The programme offers students a stimulating learning environment in which experienced and competent facilitators will guide them to strengthen and acquire relevant knowledge and skills in priority areas identified during a preparatory research study conducted in 2007.

The Skills for a Changing World programme outcomes are focused on preparing students for twenty-first century challenges by:

1. Building capacity in three main subject areas:

   • English language competence and confidence (reading, writing, comprehension, and spoken language).

   • Mathematical literacy skills and the ability to apply these skills in a range of contexts.

   • Relevant ICT skills that students can apply practically in an education or work context.

2. Providing a stimulating learning environment that encourages the development of relevant skills for living in a technological and global society, such as:

   • Inquiry, analysis, critical and creative thinking, problem solving and learning skills.

   • Communication and presentation skills (verbal and written).

   • Awareness and understanding of personal and social responsibility including,

     • managing yourself and your relationships

     • civic knowledge and engagement – local and global

     • knowledge of and respect for diversity

     • ethical reasoning and action.

3. Offering students an orientation to higher education and the world of work, so
   enabling students to make informed choices about post schooling opportunities in higher education and/or in the world of work.

This is an activity driven curriculum in which students are exposed to real life situations and challenges and in which they will get involved in selected community activities.

The programme will pilot an innovative approach to foundational provision by integrating the generic foundation skills within specific subject focus areas . Students will be exposed, at an introductory level, to at least four different subject areas in order to better understand each, and so to make informed decisions about further study or work opportunities most suited to them. In addition, students will apply the foundation skills they develop in each of these subject focus areas. For example, the English development module will make use of texts and activities selected from each of the subject focus areas. Students will make use of ICT skills in all modules, for example, for drawing graphs when covering graphical representation of data in the Mathematical Literacy Module. When solving mathematical literacy problems, problems related to each of the subject areas will be included to ensure that student have an understanding of how mathematical literacy is applied in different contexts.

The development of learning and thinking capabilities will be integrated across the programme through the use of a standard teaching and learning approach in all modules (based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle) as well as through the use of carefully structured reflection activities. The programme also includes a strong personal development/life skills component through which students will be empowered to make decisions about their futures. The programme development process is situated within an action research framework in order to better understand the process of integrating foundational skills as well as the collaborative approach to curriculum and materials development being used.