National Certificate: Interactive Media – NQF Level: 5

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION:

The purpose of this qualification is for learners to be able to plan and create web sites. This may not involve substantial academic content competent to the qualification, but rather focus on the practical aspects required such as authoring / compiling / putting together components for e-learning running off Internet, intranet, and CD ROM. In doing the former, qualifying learners can create an interface for communication, entertainment, and information devices. In addition, qualifying learners are able to compile interactive presentations, graphics and photographic elements, 2D animation, that is, visual content for marketing purposes, to contribute to film, television, and video productions.

QUALIFYING LEARNERS ARE CAPABLE OF:

• Using science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility to others
• Designing visual and technical components and structure of interactive media solutions
• Proposing audio-visual and technical interactive media solutions
• Gathering interactive media content and information
• Designing and developing creative elements for interactive media solutions
• Authoring content for interactive media solutions
• Delivering interactive media solutions in required formats.
• Managing a business in the interactive industry, or
• Innovating and creating ideas and opportunities, or
• Safeguarding a multi-user computer system

SKILLS RATIONALE:

Web design is a new field within a dynamic industry. Typical learners for this qualification would be employed (or seek employment) in the following environments: organisations that specialise in web design, large organisations that have dedicated web design production facilities; in-house; e-learning in large companies; advertising; film, video, television production, multi-media industry, marketing companies, event companies, online gaming, newspaper and news letters, music industry (e.g. viral campaigns), telecommunications (mobile, MMS, PDA), touch screen kiosks, to name but a few. Qualified learners could thus fulfil the following job roles: computer operators, electronic originators of materials ready for the web, sales people in web/multi-media/events/television/motion graphics/media industry, web or print designers.

Qualified learners will be competent to create computer-based, electronic/digital visual communication using digital technology, which, in turn may be used in web publishing, education, entertainment, marketing, presentations, news (including 2D animation)

Learners will enjoy various advantages as a result of due to the qualification, for example; global applicability of the competencies, employment in an international industry enjoying substantial growth, benchmarked qualification, a creative career, improved communication.

Qualified learners will be in a position to advise and contribute to development within Africa through the application of their competencies. An example of such contribution would be assisting in the development and maintenance of electronic banking environment. Learners may choose to be self-employed since the start-up costs for such an enterprise is low, and technology is becoming affordable to more people. (Some aspects are available at no cost)

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES:

Fundamental and Core

• Design visual and technical components and structure of interactive media solutions.
• Range: Components and structure include interfaces, navigation architecture and storyboards
• Propose audio-visual and technical interactive media solutions.
• Gather interactive media content and information.
• Design and develop creative elements for interactive media solutions.
• Author content for interactive media solutions
• Deliver interactive media solutions in required formats.

Elective

• Manage business in the interactive industry.
• Innovate and create ideas and opportunities.
• Safeguard a multi-user computer system.