Mapping Tool
Resource to support the Academic Skills Provision Toolkit
This Mapping Tool is part of the Academic Skills Provision Toolkit.
It is one of three tools in the toolkit and can be used alongside the Reviewing Tool and Role Profile Tool.
The tool provides a structured 3-step review process to identify the processes, systems and support events associated with academic skills provision within colleges and produce a map of and review this provision (see Figure 1 below).
Based upon evidence gathered through the Centre for Teaching and Learning's consultancies with colleges in 2023-24 and 2024-25, it is primarily focused on undergraduate provision that is in addition to the academic skills support provided by Subject Tutors in college.
It aids colleges in their consideration of the range of processes, systems, and support activities associated with academic skills development.
Figure 1: Overview of 3-step mapping process
How do I use the Mapping Tool?
- The Mapping Tool may be most insightful if used by the senior academic leadership team within the college and the activities could be led by the Senior Tutor or the academic skills lead. Colleagues who provide or contribute to academic skills development may also be involved in the creation of the map.
- The three steps should take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
- The Mapping Tool involves:
- identifying the processes, systems and support events associated with the college’s academic skills provision
- creating a map of this information in order to detail the connections between the different elements of the provision
- reviewing the map using the prompt questions provided in order to provide insights into any gaps in the provision and consider ways in which to enhance these areas.
- For an example of creating a map of a college’s academic skills provision, please see Appendix 1: Step-by-step example.
