E-Guides updates

NIACE have just announced that there is some availability on the E-Guides training programme and have confirmed that capital grants of £2,500 are now also available for attendance on these. See this previous post for dates in this region and details of how to book. This other post also lists a few of the activities that previous attendees undertook after their initial training, highlighting just how much enthusiasm the programme generates.

Follow up training, E-Guides Plus

In addition to the 3-day E-Guides Training programme, NIACE are also offering follow-up events for existing E-Guides. These free, one day events are designed to enable E-Guides to refresh and build on their skills and knowledge through practical hands-on workshops.

Details of these 'E-Guides Plus’ events and a booking form are available at: www.niace.org.uk/eguidesplus Hope to see some of you there!

Examples of E-Learning in Work Based Learning

Are you curious to know who is doing what with e-learning?

The Excellence Gateway continues to prove a really useful source of information allowing you to discover just what is possible using ILT. Below I've noted some extracted summaries and links to just a few of the recent case studies that highlight how e-learning is being used specifically in the work based learning sector. Hope these will inspire you!

Our Information Officer, Kirsty Hill, also feeds into the Excellence Gateway with news and best practice from around the region. If you have an example you would like to see published, do get in touch.

Charnwood Training: Use of Tablet PCs
"Charnwood wanted to improve their retention and achievement rates in their training in the pub and club sector. By introducing Tablet PCs and electronic learning materials the company revolutionised access and the manner of delivery for its learners. Retention rates are now almost double to what they were prior to the introduction of the Tablet PCs...."

JHP Training: Paperless Monitoring for Work Based Learning
"A South West contractor, JHP Training...equip each of the remote workers with a laptop, mobile phone and digital recorder so that they can do their visits and compile reports without having to put pen to paper. They tape their conversations with the student, score them and load into the laptop. It is attached electronically as a “witness statement” to the student’s file. The students sign on electronically to chart their progress and see what needs to be done. All NVQs are now dealt with in this way...."

Construction Gateway: Tracking Success
"Construction Gateway Ltd. is a private training provider delivering construction NVQs. Their parent company have developed a fully integrated e-portfolio and Work Based Learning management system called ‘VeTAS' which has noticeably improved learner enrolment, assessment, tracking and portfolios..."

DV8 Training's virtual media company: Personal online space supporting work-related learning
"DV8's learners use an online resource to personalise and influence the design, layout and content of their online ‘portfolios'...The ‘public' showcasing and peer comment create a purposeful learning environment for a range of different learners but one especially motivating to those previously disengaged from education...."

Staff Development (and Capital Grants) for Work Based Learning Leaders

The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) has now published new dates for more of their leadership programmes that support the strategic development of e-learning.

For staff that have already completed CEL’s Connect and Realise programmes, the follow up programme ‘WBL Explorer’ now has availability in this region, and capital funding attached. (This capital grant entitles LSC-funded organisations to claim a £2,500 grant for each staff member who has completes one of CEL’s e-learning leadership programmes, up to a maximum of £7,500 per organisation). Read more about the grants here or more about the WBL Explorer programme here.

New WBL Explorer dates for this region are as follows:

7 October 2008 – day 1 - Birmingham
4 December 2008 – day 2 - Birmingham
10 February 2009 – day 3 - Birmingham
25 June 2009 – Landmarks – London

As with many of these types of programmes I’d advise that you book fast if you are interested in attending. Places do fill up fast and it is a case of first come first served!

CEL recommend that WBL organisations attend ConnecT and Realise before starting the WBL explorer programme. Unfortunately the new round of Connect and Realise courses are out of region this time but its still worth enquiring with CEL directly if you have an interest in these.

To book a place or enquire about any of the programmes, please email enquiries@centreforexcellence.org.uk