Select the attached file to read the summary of the discussion that took place during this event, which was held 17 - 28 May, 2004. The introduction to the event is provided below. Thanks to Rob and Glen for facilitating the event.

“I defy you in your imagination to construct a more ideal environment for human learning than this life” M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Travelled

‘Life’ is truly a rich environment of opportunity for learning and we all learn lots every day. In fact, much more than we realise. Think about it, do you know exactly how much you learn in a day? How often do you consciously stop and take account? We don’t really know because the vast majority of our learning is ‘informal learning’ that is unplanned, subconscious, not clearly defined and totally embedded in all the things we do. "LINKup Key Competencies" helps people reflect and capitalise on this rich reserve of skills and knowledge. 

“Our LINKup Key Competencies strategy has been strongly influenced by Alverno College, Milwaukee, USA – the ‘best in the world’ in area of Generic Skills implementation through their ‘Ability-based learning’ strategy introduced in 1973. It is therefore my great privilege to introduce Dr Glen Rogers (Senior Research Associate) of Alverno College as our special guest speaker, or expert in residence, to participate in this discussion forum. (See Glen's impressive profile by clicking on his name above!)

Please make the most of this fantastic opportunity to engage in discussion with a person of such noteworthy credentials and experience, working in an organisation of international acclaim for its work in the area of ‘Abilities’ or Generic Skills’ and such a down-to-earth personality (based on my memorable experience of working with Glen at a one week educators workshop at Alverno College in 2001, and subsequent communications)” Rob Denton

Every moment, of every day we subconsciously assemble skills and knowledge that simply are not clearly defined in our own mind. This makes them virtually impossible to organise into a cohesive and useful ‘framework of knowledge’ in our mind. Instead they remain a mass of ill-defined and disorganised experiences that can, at best, be called upon and used in a very ad hoc manner in future activities. It’s like trying to dress yourself from a gigantic pile of unsorted clothes or trying to manage your business with documentation jammed into filing cabinets without files!

Generic Skills (or Key Competencies) represent a large proportion of this mass of ill-defined or subconscious skills. Most people agree they have a wealth of generic skills – it’s just they cannot clearly define or explain them in detail … “they just happen!” However, people who do successfully develop an explicit awareness of these skills exhibit marked improvements in their confidence and ability to describe, apply and continually improve these skills – resulting in improved all-round performance!

The ‘LINKup Key Competencies’ strategy is based on this premise and aims to make generic skills clear and explicit in the mind of the individual allowing them to ‘LINKup’ their skills and knowledge into a well organised, powerful and effective framework to improve their performance throughout life. The primary means of achieving this is through guided Reflection and Self Assessment of one’s personal performance in authentic day to day life activities.

“Just going around having different experiences is worthless if one does not learn something about oneself and the rest of the world”
“Take a little bit of life experience and milk it for all its worth!”
… through reflection!
M. Scott Peck

It is not surprising that people often lack detailed self awareness of their personal skills profiles – “there simply isn’t time to stop and reflect these days”. There are always more important things to do! It would appear that ‘reflection’ is under serious threat of extinction.

"Reflection ...is, in many ways, the process of ‘Learning from experience'. In our 'twitch speed' world, there is less and less time and opportunity for reflection.
The ability to stop and reflect is what distinguishes reading a book—where one can pause and think whenever one chooses - from a twitch-speed video game, or an internet-speed business, for that matter, where if you stop, you die!
We need to invent ways to include reflection and critical thinking into learning”
Marc Prensky, “Digital Game-based Learning”, 2000

“LINKup Key Competencies” is a new professional development website offering a comprehensive assessment strategy AND a full package of resources for the practical implementation of Key Competencies Assessment. It is based on the principles of guided Reflection and Self Assessment.

This site represents the culmination of 13 years of my action research in this area.
It is a serious and comprehensive assessment strategy based on strong educational philosophies and designed to achieve powerful performance outcomes. It has been designed to apply to ANY course, ANY workplace activity, ANY life experience and ANYONE! It is therefore truly a lifelong learning strategy and set of tools. I invite you to explore this model and use any or all parts that suit your particular context or situation.

*** Take the ‘LINKup Tour’ ***

Take the ‘LINKup Tour’ and prepare to get seriously reflective. Explore your own learning styles, life skills (Key Competencies) and lifelong learning capabilities. Feel challenged, enlightened, perhaps surprised but above all empowered to exploit and improve some of the most valuable abilities hidden within you – your personal skills or Key Competencies.

THEN ‘reflect’ on your LINKup Tour experience and tell us what you think and see what others have to say in the discussion forum. 

Oh, and don’t forget, Key Competencies are not for students … they’re for everyone!

Rob Denton