NextGen: HN news

Reduced evidence requirements for baseline self-assessment  

We have made amendments to the way learners self-assess meta-skills, which can be found in the Assessing and Grading Meta-skills in Next Generation Higher National Qualifications document. Learners now only need to assess 3 out of the 4 meta-skills in their respective categories.  

Meta-skills – resources for session 24-25  

• New subject-specific Meta-skills in Practice guides  

• New learners’ Meta-skills Development Log  

• New assessment information document for learners  

• Redeveloped SQA Academy Courses for practitioners and learners  

• Updated assessment information document for practitioners  

• Updated NextGen: HN meta-skills web page with U-Share links, HNC to HND step-up guides, video links, general information  

We have listened to feedback and developed some new meta-skills resources and made changes to others.  

You said  

Some learners have a tendency to rate themselves negatively in the meta-skills self-assessment which carries through to their engagement with the rest of their personal meta-skills development.  

We did  

We have removed the requirement to self-assess all 12 meta-skills and have reduced this to 3 out of the 4 in their respective categories. This maintains the broad focus needed for goal setting but allows some flexibility for learners who find particular skills difficult to reflect on, or who feel certain skills are irrelevant to their context. This is captured in the updated assessment information document for practitioners.  

A new Meta-skills Development Log emphasises holistic reflections and evidence gathering rather than spotlight or Likert ratings.  

We have further emphasised a strengths-based approach and working with individual needs in both our practitioner and learner materials.   

You said  

Older learners felt that the meta-skills support materials didn’t acknowledge the experience they brought to the development process.  

We did  

We’ve updated SQA Academy courses and the assessment information and development log for learners now reference prior experience and suggest ways to build on this in their meta-skills development.  

You said  

SQA Academy modules could be improved in aspects such as structure, focus and interactivity.   

We did  

Learner modules: we’ve removed one module, separated out essential content from optional activities, and given clear guidance on how and when to use them.  

Practitioner module: we’ve reduced the content, aligned sections with evidence requirements, and linked to resources for learners.  

You said  

There were some technical problems with the prototype meta-skills profilers and suggested alternative versions would be useful.  

We did  

Adobe and SQA Academy profilers have been replaced with the new Meta-skills Development Log, produced in Word. 

You said  

The existing meta-skills resources are generic and suggested that subject-specific support materials would be beneficial.   

We did  

We’ve published 10 meta-skills guides for a range of NextGen: HNC subjects. The documents sit on the Meta-skills tile which can be found on the NextGen:HN web page. 

If you have any enquiries, please contact nextgen@sqa.org.uk.