So what does a Professional Discussion look like?
The video file below consists of three extracts from a Level 2 Professional Discussion. When you are viewing the video file, note:
- How the assessor opens the Professional Discussion - it is important to set the context and include information about candidate, date, place etc.
- How the candidate takes the lead but the assessor occasionally asks questions.
- How the assessor closes the Professional Discussion and then explains to the canddate what will happen next.
Terry Loane and ITQ candidate - extracts of a Professional Discussion. 
Di Dawson interviews External Verifier, Alison Lones, for her views about good practice when carrying out a Professional Discussion. She also advises how to record the Professional Discussion. Wilf Voss from British Computer Society explains the tools and methods to capture a Professional Discussion.
Capturing the process and content of the Professional Discussion by audio or video is the first step. The next step is for the assessor to listen or look again and take note of where the candidate has demonstrated specific criteria. This should not be an onerous task if the planning and preparation have been done properly. 
Assessors are encouraged to plan and record the Professional Discussion so the IV and EV can quickly see how it meets the criteria . OCR are very interested in developing an electronic platform that would help the IV and the assessor produce evidence for the external verifier visit and we hope to have that available on our OCR website shortly. John Deacon, National Account Manager, OCR. www.ocr.org.uk
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Last modified: 22 Oct 2007
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