The UKAN-SKILLS project aimed to develop online skills maps to support skills development for students in higher education and further education programs. It engaged academic staff to identify skills priorities and mapped skills development activities. The project collaborated with an expert in curriculum mapping and used online mapping software. User feedback on skills mapping and the mapping software was consistently positive. The project explored ways to continue developing skills mapping and mapping tools after the project ended.

1. The UKAN-SKILLS Project and possible future ways of supporting student skills development in HE in FE Paul Mayes http://www.slideshare.net/paulmayes/he_in_fe_conference

2. UKAN-SKILLS was a JISC Capital Project that ran from December 2007 to March 2009. It built on previous grant work both within the Tees Valley (centred on University of Teesside Library & Information Services) and at the University of Prince Edward Island, Canada (UPEI). The original main aim of the Project was to produce demonstration versions of online ‘skills development maps’ to support academic staff. To do this, the Project Team engaged in ‘dialogues’ with academic staff in programmes in local FE colleges. The Project collaborated with Janet A. Hale of curriculummapping101.com and Rubicon International to use Rubicon's Atlas online curriculum mapping software to host the skills development maps (as well as demonstrating such software to a British audience). Janet wrote a special background paper on 21st Century curriculum mapping.

13. UKAN SKILLS Repository - Sample responses from pilot evaluation carried out by Angela Myers Redcar & Cleveland College February/March 2009 (1) Would such a publicly accessible and free repository be useful? Absolutely Definitely This would be especially useful for Study Skills and personal development module our students do prior to going to University This would be extremely useful in supporting staff and students Yes – I think this looks really useful – I’ve already downloaded one article for my next class. (2) Would you be prepared to put your material in if it meant lecturers in other colleges could make use of it? Yes Yes Theoretically – if it was deemed suitable; would there be a quality control mechanism? Yes I would Yes why not? Would there be any way of checking authenticity of materials? (3) Do you like the features/functions of our demonstration repository? Yes Yes it’s very easy to access and navigate Could perhaps be arranged with specialist areas in mind – certain themes could be tagged for different subject areas – psychology for example Yes I do – it’s straightforward to access Yes – it’s easy to find information Video demonstration – links with other academic institutions Links to lectures –web-cam/video links (5) Would any particular form of the material (eg intended for print, audio/mp3, video etc) be more important than others in the particular lecturer’s teaching circumstances? [there is a lot of printed stuff out there by comparison....] I appreciate being able to print material off to amend for my own use Links to something like You Tube I think different materials to allow for the different learning styles and abilities of students. Interactive materials; podcast type resources (6) Would a ‘clearinghouse’ feature of the repository be useful (eg where a lecturer could post a request for material or even for cooperation or help ...or offer help for that matter) Absolutely This site would be very useful to support the development of the FD in Counselling and at a later date the BA (currently in development) Very useful Yes That would be a fantastic idea, I would find that extremely helpful Discussion boards would be really useful to share ideas and new information –publications etc

14. (4) Are there any extra features/functions that would be useful? Video demonstration – links with other academic institutions Links to lectures –web-cam/video links (5) Would any particular form of the material (eg intended for print, audio/mp3, video etc) be more important than others in the particular lecturer’s teaching circumstances? [there is a lot of printed stuff out there by comparison....] I appreciate being able to print material off to amend for my own use Links to something like You Tube I think different materials to allow for the different learning styles and abilities of students. Interactive materials; podcast type resources (6) Would a ‘clearinghouse’ feature of the repository be useful (eg where a lecturer could post a request for material or even for cooperation or help ...or offer help for that matter) Absolutely This site would be very useful to support the development of the FD in Counselling and at a later date the BA (currently in development) Very useful Yes That would be a fantastic idea, I would find that extremely helpful Discussion boards would be really useful to share ideas and new information –