Unit 123 desktop publishing software by hannah sage

Unit 123:

Desktop Publishing Software

Unit code:

123

Unit reference number:

Y/502/4565

QCF level:

Credit value:

Guided learning hours:

Unit summary This unit is about the skills and knowledge required by an IT user to use a range of basic desktop publishing software tools and techniques to produce straightforward or routine publications. Any aspect that is unfamiliar will require support and advice from others. Publication tools and techniques will be described as ‘basic’ because: 

the software tools and functions will be predefined or commonly used;



the range of entry, manipulation and outputting techniques will be straightforward or routine; and



the inputting, manipulating and outputting of the information will be predetermined, straightforward or routine.

Assessment requirements/evidence requirements Evidence of achievement can be derived from a variety of sources. Learners who use their IT skills directly in their day-to-day work can prove their competence whilst doing so. Alternatively learners can use scenarios and knowledge tests — or a mixture of both — to demonstrate competence.

Assessment methodology All ITQ units may be assessed using any method, or combination of methods, which clearly demonstrates that the learning outcomes and assessment criteria have been met. Whilst assessors are required to have a sound understanding of the unit requirements and be able to give appropriate feedback to learners, they do not have to be A1 qualified. However, ideally every assessor should have ITQ Level 3 or equivalent in order to be able to adequately assess at that level and below.

BE034975 – Specification – Edexcel BTEC Entry Level 3 and Level 1 Award, Certificate and Diploma 279 for IT Users (ITQ) (QCF) – Issue 2 – March 2013 © Pearson Education Limited 2013

Learning outcomes and assessment criteria In order to pass this unit, the evidence that the learner presents for assessment needs to demonstrate that they can meet all the learning outcomes for the unit. The assessment criteria determine the standard required to achieve the unit. On completion of this unit a learner should:

Learning outcomes

Assessment criteria

1.1 Identify what types of information are needed

Select and use appropriate designs and page layouts for publications

1.2 Identify what page design and layout will be required 1.3 Select and use an appropriate page design and layout for publications in line with local guidelines, where available 1.4 Select and use appropriate media for the publication

Input and combine text and other information within publications

2.1 Input information into publications so that it is ready for editing and formatting 2.2 Identify copyright constraints on using others’ information 2.3 Organise and combine information of different types or from different sources in line with any copyright constraints 2.4 Store and retrieve publication files effectively, in line with local guidelines and conventions where available

Use desktop publishing software techniques to edit and format publications

3.1 Identify what editing and formatting to use for the publication 3.2 Select and use appropriate techniques to edit publications and format text 3.3 Manipulate images and graphic elements accurately 3.4 Control text flow within single and multiple columns and pages 3.5 Check publications meet needs, using IT tools and making corrections as appropriate

280 BE034975 – Specification – Edexcel BTEC Entry Level 3 and Level 1 Award, Certificate and Diploma for IT Users (ITQ) (QCF) – Issue 2 – March 2013 © Pearson Education Limited 2013

Unit content

Select and use appropriate designs and page layouts for publications Types of information: text, images, graphics, video, sound Page design and layout: organisation of information eg size, white space, columns, consistency, orientation Publishing guidelines: templates; house style eg branding, publication guidelines, styles, colours, font schemes Publication media: web, document, multimedia

Input and combine text and other information within publications Input information: use interface devices eg keyboard, mouse, scanner, stylus, touch screen, microphone, camera Copyright constraints: effect of copyright law eg on music downloads or use of other people’s images, acknowledgement of sources, avoiding plagiarism, permissions Combining information for publications: combine images with text and graphic elements eg insert, size, position, wrap, order, group; forms; graphic elements eg borders, lines, panels, shading, logos Store and retrieve: files eg create, name, open, save, save as, find

Use desktop publishing software techniques to edit and format publications Edit publications: eg drag and drop, copy and paste, find, replace, undo, redo, size, crop, position, use layout guides Format text: use existing styles and schemes eg font size, orientation, colour, alignment Manipulate images and graphic elements: eg size, crop, position, maintain proportion, border Control text flow: eg in columns, around images and graphic elements, between pages Check publishing outcomes: using software functions eg spellcheck; grammar check, word count; using manual techniques eg completeness, accuracy, orientation, layout, text alignment, formatting

BE034975 – Specification – Edexcel BTEC Entry Level 3 and Level 1 Award, Certificate and Diploma 281 for IT Users (ITQ) (QCF) – Issue 2 – March 2013 © Pearson Education Limited 2013

Essential guidance for tutors

Delivery A practical approach to delivery is essential for this unit. Delivery should focus on both the format and the content of software as well as enabling learners to develop their technical knowledge and skills by using software tools and techniques. Much of the assessment evidence is likely to be produced during this process, and centres should consider what other supporting product evidence can be collected. This unit can be taught in conjunction with other units, eg Unit 101: Improving Productivity Using IT, Unit 112: IT Software Fundamentals, Unit 120: Design Software, Unit 121: Imaging Software, Unit 124: Multimedia Software, Unit 125: Presentation Software, Unit 127: Spreadsheet Software, Unit 128: Website Software and Unit 129: Word Processing Software.

Assessment An holistic approach to teaching is suggested for this unit. Tutors should provide learners with a variety of scenarios, from which one should be selected. These scenarios should be of interest to the learners and should not be too ambitious but should enable them to meet all the assessment criteria. It is envisaged that only scenario be required in order for learners to fulfil what is needed to pass the unit. Tutors should encourage learners to capture and record evidence as an ongoing process at each stage of development. Therefore, assessment evidence will primarily come in the form of printed annotated screen shots, highlighting the formatting and layout of work, where necessary. Evidence can also come in the form of observations, class discussions, peer assessment and written work. To achieve a pass grade in this unit, learners will need to meet all of the assessment criteria.

Links to National Occupational Standards, other BTEC units, other BTEC qualifications and other relevant units and qualifications This unit forms part of the BTEC in IT sector suite. This unit has particular links with:

Entry Level 3

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Design and Imaging Software

Improving Productivity Using IT

Presentation Software

IT Software Fundamentals

Design Software

Spreadsheet Software

Design Software

Imaging Software

Word Processing Software

Imaging Software

Desktop Publishing Software

282 BE034975 – Specification – Edexcel BTEC Entry Level 3 and Level 1 Award, Certificate and Diploma for IT Users (ITQ) (QCF) – Issue 2 – March 2013 © Pearson Education Limited 2013

Entry Level 3

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Desktop Publishing Software

Multimedia Software

Presentation Software

Spreadsheet Software

Website Software

Word Processing Software

This unit maps to some of the underpinning knowledge from the following areas of competence in the Entry Level 3 and Level 1 National Occupational Standards for IT Users: 

Using Productivity Tools and Applications (DTP: Desktop Publishing Software).

Employer engagement and vocational contexts Learners will need access to appropriate software to allow the production of different types of publications, eg desktop publishing software, multimedia software, and access to the internet. In addition learners must have access either to different types of information, eg graphic images, or to other sources of information.

Indicative resource materials Websites www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict www.teach-ict.com

BE034975 – Specification – Edexcel BTEC Entry Level 3 and Level 1 Award, Certificate and Diploma 283 for IT Users (ITQ) (QCF) – Issue 2 – March 2013 © Pearson Education Limited 2013

Functional Skills — Level 1 Skill

When learners are …

ICT — Using ICT Identify the ICT requirements of a straightforward task

identifying what editing and formatting to use for publications

Interact with and use ICT systems to meet requirements of a straightforward task in a familiar context

selecting and using an appropriate page design and layout for publications selecting and using appropriate media for publications selecting and using appropriate techniques to edit publications and format text manipulating images and graphic elements accurately

Manage information storage

storing and retrieving publication files effectively

ICT — Finding and selecting information Use search techniques to locate and select relevant information

identifying copyright constraints on using others information

Select information from a variety of ICT sources for a straightforward task

identifying what types of information are needed identifying what page design and layout will be required

ICT — Developing, presenting and communicating information Enter, develop and refine information using appropriate software to meet the requirements of straightforward tasks

inputting information into publications so that it is ready for editing and formatting

Use appropriate software to meet requirements of straightforward data-handling task

using appropriate software associated to any of the learning outcomes to meet the requirements of a straightforward data-handling task

Combine information within a publication for a familiar audience and purpose

selecting and using appropriate media for the publication

Evaluate own use of ICT tools

checking publications meet needs, using IT tools and making correction as appropriate

inputting information into publications so that it is ready for editing and formatting

284 BE034975 – Specification – Edexcel BTEC Entry Level 3 and Level 1 Award, Certificate and Diploma for IT Users (ITQ) (QCF) – Issue 2 – March 2013 © Pearson Education Limited 2013