Teaching and Learning > DOCUMENTS
Development of Key Skills in Religious Studies
Deirdre Burke
Information for students
The six QCA key skills will help you to develop skills necessary for successful study. You will have the opportunity to develop these within Religious Studies modules and each module will assess your competence in at least one skill.
- Communication: Written and Oral;
- Use of Number;
- Use of Information and Communications Technology;
- Working with others;
- Improving own learning and performance;
- Problem solving
Consult the chart on Key Skills in Religious Studies when selecting modules for study. The grid for each skill states the specifications for each aspect of the skill. Please note that assessment within modules may not cover all aspects of the key skill, and that not all aspects of each key skill are assessed at each level.
In addition you can select modules on specific study skills as part of your Level 1. programme of study. (FD1000 Writing for Academic Success or IT1103 Introduction to Study Skills and Information technology).
It is necessary to develop these skills to enable you to research, interpret and communicate your understanding of religion. However, all the skills are transferable and you would be able to utilise these skills in a range of work situations. Your Key Skills Profile will enable you to demonstrate to employers that you have achieved competencies in the specified key skills.
Key Skills are assessed on a Pass / Fail basis. You will be given feedback on each aspect of the skill that is assessed, this will be summarised by Tutor comment. If you are 'not yet satisfactory' in three or more aspects you will fail the Key Skill, and need to resit it before you can achieve a pass grade for the module.
Each time you are assessed on a Key Skill you will be given a feedback sheet which should be placed in your Profile Folder. In addition your tutor will record and sign your Record of Assessment in Key Skills [pdf.] form at the end of each semester.
Resit Information
If you receive 'not yet satisfactory' as an overall grade for a key skill you will be required to undertake a resit. The form of the 'resit' will vary from doing the same assessment again to undertaking support tasks. Please consult this guide for information on how each key skill will be re-assessed for resits. You will need to state your intention to resit the module using form QA4f/1, which can be obtained from the Registry Student Access Point.
1.1 KS1 Communication - written
The up-dated Guide to Written English (2000 version) contains exercises on each of the aspects of written communication. You will need to complete and hand in the exercises for each of the aspects that were 'not yet satisfactory'.
Further guidance on writing skills can be gained from:
- - Learning for Success
- - Computer Based Writing
Williams, K. (1996) Essential Writing Skills Oxford: Oxford Centre for Staff Development
1.2 KS1 Communication - oral
Please consult the CareerTrack pack on Presentations in the Learning Centre. When you have registered to resit the module you should consult with your tutor in order to be given a date for another oral presentation (on the same topic- unless you negotiate otherwise with your tutor).
- - Learning for Success
2. KS2 Use of Number
You will be required to resubmit the elements in which your use of number was 'not yet satisfactory.'
Support for developing key skills in numeracy can be gained from:
http://www.tta.gov.uk/php/read.php?articleid=219§ionid=132
3. KS3 Use of Information and Communication Technology
You will be required to resubmit the elements in which your use of ICT was 'not yet satisfactory.'
Support for developing key skills in ICT can be gained from:
- - Learning for Success
Coleman, A & Coleman, H (1998) Key Skills: Making a Difference (Milton Keynes: Open University
4. KS4 Working with others
Please consult recommended texts on working with others/ team work, and resubmit your self-assessment. You will need to make references to what you would do differently in the future to develop your skill in working with others.
Coleman, A & Coleman, H (1998) Key Skills: Making a Difference (Milton Keynes: Open University
5. KS5 Improving own Learning and Performance
Please consult guidance on developing autonomy in the recommended texts and resubmit your self-assessment, which must include references to your reading from these texts and show how your are integrating the advice into your study.
- - Learning for Success
Coleman, A &; Coleman, H (1998) Key Skills: Making a Difference (Milton Keynes: Open University
6. KS6 Problem Solving
Please consult recommended texts on organisation and resubmit your self-assessment. You will need to show how your understanding of organisation in each of the aspects which was 'not yet satisfactory' has developed, and how you would incorporate systematic organisation into each of the aspects under consideration.
Coleman, A & Coleman, H (1998) Key Skills: Making a Difference (Milton Keynes: Open University
This page was originally on the website of The Subject Centre for Philosophical and Religious Studies. It was transfered here following the closure of the Subject Centre at the end of 2011.
