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

Questions?

Richard BrookHead of IT and Learning Resources

Richard.brook@wnc.ac.ukTwitter and Linked In