SMART Blended Learning: a college’s response to FELTAG Vision West Nottinghamshire College Richard Brook Head of IT and Learning Resources
SMART Blended Learning: a college’s response to FELTAG
Vision West Nottinghamshire CollegeRichard Brook
Head of IT and Learning Resources
In this workshop:
• Why develop Blended Learning? • What are we doing at VWNC?
– Project Plan• How?
– SOLA Packs explained• What makes it all work?
– Recognised roles– Staff training and support– Training and support– IT Infrastructure
• What’s SMART about the Heart of Worcestershire College model of Blended Learning? VLE
• Questions?
Background information
Why Blended Learning?
Why Blended Learning?
• Create new opportunities to engage learners through technology
• Develop independent learning skills
• Deliver the curriculum more flexibly and efficiently
Why Blended Learning?
Heart of Worcestershire College success:• Now delivering 10 to 20% of all FT L2 and L3 courses online• 4 years’ experience• Increased success rates by 12%• AoC Beacon Award for Blended Learning - "Effective use of
technology in FE"
Further Education Learning Technology Action Group (FELTAG):
Department of Business, Innovation and Skills:
‘During 2014/15 the Skills Funding Agency will support ‘online-only trailblazers’ which will start us moving towards the 10% standard minimum.’
What are we doing at VWNC?
Blended Learning Pilot at VWNC
Blended Learning Pilot at VWNC
How are we developing blended learning at VWNC?
SOLA, what does it mean?
• Scheduled• Online• Learning• and• Assessment
Vision West Nottinghamshire College
SOLA Pack Sample
Let’s take a look…VWNC Staff MoodleSOLA Pack Template in Moodle
Key features of a SOLA Pack
A SOLA pack is a short learning and assessment activity created in and delivered from VWNC Moodle.Typically, a pack will contain:• Clear instructions and structure (templates)• Clear learning outcomes• Range of learning resources, text, interactive and video.
– e.g. ClickView, YouTube, Open Educational Resources etc.
• Learning activities through Moodle tools – e.g. forums, glossaries, journals, databases etc.
• Assessment through Moodle quiz and assignment tools
What makes SOLA pack blended learning work?
What makes it work?
Clear Roles
What makes it work?
• Commitment of SOLA specialist, teaching teams and managers
• Clear message to all that SOLA learning has same value as face to face learning
• Clear links between SOLA and class based learning• Interesting well-structured content and activities• Regular assessment and monitoring• On-going training and support
What makes it work?
Training Sessions
For teachers: • Introduction to SOLA (90 mins)• Finding and using Open Educational Resources (60
mins)• Moodle assessment tools (60 mins)• Moodle collaborative tools (60 mins)• Monitoring SOLA learner activity in Moodle (30 mins)
What makes it work?
Good planning - Discussion points for Curriculum Teams
Identify:– Elements of your curriculum that can be delivered
through the SOLA packs as independent learning– Any specific support or CPD requirements for
individuals or the team
What makes it work?
SOLA packs – well organised in the College VLE
College VLE
Sources of best practice: conversations with Peter Kilcoyne and Neil Spaxman
BTEC Level 3 Dip in Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Home course
Unit 1 – Health and Safe
Unit 2 - Comms
Unit 3 – Eng. Project
BTEC Level 3 Dip in Electrical/Electronic Engineering SOLA packs
SOLA Packs
SOLA pack 1 (Topic 1)
SOLA pack 2 (Topic 2)
Each box is a course in the College VLE
What makes it work?
Good IT Infrastructure• Fast, reliable VLE with ample storage• Robust, accessible WiFi• Learning spaces– Adequate bookable open access IT facilities– Variety of learning spaces
• IT Support– Access to free software for Bring Your Own Device
(BYOD) learners– Troubleshooting support for BYOD learners
What’s SMART about the Heart of Worcestershire College model of Blended Learning?
What’s SMART about the HoW model of Blended Learning?Specific - whole organisation approach to BL
Measurable - all teams use the same structured model– progress and engagement can be measured
Achievable - model uses existing staff skills – with some development and support – not about creating interactive multimedia– is about using existing free Internet resources in a structured way
Realistic/Relevant– Tutors identify the most appropriate curriculum for development
Timely– learning packages are deployed and attract learner engagement in a timely
manner within the academic year