 workplace. It covers essential IT applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, and safe internet use, assessed through portfolio-based tasks.

The WJEC Level 1 Award for IT Users (ITQ) is a practical qualification that equips students with essential digital skills for the modern workplace. It covers a range of IT applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, and safe internet use. The qualification is assessed through a portfolio of evidence, where students demonstrate their ability to complete real-world tasks, such as creating a business letter, analysing data, or designing a presentation.

This qualification is important because it provides a foundation for further study and employment. In today's digital age, employers expect workers to be proficient in common software tools. By completing this award, students prove they can use IT effectively and safely, which is a key employability skill. The course also encourages good practice, such as data protection and cyber security awareness.

The ITQ award is part of the wider digital skills curriculum, building on basic computer literacy and preparing students for more advanced qualifications like Level 2 ITQ or GCSE Computer Science. It is a vocationally-related qualification, meaning it focuses on practical skills rather than theory, making it ideal for students who prefer hands-on learning.

• →Word processing: creating, editing, and formatting text documents, including using styles, tables, and mail merge.
• →Spreadsheets: using formulas, functions, charts, and data sorting/filtering to analyse and present data.
• →Databases: designing tables, queries, forms, and reports to store and retrieve information.
• →Presentations: creating engaging slides with text, images, charts, and transitions, and delivering them effectively.
• →Safe internet use: understanding online security, data protection, and responsible digital citizenship.

• Award credit for correctly demonstrating the steps to connect to a wireless network, including selecting the network and entering the password.
• Award credit for using the address bar to enter URLs and using hyperlinks and tabs to navigate between pages.
• Award credit for performing a keyword search and using filters or quotation marks to refine results.
• Award credit for saving a bookmark and sending a link via email using browser tools.
• Award credit for identifying at least two common online threats and explaining a mitigation method for each.
• Award credit for recognizing secure websites (e.g., HTTPS) and avoiding suspicious downloads.

• 💡Practise setting up a connection on different devices (e.g., laptop, smartphone) to be confident in both wired and wireless methods.
• 💡Learn keyboard shortcuts for tab management (e.g., Ctrl+T for new tab) to demonstrate efficiency.
• 💡When refining searches, use specific keywords and note how adding quotes or using advanced search tools narrows results.
• 💡Always mention the importance of HTTPS and privacy settings when discussing safe browsing.
• 💡In assessments, provide clear step-by-step explanations for each task to show thorough understanding.
• 💡Always save your work regularly and in the correct file format (e.g., .docx, .xlsx) as evidence.
• 💡When completing portfolio tasks, take screenshots of each step to show your process, not just the final result.
• 💡Read the task brief carefully and tick off each requirement as you complete it to ensure you meet all criteria.

• Confusing the address bar with the search bar and entering full URLs into the search engine.
• Failing to check for HTTPS and padlock icons before entering personal information online.
• Clicking on pop-ups or downloading files from untrusted sources without consideration.
• Not using bookmarks and instead relying on memory to revisit sites.
• Misconception: 'Formatting and editing are the same thing.' Correction: Formatting changes appearance (font, colour, alignment), while editing changes content (text, images).
• Misconception: 'Spreadsheet formulas must use numbers, not cell references.' Correction: Using cell references (e.g., =A1+B1) is essential for dynamic calculations and is a key skill.
• Misconception: 'Databases are just tables.' Correction: Databases include queries, forms, and reports, which allow users to search, input, and present data effectively.

1. 1Week 1: Focus on word processing and presentations. Practice creating documents with formatting, tables, and images. Create a short presentation with slides and transitions.
2. 2Week 2: Focus on spreadsheets and databases. Learn to use formulas, functions, and charts. Create a simple database with a table and query.
3. 3Week 3: Review all topics and complete practice tasks under timed conditions. Ensure you can evidence each skill with screenshots.
4. 4Week 4: Final revision: revisit any weak areas, check your portfolio against the assessment criteria, and practice using the correct terminology.

• 📋Practical tasks: You will be given a scenario (e.g., 'Create a poster for a school event') and must produce a document using the appropriate software. Advice: Read the scenario carefully and include all required elements.
• 📋Multiple-choice questions: These test your knowledge of IT concepts, such as file types or safety. Advice: Revise key terms and definitions.
• 📋Short-answer questions: You may be asked to explain a process, such as 'How do you insert a chart?' Advice: Use step-by-step instructions with correct terminology.
• 📋Portfolio evidence: You will need to submit screenshots and explanations of your work. Advice: Keep a log of your tasks and annotate screenshots to show your thinking.

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