The RSC Website

The RSC New Website [Photo]The RSC has has now adopted a fresh design with the same branding as all other twelveRegional Support Centres. It now also incorporates RSS feeds allowing you to subscribeto the site to keep right up to date. Take alook at the Accessibility section espeically the SIMS DISwebsite which will give you a overview of disabilities . (still hosted at the same address http://www.rsc-wm.ac.uk/)

The Reveal Project

Recently, I attended the launch of the Reveal project, this provided a clear and easy to understand guide for the use of Voting Systems. Having used a Voting system with learners I am keen to see how other practitioners are using them within their lessons. The Reveal CD shows both the practitioners and the learners experience. If you are thinking of buying a system you may wish to take a look at the website where you can request a copy of the CD and join the Teacher Zone where you will find resources and advice available.

http://revealproject.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=29

What is The Execllence Gateway ?

This is online portal for post 16 education. The Quality Improvement Agency for Lifelong Learning is the portal is for sharing effective practice and resources. It is the new home for the Learning and skills web.Here you will find examples of good practice, self-improvement, suppliers of improvement services plus materials to support learning.
Areas which will be useful for staff development include:

•Online portal for sharing effective practice and resources

• Ask Butler, Excalibur Good Practice Database

• ‘My excellence gateway’ – upload resources; rating system

• Community – forums, social networking

• Case studies – Ofsted inspections

• Improve skills and professional knowledge


Its well worth a look http://excellence.qia.org.uk/

E-Learning Framework

The Learning and Skills Network (LSN) has carried forward the initial work of the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) and the Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) to develop a professional development framework of competencies in the application of e-learning techniques, tools and associated guidance. The professional development framework and the associated topics for e-learning are intended too:

Develop the individual’s knowledge and skills, such as planning, analysing and synthesising.
Develop critical analysis of the capability of e-learning tools and techniques.
Develop teaching, mentoring and leadership skills.
Enable career progression through the acquisition of new skills at all levels.

Take a look at the LSN website and login to access the ecpd materials
tp://www.learningtechnologies.ac.uk/ecpd/lister/index.htm

In Their Own Words

Jisc have recently published a new publictaion 'In their Own Words' this is useful in providing evedience of how the learner likes to learn and what tools they prefer to use. The guide has several case studies examining the beliefs and expectations of the leaner.The guide provides useful insight how e elarning is being embeded into teaching and learning.This publication can be used for staff development in the following ways:

Devising strategies for evaluating the learners experince.

Planning and evaluation.

Course evaluation and review.


tHThttp://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/programmes/elearningpedagogy/iowfinal.pdf

Staff development

Hello everyone, I hope you find this blog useful it is intended to update and point out new resources for e-learning, particularly staff development.

Earlier this week I attended a workshop with the Institute for Learning. This seminar was entitled making CPD Count.

You are now required to register with the Institute For Learning to become either a Licensed Practitioner or for CPD purposes. CPD is becoming increasingly important. From the 01 September 2007 all full time teachers, trainers and tutors in the FE sector are required to undertake at least 30 hours of CPD. (Pro- rata equivalent for part time). The IFL states ‘CPD in relation to a teacher means continuing professional development which is any activity undertaken for the purpose of updating knowledge of the subject taught and developing teaching skills’

So what is CPD?. Initial Professional Development begins with teacher training for those who aren’t qualified or working towards qualification. CPD compromises of more than just workshops or formal study; it is the critical reflection on different learning experiences and resulting action planning that demonstrates development as a practitioner.

Thinking in terms of e-learning and where to start take a look a following self assessment tools, the LSN has two tools which is designed to identify individual present competence levels of ICT user skills. The toolkit may be used as part of initial or ongoing assessment of individual personal development and training needs.

Take a look at the follwing links. http://www.learningtechnologies.ac.uk/sa/eCPD_CD/default.htm

Have a read through the LSN e cpd in action and self assessment.

Have a go at the self assessment tools, however they are quiet lenght, but the feedback is worth the time.