Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information

Includes (according to level): enter and edit information for a given purpose; bring together different types of information; read, receive and send electronic messages; use appropriate data handling software; evaluate own use of ICT tools.

Source: Functional Skills Criteria for ICT  (Ofqual, Sept 2011)

A task sheet for L1 Functional Skills ICT. It focuses on Task 3 of the Edexcel exam paper which involves being creative and producing a document that uses clear presentation features and is fit for purpose.
Includes two tasks (a restaurant menu and a flyer for a student production) plus a short extension.

Level
Level 1
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
General ICT resources
Context
Catering Food Nutrition
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Rugby themed task on reading (use of quotations and dialogue, facts versus opinions), researching and writing a short article. Topic links to ICT, suitable for use during e.g. Rugby World Cup, Six Nations Tournament or with any group keen on sport![img_assist|nid=5708|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=100|height=71]

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
Functional English - speaking, listening & communicating
Functional English reading
Functional English - writing
General literacy / English
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
Entry 3 ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Finding and selecting information
General ICT resources
Functional Skills ICT: Using ICT
Context
Sport and fitness
Electrical, Electronics & Technology

A recap exercise where Functional English learners match the correct aspects of formal letter writing together and lay them out in letter format.

This could be printed out and laminated but I usually give my students a printout of the first pages and they cut out the text boxes and arrange them appropriately. I have included some red herrings such as incorrect text alignment and unsuitable salutations and closures.

I have included my suggestion of the correct layout on the third page.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
English
Functional English - writing
Functional English reading
General literacy / English
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
Context
Retail Hospitality Customer service

This is a scheme of work I have used in EBD schools to get the pupils engaged with English. It is a 7 week scheme of work aimed at between E3-L2, as it can be differentiated. I have also included the lesson plans that go with the scheme.

Editor’s note
Although written for a Key Stage 3/4 school setting this would work well as a way of embedding Functional English into a vocational childcare course or a family learning situation.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
Context
Health, Social care, Early years

Activity to get students using Word and some of its applications by designing a poster for a gig.

Level
Level 1
Entry Level 3
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
Entry 3 ICT
Context
Art Film Media Music Radio TV

Learners must choose the next manager of the England football team. Using the task sheet to guide them, they must research, collate and present information for five candidates and then make the final choice.

There is scope for plenty of lively discussion around the choices made and also about what the manager’s job entails.

A Power Point presentation is included as an example, but can also be printed out to use in some of the additional activities described.

Level
Entry Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
English
General literacy / English
Functional Skills English
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
Functional Skills ICT: Finding and selecting information
General
Generic resources for literacy, numeracy and beyond
Context
Sport and fitness

First used with a group of E1-E2 numeracy students who had done an ICT based project involving cookery work and visiting a cafe to buy a snack. Print on A4 and fold into a very nice A5 leaflet.
The self assessment check boxes focus on basic money skills (recognising coins, giving change – but also slecting items from a list, weighing, etc.) but there is also the opportunity to link learning to numeracy at home or at college. Ideal for Entry Functional maths / catering / hospitality students.

Level
Entry Level 2
Entry Level 1
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
General
Aims & objectives, ILPs, reflections
Context
Catering Food Nutrition

A demonstration of how not to make a PowerPoint. This has been used for all levels as an extreme example of the worst PowerPoint ever.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Entry Level 3
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
General ICT resources
General
Study Skills and General Teaching

Useful 1 page handout. Very simple instructions on how to correct a mistake made when typing in Microsoft Word. First used with residents at a clinic who have learning difficulties but ideal for any beginner.

Level
Entry Level 2
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information
Functional Skills ICT: Using ICT
Entry 1 and 2 ICT

Here is another Level 1-2 variant on the classic ‘Smarties’ investigation which incorporates the use of a PC and Excel. I stopped using Smarties and Skittles because of the health and hygiene issues.

Level
Level 2
Level 1
Maths
Averages and range
Collect organise represent
Functional Maths - handling information and data
ICT
Functional Skills ICT: Developing, presenting and communicating information