Participants in Action Learning Set 2 each selected an area of personal and professional interest to explore. The emphasis was to provide solutions, succinctly, to frequently encountered problems. The main document contains a summary of each area that was explored, alongside a link to more detailed papers that are full of useful tips.  

This piece of work considers a myriad of useful strategies currently being piloted, adopted and recommended in response to the challenges and opportunities that face our learners and colleagues online. The submissions demonstrate many lessons learned and skills acquired over recent years; offering practitioners sound, tried and tested strategies as well as further reading and research.  In addition, they originate from a variety of perspectives, yet all provide practical steps which can only enhance a learner’s experience of online learning.

Click here to access the document.

 This Action Learning Set looked at different types of prospective learners and groups who could be digitally excluded, considering reasons for digital exclusion and strategies to mitigate these. 

 The final report can be accessed here.

The purpose of this Action Learning set was to investigate, research and produce options for creating a Digital Initial Assessment and Individual Learning Plan, to include a case study.

The final report can be found here. 

Action Learning Set 5 considered how to effectively provide support for online learners who have mental health needs.

The final report can be accessed here (including a case study).

Appendix 1 – Directory for signposting learners for support with their mental health needs.

Staff Network 2 considered ways to deliver work experience, traineeships and study programmes using digital routes, identifying possible digital routes to enhance the delivery.  

Access the report here.  

Staff Network 3 discussed how IAG and progression changed as a result of the pandemic, what happens now and moving forwards. The group considered how IAG can be delivered through digital platforms during a learner’s journey. They determined that there is not a one size fits all model, and the resultant report pulls together examples of good practice in different areas from each provider. 

Access the report here.

Staff Network 4 met to discuss and develop ideas around the best use of technology in the Family Learning environment. The group weighed up the benefits of offering Family Learning both online and in the classroom and agreed that a mix of these two types of provision is ideal. They considered ways to best facilitate delivery and what physical equipment is required and they undertook a SWOT analysis of the key platforms that each provider was using. 

We shared the barriers that learners face and explored how different gadgets and approaches can address those barriers. All the while they considered data security and learner safety, as well as how to equalise opportunities for digital capability development in both the parents and children who attend Family Learning programmes.

Access the report here.

Staff Network 5 worked together to the technology available for learners to enhance learning, to create a competency framework to use with learners to establish what technology can be used for a learner. They trialled the competency framework and reported back, creating a case study.

Links to access the resources are below:

Staff Network 5 - final report - Learning support – best practice in the use of technology.

Appendix 1 - Competency Framework template – a template for your own use.

Appendix 2 - Competency Framework - Case study (Luke) - An example of a completed competency framework

Appendix 3 - Index of Video Guides (Google) (Buckinghamshire Adult Learning). This document includes ‘quick links’ to video guides for how to do specific things in Classroom, Meet & Google.

Appendix 4 - Links to share with learners who need basic help to access Google Meet/Classroom (Buckinghamshire Adult Learning)

Appendix 5 - Best practice people – understanding digital confidence form

This group considered how technology can be used to improve the delivery of IAG by staff at the start of a learner’s journey.

As the world has become increasingly digitised, and with so many learners engaging with online provision due to the Covid-19 pandemic, providers have had to look for innovative ways to continue to provide high-quality IAG across their provision. This report reflects the research, ideas and experiences of a range of practitioners from a wide variety of providers. It is designed to support self-assessment of current IAG practices by providing case studies and examples of best practice in terms of how digital technology can enhance and improve the delivery of IAG.

This research group was tasked with:

• outlining how digital technology can be used to upskill staff to improve their delivery of information, advice and guidance.
• recognising and evaluating ways the use of technology will improve the delivery of information, advice, and guidance.

Access the final resources via the links below.

The final report is available here.

Appendix 1 – IAG research presentation

Appendix 2 – Learner Profile example 2022 – Example

This group focused on identifying the various OTLA processes used and within them where any digital needs are identified and addressed. They also considered how peer to peer support is promoted and how a collaborative database could be set up to support a community of practice for providers such as this group.

Access the final resources via the links below.

The final report is available here as a Powerpoint or here as a pdf.

Appendix 1 – Tutor-Assessor Professional Discussion Record Form 2021-22 Norfolk Adult Learning

Appendix 2 – Tutor-Assessor Observation Record Form – 2021-22 Norfolk Adult Learning

Appendix 3 – LSA Observation Record Form 2021-22

Appendix 4 – Buckinghamshire OTL report 2021-22

Appendix 5 – Visit to a Learning Environment – Thurrock template

Appendix 6 – Deep Dive 2021 2022 AO – Hull Adult Learning

Appendix 7 – BLANK Curriculum Plan – Hull Adult Learning