1.1.1 When do we use key skills? Key skills underpin almost everything we do. In the following table, there are some examples of when we use key skills as part of our studies or in other areas of our lives. As you read through the list, think about how confident you are in each of the key skills. Click on 'View document' below for a printable version of Table 1 that you can fill in. 7.1 Evidence required This part is about showing you can develop a strategy for using and improving your skills in working with others, that you can monitor your progress and can evaluate your overall performance and strategy. The evidence you present must show what you have done as you worked through the processes of planning strategically, monitoring, evaluating and presenting your work. Part A must relate directly to the work you have selected for Part B. You must present evidence to show you can:< Learning outcomes Having studied this unit you should be able to: develop a strategy for using skills in Working with others over an extended period of time; monitor your progress and adapt your strategy as necessary, to achieve the quality of outcomes required when working with others; evaluate your overall strategy and present the outcomes from your work using a variety of methods. Introduction This key skill focuses on developing your skills in Working with others and applying these skills in your studies, work or other activities over a period of time. To tackle all of this key skill you will need to plan your work over at least 3–4 months to give yourself enough time to practise and improve your skills, to seek feedback from others, and to monitor and evaluate your performance. A main purpose of this key skill is to guide you through the management of a group activity cul Acknowledgements The content acknowledged below is Proprietary (see terms and conditions) and is used under licence. Adapted from derek'b: [Details correct as of 13th June 2007] All other materials included in this unit are derived from content originated at the Open University. 2 Sources of help This assessment unit is designed to be self-contained. However you might like to access the following sources for support and guidance if you need it. These sources include:
U529_1 Key skills – making a difference: This OpenLearn unit is designed to complement the assessment units. It provides detailed guidance and activities to help you work on your key skills, gives examples of key skills work from students, and helps you prepare an 7.2 Developing a strategy Present notes or records to show you have planned your use of number skills. Include: the goals you hope to achieve for your number skills over 3–4 months or so, taking into account the work you have to do and your current capabilities; notes about the resources you might use and the information you need to research to achieve your goals; for example, discussions and econferences, online resources, skills books, course materials, wo 9 Notes to help you complete your assessment To complete your assessment portfolio you must include a contents page indicating how your reflective commentary in Part A and your evidence in Part B are related. An example of a suitable format for the contents page is in Figure 1 below. Figure 1 (PDF, 1 page, 0.1MB) 3 Key skills assessment units This section gives advice and guidance to help you compile and present a portfolio of selected work. You are strongly advised to read through this section so that you have an idea of what is expected. The key skills assessment units provide an opportunity for you to integrate your development of key skills with your work or study. You may choose to concentrate on skills that you need to develop and improve for your job, for a new course, or personally to help you keep abreast of new dev 9 Notes to help you complete your assessment To complete your assessment portfolio, include a contents page to show what evidence you have included for each part. An example of a suitable format for the contents page is shown in Figure 1 above. Figure 1 (PDF, 1 page, 0.1MB) 2 Sources of help This assessment unit is designed to be self-contained. However you might like to access the following sources for support and guidance if you need it. These sources include:
U529_1 Key skills – making a difference: This OpenLearn unit is designed to complement the assessment units. It provides detailed guidance and activities to help you work on your key skills, gives examples of key skills work from students, and helps you prepare and selec Learning outcomes After finishing this unit you should be able to: use the Windows calculator to carry out basic operations and calculate percentages; interpret and use information presented in tables and charts; be able to round numbers appropriately. 5.1.2 When are bar charts used? A bar chart is a good method of representation if you want to illustrate a set of data in a way that is as easy to understand as it is simple to read. In general, a bar chart should be used for data that can be counted so, for example, we could use a bar chart to show the number of families with 0, 1, 2 or more children. A bar chart could also be used to show how many people in one area use each of the different modes of transport to get to work. Bar charts are very useful for comparing 4.3.1 Pie charts A pie chart is a diagram in the form of a circle, with proportions of the circle clearly marked. A pie chart is a good method of representation if we wish to compare a part of a group with the whole group. It gives an immediate idea of the relative sizes of the shares. So, for example, it can be used to consider advertising income. It can also be used to look at, say, shares of market for different brands, or different types of sandwiches sold by a store. 4.3 Pie charts, bar charts, histograms and line graphs These are all different ways of representing data and you are likely to be familiar with some, if not all of them. They usually provide a quick summary that gives you a visual image of the data being presented. Below, we have given a brief definition and some ideas of how each can be used, along with a corresponding activity. We suggest that you look out for similar examples in everyday life, and question the information that you see. 4.1 Reading data from tables Tables are used as a way of describing what you are talking about in a structured format. They tend to be used to present figures, either as a summary or as a starting point for discussion. Tables are also probably the most common way of presenting data in educational courses. Tables have always been compiled by someone. In doing so, the compiler may have selected data and they will have chosen a particular format, either of which may influence the reader. You need to be aware of the co 3 Reading articles for mathematical information We gain much of our mathematical information from our surroundings, including reading newspaper and magazine articles. A skill that will be useful to all of us in our studies is the ability to do this in a structured way, as it is very easy to be uncritical of the information that we see. Newspapers and magazines frequently place mathematical information in the form of graphs and diagrams. All too often, we tend to assume that the information is correct, without questioning possible bias or i 6.3 Referencing Once you start using the web for study and research, you'll see how convenient it is to find information that you can use for course notes, essays or reports. One of the most important of all your study skills is the ability to summarise information from other sources in your own words. Whenever you make use of any information that has been created by someone else, the author and the source must be clearly identified and acknowledged through the use of proper referencing. Providin 6.1 Introduction As a student, you're likely to engage in a variety of writing tasks. You'll almost certainly handle significant amounts of text and, depending on your course, perhaps also numbers or diagrams. This section looks at the different way that you write using a computer, and also provides some referencing advice. 4.9 When there's too much to do This can be a real problem in large conferences. If, for whatever reason, you join a conference later than the other participants, or are unable to be involved for a while, the prospect of joining in can be a bit daunting. There will be lots of messages you haven't read and you may feel that everyone else knows each other. The main thing to remember is that everyone will be pleased to ‘see’ you when you do join in, and will be helpful and supportive. Here are some strategies you can
Unit Image