Digital Production, Design and Development

Core content

Students will develop an understanding of:

how digital technologies impact business
the ethical and moral implications of digital technology
using data in software design
using digital technologies to analyse and solve problems
digital environments, including physical, virtual and cloud environments
emerging technical trends, such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Blockchain, 3D printing
legal and regulatory obligations relating to digital technologies
the privacy and confidentiality of personal data
the technical, physical and human aspects of internet security
planning digital projects
testing software, hardware and data
digital tools for project management and collaboration

Awarding Organisation resources

Pearson has developed a wide range of resources to help providers to deliver the Digital Production, Design and Development T Level.

Approval and quality assurance

Support to help providers through the approval process can be here in the provider approval section

Registration, entries and results

Information on how to register learners for their T Level as well as how to make bookings for the correct assessment series can be found here in the key dates schedule section

Administrative support

Details about fees, quality assurance and assessment and support guides can be found here

Specification and specimen assessment materials

Specimen assessment materials for the core exams, employer set projects and occupational specialist components can be found here

Assessment guidance found here

Past papers mark schemes and chief examiner reports for core and occupational specialisms
Example Employer Set Projects, with briefs, tutor guidance and mark schemes
Exemplification materials can be found here

Teaching and learning materials found here

For both the core component and occupational specialist component, including curriculum planners, lesson plans, industry resource links and activity worksheets

Video resources

Getting Ready to Teach | Core component T level Digital Production, Design & Development - Session 1. Please watch the recorded webinar delivered by Pearson here.
Getting Ready to Teach | Core component (ESP) T level Digital Production, Design & Dev - Session 2. Please watch the recorded webinar delivered by Pearson here.
Getting Ready to Teach | Occupational Specialism T Level in Digital Prod, Design & Dev - Session 1. Please watch the recorded webinar delivered by Pearson here.
Getting Ready to Teach | Occupational Specialism T Level Digital Prod, Design & Dev - Session 2. Please watch the recorded webinar delivered by Pearson here.

Video Resources

Please find a playlist from NCFE here of recorded webinars covering training, support and CPD for the Digital T Level.

Other resources include:

ETF resources

Developing employer co-created learning materials related to working in the sector

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) showcases materials to support the understanding of digital concepts for the T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development.

Produced by Newcastle and Stafford group (NSCG), Cyberkiln, University Hospital North Midlands (UHNM) and Chelmsford College, this TRIP has been created to increase learners’ confidence for their industry placement.

Each session underpins digital concepts that have been identified by industry employers and supports learners with their core content. The theme of employability is highlighted in the first two sessions. This is developed into clear digital aspects, relevant in the working world, that employers have identified learners need more guidance on.

Resources include:

two case studies
a scheme of learning covering 10 weeks
10 lesson plans
worksheets relevant to each lesson.

Core content area

The core content areas include:

Problem solving (1.1.2, 1.1.4, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.2.4, 1.2.5, 1.2.6).
Introduction to programming (2.1).
Emerging issues and impact of digital (3.1, 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.2, 3.2.1).
Legislation and regulatory requirements (4.1.1-3, 4.2.1-3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5, 4.1.6, 4.1.7, 4.2,
4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3, 4.2.5).
Business context (5.1, 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3, 5.1.5, 5.1.6, 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.3, 5.3.1, 5.3.2, 5.3.3, 5.3.4 ,5.4.1).
Data (6.1.3, 6.4.1).
Digital environments (7.1.1, 7.1.2, 7.2.13).
Security (8.1.2, 8.1.5, 8.4).

General English competencies

General English competencies covered include:

E1 Convey technical information to different audiences.
E2 Present information and ideas.
E4 Summaries information/ideas.
E5 Synthesise information.
E6 Take part in/ leading discussions.

General maths competencies

General maths competencies covered include:

M3 Work with proportion.
M4 Use rules and formulae.
M5 Process data.
M6 Understand data and risk.
M7 Interpret and represent with mathematical diagrams.
M10 Optimise work processes.

General digital competencies

General digital competencies covered include:

D1 Use digital technology and media effectively.
D2 Design, create and edit documents and digital media.
D3 Communicate and collaborate.
D5 Be safe and responsible online.
D6 Code and program.

Downloadable resources

Case study	2
Lesson plan	10
PowerPoint presentations	10
Scheme of learning	1
Worksheets	5

This TRIP can be found here.

Developing Python Skills for the Employer Set Project

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) consists of a collection of resources to support the delivery of the T Level in Digital.

Produced by Leeds City College, Warwickshire College, Fareham College, Petroc College and Barnsley College, this TRIP was designed to develop a collection of resources which would allow practitioners to follow a coherent and easy to navigate programme of training when it came to the coding language, Python.

Resources include:

a lesson plan with accompanying guide
a scheme of leaning
two videos on Chatbot use.

The resources link to tasks 2, 3 and 4a of the Employer Set Project.

Core specialism

The core specialisms covered include:

Content area 2 – Programming
- 2.5 – Built in functions
- 2.7 Maintainable code.
Content area 6 – Data
6.2 – Data formats.

Occupational specialism

Learners can opt to focus more on the use of Python in Content area 6.1.

Specification appendices

Appendix 3 details Python commands and libraries.

Downloadable Resources

Lesson plan	1
Scheme of learning	1
Projects	3
Video	2

This TRIP can be found here.

Project-based learning and delivery toolkit

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) showcases employer-led materials for the T Level in Digital.

Produced by Bolton College, Hopwood Hall College, Wirral Met, Priestly College and Blackburn College, this TRIP consists of mini schemes of work, resources, and activities to inspire and provide guidance on how to plan and pitch work for T Level learners.

The materials have been developed in conjunction with digital employers and the sequence of learning and associated tasks discussed and refined with their expert insight.

Resources include:

five mini schemes of work
a teacher guide for each scheme of work.

Core specialisms

The core specialisms covered include:

T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development – Python Programming and Testing – Content Area 2 – Introduction to Programming: prepare first year students for their exam and Core Employer Set Project Assessment (ESP).
T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development – A01 Planning / A02 Application: prepare first year students for their exam and Core Employer Set Project Assessment (ESP).
T Level in Digital Support Services – Unit 4 Digital Analysis (Route Core element 4): prepare first year students for their exam and Core Employer Set Project Assessment (ESP).
T Level in Digital Support Services – Unit 5 Digital Environments (Route Core element 5): prepare first year students for their exam and Core Employer Set Project Assessment (ESP).

Occupational specialisms

The occupational specialisms covered include:

Digital Production, Design and Development.
Digital Support Services.

Downloadable resources

Scheme of learning	5
Teacher guide	1

This TRIP can be found here.

Working with employers to co-design Digital T Level content

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) provides materials to support the delivery of the T Level in Digital.

Produced by East Norfolk Sixth Form College, AST Group, Great Yarmouth Borough Council & Here Studio, Youth STEMM Award CIC, and Gravity Well, this TRIP consists of resources to support learners with a range of different digital topics that are industry led.

In the long term, the goal is using the learning and applying it across all T Level routes so that industry participation is embedded in the T Level programmes, at both Level 3 and as part of the transition route.

Resources include documents covering:

introduction to programming using C#
feasibility study
website development project
what are hackathons?
supporting documentation.

The resources provide teachers and learners with industry-based examples related to Digital T Levels and signpost a range of careers available in this sector.

Downloadable resources

Introductory guides	4
Supporting documentation	1

This TRIP can be found here.

Exploring Industry Placement options for Digital and Business T Level learners within the Football Industry

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) constitutes of key knowledge, skills, behaviours, and occupational competencies required to work in the football industry for the T Level in Digital and Business.

Produced by Weston College, with contributions from Bridgwater and Taunton College, Somerset FA, Taunton Town FC, Bridgwater United FC and Weston-super-Mare FC, this TRIP provides a guide for employers and providers, and outlines some activities to support the hosting of industry placements for football organisations.

This TRIP is designed to be used by football employers as well as provider employer engagement teams to help identify activities and understand how best to engage with T level learners, and to support talent pipelines for the future workforce, ensuring high quality and relevant placement provisions can be sourced and sustained.

Resources includes a guide covering:

understanding T Levels and Industry Placements
key competencies / knowledge, skills, and behaviours framework
example activities for the sector mapped to the T Level
barriers, challenges, and solutions
wider employer insights
benefits to employers.

Example activities

This TRIP also provides example placement activities and projects to support the Digital T Level that relate to the following occupational specialisms:

Core: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Core: Employer Set Project.

Downloadable resources

Guide

This TRIP can be found here.

Developing strategies to support CEIAG for vocational learners

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) showcases materials for the T Level in Construction, the T level in Digital, the T level in Education and Early years and the T level in Health and Science.

Produced by East Sussex College Group, East Sussex County Council, SCTP and Plumpton College, this TRIP conducted a systematic review and mapping across East Sussex of existing careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) arrangements and needs in relation to technical education. The review was driven by key stakeholder feedback, specifically employers, young people and their parents, carers, and teachers.

Resources include five videos providing overview of the relevant T Level, with modules and specialisms covered, along with feedback and explanations from a course leader, learner and employer on industry placements.

Reference is made to some core specialisms as part of the videos.

Downloadable resources

Videos

This TRIP can be found here.

Produce employer co-created case studies and learning materials to support the delivery of the T Level in Digital production, design and development Core Content

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) has produced case study materials, and a range of learning materials to support the delivery of T Level in Digital production, design and development Core Content and Core Skills. The case studies and learning materials have been developed by an experienced T Level provider, with input from employers.

Produced by Shrewsbury College, this TRIP provides an accessible framework for learning, lesson plans and supporting learning materials that will enable learners to develop understanding of key concepts in the Core Content for the T level in Digital design, production and development.

Shrewsbury College worked closely with two employers to develop the case study materials. The case studies develop throughout the delivery of the lessons. From the outset, learners are introduced to the project’s context, its objectives and the real-world implications of their work. As the lessons progress, they delve into various aspects of project development, including planning, design and implementation, mirroring the stages of actual information technology (IT) projects. This case study journey is tailored to mirror the demands and realities of the programming, project management and cybersecurity industries, making it particularly relevant for learners in these fields.

All TRIP materials are designed to support contextualised understanding of following Core Content Areas

2 Programming
4 Legislation and regulatory requirements
5 Business context
8 Security.

The resources include:

a framework for learning to show how learning can be scaffolded and sequenced to develop understanding
case studies materials to support the scaffolding and sequencing of learning
nine lesson plans to support the scaffolding of the understanding of Core Content
learning materials to support each lesson which enables the delivery of the framework for learning.

The framework for learning focusses on:

project risks, constraints and dependencies
resource planning
design
communication
abstraction
algorithms
user interface design
security
reflection
review.

As well as the case studies, which provide contextualised learning, the learning materials to support each lesson include task sheets, templates and activities.

The is also a separate slide deck to support the lessons.

Downloadable resources

Word document including introduction, framework for learning, lesson plans and associated supporting resources including case study materials	1
PowerPoint to support the lesson plans	1

This TRIP can be found here.

Formative assessment materials for the T Level in Digital production, design and development

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) has produced a range of learning materials, developed by an experienced T Level provider. These learning materials will support learners to develop their understanding of the Core Content of the T Level in Digital production, design and development and to support them to prepare for their Core exams.

Produced by Shrewsbury College Group this TRIP focusses on formative assessment of learners understanding of Core Content, particularly in relation to:

AO2 – Apply knowledge and understanding of contexts, concepts, theories and principles to different situations and contexts.
AO3 – Analyse and evaluate information and issues related to contexts, concepts, theories and principles to make informed judgements.

The resources include questions covering the following Core Content areas as shown on page 11 of the 2023 Pearson specification:

Problem solving (core area 1)
Programming (core area 2)
Emerging issues and impact of digital (core area 3)
Legislation and regulatory requirements (core area 4)
Business context (core area 5)
Data (core area 6)
Digital environments (core area 7)
Security (core area 8).

There are 20 questions addressing AO2 and 10 questions addressing AO3. Each question specifies:

targeted content – the specification reference that the question is designed to assess the question itself
indicative content – an indication of the content that a learner may provide in response to the question
a specific reference to the Assessment Objective:
- Context highlights the key context or situation that learners need to refer to in their application to the scenario (AO2)
- Issue – relates to the key points in the scenario that should be the focus of the response (AO3)
a model answer – an exemplar response that meets the targeted content and assessment objective.

There is also a section in the resource that includes development activities to support learners to develop their understanding and ability to respond to exam style questions. These activities are split into five sections:

Communication, including spelling and grammar (SPaG)
Misconceptions
Knowledge (AO1)
Application and problem solving (AO2)
Critical analysis and reasoning (AO3)

There is a feedback form template that can be provided to learners. There is also an activity carousel. This is designed to provide a quick method of selecting a development activity relating to the learner’s area of development need (based on the sections above). This is provided as a separate resource.

Downloadable resources

Type of document	Content	Number of documents
Word document	Introduction to the resource, formative assessment questions and development activities	1
Pdf	Associated resource-activity carousel	1

This TRIP can be found here.

Gatsby resources

Resources:

Further teaching resources to support the delivery of the Digital T Level can be found here. The Technical Education Networks programme supports teachers bringing industry and the classroom closer together by delivering an engaging and enriched curriculum for their students in an evolving education landscape, drawing on expertise of specialist teachers, employers and professional bodies.

Research – Macrosequencing of curriculum:

A research project exploring the macro-sequencing of T Level curriculum. The research resource, available here, presents two models for T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development together with feedback on implementing diagnostic assessments, sequencing core and occupational specialism content, embedding skills into the curriculum and implementing industry placements.

AoC resources

Please find AoC's resource depository here.

BCS resources

Supporting your Digital T Level programme | BCS

RITTech — the registration for IT technicians | BCS

Last updated: 24 October 2024 07:06

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