TRIPS - Supporting the development of the contextualised Core Skill of undertaking research for the T Level in Management and administration

This T Level Resource Improvement Project (TRIP) has produced a range of learning materials, developed by an experienced T Level provider. These learning materials support the delivery of ‘undertaking research’ as a Core Skill in the T Level in Management and administration.

Produced by Blackpool and The Flyde College, this TRIP provides an accessible Framework for learning, lesson plans and supporting learning materials. Together, these will enable learners to develop the Core Skill of undertaking research (Core Skill F). This Core Skill development is evidenced through a range of activities including problem solving, decision making, researching, planning, evaluating, synthesising and concluding.

For this TRIP and the 20 hours of learning, the focus is on the ability to utilise a range of different primary and secondary research tools and approaches to generate information and data from appropriate sources. The skills obtained through the lessons will also help learners to avoid malpractice and plagiarism, as they will be able to reference their findings effectively, avoiding impersonation, false declaration and collusion with others.

The development of research skills is contextualised to the content in Core Knowledge Content 6- project and change management. This will support learners to develop and apply higher-order thinking skills to make research-based decisions. Learners are expected to be familiar with the context of SWOT and PESTLE analyses as outlined in Core Knowledge Content 6 and in Core Skills F- undertaking research.

The structure follows a logical progression where each lesson builds upon prior knowledge and prepares learners for increasingly complex thinking tasks. Throughout the lessons the teacher is encouraging their learners to explore additional topics and where relevant use further examples from the industry. 

The resources include:

• A Framework for learning to show how the development of the Core Skill can be scaffolded and sequenced through the delivery of Core Content. 
• 10 sequenced lesson plans which cover 20 hours of learning.
• Learning materials to support each lesson which enables the delivery of the 20 hours of learning.

The Framework for learning and supporting lesson plans are organised around three key phases:

• Introduction to research.
• Skills practice.
• Decision making.

The overall outcome of learning from this resource is for learners to be able to effectively apply research skills to a contextualised case study. By the end of the 10 lessons, learners will have developed a tool kit of techniques to support the undertaking of research and the development of supporting higher order thinking skills.

Each lesson has a lesson plan, with a range of supporting materials such as learner activities, links to websites and other media, handouts and case studies. There is a separate slide deck and three Excel spreadsheets to be used to support delivery of the lessons.

Downloadable resources