Top tips for submitting samples for Cambridge Nationals Creative iMedia

This blog post was originally published on 09 January 2020.

Hints and Tips - 5 minute read

Rachel Smith, Customer Support Manager

Creative iMedia is one of our most popular Cambridge Nationals courses and we want to make sure you are getting all the support you need when submitting your moderation samples.

This blog is applicable to Cambridge Nationals in Creative iMedia only, however further information on other subjects is available on our website. For a walk-through of the generic processes which apply to all Cambridge Nationals please look at our administration page.

Send us your marks

Before we send you a sample request we need you to send us your marks for the moderated units. When you submit your marks don’t forget to keep a copy for your records. You must submit your marks (either through Interchange or in an EDI file sent via A2C) by the relevant series deadline below:

Once we receive your marks we'll then request the moderation sample. Exams officers will receive an email telling you which work will be sampled as part of the moderation – all samples should be submitted within three days of receiving the sample request.

Please note that at the current time the June 2021 series has not yet been confirmed, we will update you on this as soon as we can, so please make sure you sign up to receive updates.

Send us your sample

Make sure you include all the work that was requested. Each learner's work must have a unit recording sheet, with a summary of the marks awarded for the task, to accompany it.

If you would like further guidance on completing the unit recording sheet, we have produced a short video which you may find helpful - especially if you are delivering Cambridge Nationals for the first time this year.

It might be helpful to have a look at our handy checklist for Creative iMedia, designed to help teachers make sure everything needed for moderation has been included before it is sent to the OCR moderator.

When you made your entries for Creative iMedia you will have selected the moderation method – if you need a reminder just check your entry option as this will specify how the work is going to be moderated.

There are usually three ways you can submit your moderation sample to us:

Via OCR Repository 

This a great option for Creative iMedia as it allows students to produce multimedia or interactive evidence and files that would normally be challenging to send via post. It is also seen as a faster, greener and more convenient means of providing work for assessment. Another benefit is that all moderated units for Creative iMedia can be submitted using the Repository which makes keeping on top of your submissions much easier. Instructions for using the OCR Repository can be found on Interchange.

Via postal moderation 

Did you know that postal moderation also includes sending us your work using a CD/DVD or USB device? For Creative iMedia units R082–R090 and R092 you must submit the final products digitally, so why not keep everything together, go green and send us your portfolios and unit recording sheets this way too? You should use one of the labels provided by us to send the learners’ work.

Via visiting moderation

For the 2020/21 academic year, the option for visiting moderation will be unavailable in any series. Please choose either the OCR Repository or postal options for your moderation method.

Make sure your work is retained at your centre ready for the moderation visit. You present the initial sample to the moderator in rank order, by unit, to allow moderation to take place.

All work not selected for initial sampling must still be available to the visiting moderator during their visit should they need to extend their sample.

At the end of the visit, the moderator may need to take samples of work away, or request for work to be posted to them for further consideration. All students' work must be retained securely within the centre until the post-results services deadline or any appeals have been completed.

Support

If you need to change your moderation method please amend your entries using the same method (EDI or Interchange) as you submitted your original entries. If you need any advice with this please call us before amending your entry on 02476 851509. You can also find more information about making entries for Cambridge Nationals in our helpful guide.

There are a number of useful resources available to support delivery of Cambridge Nationals Creative iMedia. To view what is on offer see our support highlights resource document for further information.

We are running monthly webinars for Cambridge Nationals throughout the 2020/21 academic year. These sessions are free and provide live, interactive training which focuses on the admin essentials of Cambridge National qualifications and will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about the moderation process for Creative iMedia. I hope to see you there!

Stay connected

If you have any questions about assessment and would like to talk to us, please get in touch at vocational.qualifications@ocr.org.uk or follow us on Twitter at @OCR_Vocational.

You can also sign up to subject updates and receive email information about resources and support.

About the author

Rachel Smith - Customer Support Manager

Rachel is Customer Support Manager for County Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Rutland, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear and West Yorkshire. The customer support team provides support, training and guidance for centres administering OCR qualifications. Rachel has enjoyed her time over the past 4 years as a customer support manager because the role enables her to provide support, information and resources about our qualifications.

Rachel has worked in the education sector for over 17 years and joined OCR in 2014 as a regional account manager before moving into the role of customer support manager.