DELTA Awards Courses and Examinations Explained
DELTA Awards has designed and developed a selection of courses to meet the needs of those dental care professionals who wish to progress in their chosen area of dentistry. This may be to move on to university or become competent, knowledgeable and experienced in their current role. Whatever the reason for training, we are happy to help.
Some DELTA Awards courses are studied at Level 4 and some at Level 3.
What is Level 4?
On completion of a Level 4 course, the learner has factual, procedural and theoretical knowledge and understanding of a subject or field of work enabling them to complete tasks and address any problems that are well-defined but complex and non-routine. The learner can analyse, interpret and evaluate information and has an informed awareness of the different perspectives of the area of study.
The learner will be able to identify, adapt and use appropriate cognitive and practical skills to address both complex and routine problems and inform actions.
The learner will be able to review the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods, actions and results and is encouraged to apply comprehensive research and reading methods to achieve their aims.
Level 4 courses therefore require a greater element of research and reading to encompass the subject studied and learners will be expected to create evidence at a higher academic standard.
Level 4 Examinations
Level 4 courses have a final examination in an open question, essay format. This involves 8 weeks of answer preparation prior to the examination. The examinations are provided online with real time remote invigilation. This ensures full integrity and reliability of the examination with the additional reassurance of a contact present in the event of any issues.
What is Level 3?
On completion of a Level 3 course, the learner has factual, procedural and theoretical knowledge and understanding of a subject or field of work to complete tasks and address any complex and non-routine problems.
The learner will be able to interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas and is aware of the nature of the area of study or work.
The learner is aware of different perspectives or approaches within the area of study or work and are encouraged to learn and apply research and reading methods to achieve their aims.
The learner will be able to identify, select and use appropriate cognitive and practical skills, methods and procedures when applying the learning to practice.
The learner can use appropriate investigation to inform actions and can review and reflect on how effective methods and actions have been.
Level 3 Examinations
Level 3 courses have a final examination in a multiple choice question format. The examinations are provided online with real time remote invigilation. This ensures full integrity and reliability of the examination with the additional reassurance of a contact present in the event of any issues.
All DELTA Awards endorsed Extended Duties courses are studied at Level 2.
What is Level 2?
On completion of the course, the learner will display knowledge and understanding of facts, procedures and ideas in their area of study or field of work to complete well-defined tasks and address straightforward problems.
The learner can interpret relevant information and ideas and is aware of a range of information that is relevant to the area of study or work.
The learner can select and use relevant cognitive and practical skills to complete routine tasks and activities and address straightforward problems.
The learner will be able to identify how effective actions have been and apply reflection to their studies.
Assessment
Each award is subject to a final independent assessment undertaken online at the end of the programme.
For more information visit the DELTA website
Guided Learning Hours (GLH) and Credits
Qualifications come in different sizes there are a few different terms to describe this.
- Guided Learning Hours (GLH)
- Total Qualification Time (TQT)
- Credit
Guided Learning Hours: This indicates the time a Learner is being taught, instructed or participating in education or training under guidance or supervision of a tutor. This can also include assessment or exam time.
Total Qualification Time (TQT): The number of notional hours which represents an estimate of the total amount of time that a Learner might take to demonstrate achievement at the required level for the completion of a course. This is different to Guided Learning Hours as the Learner is expected to undertake their own research, reading and revision autonomously.
Credit: 1 credit is equal to 10 hours of learning time
Assessment
All DELTA Awards courses are subject to a final examination which is created, prepared and delivered by a team of independent examiners. All examiners are educated within dentistry to degree level or beyond and bring extensive experience to the organisation. The examiners are not associated in any way with the course delivery team and work independently to ensure all examinations are valid, reliable, comparable, manageable and without bias.
Final written examinations for all DELTA Awards are undertaken online via remote invigilation. This is a secure and robust examination process with independent invigilation and monitoring. Leaners must have access to a laptop and reliable WiFi connection to be able to undertake the exam in this way.