Edexcel's DiDA team celebrate

Designed to equip students with practical and transferrable IT skills, DiDA is a revolutionary suite of three paperless qualifications that focus on enabling learners to apply knowledge to real situations.

Sharon Briggs, Head of ICT, Walker Technology College, Newcastle, said: “I have loved teaching this qualification.  DiDA encourages independent learning - students have a lot of control over their work and make their own decisions.  They like being in control of what they are doing and therefore they are able to manage the outcome.  With DiDA, I hope my students will be equipped with the knowledge and capability which they can apply either in further education, higher education or the workplace.”

Jerry Jarvis, Managing Director of Edexcel, said: “Edexcel is committed to creating, delivering and assessing flagship qualifications that utilise the best developments in new technology.  The Government is keen to explore online qualifications, and DiDA is an exciting example of the potential in this area.”

DiDA is conducted entirely electronically, from the entry of students, teaching material, assessment and quality assurance. All administration takes place onscreen through Edexcel Online, which includes diagnostic feedback and the issuing of results.

Edexcel expects over 200,000 student registrations to study DiDA from September 2006.

As a suite of qualifications, DiDA offers progression from the Award (AiDA), which is equivalent to one GCSE, to the Certificate (CiDA), and on to the full Diploma (DiDA), equivalent to four GCSEs.

For more information about DiDA, please visit: www.edexcel.org.uk/dida