Welsh Baccalaureate (Welsh Bacc) Core Transferable Skills and Reflection Syllabus

Core Transferable Skills and Reflection syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Core Transferable Skills and Reflection in Welsh Baccalaureate (Welsh Bacc), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Research and Information Literacy

   4 topics

   • Finding and selecting relevant information
   • Evaluating credibility, bias and reliability
   • Synthesising information from multiple sources
   • Referencing and acknowledging sources
2. 2

   Communication and Presentation

   4 topics

   • Written communication for different purposes
     • Reports, proposals and reflective writing
     • Audience and register
   • Oral presentation skills
     • Structuring a presentation
     • Use of visual aids and delivery
   • Digital communication tools
   • Active listening and questioning
3. 3

   Planning, Problem Solving and Decision Making

   4 topics

   • Setting SMART objectives
   • Creating and monitoring action plans
   • Identifying and solving problems
     • Generating and evaluating options
     • Contingency planning
   • Making and justifying decisions
4. 4

   Reflection and Personal Development

   4 topics

   • Reflective practice and learning cycles
   • Self-assessment and acting on feedback
   • Identifying strengths and areas for development
   • Setting goals for future progression

Core Transferable Skills and Reflection flashcards for Welsh Baccalaureate (Welsh Bacc)

21 of 51 cards from the Core Transferable Skills and Reflection deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. When finding and selecting relevant information for a research task, what three key criteria should determine whether a source is worth using?

   Relevance (it addresses your research question), reliability (it comes from a trustworthy origin), and currency (it is up to date for the topic). Information is selected by matching it to the specific purpose, not just collecting everything available.

2. What is the difference between primary and secondary sources of information?

   A primary source is original, first-hand evidence (e.g. interviews, surveys, raw data, original documents). A secondary source interprets, analyses or summarises primary material (e.g. textbooks, reviews, news articles).

3. Name three effective search techniques for narrowing down results when finding information online.

   Using keywords and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), using quotation marks for exact phrases, and applying filters such as date, domain (e.g. .gov, .ac.uk) or file type. Refining search terms iteratively improves relevance.

4. What does the acronym CRAAP stand for when evaluating a source?

   Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose. It is a checklist for testing the credibility and usefulness of a source.

5. Define bias in the context of evaluating information.

   Bias is a tendency to present information in a one-sided, prejudiced or unbalanced way, often to favour a particular viewpoint, person, group or commercial interest, rather than giving a fair and objective account.

6. What is the difference between a fact and an opinion when assessing reliability?

   A fact is a statement that can be proven true with evidence and is objective. An opinion is a personal belief, judgement or interpretation that cannot be verified and may vary between people.

7. List four questions you can ask to judge the credibility of a website.

   Who is the author and what are their credentials? Who publishes/funds the site (check the domain)? Is the information referenced and supported by evidence? When was it last updated and is it balanced or biased?

8. Why might a commercially funded source be considered less reliable?

   Because the funder may have a vested (financial) interest, the information could be selected or slanted to promote a product or agenda, introducing bias and reducing objectivity.

9. What does it mean to synthesise information from multiple sources?

   To combine, compare and integrate ideas, evidence and viewpoints from several different sources into a single coherent piece, drawing out connections and an overall conclusion rather than just listing each source separately.

10. What is the difference between summarising and synthesising information?

    Summarising condenses the key points of one source. Synthesising weaves together information from multiple sources, identifying similarities, differences and relationships to form a new, combined understanding or argument.

11. When synthesising, how should you handle sources that contradict each other?

    Acknowledge the disagreement, compare the strength of the evidence and credibility of each source, and explain the differing viewpoints, then draw a balanced, justified conclusion rather than ignoring the conflict.

12. What is referencing and why is it important in academic work?

    Referencing is formally acknowledging the sources of information, ideas or quotations you have used. It gives credit to original authors, avoids plagiarism, allows readers to trace your sources, and adds credibility to your work.

13. Define plagiarism.

    Plagiarism is presenting someone else's work, words or ideas as your own without proper acknowledgement, whether copied directly, paraphrased without credit, or used without citation. It is a form of academic dishonesty.

14. What is the difference between an in-text citation and a bibliography (reference list)?

    An in-text citation is a brief note within the body of your work showing where a specific idea came from (e.g. author and year). A bibliography/reference list is the full, detailed list of all sources at the end of the document.

15. What is the difference between quoting and paraphrasing, and must both be referenced?

    Quoting uses an author's exact words in quotation marks. Paraphrasing puts their idea into your own words. Both must be referenced, because both use someone else's ideas or information.

16. Name three different purposes for which a piece of written communication might be produced.

    To inform (give facts), to persuade (change opinion or prompt action), and to instruct (explain how to do something). Other purposes include to entertain, to describe and to argue.

17. How does the audience affect the style of written communication?

    The audience determines the tone, vocabulary, level of formality and amount of background detail. For example, a formal report for an employer uses formal language and structure, while a leaflet for peers may be informal and use simpler vocabulary.

18. What features distinguish formal writing from informal writing?

    Formal writing avoids slang and contractions, uses standard grammar, an objective/impersonal tone and full sentences. Informal writing may use contractions, colloquial language, a personal tone and a more relaxed structure.

19. List three structural features that help make a written report clear and effective.

    Clear headings and subheadings, logical paragraphing with topic sentences, and an introduction and conclusion. Bullet points, numbering and signposting also aid clarity.

20. What are three key features of an effective oral presentation?

    Clear structure (introduction, main points, conclusion), confident delivery (eye contact, clear voice, appropriate pace), and engaging visual aids that support rather than distract from the message.

21. In a presentation, what aspects of non-verbal communication (body language) should a speaker manage?

    Eye contact, posture, facial expressions, gestures, and movement. Positive body language conveys confidence and helps engage the audience.

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