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 following is essential:

Assessment must confirm the ability to use software, navigate around the desktop, use system features to perform tasks, and save results of work.

To demonstrate competency in this unit the person will require access to:

Personal computer

Printer

Mouse and keyboard

Monitor

Basic software

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Using a personal computer is an essential business function and basic core skill in most workplaces. Demonstration of this competency will require:

Knowledge of PC operations in a narrow range of areas

Basic PC practical skills

Performing a sequence of routine tasks after having received clear direction

Receiving and passing on messages and information.

The breadth, depth and complexity of knowledge and skills in this competency would prepare a person to perform a defined range of activities many of which may be routine and predictable.

Assessment must ensure:

Demonstration of knowledge by recall in a narrow range of areas; demonstrating basic practical skills, such as the use of relevant tools and applications; performing a sequence of routine tasks given clear direction; and receiving and passing on messages or information.

Applications may include a variety of employment related skills including preparatory access and participation skills, broad-based induction skills and/or specific workplace skills. They may also include participation in a team or work group.

Method of assessment

The purpose of this unit is to define the standard of performance to be achieved in the workplace. In undertaking training and assessment activities related to this unit, consideration should be given to the implementation of appropriate diversity and accessibility practices in order to accommodate people who may have special needs. Additional guidance on these and related matters is provided in ICA05 Section 1

Competency in this unit should be assessed using summative assessment to ensure consistency of performance in a range of contexts. This unit can be assessed either in the workplace or in a simulated environment. However, simulated activities must closely reflect the workplace to enable full demonstration of competency.

Assessment will usually include observation of real or simulated work processes and procedures and/or performance in a project context as well as questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills. The questioning of team members, supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients where appropriate may provide valuable input to the assessment process. The interdependence of units for assessment purposes may vary with the particular project or scenario.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICAU1129B Operate a word processing application

An individual demonstrating this competency would be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge by recall in a narrow range of areas

Demonstrate basic practical skills, such as the use of relevant tools

Perform a sequence of routine tasks given clear direction

Receive and pass on messages and information

Maintain knowledge of industry products and services

Required skills

Saving and retrieving files to various locations

Mouse management (button usage) for different applications

Reading and writing at a level where basic workplace documents are understood

Ability to communicate with peers and supervisors

Seeking assistance and expert advice

Interpretation of user manuals and help functions

The ability to input user access details for accessing a personal computer (PC) (possibly a networked environment)

Required knowledge

Basic keyboarding skills

Computer functions

Basic parts of a computer and various hardware components

Storage devices and basic categories

Basic software operation

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.

Peripheraldevice may include but is not limited to:

mouse

keyboard

visual display unit

monitor

printer

Computer may include:

laptops

workstations

servers

other devices

programs may include:

database programs

word processors

email programs

internet browsers

system browsers

spreadsheets

OperatingSystem may include but is not limited to:

Linux 7.0 or above

Windows 2000 or above

Apple OS X or above

Systeminformation may include but is not limited to:

hardware and software components that run a computer

On-line help functions

An instruction manual or a portion of the manual, integrated into the program

Attributes

Indicates several properties of the directory. For example, they indicate whether the directory is read-only, whether it needs to be backed up, and whether it is visible or hidden

Systembrowser may include but is not limited to:

Windows Explorer

Konqueror

Disks may include but are not limited to:

floppy disks

CDs

CD-RW (compact disks-read write)

DVD RW

zip disks

flash drives

solid state hard drives

Printersettings may include:

layout

paper size

paper tray

cartridge type

number of copies

orientation

Information may include but is not limited to:

documents

test pages

web pages

other output