Who writes this stuff? Students’ perceptions of their skills development

Lucas, Ursula; Cox, Paul; Croudace, Christopher; Milford, Peter

Abstract

Bennett et al. (2000) refer to the notion of ‘core skills’ as an ‘unfulfilled concept’. Thus it is Q1
possible that different interpretations and values at the level of actual degree programmes may be
hidden within this term. This study enquires into students’ tacit notions of skills development
within a specific degree programme and at a detailed level of skills description. It finds that
students link skills with personal attributes, seeing some skills as arising naturally from personality
types or developing naturally as one grows older. Consequently, the concept of skills has yet to
be ‘fulfilled’ within the experience of students. The paper concludes that, if skills are to be
‘developed’ within higher education then lecturer and student reflection and dialogue should be
at the heart of the implementation of a skills framework, enabling students to ‘write this stuff’ for
themselves.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2004
• Journal: Teaching in Higher Education
• Print ISSN: 1356-2517
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 55-68
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1356251032000155830
• Keywords: students, skills, development
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1065308
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1356251032000155830