Dear Geoff,
I was under the impression that many universities would accept key skills
at level 3 and award certain points. This has been the case in the past but
the picture does seem to be changing and there are fewer Universities that
are willing to do so now. I am not sure of the reason why.
On another note motivation in key skills is a real problem. I have found
that the brighter students find it demeaning and not worth the effort. With
these students I have given them level four ICT work to increase the
challenge but it is not a college wide policy.
The workload on staff has increased greatly too. I hae been teaching key
skills for three years and this year has been horrendous. Due to a lack of
preparation from the awarding bodies and the fact that they have
consistently aimed all key skills tests at the wrong level and then have to
modify them.
A first this time is the deadline of Portfolios being 75% complete by may
the 15th 2001. The sheer volume of portfolios apparently necessitates the
early date. This has put pressure on the staff and students.
I have heard rumours that some establishments are seriously considering
foregoing the funding and not offering Key Skills on the tiimetable next
year. I for one shall not be sorry if I do not teach it again in its
current form.
Cheers
Mandy
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From: Geoff Moran <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Key Skills
Date: 24 April 2001 22:46
Please feel free to shoot me down in flames if this is too far off topic
but.......
I'd be very interested to know of other peoples' experiences with Key
Skills this year. As the Economics Department at my school, I've been
quite heavily involved. there has been quite a lot of resistance from kids
(and staff!!), but we seemed to be winning. Then Y12 went of to an HE fair
and came back saying that none of the Unis on display had said they would
accept Key Skills as a legitimate source of UCAS points. Back to square
one!! Has anyone else had any experiences, positive or otherwise, that
they'd care to share, on or off list???
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