What does an ITQ Internal Verifier need to know about holistic assessment?
If you are familiar with the assessment and verification of old style IT User NVQs you will be aware of the bureaucracy, the demand for heavy paper-based portfolios and the structure that required a sequential approach when planning with candidates. If you agree that a definition for the term 'holistic' is 'considering something as a whole, which is more than just the sum of its parts' then that suggests a greater depth of experience for the ITQ candidate. For the ITQ assessor, rather than taking a Unit-by-Unit approach when carrying out assessment planning it is suggested that the assessor discusses with the Candidate to ascertain how different forms of evidence can relate across to other Units within ITQ. There is also the need to make the link between Optional Unit evidence and Mandatory Unit evidence.
Conversely, with ITQ, not only is there a need to move towards the capture of electronic evidence but also to use an holistic approach when planning assessment.
So what does that mean in practice?
Consequently, an ITQ assessor needs to be very familiar with the Standards and Guidance for each ITQ Unit in order to recognise opportunities for cross-referenced evidence. 
Listen to Terry Loane, ITQ Assessor talking about holistic assessment planning 
Taking previous qualifications into account
Contributing qualifications (or Accreditation of Prior Achievement - APA) can be used within the assessment to achieve the Optional units. The final Mandatory work-based unit is then assessed to complete the ITQ. When thinking about the take up of ITQ a learner might want APL to be taken into account especially if a long programme of learning, such as ECDL v4 or CLAIT Plus, has been achieved recently.
The ITQ Internal Verifier needs to ensure that an assessor asks the candidate at the initial planning stage about previous learning and experience, particularly about qualifications that might count towards ITQ. A Mapping outline clearly shows the qualifications that can be recognised. Awarding Bodies do advise that assessors see the original certificate/s and that a photocopy is held for the centre records. ITQ Internal Verifiers would need to ensure that this type of candidate information is kept secure.
An ITQ Team is looking to develop an individual - not just making a 'tick in the box' to achieve the minimum route for success. The ITQ Internal Verifier needs to assist assessors in deciding what constitutes the 'representative sample' of evidence so that holistically any evidence produced is relevant to the Optional Units as well as cross-referenced to the Mandatory Unit.
The representative sample of evidence needs to be the production of a worthwhile task incorporating a good range of performance skills indicated in the Optional Unit. This would then be accompanied by the full explanation of the purpose of the product including analysis and evaluation as described in the Mandatory Unit. Hence the one piece of evidence can be utilised twice.
Professional Discussion is an excellent assessment method to use to capture this report for the Mandatory Unit's. ITQ verifiers need to encourage assessors to use Professional Discussion as an assessment method, as it is an ideal way to capture a great deal of pervasive information about how the candidate uses ICT competently. You might need to help assessors provide a record of this discussion - in audio or video format - as well as to achieve a summary for the candidate's portfolio. Click here for advice on using audio and video methods to capture evidence. 
Contributing qualifications (or Accreditation of Prior Achievement - APA) can be used within the assessment to achieve the Optional units. The final Mandatory work-based unit is then assessed to complete the ITQ. When thinking about the take up of ITQ a learner might want APL to be taken into account especially if a long programme of learning, such as ECDL v4 or CLAIT Plus, has been achieved recently. The ITQ Internal Verifier needs to ensure that an assessor asks the candidate at the initial planning stage about previous learning and experience, particularly about qualifications that might count towards ITQ. A clearly shows the qualifications that can be recognised. Awarding Bodies do advise that assessors see the original certificate/s and that a photocopy is held for the centre records. ITQ Internal Verifiers would need to ensure that this type of candidate information is kept secure. An ITQ Team is looking to develop an individual - not just making a 'tick in the box' to achieve the minimum route for success. The ITQ Internal Verifier needs to assist assessors in deciding what constitutes the 'representative sample' of evidence so that holistically any evidence produced is relevant to the Optional Units as well as cross-referenced to the Mandatory Unit. The representative sample of evidence needs to be the production of a worthwhile task incorporating a good range of performance skills indicated in the Optional Unit. This would then be accompanied by the full explanation of the purpose of the product including analysis and evaluation as described in the Mandatory Unit. Hence the one piece of evidence can be utilised twice. Professional Discussion is an excellent assessment method to use to capture this report for the Mandatory Unit's. ITQ verifiers need to encourage assessors to use Professional Discussion as an assessment method, as it is an ideal way to capture a great deal of pervasive information about how the candidate uses ICT competently. You might need to help assessors provide a record of this discussion - in audio or video format - as well as to achieve a summary for the candidate's portfolio. for advice on using audio and video methods to capture evidence.
Using an Expert Witness
One of the ITQ Internal Verifier's roles is to ascertain that a stated expert witness, used by an ITQ candidate, is not only real and reliable but also capable of giving expert witness testimony.
The use of an Expert Witness, when planning ITQ assessment, is encouraged. Expert Witness testimony can be used as an authentic assessment method and therefore can provide excellent observational account of what a candidate is doing within the workplace. Expert Witnesses can be drawn from a wide range of people; line managers, experienced colleagues from inside the candidate's organisation or from other organisations such as customers or clients.
Click here for details about Expert Witnesses status requirements.
They must, however, be suitably qualified to take the role of Expert Witness and the ITQ Internal Verifier needs to check that those qualifications are acceptable and credible. 
Consider how you would approach a candidate's line manager to ascertain the person's credentials and suitability to offer Expert Witness Testimony. How would you handle this situation?
Let's now consider effective ITQ candidate induction
Last modified: 22 Nov 2007
