Diploma in Information and Communication Technology in Applications Development

Purpose

The purpose of the Diploma is to provide a career-focused professional qualification featuring industry-referenced skills transfer with regard to knowledge skills, technological competencies, critical cross-field skills and attitudinal skills. A learner who completes will be knowledgeable and competent in the discourse and practice of the ICT discipline; but also have specialist knowledge of a particular sub-discipline of ICT; and would have been subject to a range of professional and personal development initiatives relevant to the ICT industry and lifelong learning respectively.

The knowledge area emphasises general principles and applications. Further the Diploma will develop learners who can demonstrate focused knowledge and skills in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry.

A qualifying learner will have proficient knowledge of the ICT industry in general and will have specialised knowledge in a field of specialisation, that will enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in an academic or professional context.

The goal of the Diploma is to satisfy the industry needs locally, regionally and nationally for ICT, with specific reference to the area of Applications Development.

Rationale

This qualification is a new Diploma in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which has been designed to incorporate the latest ICT industry requirements.

It was formulated with input from all Universities of Technology as a combined qualification that can be shared between the Universities, creating consistency across the whole of South Africa.

The qualification has also been formulated so that it reflects the latest workplace-based needs of the ICT industry, to ensure that qualifying learners will have accessibility to employment within the industry. The qualification may be acquired in the traditional way of formal study as well as in the workplace, either through Learnerships or by Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

The qualification provides the learner with the flexibility to articulate within the ICT industry into a wide variety of specialisations and to operate in other industries where ICT is a key component.

The Applications Development area of specialisation (as one of seven) was established through extensive research, international benchmarking and national discourse involving the ICT industry and the academic institutions within the HEICTA consortium. This specialisation expands the purpose of the qualification by enabling learners to conceptualise, design, implement and test application development solutions to address industry related ICT initiatives.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners who do not meet the minimum criteria can apply for access into the qualification through the PRL process. Learners will have to provide evidence of any additional courses completed or relevant workplace experience. Learners will follow the institutional RPL procedures.

Entry Requirements

Learners must have either one of the following as minimum requirement for admission

• National Senior Certificate (NSC), granting access to a Diploma studies.
• Senior Certificate, with matriculation exemption.
• National Certificate (Vocational), at NQF Level 4 granting access to a Diploma studies.

The Diploma in Information and Communication Technology in Applications Development consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, 6 and 7, totalling 360 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5 (120 Credits)

• Applications Development Foundations I, 20 Credits.
• Communication Networks Foundations I, 20 Credits.
• Multimedia Foundations I, 20 Credits.
• ICT Fundamentals I, 15 Credits.
• Project I, 10 Credits.
• Professional Communications I, 10 Credits.
• Business Practice I, 10 Credits.
• Programming I, 15 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6 (170 Credits)

• Application Development Fundamentals II, 10 Credits.
• Communication Network Fundamentals II, 10 Credits.
• Multimedia Applications Fundamentals II, 10 Credits.
• Applications Development Theory II, 10 Credits.
• Applications Development Practice II, 20 Credits.
• Information Management II, 15 Credits.
• Project II, 15 Credits.
• Information Systems II, 10 Credits.
• Professional Communication II, 10 Credits.
• ICT Electives II, 10 Credits.
• Project III, 20 Credits.
• Information Systems III, 20 Credits.
• Professional Practice III, 10 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7 (70 Credits)

• Applications Development Theory III, 20 Credits.
• Applications Development Practice III, 20 Credits.
• Project Management III, 15 Credits.
• Project Presentation III, 5 Credits.
• ICT Electives III, 10 Credits.

1. Communicate effectively with all role players related to the ICT field the learner will operate in.
2. Analyse the role of ICT and its ethical conduct in modern business environments.
3. Produce a suitable programming solution for a small business problem in a programming language of choice.
4. Solve problems and demonstrate creativity in the application of ICT concepts.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of project management principles by applying these principles in a project based or work integrated learning modality within the specialisation.
6. Demonstrate knowledge and application of current technical concepts and practices in the ICT industry.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of security concepts applicable to the ICT industry in general.
8. Collaborate in teams to accomplish a common goal by integrating personal initiative and group cooperation in ICT projects.
9. Engage in a capstone project (independently or as part of a team) that demonstrates an understanding of the knowledge, techniques and skills covered in the relevant specialisation area.
10. Demonstrate an understanding of best practices and standards in the area of specialisation.

The assessment criteria maybe applied in an integrated way across one or any combination of the Exit Level Outcomes

• The software engineering cycle is analysed.
• A test bed for testing intended software is designed.
• The concepts of "maintainability" and "economic feasibility" as applied to software development are effectively communicated.
• Software artefacts are analysed and developed using various development methods.
• Appropriate data and memory structures are designed and implemented.
• Software artefacts that are based on well grounded theoretical principles are designed and developed.
• Portfolio evidence of the appreciation of future developments in the ICT arena is demonstrated.
• Applications that use different platforms and frameworks are designed.
• Data definition, data manipulation, and data control language components of SQL are applied in the context of one widely used implementation language.
• Procedural programming artifacts are implemented.
• A software system which is integrated across different platforms is developed.
• An understanding of the elements of Distributed Systems Design is demonstrated.
• The effectiveness of Middleware design is successfully communicated by means of a presentation.
• Network security policy is effectively communicated through formal written correspondence.
• The elements of the design process of a large-sized organisation in a simulated environment are analysed.
• The effect of voice and video on the network and Quality of Service are analysed.
• Various wireless protocols and standards are analysed by comparing wireless and wired networks.
• The ability to secure network devices and configure a virtual private network is demonstrated.
• Media elements are analysed and evaluated within the context of electronic media.
• Digital and other media outputs, while considering purpose and communication principles, are conceptualised.
• Creative personal and group attempts are critically analysed and appraised at themed design for various interfaces.
• Appropriate unit tests for web application are developed and implemented.
• Key concepts in managing and deploying test driven web development applications are identified and critically analysed.
• Typical 2D and 3D media editing and creation tools to produce static media elements at an intermediate level are employed.
• A variety of frameworks for enterprise architecture analysis and decision making are analysed.
• A report of the outputs and outcomes of an IT Services Project is prepared.

Integrated Assessment

This qualification will incorporate the following assessment approaches: written and practical tests, portfolio assessment and assignments/projects (individual and team), within a continuous assessment model, to assess the learning that has taken place.

Underpinning the assessment strategy is not only the evaluation of knowledge, competencies and skills from an academic perspective, but places a particular emphasis on evaluating the application of learning in the 'world of work' or working environment, through the various modalities of work integrated learning.

Learners enrolled for this Diploma will be required to register for a project based offering at each year level, i.e. year one, two and three, of the qualification. This project based subject or module offering is intended to provide learners with an opportunity to integrate learning across each year of the curriculum and deliver an integrated project consistent with industry practice within a particular specialisation.