functional skills introduction

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest RSCs – Stimulating and supporting innovation in learning

An Overview of Functional Skills

David Rowe: e-Learning Advisor - Work Based Learning

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

The Timeline

From September 2010 functional skills were

embedded as a component in the Foundation

Learning suite of qualifications.

From August 2012 functional skills will

replace the national adult literacy and

numeracy test qualifications.

From October 2012, functional

skills will be the only Maths and

English skills component

accepted as part of

apprenticeships.

Challenges - The Providers View

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

Many assessors are not sufficiently

experienced in the delivery, design and

planning of core Maths, English and ICT

training.

Apprenticeship achievement rates may

go down as some sectors find it difficult

to get apprentices through the functional

skills.

Many staff have concerns on how to

document the learning effectively and

efficiently whilst still being able to deliver

a high level of training.

We need to find more time to teach the

required skills so that learners can

confidently complete the open

questions?

On-the job functional skills GLH

requirements may not be supported/

acknowledged as important by

employer.

Providers may be struggling to come up

with a cost effective delivery model that

successfully keeps the learner engaged.

Support or Delivery?

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

Support:

To serve as a foundation for learning

To sustain effective learning

To maintain a person by individualised support

Support learning:

Support the learner to achieve their own individual potential by building

and strengthening the platform and the learner’s readiness for knowledge

and skill development.

V

Deliver training: Transfer of required knowledge and skills

Delivery Model 1- Classroom ?

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

The delivery model you use will be dependant on many variables; staffing,

expertise, training facilities etc and, within apprenticeship provision, how other

elements of the framework requirements are met.

Off-the Job – Discrete

Classroom Delivery Learners attend a FS session to

learn the core skills.

Off-the Job – Embedded

Classroom Delivery Learners attend a knowledge

session where FS are taught in the

context of the vocational subject

Blend of both

models

Advantage: Coverage of

the FS curriculum is

structured/comprehensiv

e

Disadvantage: Not

delivered in a relevant

context and can be costly.

Advantage: FS made

relevant and in context

Disadvantage:

Development of some

FS skills might not be

covered sufficiently if not

vocationally relevant.

Delivery Model 2 –Workplace ?

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

Off-the Job – Discrete

Workplace Delivery Learners are visited by a trainer who

delivers a session on the core FS skills.

Off-the Job – Embedded

Workplace Delivery Learners are visited by their

trainer/assessor who delivers a vocational

training session with embedded FS.

Blend of both

models Advantage: Coverage of

the FS curriculum is

structured and can be

made relevant to the

workplace

Disadvantage: Very

time consuming and

costly.

Advantage: FS relevant

and in context

Disadvantage: Time

consuming, coverage of

some FS skills might be

considered light if not

vocationally relevant.

Delivery Model 3 – Mixed ?

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

Embedded Workplace

Support Learners are visited by their assessor who

supports them in their development of FS

in the workplace

Blend of both

models Advantage: FS made

relevant and in context

Disadvantage:

Development of some

FS skills might be

missed if seen as not

vocationally relevant.

Discrete Classroom Delivery Learners attend a FS session to learn the

core skills.

Advantage: Coverage

of the FS curriculum is

structured and

comprehensive.

Disadvantage: Not

delivered in a relevant

context. Can be costly.

Blended Delivery Method

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

Discrete

Classroom

Delivery

Embedded Classroom

Delivery

Discrete

Workplace

Delivery

Embedded

Workplace

Delivery

Delivery Support Online/

offline

resources

Virtual Delivery Method

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

Presentation Share your

screen

Polls

Surveys

Q & A

Link with

VLE

Interactive

whiteboard

Link with

workbooks

VLE

Podcasts &

Videos Quizzes

Exercises

Recorded

Tutorials

External

Links to

Resources

Structured

Learning

Materials Qualification

Structure

On-line

support

Teacher

Learner

Functional Skills Information -

Excellence Gateway

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

Area Link

Teaching and Learning – Being

Functional

http://tlp.excellencegateway.org.uk/tlp/fs/fs-

resources/front.php

Teaching and Learning, Being Functional

- Resource Library

http://tlp.excellencegateway.org.uk/tlp/fs/fs-

resources/library.php?page=2#r

Literacy, Language and Numeracy

Starter Kits – Functional Skills Starter Kit

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/node/20280

Functional Skills Readiness Tool http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/node/21154

Moving from Key Skills to Functional

Skills

http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/node/21154

Free Initial Assessment tool from Guroo: http://www.myfunctionalskills.co.uk/

The Tools Library: http://archive.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=toolslibrary

Edexcel/Pearson BETA version of free initial assessment:

http://pearsonwbl.edexcel.com/quals/func-skills/Support/Pages/Initial_Assessment_Tool.aspx

Example Scheme of Work - Functional

Skills

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

Example Lesson Plan - Functional

Skills

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest RSCs – Stimulating and supporting innovation in learning

An Overview of Functional Skills

David Rowe: e-Learning Advisor - Work Based Learning

www.jiscrsc.ac.uk/southwest