Getting started on the project

You're now ready to start your project. Before you do though, it's worth taking a look at our section on Understanding Standards, to make sure that you understand what it is you have to do. You don't want to waste time preparing work that isn't required.

Here are a few important tips to bear in mind:

• Be clear about your objectives - what are you really trying to achieve with your project/assignment?
• Plan well before starting to research - focus on the task ahead and don't be side-tracked when researching on the Internet.
• Make a check-list, or action plan, of things you need to collect. Check the standards. The back page (was Part C in old standards pre-September 2004) gives examples of what might be of use. Part B explains what must be included.
• Double-check against the Key Skills criteria to ensure that you have listed purposeful evidence. Don't collect it just for the sake of it.
• Don't throw draft copies away - especially if annotated by your tutor/teacher.
• If in doubt, ask your tutor/teacher if it's of use.
• Keep copies of all emails from and to your tutor/teacher.
• If you see newspaper or magazine articles about the topic of your Key Skills work, try to keep a copy. If you can't, record the name and date of the newspaper/magazine and the title of the article. You may be able to find more information about this on the Internet.
• Make a note of any textbooks or manuals you've used, which may have contributed to the information you have about the subject.
• Keep a log of what you're doing.
• Include evidence that shows that your knowledge or skills in a specific area have improved. For instance, if you're studying Geography, you need to present evidence that you've read or researched information and have selected data that is relevant to your subject.
• Get feedback from others and listen to what they have to say. Have they made valid points? Should you think again about the presentation methods you've used? What about the graphs you produced to present information? Etc.
• Evaluate your objectives as you progress. Are you sticking to your plan? Do you need to re-focus?
• Self-review your work and your performance.
• Record how you've achieved your objectives.

Good luck ... remember, if you're ever confused, or unsure about what you're supposed to be doing, ask your tutor/teacher for guidance.

On the next page, you'll find some exercises to help you prepare for your portfolio work.

Go to the next screen for some portfolio exercises.