1. Independence Workplace Learning environment & WHAT YOU NEED TO GET !

2. Look at the following cartoon and spend 5 minutes thinking about what messages the cartoon is sending about studying. Cartoon 1: Considering approaches to independent study

4. CHECK YOUR ANSWER The key issue in this cartoon is to encourage us all to think about the number of hours students study independently each week. In addition, consider that we often mix with similar people so we might think that everyone else studies as much / little. Students might not notice those who are studying more – hence the trees around the track that hide those out in front, making those that are behind feel they are doing well and believe (mistakenly) that they are in the lead. The issue of race and gender might be brought up for a discussion. There is no intention in the cartoon to portray gender and race as any issue at all and any discussion needs to examine the issue of stereotyping.

5. Cartoon 2: Considering skills for the workplace: past and present Look at the following two cartoons and spend 5 minutes thinking about what messages the cartoon is sending about how the workplace has changed.

7. Cartoon 2: Considering skills for the workplace: past and present CHECK YOUR ANSWER The key issue in this cartoon is the contrast between the way we worked during and after the industrial revolution compared with today. In the past, we made mass produced goods under factory conditions where skills such as following instructions and compliance to rules were required. Today, we make a greater range of goods, offer more services and need to respond to fast pace change so the desirable skills are foreign languages, working as a team, good communication skills, working to deadlines, presenting information, selling, being an entrepreneur, computing skills, working on your own at home. Consider how students can gather/show these skills is a useful way to move forward from the activity.

8. Cartoon 3: Considering your study environment Look at the following cartoon and spend 5 minutes thinking about what messages the cartoon is sending about study environments

10. Cartoon 3: Considering your study environment CHECK YOUR ANSWER The key issues relate to: misusing the computer (by overusing chat rooms); being seated in a position not conducive to study (flat out on a bed); studying late at night (moon and stars shown in the window); eating unhealthily (takeaway on the floor); distraction of the mobile phone (switched on and receiving messages); too much pressure (Don’t Fail! Poster on the wall). if you were to draw a cartoon for a similar purpose, what would you add/take away?

11. What you should have in the first 2 weeks

12. Within the first 2 weeks of your course you should have obtained the following resources: 1) KEY TEXTBOOK A textbook recommended by your subject teacher. 2) ADDITIONAL TEXTBOOKS A list of alternative textbooks. A textbook is much like a person: it is not perfect - it has strengths and weaknesses. So having a range of books to consult makes sense. Where a topic is not well covered in one book, another text might deal with it much more clearly.

13. Within the first 2 weeks of your course you should have obtained the following resources: RECOMMENDED READING LIST A list of books recommended for the course. Extra reading will broaden your knowledge of the subject and is certainly expected for post 16 studies. Examination boards sometimes issue a reading list which can often be accessed on-line Ð your teacher can help recommend some books, though.

14. Within the first 2 weeks of your course you should have obtained the following resources: SPECIFICATION A syllabus or specification. It details all the areas that you need to be taught for the examination. You need to have a copy so you know how to organise your file.

15. What you should have by the end of the first term

16. By the end of the first term you should have obtained the following resources: REVISION GUIDE(S) Not all subjects have these but they can often reduce topic into smaller chunks so you can focus on the key issues.

17. PAST EXAMINATION PAPERS At the beginning of the course you should have an idea of the type of question you might be asked in the final examination. These can be viewed / purchased from the examination board web sites. By the end of the first term you should have obtained the following resources:

18. MARK SCHEMES Mark schemes are produced for each examination. Sometimes they can be very helpful in detailing what is required to gain a top grade. They can be viewed / purchased from the examination boards. By the end of the first term you should have obtained the following resources:

19. CHIEF EXAMINER REPORT For most externally examined subjects, a Chief Examiner (the person in charge of producing your examination) writes a report about each area of the previous examination. Comments are often made about each question or exercise that help students to know mistakes that previous candidates have made as well as hints about top performance. If these are not available in your centre, examination boards supply them. By the end of the first term you should have obtained the following resources: