Clarification details
Updated December 2021. This clarification has been updated to address issues that have arisen from moderation.
Examples of advanced techniques are given in Explanatory Note (EN) 4. These provide guidance about Level 2 expectations, but are not an exhaustive list. Assessors may need to determine other techniques that are advanced, and should indicate what these are. Students need to demonstrate at least two advanced techniques in one media type.
Appropriate conventions will depend on the digital media outcome being developed. These should generally follow normal practice for that media type, at a level suitable for Level 2.
Student evidence needs to explain the relevant implications for the outcome. This should be used to inform the design and development of the outcome. Implications should be explained early in the evidence, to ensure that they are addressed during the creation of the outcome. There is a dedicated clarification document which expands on what is meant by relevant implications.
Appropriate data integrity and testing procedures should be used to show that the media outcome functions as intended and that the information presented is relevant for the purpose and end users.
For Merit, students will need to provide evidence of how the media outcome was improved using testing procedures and by applying the relevant conventions. The outcome’s functionalities should be enhanced as a result of the improvements, rather than just fixing errors. Annotated screenshots could be used to provide evidence of this. Students need to show how they have addressed the relevant implications.
For Excellence, iterative improvement is required throughout the design, development and testing process. Iterative improvement will involve cycles of improvements. A working outcome is required for Achieved. At Excellence, students should use a cyclic process to develop improved outcomes. There is a dedicated clarification document which expands on what is meant by iterative improvement.
Students need to use efficient tools and techniques. Examples are given in EN5. These provide guidance about Level 2 expectations. Assessors may need to determine other tools and techniques that are efficient, and should indicate what these are.
Moderation requirements
Where the evidence uses PHP and SQL or similar web-based methods, a link to show the website running on a webserver should be provided, rather than submitting the evidence to be unpacked into a webserver by the moderator.
Alternatively, a screencast showing the functional website operation could be submitted. The video should include some voice-over or subtitles, to describe what is happening and explain what the website does and how it functions.
Assessors will need to ensure that all prepared supporting evidence, such as voice-over video files, online version control tools or separate testing documents is visible to the moderator. When files are password-protected the access settings should be changed appropriately to allow the moderation process to occur.