Blog homeThe UK AQA, Assessment and Qualifications Alliance, has come under some press pressure today regarding the case of Bobby McHale, 15, who was given an award for successfully learning how to use public transport.
Read more about this story on the BBC news website – it is a good Friday story
My interest (and probably yours) is in the “Selecting a holiday” unit (86341)
Demonstrate the ability to
1. visit a travel agent and collect holiday brochures;
2. find information on holidays from at least two sources, e.g. newspapers, holiday brochures;
3. make a personal choice of holiday giving at least one reason verbally why the holiday was chosen;
4. enquire at the travel agents office how to book the holiday.
This unit was last updated on the 1st of April 2001. I am greatly concerned that this unit no longer represents best practice for holiday bookings. Should we really be teaching our children (11-15 year olds) that they ought to visit travel agents and collect holiday brochures?
Being serious for a moment they are good, solid, life skills. I haven’t mastered them all quite yet.
For example I am still working towards 81139, mysteriously called “Cleaning and putting away the dishes after a meal” for which I must:
Demonstrate the ability to
1. collect the used crockery and cutlery from the table;
2. collect the used pans and other cooking utensils;
3. fill a washing up bowl with warm water;
4. add detergent to the water;
5. wash the dishes;
6. put the washed dishes on to a dish drainer;
7. use a tea towel to dry the dishes;
8. put the dry dishes away in the appropriate storage area.
So far I have learnt these skills from the University of Life (Southampton) but I am nervous that, in particular for this unit, I may not fully comply with the requirements. In particular I nearly always fail to put the dry dishes away in the appropriate storage area.
Does anyone sell any ebooks that could help me brush up my skills?
The full list of units can be found on the AQA website.
Making a cup of tea is another favourite.
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