How you’d get it

How you’d get this certificate

  1. Zavmo teaches you. You learn the units one-to-one with an AI tutor, on your own work.
  2. You register with an approved centre. That is a college, training provider or employer Open College Network Northern Ireland has approved to offer this qualification. Zavmo is not an approved centre, so you register with them, not with us.
  3. The centre assesses, and Open College Network Northern Ireland awards. A qualified assessor at the centre judges your evidence, and the certificate comes from Open College Network Northern Ireland.

More on studying for a qualification

01What it is

Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCN NI) is a Nationally Recognised Awarding organisation which offer high quality flexible, credit based qualifications

These are the units Open College Network Northern Ireland registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated. Zavmo teaches towards them on your own work.

Zavmo is not an awarding body, is not an approved centre, and is not affiliated with Open College Network Northern Ireland. It does the teaching and the mapping. Open College Network Northern Ireland sets this qualification and awards it, and a qualified human assessor makes the assessment decision.

02The units

What each unit actually teaches you to do

Assist With Event Organisation Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll participate in planning, publicising, and running events, understanding the roles and responsibilities of event managers and other individuals involved. This unit develops skills in contributing ideas, following instructions, and supporting event organisation.

What you'll be able to do

  • Participate in the planning of an event
  • Understand the role of the event manager and the roles of others involved in the event
  • Participate in publicising an event
  • Participate in running an event
Capturing and Editing Audio Sequences Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll learn to capture, edit, and present audio sequences using appropriate hardware and software. The unit includes recording audio, using software tools to manipulate audio content, applying effects, and exporting audio in suitable formats for playback and presentation.

What you'll be able to do

  • Use audio hardware and software to capture audio sequences effectively
  • Use audio software tools to edit and manipulate audio sequences
  • Apply audio effects to enhance the quality of audio sequences
  • Play and present audio sequences using appropriate equipment
  • Save and export audio sequences in appropriate formats
Capturing and Editing Video Sequences Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
It teaches you to capture and edit video sequences using appropriate hardware and software. You'll manipulate footage with editing tools, apply effects and transitions, and present the final video in a suitable format for the intended audience.

What you'll be able to do

  • Utilise video hardware and software to capture video sequences effectively.
  • Use a range of video software tools to manipulate and enhance video footage.
  • Play and present video sequences in a suitable format for the intended audience.
Composition Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
This unit equips learners with skills to create original musical compositions by identifying suitable starting points, assessing instrumentation, and applying hooks, melodies, and rhythms. You'll also implement arrangement and structuring techniques to produce cohesive compositions.

What you'll be able to do

  • Identify a suitable starting point for an original composition
  • Assess instrumentation for a musical composition
  • Use hook, melody and rhythm effectively in music
  • Implement arrangement and structuring techniques in a musical composition
Developing Websites Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll learn to plan, create, and publish basic websites. The unit covers identifying website purpose and audience, structuring and formatting web pages using markup languages, and ensuring accessibility and functionality when publishing online.

What you'll be able to do

  • Plan the structure and content of web pages
  • Create web pages using appropriate technologies
  • Structure web pages using appropriate markup languages
  • Format web pages to enhance visual appeal and usability
  • Publish web pages to the Internet or an Intranet, ensuring accessibility and functionality
Digital Fabrication Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll understand health and safety considerations in digital fabrication and use software to create designs. The unit includes demonstrating fabrication techniques safely to produce designs using digital fabrication tools and equipment.

What you'll be able to do

  • Understand health and safety issues associated with digital fabrication processes and equipment.
  • Use software to create designs suitable for digital fabrication.
  • Demonstrate the fabrication of a design using appropriate digital fabrication techniques.
Film and Video Production Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
This unit covers the film and video production process, including pre-production, production, and post-production stages. You'll learn to follow pre-production materials, produce production materials, and assist in creating a final short film or sequence.

What you'll be able to do

  • Know the film and video production process, from pre-production to post-production.
  • Follow pre-production materials, such as scripts and storyboards.
  • Produce production materials, such as call sheets and shot lists.
  • Assist with the development of a final version of a short film or sequence of a film, contributing to the editing process.
Health and Safety in Practice Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
This unit covers health and safety requirements, procedures, and equipment within practical environments. You'll gain knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies, and develop the ability to follow and manage safe working practices effectively.

What you'll be able to do

  • Know about health and safety requirements, procedures and equipment in a practical environment, in line with current legislation and organisational policies.
  • Follow and manage safe working practices, identifying and minimising potential hazards in the workplace.
Life Drawing Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll explore different life drawing approaches and techniques, applying principles of proportion when drawing from a life model. The unit emphasises maintaining a personal sketchbook for practice and adhering to safe working practices.

What you'll be able to do

  • Recognise and differentiate between different life drawing approaches and techniques.
  • Understand and apply principles of proportion when drawing from a life model, accurately representing the human form.
  • Understand the importance of maintaining a personal sketchbook for practice, experimentation, and development of artistic skills.
  • Understand and adhere to safe working practices within a life drawing studio environment.
Live Sound Engineering Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
It teaches you to set optimal signal-to-noise ratios and maintain balanced audio mixes during live performances. You'll assist in communication with performers and support performance activities to ensure sound quality and smooth operation.

What you'll be able to do

  • Set an optimal signal-to-noise ratio for live sound engineering.
  • Maintain a balanced and clear audio mix during a live performance.
  • Assist in maintaining clear communication with performers on stage.
  • Assist with the smooth running of performance activities during a live event.
Location Sound Recording Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll understand microphone types, their applications, and principles of high-quality sound recording. The unit includes planning and executing location sound recording for short productions and reflecting on performance to improve future practice.

What you'll be able to do

  • Understand the properties of different types of microphones, their appropriate applications, and the basic principles of recording high-quality sound in various locations.
  • Participate effectively in the development of a detailed plan for location sound recording for a short production, considering all relevant factors.
  • Record sound effectively for a short production, ensuring optimal audio quality and clarity.
  • Reflect critically on own performance during location sound recording activities, identifying areas for improvement and future development.
Multi-track Recording Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
This unit equips learners with the skills to plan and conduct multi-track recording sessions, including selecting equipment and recording spaces. You'll understand health and safety considerations, microphone use, and review recorded material.

What you'll be able to do

  • Plan a multi-track recording session, considering equipment, space, and artistic goals.
  • Understand health and safety regulations and best practices when working with recording equipment and in a studio environment.
  • Understand the different types of microphones and their appropriate uses in various recording scenarios.
  • Understand the stages involved in the multi-track recording process, from initial setup to final mix.
  • Record a multi-track audio project and critically review the recording for quality and areas for improvement.
Musical Ensemble Skills Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll perform as part of a musical ensemble, contributing to the overall sound and performance. The unit includes undertaking and adhering to a rehearsal schedule and demonstrating musical ability and commitment during rehearsals.

What you'll be able to do

  • Perform effectively as part of a musical ensemble, contributing to the overall sound and performance.
  • Undertake and adhere to a successful rehearsal schedule, demonstrating commitment and preparation.
  • Demonstrate musical ability as part of an ensemble, showcasing skills in areas such as rhythm, pitch, and dynamics.
Performance Realisation Skills Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
This unit provides an understanding of disciplines and techniques related to performance realisation, such as acting and singing. You'll assess their own performance and recognise the value of feedback from audiences and production teams to enhance their skills.

What you'll be able to do

  • Understand the disciplines relating to performance realisation
  • Understand the techniques relating to performance realisation
  • Assess own performance effectively
  • Recognise the value of audience critique in performance
  • Recognise the value of production team critique in performance
Practical Presentation Skills Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll develop knowledge and skills to plan, prepare, and deliver presentations using various visual aids and delivery styles. The unit emphasises audience engagement and includes reflection on presentation effectiveness to identify areas for improvement.

What you'll be able to do

  • Know the skills involved in preparing presentations
  • Know the skills involved in delivering presentations
  • Use different visual aids effectively in presentations
  • Use different delivery styles effectively in presentations
  • Plan a presentation effectively
  • Deliver a presentation effectively
  • Identify areas for improvement in presentation skills
Preparing for a Career or Further Study in the Creative Industries Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll identify employment and education opportunities within the creative industries and develop a professional CV tailored to this sector. The unit supports understanding of job roles, responsibilities, and education pathways to enhance career prospects.

What you'll be able to do

  • Identify a range of employment and education opportunities available within the creative industries sector.
  • Develop a professional and effective CV tailored for the creative industries, highlighting relevant skills and experience.
Song Writing Skills Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll explore popular music genres, lyrical themes, and songwriting techniques. The unit covers the identification of genre characteristics and the use of lyrical and compositional devices in songwriting.

What you'll be able to do

  • Know popular music genres and their characteristics.
  • Know common subject matter explored in popular music lyrics.
  • Know the use of lyrical devices in songwriting, such as metaphor and simile.
  • Know the use of compositional devices in songwriting, such as melody, harmony, and rhythm.
Sound Checking an Ensemble Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
This unit provides knowledge and skills to assist in sound checking an ensemble, including preparing PA systems and checking instruments. You'll work with performers to create a balanced audio mix and understand the sound check procedure.

What you'll be able to do

  • Perform a sound check procedure effectively.
  • Assist in preparing a PA system for a sound check, ensuring all components are correctly connected and functioning.
  • Assist with the sound checking of various instruments, adjusting levels and EQ as required.
  • Assist with working with performers during a sound check, addressing their needs and concerns.
  • Assist with creating a balanced mix during a sound check, ensuring all instruments and vocals are clearly audible.
Sound for Moving Image Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
This unit introduces learners to the relationship between sound and picture in film, covering sound types and their impact on audience experience. You'll learn to assist in planning and recording sound for short film productions.

What you'll be able to do

  • Know the relationship between sound and picture in film, including the impact of sound design.
  • Assist with the development of a plan for sound in a short film production, contributing to the planning process.
  • Assist in recording sound for a short film production, following instructions and using appropriate equipment.
Studio Mixing Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll gain an understanding of audio mixing principles and demonstrate practical mixing techniques. The unit includes adjusting audio levels, applying equalisation, and using panning to create balanced music mixes.

What you'll be able to do

  • Understand the fundamental principles of audio mixing and its purpose in music production.
  • Demonstrate practical mixing techniques, including adjusting levels, EQ, and panning.
Teamwork Skills in Practice Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
This unit develops understanding of team roles and responsibilities and skills to contribute to team and individual goals. You'll practise effective communication, recognise the importance of co-operation, and review overall team performance.

What you'll be able to do

  • Understand the different roles and responsibilities of individuals within a team.
  • Contribute to the setting of team goals and own individual goals within the team context.
  • Be aware of others' rights to communicate their views and opinions within a team.
  • Recognise the importance of co-operation and collaboration within a team to achieve common objectives.
  • Review team performance, identifying areas for improvement and celebrating successes.
Technical Sound and Audio Production Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
This unit covers health and safety issues and professional working methods in sound and audio production. You'll use production equipment safely and effectively, follow production plans, and work collabouratively within group situations.

What you'll be able to do

  • Know the health and safety issues relating to sound and audio production within a professional environment.
  • Use sound and audio production equipment safely and effectively.
  • Follow a production plan accurately and efficiently.
  • Know professional working methods within the sound and audio production industry.
  • Work effectively within a group situation, contributing to the overall production goals.
Two Dimensional Animation Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
This unit covers the historical development of computer-based 2D animation and relevant health and safety procedures. You'll apply animation concepts to build and rig simple 2D characters and scenes, animate them, and produce a final rendered animation.

What you'll be able to do

  • Know about the historical development of computer-based 2D animation techniques and technologies.
  • Apply fundamental 2D animation drawing concepts to the construction of a simple 2D scene.
  • Build a simple 2D character and add a basic rigging system for animation.
  • Utilise various 2D character animation techniques to create movement and render a final animated sequence.
  • Understand relevant Health and Safety procedures and safe studio practices applicable to 2D animation environments.
  • Reflect critically on own performance throughout the 2D animation process, identifying strengths and areas for development.
Undertaking a Solo Performance Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll develop basic technical skills on an instrument and establish effective practice routines. The unit also fosters appreciation of music from various periods and styles, and understanding of musical competence and performance elements.

What you'll be able to do

  • Demonstrate basic technical skills when playing an instrument.
  • Develop and implement effective practice routines to improve musical skills.
  • Develop an appreciation of music from different periods and styles, demonstrating understanding of their characteristics.
  • Understand the elements of musical competence and performance, including technique, expression, and stage presence.
Using Cameras and Accessories for Film and Video Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll gain knowledge of safe photographic and video-making practices and learn to use camera features and accessories effectively. The unit covers capturing images and video, as well as transferring content safely from cameras.

What you'll be able to do

  • Understand safe photographic practice
  • Understand safe video making practice
  • Use the features of a camera
  • Use camera accessories
  • Use a camera to capture images effectively
  • Use a camera to capture video effectively
  • Use camera accessories to capture images effectively
  • Use camera accessories to capture video effectively
  • Transfer captured content from a camera to another device
Using Imaging Software Tools Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
It teaches you to capture and manipulate images using imaging software tools. You'll apply techniques to adjust image properties, crop, resize, and retouch images, and save them in appropriate formats while understanding image resolution principles.

What you'll be able to do

  • Capture information for images using appropriate methods
  • Use imaging software to manipulate and enhance images
  • Apply various imaging software tools to achieve desired effects
  • Save and export images in appropriate formats
  • Understand the principles of image resolution and file size
Using Multimedia Software Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
You'll learn to plan, capture, and organise multimedia content effectively. The unit includes using multimedia software tools to edit and manipulate content, and presenting the final multimedia product to suit the target audience.

What you'll be able to do

  • Plan the content, structure, and organisation of multimedia products effectively, considering the target audience and purpose.
  • Capture content from a variety of sources, including audio, video, and images, ensuring appropriate quality and format.
  • Use multimedia software tools proficiently to edit, manipulate, and integrate various media elements into a cohesive multimedia product.
  • Play and present completed multimedia outcomes effectively, demonstrating functionality and achieving the intended communication goals.
Using Problem Solving Skills in the Workplace Real unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
It teaches you to recognise common workplace problems and identify potential solutions. You'll understand the importance of prompt problem identification and develop skills to implement and review the effectiveness of solutions.

What you'll be able to do

  • Recognise a range of common problems that may arise in a workplace setting.
  • Recognise potential solutions to identified workplace problems and review their effectiveness in addressing the issues.
By email

Free, by email

Is this the right qualification for you?

One email to help you decide: the facts, what it teaches, the jobs it leads to and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

Your employer, or 'self-employed'

Study the units online with a personal AI tutor, for £70 a month. Your first Future Fluency module is free.

03The standards

The national standards these units are built against

What the job actually needs, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.

  • Position and operate microphones

    Standard
04Where it leads

The jobs these credits are mapped to

A qualification is never a dead end here. Each of these is a job record this qualification is a mapped route into.

Showing 6 roles, drawn from 23 job records mapped to this qualification. Near-identical records are folded together, and each row says how many it stands for.

Where this can lead

Events Assistant

This role can lead to running small events on your own, then managing larger or more complex events as an events program manager.

See the whole journey
Still deciding?

One email to help you decide: the facts, what it teaches, the jobs it leads to and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

05The credits

The credits, and who awards them

Level 1 credits are regulated, and they are awarded by Open College Network Northern Ireland rather than by Zavmo. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you have covered and what is next.

What you would be collecting

Assist With Event OrganisationCapturing and Editing Audio SequencesCapturing and Editing Video SequencesCompositionDeveloping WebsitesDigital FabricationFilm and Video ProductionHealth and Safety in Practice

Each one is a real unit registered against this qualification.

How you’d practise it

You don’t watch this. You do it.

You are not assessed on remembering this. You are assessed on applying it, analysing it, evaluating it and producing something. So that is what the practice is: projects, role play and your own live cases, with a tutor in the room.

The Practical Builder The Practical Builder · your make-it-real tutor Illustration
The Practical Builder Paste in the draft you have for “Location Sound Recording”. Not a tidied one, the one you would actually send.
You It is mostly there. The recommendations section is thin.
The Practical Builder Thin is fine, vague is not. Take recommendation two and tell me who does what by when, then we will see if it survives.
The same lesson on the real thing: the conversation in the middle, the thinking ladder on the left, and the criteria each answer is evidencing on the right.
  • Draft the real one Create

    You do “Location Sound Recording” on a real document of your own. Zavmo works on the draft you have to send anyway, so the coursework and the job are the same piece of work.

  • Map a live decision Analyse

    “Using Problem Solving Skills in the Workplace” runs on a decision you are facing now. Zavmo maps it with you and shows what the second-order effect looks like before you find out the slow way.

  • Lead it Apply

    “Teamwork Skills in Practice” is practised on the team you actually have. You talk through the call you are about to make, and Zavmo makes you say it the way you would say it to them.

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Assist With Event Organisation, one of this qualification's own units.

Assist With Event Organisation Level 1

Applied to your work in any of these jobs

Learners will participate in planning, publicising, and running events, understanding the roles and responsibilities of event managers and other individuals involved. This unit develops skills in contributing ideas, following instructions, and supporting event organisation.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time. Teaching towards this qualification begins when you subscribe.

Your Plan Illustration

Built for OCN NI Level 1 Certificate in Creative Arts and Digital Technologies

28 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by Open College Network Northern Ireland.

  1. Assist With Event Organisation
  2. Capturing and Editing Audio Sequences
  3. Capturing and Editing Video Sequences
  4. Composition
  5. Developing Websites
  6. Digital Fabrication

and 22 more in the full unit list below.

These are the real units of this credential, in its own order. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

Free tools

Want a read on where you stand?

Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

Learned on your own work, taught one-to-one.

Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your free first module is Future Fluency, so you can see how the teaching works before you pay for anything.

Start my free AI Fluency module

No card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.

The title, level, credits, guided learning hours and unit learning outcomes on this page are taken from the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Where this data comes from.