We’ve spoken a lot about Skills Builder and the theory behind it, but we haven’t spoken about how it’s currently used across college. Below are five examples of Skills Builder in action, across different subjects and abilities.
Inclusive Learning
Our Inclusive Learning department used Skills Builder whilst washing and drying clothes during a recent Health & Wellbeing lesson. Learners had to identify what skills they would be using before the practical task. Then, once they had completed their task, they had to reflect on the skills they had actually used and how they had used them. Teacher, Claudia, has ben using a reflection worksheet over time until the learners are confident at recognising and understanding the Skills Builder symbols and skills.
Construction
Jack Dawson, a Bricklaying lecturer, incorporates Skills Builder into his lessons using a online form. On arrival to a session, learners scan a QR code, directing them to an online form where they can set themselves a target based on the lesson activity and the Skills Builder framework. In addition, learners evidenced their practical skills by uploading images of their work onto their own Padlet, which they can then take to employers as evidence of skills – demonstrating and linking to employability. At the end of the session all learners complete a reflection form to reflect on the Skills Builder targets set.
TAP (The Alternative Programme, 14-16 year olds)
Learners on The Alternative Programme are introduced to Skills Builder during New Student Day. Learners, in groups of 6, visit 8 rooms to complete activities linked to the 8 essential skills. In each 10 minute activity, learners must demonstrate practical use of each skill during games such as ‘Panic Room’, ‘Beat the Laser’ and ‘Snakes and Ladders’. The aim is to build confidence and encourage teamwork, using the Skills Builder Hub to collect scores.
This means that when they start in September, they can recognise the essential skills before they complete Benchmark and Launchpad.
Hair & Beauty
Learners in Hair & Beauty complete their Initial Assessments on Benchmark when they start in September. They then reflect on their scores and decide what skills to work on. Skills Builder is embedded into their client consultation forms and they must reflect on the skills used at the end of each client session. Benchmark is revisited at the end of the year to monitor progress.
This year, the Hair & Beauty team have embedded Skills Builder further by creating a Reflective Formative Log for learners to consolidate their learning and complete each month.
Travel & Tourism
Travel & Tourism learners use learning activities to support the development of their essential skills. For a Listening activity, learners role-played a flight in our cabin room, where learners has the opportunity to be disruptive during bar service. The captain will then call out evacuation and instructions, with the learners having to react appropriately and follow instructions correctly, while other cabin crew members are reinforcing them and repeating actions.
Learners will then complete a form to document their activities for Skills Builder. Learners also have an opportunity to resit their Benchmark Assessment for that specific skill. This task focused on Listening, Speaking, Teamwork and Problem Solving.
