Computing Vocational Taster
About this course
What is it?
The ASDAN Computing Vocational Taster gives learners a practical introduction to computing and the digital sector. It is particularly suitable for learners following alternative or flexible curriculum pathways, helping them explore employment opportunities and make informed decisions about their next steps in education, training or work.
The course covers six areas:
- infrastructure
- digital media and content
- web development
- programming
- health and safety in computing
- careers in computing.
Through practical challenges, learners develop their knowledge of the sector alongside transferable skills for learning, life and work.
This course can be completed using the Computing Vocational Taster student book
Withdrawal information
ASDAN is withdrawing all Vocational Taster course titles. Registrations and student books for the Computing Vocational Taster will remain available until 31 December 2026. The final date for certification is 31 August 2027.
ASDAN will continue to support centres with learners who are already registered, giving them sufficient time to complete the course.
If you are concerned about the impact of this change on your learners, please contact us
Who is it for?
Short Courses are widely used in formal and non-formal settings, by 13-19 year olds. Because they are multi-level, the focus is on completing challenges and skills development according to individual ability, although learners are expected to be working at Entry level 3 to Level 1.
Course information
- offers flexible, portfolio-based learning
- can be adapted for learners working at different levels
- accredits between 10 and 60 hours of activities and skills development
- is assessed and internally moderated by the centre
- can count as up to three of the credits needed to achieve ASDAN’s Personal Development Programmes
- can support skills development for ASDAN’s Personal Effectiveness Qualifications
- may contribute to recognition of prior learning where the required standards are met in full.
Requirements
Learners must present evidence of their activities in an organised portfolio.
This should include:
- a record of the challenges completed, with supporting evidence
- recording documents showing how the learner planned and reviewed their activities
- a summary of achievement highlighting skills development
- a personal statement.
Course content
This vocational taster contains six modules, corresponding to different aspects of computing:
- Infrastructure
- Digital media and content
- Web development
- Programming
- Health and safety in computing
- Careers in computing
Each learner needs their own copy of the RoadWise Short Course student book, which contains the challenge content and recording documents.
Download sample pages from the Computing Vocational Taster student book.
For guidance on delivering ASDAN Short Courses using student books, please see our step-by-step implementation guide.
ASDAN training supports educators to deliver our courses successfully. Sessions provide an introduction to the course alongside guidance on delivery, assessment and internal moderation.
Training is included as part of ASDAN membership for organisations joining or renewing after 1 April 2026, excluding tailored INSET.
All costs shown below are per candidate, unless otherwise stated. Each learner will need their own copy of the student book. Books or registrations purchased for Short Courses are valid for three years from the date of purchase.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Computing Vocational Taster student book | £12 |
| Computing Vocational Taster PDF certificate | Free |
| Computing Vocational Taster printed and foiled certificate (optional, per learner, per Vocational Taster or Short Course) | £3.75 |
Products can be purchased below.
Products
Course resources
Computing Vocational Taster - 3A5 Web development: slow loading times
This worksheet asks learners to give possible reasons for slow loading times on webpages and suggest optimisations to improve page load times. This resource links to challenge 3A5 from the Computing Vocational Taster.
Computing Vocational Taster: Wireframing templates
These wireframing templates can be used to sketch out ideas when designing websites or apps. Templates are included for a browser window on a laptop/desktop computer, a tablet device and a smartphone. This resource links to challenges 2B1 and 3B2 from the Computing Vocational Taster.
Short Courses summary of achievement and personal statement : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses summary of achievement and personal statement : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 1 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 1 : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 2 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 2 : Word version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 3 : PDF version (mandatory)
Short Courses skills sheet 3 : Word version (mandatory)