Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Self Managed Learning

Outcome 1
Self-managed learning approaches are integral to all our programmes and services

Activities
• Define baseline ICT skills standards required of all staff
• Review and update Baseline ICT skills standards on an ongoing basis
• Provide in-service opportunities to support staff to develop self managed learning approaches including
  • Formal staff development opportunities
  • Informal drop-in supports
  • One-to-one supports
• Where appropriate and efficient, use technology as the sole point of access to resources
• Further develop our ICT Acceptable Use Policy and procedures (so that they are more accessible to our learners)
• Integrate the use of moodle across the Service, so that all learners have access to LCAES learning resources


Outcome 2
The innovative use of technology is effectively promoted throughout the Service

Activities
• Develop tools to showcase innovative activities throughout the Service
• Organise and host a technology fair to highlight the innovative use of technology for learning
• Use existing websites, social media, news media etc. to highlight the innovative use of ICTs in the AES


Outcome 3
Staff and learners use new and existing technologies to share information and to support creativity & innovation in teaching & learning

Activities
• Promote and use emerging technologies to be creative and innovative in teaching and learning
• Define and develop the communities of practice model so that there is effective use of technology for information sharing and collaboration
• Develop a Staff profile page in Sharepoint


Outcome 4
The LCAES physical environment & resources support self-managed learning

Activities
• Ensure that ICT is integral to all our planning (e.g. facilities etc.)
• Invest strategically in resources to support self managed learning

Wider Participation

Outcome 1
We are innovative and creative in our learner engagement strategies

Activities
• Actively review trends in the usage of technology tools and ensure that we effectively use technology which is relevant to the needs of our learners and potential learners
• Use mobile technology to engage and retain learners (e.g. free text numbers use MIS to send class reminders for first 3 weeks, text follow up with non-attending learners etc.)
• Review the website with a view to it being used more strategically - searchable course options on front page, online applications for courses etc
• Develop an organisational strategy to increase the value of innovation


Outcome 2
Supports are in place to address barriers to participation and to retain learners

Activities
• Use technology to improve pre-entry assessment (e.g. skill analysis, guidance etc.)
• Identify and use appropriate software for assessment and Individual Learning Plans
• Identify and use effective assistive technologies to meet learner needs


Outcome 3
Our learners are informed about the routes available to enable them to progress in their learning, work and lifelong learning journey

Activities
• Research the use of E-portfolios to support effective progression and tracking
• Maximize the current use of software and web applications (pathfinder, careerdirections.ie, qualifax.ie etc.)


Outcome 4
LCAES supports and resources are available to AES learners online

Activities
• Make learner handbooks available online
• Make staff handbooks available online
• Develop systems to ensure all learners understand and have access to agreed minimum information and guidance resources.
• Ensure learning resources are available to all learners on our Moodle VLE


Outcome 5
Progression is more efficiently tracked through and beyond the service

Activities
• Develop the use of E-portfolios by AES learners
• Analyse current Information systems with a view to effective system integration
• Develop integrated systems which eliminate duplication of data entry (AE MIS, FETAC, Moodle) and ensure effective reporting and decision making as part of our MIS strategy
• Explore the use of technology (social media, online fora etc.) to communicate with learners after progression as part of our social media strategy

Customer Focus

Outcome 1
Our provision is relevant and responsive to the needs of our customers and the changes in our external environment

Activities
• Implement blended learning solutions which maximize delivery time
• Review and revise existing ICT provision to ensure new technologies are being taught in effective ways and are tailored to learner needs
• Develop a Level 3 Award in ICT
• Use technology to develop direct feedback mechanisms (e.g. - staff development, consultation with staff etc.)


Outcome 2
All our customers (internal and external) clearly understand the role of our systems and technologies

Activities
• Devise, communicate and implement clear coherent strategies for the introduction and effective integrated use of new technologies and systems including the use of
o Social media
o Communication and collaboration (website, Sharepoint etc.)
o Learning systems (Moodle)
o Management Information Systems (Adult Education MIS etc.)
o CLVEC Purchasing/HR systems
• Devise/revise guidelines for the use of all existing technologies and systems


Outcome 3
There is widespread public awareness of the work of LCAES

Activities
• Ensure that technology is used effectively to communicate with our stake holders
• Ensure AES website is up to date with programmes and services are contributing stories and case studies on a regular basis
• Develop the use of an AES Facebook Page


Outcome 4
All our interactions with customers are informed by high quality standards

Activities
• Ensure appropriate up-to-date resources are available for staff and learners
• Put in place systems for capturing, analyzing and sharing the wider benefits of learning e.g. Community Ed’s CWBL Pilot


Outcome 5
We have efficient systems in place which are being utilized effectively

Activities
• Complete rollout of MIS so that it is an effective cross-organisation system
• Harness data from MIS and other sources to identify gaps, inform our decision making and enhance our practice
• Improve the efficiency of our work processes (e.g. – Learner attendance, payments etc.) through the use of existing or new systems as appropriate

Partnership

Outcome 1
We are an active and valued partner in educational and local development arenas

Activities
• Actively contribute to limerick.ie
• Explore the possibility of development of cross-sector partnerships to research, develop and deliver innovative educational projects that engage IT in new ways
• Feedback relevant information from our systems (Management Information Systems, Web based queries, Google analytics) to relevant local development and education partners

Outcome 2
Our effectiveness is promoted to our partners

Activities
• Devise and implement a social media strategy for the service

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Learning 2.0 - A revolution in Learning ?

Does web 2.0 enable us to build a new type of learning - where learners are genuinely involed in the creation of content and real learning communities - Click on the link below to access Jen Deyenbergs Prezi

Friday, October 22, 2010

Resources & Background Reading

Hi all,

Below please find a short list of some useful documents links to our work - I will edit this piece later to add more - Please let me know of sites or documents you recommend by commenting. I have also embedded 2 items below the links

  1. An excellent Slide show produced by Suzie Vesper outlining the essential elements of an effective ICT Planning Process.
  2. A presentation by Kennenth Robinson on Changing Education Paradigms (Thanks Tara)

Background Reading and useful Links

Key Competencies for Lifelong Learning

Expert Group on Future Skills Needs

Steven Heppell's Blog

Top 100 tools for Learning as voted by Learning Professionals

Ted Talk on 'opening up learning'

2010 Horizon Report from the New Media Consortium in the US (Emerging technologies for education)

Kenneth Robinsons Ted talk

Interesting links about eportfolios

http://electronicportfolios.com/portfolios.html

http://electronicportfolios.com/handbook/slideshows.html

Interesting article about developing effective technology plans:

http://www.nctp.com/john.see.html

Technology and lifelong learning

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/00002117.htm







Powerpoint Presentation