1. What are they? Why are they important? Stephen Williams Coleg Sir Gâr SLT Section

2. 1 st THREE KEY SKILLS: Application of Number Communication ICT How many Key Skills are there? 3 WIDER KEY SKILLS Improving own learning and performance Working with others Problem solving

4. HOW ARE KEY SKILLS ASSESSED? Portfolio You will produce a portfolio (file) for your Key Skills work It will contain new work, or copies of work completed in your other school work.

5. Skills lacking in school / college leavers Source: Future Skills Wales (1999), Local Area Perspective - West Wales (Table 11)

6. Important skills for all occupations Source: Future Skills Wales (1999), Local Area Perspective - West Wales (Table 2)

7. Application of number Not maths! As the title suggests it uses number in a “real-world” setting e.g. holidays, shopping, money. One portfolio task with three parts –Find data –Perform calculations –Present findings

8. COMMUNICATION Not English Deals with your ability to convey information Portfolio tasks involve : –Group discussion –Short talk –Summary –Writing documents e.g. letters, reports

9. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Portfolio involves : Finding information e.g. search-engines Using diferent packges e.g. Access, Excel Presenting data e.g. Powerpoint E-mail

10. “Widers” Improving own learning and performance Involves you setting a goal Working towards improvement Evaluating success

11. Examples could include : Getting a qualification Improving fitness / skill Learning to drive Passing coursework Musical skills Getting a job Language skills

12. Working with others Involves planning work with a partner / team Working together on a task Evaluating how good you were as a team

13. Examples could include : Planning a charity fundraising activity Working on a presentation / coursework Training together Promoting an event

14. Problem solving Involves thinking of different ways of tackling a problem Trying out one of your methods Evaluating success

15. Could be for school e.g. completing all coursework on time Could be health / sporting e.g. trying to gain / weight / run faster Could be a personal e.g.how to quit smoking Take a problem and straighten it out!

16. You can study KS at 5 levels : Levels 1 - 2 might be at school Levels 2 – 3 could be at college Levels 4 – 5 may be at university / employment …THEREFORE KEY SKILLS ARE FOR LIFE!

18. More information See the Key Skills module on Moodle : Key Skills SLT Any questions to : stephen.williams@colegsirgar.ac.uk