Assessor Resource

ICAICT203A
Operate application software packages

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to information and communications technology (ICT) personnel who need to use several different software applications to produce diverse documents within a small to large office environment.

The ability to use and present a variety of key software application packages is a key component of any ICT business or office environment.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify, select and operate three commercial software packages, including a word-processing and a spreadsheet application package.

The unit identifies the requirement to use a word-processing, spreadsheet and third software application package to ensure that the individual develops the skills required to cover a range of basic office software requirements.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

produce workplace documents using a minimum of three different software application packages

open, amend and save files and documents according to organisational requirements

use OHS principles and responsibilities for ergonomics, such as work periods and breaks

use help manuals and online help.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

use of PC and printer

use of software currently used in industry

documents detailing organisational style guide and policy

documents or information containing data suitable for developing software application documents

appropriate learning and assessment when required.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of OHS, application usage for specific tasks, and use of different application functions

direct observation of candidate using a minimum of three different software applications

review of workplace documents prepared by candidate demonstrating a wide range of features from different software application packages.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

communicate with peers and supervisors

seek assistance and expert advice

literacy skills to:

interpret user manuals and help functions

read and write basic workplace documents

numeracy skills to enter simple formulas into spreadsheet

problem-solving skills to manage applications and use help functions

technical skills to:

operate a personal computer (PC) and printer

operate a keyboard to enter text and numerical data

use application software packages.

Required knowledge

application software packages used by the organisation

basic technical terminology related to reading help files and responding to system help prompts

basic knowledge of system usage

current business practices related to using software to prepare reports

features and functions of commercial computing packages

import and export software functions

linking documents

OHS principles and responsibilities for ergonomics, such as work periods and breaks

purpose, use and functions of applications

use of input and output devices.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Ergonomic, work organisation, energy and resource conservation requirements may include:

avoiding radiation from computer screens

chair height, seat and back adjustment

document holder

equipment that is reasonably adjusted to meet personal needs, in appropriate circumstances

exercise breaks

footrest

keyboard and mouse position

lighting

mix of repetitive and other activities

noise minimisation

posture

rest periods

screen position

workstation height and layout.

Word-processing software may include:

Apple iWork

Microsoft Word

Open Office.

Document may include:

captions

different odd and even pages

document protection

drawing

hyperlinks

linked and embedded objects

mail-merge data documents

master documents

MS WordArt

templates.

Organisational requirements may include:

company colour scheme

company logo

consistent corporate image

content restrictions

established guidelines and procedures for document production

house styles

observing copyright legislation

organisation name, time, date, document title and filename in header or footer

templates.

Document structure and layout may include:

annotated references

borders

boxes

bullet or number lists

captions

colour

columns

consistency with other business documents

cropping

drawing

footnotes

endnotes

graphics

headings

indentations

layout

page numbers

position related to other text

size

spacings

typeface styles and point size.

Technical functions, other data and formatting may include:

alignment

clip art

comments

data from other software applications

digital photographs

digital signatures

display features

embedding

exporting

fields

fills or shading

formulas

graphics

importing

lines and borders

linking

merge cells

page and section breaks

permissions

reviewing

sharing

sort criteria

sorting contents

split cell

table of contents

templates

text direction

versioning.

Naming and storing documents may include:

authorised access

filenames according to organisational procedure

filenames that are easily identifiable related to the content

file or directory names which identify the operator, author, section and date

filing locations

organisational policy for backing up files and filing hard copies of documents

security

storage in folders and sub-folders

storage on:

hard disk drives

CD-ROM

tape backup.

Printing may include:

comments

drawing objects

field codes

hidden text

print merge

print to file

to fit a specific number of pages.

Spreadsheet software may include:

Apple iWorks, such as Numbers

Gnumeric

Microsoft Excel

Open Office.

Simple formulas and functions may include:

addition

conditional logic

conditional summation

division

lookup

multiplication

subtraction

summation

application of the above to a series of cells.

Spreadsheet settings may include:

cell alignment

charts

font settings

formatting tools

graphics

objects

page layout

print

share

simple formulas and functions

sort

toolbars

views

worksheets.

Software application package may include:

database

email

graphics

spreadsheet

word processing.

Technical functions may include:

animations

arranging slides

charts

customising masters

illustrations

linking content

sharing

SmartArt

tables.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Use safe work practices to ensure ergonomic, work organisation, energy and resource conservation requirements are addressed 
Use wrist rests and document holders where appropriate 
Use monitor anti-glare and radiation reduction screens where appropriate 
Select word-processing software appropriate to perform activity 
Identify document purpose, audience and presentation requirements, and clarify with personnel as required 
Identify organisational requirements for text-based business documents and design document structure and layout to ensure consistency of style and image 
Match document requirements with software functions to provide efficient production of documents 
Use technical functions, other data and formatting to finalise documents 
Ensure the naming and storing of documents in appropriate directories or folders and the printing of documents to the required specifications 
Select spreadsheet software appropriate to perform activity 
Identify document purpose, audience and presentation requirements, and clarify with personnel as required 
Enter simple formulas and functions using cell referencing where required 
Customise spreadsheet settings to meet requirements 
Ensure the naming and storing of documents in appropriate directories or folders and the printing of documents to the required specifications 
Select software application package appropriate to perform activity 
Identify purpose, audience and presentation requirements, and clarify with personnel as required 
Use technical functions, other data and formatting to finalise documents 
Ensure documents are named and stored in appropriate directories or folders and printed to required specifications 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICAICT203A - Operate application software packages
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

ICAICT203A - Operate application software packages

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: