Cambridge National IT: feedback from January 2023 moderation for R060 and R070
28 March 2023
Debbie Williams, Computer Science, IT and Creative iMedia Subject Advisor
As our NEAs for our Cambridge National IT (J836) are live for both the January and June series each year, we will only produce a moderator report after the second series in the summer. Therefore, I have provided some useful tips based on the January moderation.
January 2023 was our first moderation for R060 and R070. For R060 moderation was on the live assignment scenario, the Westwood Adventure Park. For R070 moderation was on the Fruits for the Diet scenario.
Overview
Overall, the moderators felt there was good application of the marking criteria and, in the majority of cases, marks awarded by the teachers were agreed by the moderators.
As the series was small there was no statistical need to move the grade boundaries so they were set as follows:
Tip: You should be confident to use these boundaries going forward. They are not guaranteed, as they may change slightly, but are a good guide to use for allocating raw mark to a grade.
The moderation team reported that where candidates did well for the NEAs, they followed the entire “plan, do, review” learner journey and provided the necessary evidence.
In some cases teachers needed to develop a better understanding of the command words used in the marking criteria. This information starts on page 56 of the specification and outlines the difference between the evidence you may see to meet different command words used in different mark bands. For example, at MB2 “adequately” would be expecting that students’ work “includes the appropriate number of relevant facts or concepts but does not include the full detail, contextualisation or examples”.
Tip: You should review the command verbs section within the specification to ensure that you understand what is deemed to be “effective” as opposed to “adequate” and vice versa.
R060: Data manipulation using spreadsheets
A small number of centres entered marks for moderation this series. Generally the work was well assessed, and the moderation team were able to agree with the majority of marks awarded.
Moderators have described this series as not typical. A higher number of the marks entered were lower than is usual for moderation and lots of the work wasn’t complete. As a result, a large number of centres entered marks for students that were below the minimum threshold for level 1.
For example, a lot of students hadn’t attempted the testing and evaluation task, which is worth 14 marks (23% of the marks available). It appears that centres had entered students before they were ready, and this was a barrier to their success. This wouldn’t be expected in a normal series
Moderators were expecting to see the following evidence for R060.
Planning
Moderators were expecting to see design tools used to design the solution such as flowcharts, mind maps, storyboards, visualisation diagrams and wireframes that consider functionality, navigation and outputs. They should address the requirements of the solution, consider the target audience and the client requirements.
Tips
- For strand 1a we are not expecting to see any written explanation. We are expecting students to use a range of appropriate design tools and using their tools, plan their designs. They should be providing the detail on the designs indicating how they will address the client requirements.
- If software such as Visio is used as a design tool, please ensure that it is converted/presented in a format that is accessible to the moderator not sent in the raw format. Exporting design tools in pdf format is a good option.
- Designs should allow a third party to successfully develop the product to meet the requirements without second guessing anything or having to ask questions.
Creating
Moderators were expecting to see a spreadsheet solution.
Tips
- If students have created in their solution in Google Sheets, they must be exported as .xls files. Moderators have been instructed not to follow links to online documents.
- Exported Google Sheets do not export any macros that the students may have chosen to include. If students are using Google Sheets and have included macros, they must provide a screen recording of the macros working as supporting evidence.
- If students have added a password to their solution please provide it on the URS sheet. Moving forward, we are looking at specifying the password to use so that moderators can open all files.
Reviewing
Moderators were expecting to see:
- A completed test plan
- An evaluation of the effectiveness of their solution.
Tip: It would support students if they had a copy of topic area 4.1 for R060 (page 25) in the specification to guide them on what to include in their review/evaluation.
Overview
In terms of the work produced the moderators were pleased with the quality of the planning, the solution produced and, where completed, the testing and review. Moderators saw effective designs that would allow a third party to successfully develop the product to meet the requirements without second guessing anything or having to ask questions. There was also clear alignment between the planning and creating and students had produced effective human computer interfaces (HCIs) considering house style and user needs.
The solutions students had created demonstrated good teaching and learning experiences. The transition from the legacy R013 unit is clear where centres are still teaching good spreadsheet skills and techniques. These are similar to R013 but apply the new mark criteria which focuses on the effectiveness of their solution rather than students having to demonstrate using all the advanced techniques.
The skills required for the new unit includes elements such as good house style and developing an effective HCI alongside using spreadsheet tools to meet the client needs.
The moderators saw good practice in their development. The moderators shared that some candidates had lost marks for not carrying out any testing as it states in the assignment brief that this should be carried out iteratively. For this unit we provide a test table with the tests to undertake. To achieve any form of working product, students no doubt would have had to address issues and test so they need to be encouraged to evidence this in the test table.
Tip: You should encourage students to complete the test plans while they are creating their products as well as undertaking final testing.
R070: Using augmented reality to present information
As expected, entries for R070 were low. Many centres are teaching R060 in year one and leaving R070 to year two of the course.
The centres had followed our software development kits (SDK) recommendations and students had used Adobe Aero and XR Plus software to successfully create their AR model.
The moderators were generally pleased with the work provided and were able to easily moderate it. The work was aligned with what we were looking for and was complete, including the videos of the working AR model. There was clear evidence that students had been taught everything they needed and understood the “plan, do, review” processes.
Moderators saw effective designs which would allow a third party to successfully develop the product to meet the requirements without second guessing anything or having to ask questions. This then led onto high-quality models which met the requirements.
It is important that when candidates record their demonstration of the AR prototype, they must be given a quiet location to do this. Moderators need to not only see the demonstration but be able to listen to any audio that students may have included to meet the client requirements.
Tip: Ensure the videos showcase both the visual and audio elements of the AR model and does not have too much background noise which detracts from the model.
Moderators were expecting to see the following evidence for R060.
Planning
Moderators were expecting to see:
- Design tools used to design the content and action flow for an AR product such as flowcharts, mind maps, mood boards, storyboards, visualisation diagrams and wireframes
- Design tools to support the creation of an AR product, such as content design, action design and house style.
Tip: Designs should allow a third party to successfully develop the product to meet the requirements without second guessing anything or having to ask questions
Creating
Moderators were expecting to see a video of the AR product.
Reviewing
Moderators were expecting to see:
- A completed test plan
- A review of the AR model
Tips
- It would support students if they had a copy of topic area 4.2 (page 32) for R070 in the specification to guide them on what to include in their review/evaluation.
- Some students used the evaluation or review to give a story of their solution creation, “I did this and then I did that”. This is not what is required in this task.
- Students should be taught to look at all aspects of the process they followed, from the design tools they used, how they used them, the creation of the prototype and the testing in their review. They should be encouraged to discuss what went well and not so well and where and what aspects of their journey they could improve.
- Don’t send more files than are required. For example, we don’t need the unedited files we provided or the raw AR model file.
Resubmitting work in the June 2023 series
Your students can only resubmit the R060 Westwood Adventure Park and R070 Fruits for the Diet scenarios in June 2023. If they need to resubmit in 2024, they will need to complete tasks from the next live assignment.
If you are resubmitting work from students in the summer, it is essential that you keep a copy of the original work and record all written feedback you have given to students to avoid malpractice. You could use the set assignment feedback form we provide or your own.
Tip: Make sure your curriculum plan fits with the series dates for the NEAs. If you want to resubmit the same NEA you must enter it in January then June. You cannot enter the NEA students start in Y10 in Y11 unless it is the one released on 1 June for the following year.
Changes in assessment structure
The new NEA tasks for submitting for moderation in January and May 2024 will be released on Teach Cambridge on 1 June. They will not be available on our public website so you need to ensure you have access to Teach Cambridge. There are also lots of resources, including candidate style exemplars and the URS for you to access and download.
Tip: Ensure you have a log in for Teach Cambridge. You will need to contact your exams officer to get set up.
You also need to remember that the new specification has the terminal exam rule, meaning that the students can only count the exam they sit in the series when both R060 and R070 have been or are being moderated. More information can be found on page 49 of the specification.
Tip: Make sure your curriculum plan fits with the terminal exam rule and that if you want your students to get two opportunities at the exam that count you will need to enter them in the January 2024 series with or after the NEA units are moderated.
Become a moderator
Would you like to be part of the moderation team? We regularly look to increase our pool and information on current vacancies can be found on our dedicated webpage. Being a moderator is one of the best ways to gain an insight into the assessment system and build confidence in supporting your students as they learn.
Stay connected
If you have any questions, you can email us at ocr.vqit@ocr.org.uk, call us on 01223 553998 or tweet us @OCR_ICT. You can also sign up to receive subject updates information about resources and support.
About the author
Debbie joined the Computing team in September 2022, bringing her knowledge as a teacher and subject leader for IT, Computing and Creative Media. She has over 20 years’ experience of education working in various settings including state schools, private specialist provision, local authority, and as a marker and moderator for exam boards. She has a degree in Technology Management, a PGCE and a Masters in Teaching and Learning.