Key skills for learners

The learner is at the core of the key skills approach to learning. As learners progress up through the levels, from level 1 towards level 3, they are expected to show greater autonomy and to take more responsibility for managing their own learning. As they become more independent learners they will need less support and guidance from the teacher/tutor. This is in addition to the increase in complexity of the tasks they should be able to engage in. Learners should also, at the higher levels, be able to cope with less familiar situations and be able to adapt their learning to meet the needs of the tasks.

The Key Skills Support Progamme has many resources that offer support and guidance to practitioners and learners as they work together to improve their skills and knowledge and develop the ability to apply their skills appropriately to solve problems or complete tasks. These stages of the learning process are encompassed in Parts A and B of the standards. The approach can improve the quality of the learning experience and the learner's performance. This whole approach is consistent across all the Key Skills units, but manifests itself in particular in the Wider Key Skills of Improving Own Learning and Performance. The wider Key Skills can be developed in conjunction with the Main Key Skills and are very supportive of the learner in a holistic way

Keyskills4U: the e-learning resource for learners www.keyskills4u.com

KeySkills4u is a learner website that provides engaging and interactive material to support development of underpinning skills at Levels 1 and 2 in Application of Number, Communication and Information and Communication Technology. Each subject area has activities to check skills, learning material, a progress map to record skills and two role play games. Both the Symtel Files and The Serpent's Curse are simulations which help learners to apply skills in a virtual, but realistic, work or life situation. Learners have been given very positive feedback on these materials, finding them motivating and interesting.

Getting support for using KeySkills4u:

Tutor guides for each learning area are available from the home page

A publication 'Introducing KeySkills4u' is available to download or order from the publications section of this website or from the home page of www.keyskills4u.com

Site feedback will assist with any technical difficulties using the site or contact the telephone helpline 0870 872 8081, or email enquiries at kssp@LSNeducation.org.uk.