An e-learning strategy for the NHS Dr Anne Wright Consultant, NHSU and DfES

Outline An e-learning strategy for the NHS The wider context: SCIE, DfES, HEFCE

An NHS e-learning strategy: background 2003: NHSU and NW WDCs jointly sponsored preliminary work and consultation Work looked at drivers, barriers, priorities Steering Group and reference group 2004: draft circulated for input and feedback Revised priority actions Roles in implementation

An NHS e-learning strategy: drivers for e-learning Diverse, distributed workforce of NHS NHS Improvement Plan: modernisation and personalisation Change: Increased emphasis on team-working and multi-professional collaboration Skills escalator Standards for Health Local action and local flexibility Impact of NPfIT and e-health

An NHS e-learning strategy: e-learning benefits : WHO Individuals: Personalise learning Teams: engage in new ways of working Professionals: collaborative communities Organisations: knowledge exchange Communities: sharing, innovation, good practice Managers: manage learning for National Standards All: linking technologies for learning and work

An NHS e-learning strategy: e-learning benefits : HOW Flexible access e.g. for part-time staff Flexible delivery at work or at home Mix of online and face to face learning Mobile learning Self-paced progression and e-assessment Continuity of learning across locations or jobs through e-portfolio Mentors and tutors - online and face to face Peer discussion

An NHS e-learning strategy: e-learning benefits : WHAT Online information, guidance, resources, materials and tools Virtual learning space Online programmes Virtual communities Hardware e.g. whiteboards, PDAs Online support

But why do we need a common strategy? Overcome wasteful duplication of resources Secure efficiencies in procurement Enable sharing through common standards Provide for continuity and mobility of learning Encourage and promote good practice Enable virtual communities across NHS Support National Standards and local action Knowledge management in e-learning for health

An NHS e-learning strategy: barriers Patchy access to infrastructure Fragmentation of resources and materials Lack of skills Lack of common standards

An NHS e-learning strategy: priorities Learning infrastructure Accelerating and embedding e-learning Supporting the NHS workforce Leadership for e-learning culture

Learning infrastructure Capacity and e-readiness in NHS organisations for staff to access and use e- learning Connectivity and networks Hardware: learning devices Learning platforms Learning facilities and venues

Increase and accelerate e-learning Coherent approach to e-learning resources and services Share knowledge within and across communities Increase availability of high -quality materials and tools Develop and promote common technical, pedagogical and accessibility standards

Support the NHS workforce ICT skills for all staff: ECDL Skills to use NPfIT rollout: training E-tutoring skills for educators E-learning design skills E-learning skills for users Mentoring

Leadership and learning culture Enable leaders and managers of NHS organisations to understand, plan and sustain the context for e-learning in work and development for individuals and teams

Implementation issues Consistency with National Standards, Local Action - not top-down Based on good practice guidance - not targets Local development and flexibility - not single solution Co-ordination of standards to enable sharing Enabling virtual communities across NHS Roles for key bodies e.g. NWG, Skills for Health?

The wider context

SCIE and social care SCIE remit to develop e-learning strategy for social care Consultation document and feedback E-learning team appointed Brokerage and leverage role E-learning to support social work degree Web resources on e-learning E-readiness survey Quality assurance for learning materials Linking with Skills for Care SSC

HEFCE e-learning strategy Supports teaching and learning strategy Key roles for JISC and Higher Education Academy Partnership Steering Group National Advisory Centre E-learning Research Centre Pathfinder projects Funding allocations to HEIs to build capacity

Harnessing Technology Transforming Learning and Children’s Services strategy

Development of DfES e-strategy July 2003: Consultation document Towards a Unified e-Learning Strategy Over 400 responses – all positive, but with varying perspectives and priroities July 2004: DfES 5 year strategy for education and children’s services March 2005: DfES e-strategy: Harnessing Technology

Primary Skills HE Children Our aims for a 21 st century system… through our strategies for reform… will need the contributions ICT and e-learning can make… through sector-based actions… all under- pinned by the priority system actions. Personalisation and choiceFlexibility and independence Opening up services Staff developmentPartnerships Secondary Transforming teaching, learning and support Connecting with hard to reach groups Opening up an accessible collaborative system Improving efficiency and effectiveness ICT in Schools Strategy Post-16 e- Learning Strategy HEFCE e- Learning Strategy Every Child Matters: Change for Children Post-16 An integrated online information service for all citizens Integrated online learning and personal support for children and learners A collaborative approach to personalised learning activities A good quality training and support package for practitioners A leadership and development package for organisational capability in ICT A common digital infrastructure to support transformation and reform Harnessing Technology Transforming Learning and Children’s Services

System Priorities An integrated online information service for all citizens Integrated online learning and personal support for children and learners A collaborative approach to personalised learning activities A good quality training and support package for practitioners A leadership and development package for organisational capability in ICT A common digital infrastructure to support transformation and reform

Priority 1: An integrated online information service for all citizens: system actions Develop the internet as a key delivery channel, by providing online information and services covering, all education institutions, courses, qualifications and flexible learning opportunities Develop the internet as a key delivery channel for teachers, trainers and lecturers, through tailored portals. Develop the 'MyGuide' solution as a radically simple interface for making online services accessible to people with disabilities, and non- users

Priority 2: Integrated online learning and personal support for children and learners: system actions Support children's and learners' transition and progression with a common approach to personal records Encourage all organisations to support a personal online learning space for learners Promote a common approach to assessment across sectors to support personalised progression Provide seamless support for assistive technologies for learners' and children's special needs

Priority 3: A collaborative approach to personalised learning activities Enable teachers and lecturers to create, adapt, re-use and share resources by giving them common access to rich, subject-related, interactive digital resources for e-learning Promote innovation by developing flexible learning activity design tools, ensuring that e-learning products are based on robust evidence of effective learning and teaching, and targeting development funding for innovation where it has most impact on inclusion and participation Review and update the curriculum and qualifications to reflect the impact of technology on learning and meet market needs in e-skills for employment.

Priority 4: A good quality training and support package for practitioners Provide initial training, professional development, and access, to support the high quality use of ICT and e-learning, through guidance and exemplars Support subject-based collaboration across sectors via online networks of teachers, trainers and lecturers Encourage transfer of good practice in evaluating the use of ICT to improve learning and teaching across the education inspectorates Encourage and recognise good practice in the use of ICT through professional recognition and accreditation

Priority 5: A leadership and development package for organisational capability in ICT Encourage partnerships and collaboration among institutions and organisations through the use of ICT Build a development programme for leaders that brings together the good practice from across all sectors in leading organisational change incorporating the use of ICT Develop leaders and managers to plan and manage the strategic embedding of ICT across the activities of their organisation, and ensure that ICT is embedded appropriately within their strategy.

Priority 6: A common digital infrastructure to support transformation and reform Maintain and develop an integrated high-speed network for all activities within the education sectors Deliver a best value scheme for ICT infrastructure and services for education and the wider community. Develop a common systems framework for the learning, teaching, assessment, research, and admin functions of the education sectors Contribute to the development of common open standards and specifications for interoperability, accessibility, quality of service and safety

Implementing the DfES e-strategy Cross-cutting DfES Programme Board JISC and Becta will be members And will lead implementation for DfES Key implementation partners include LSC, HEFCE, QCA, TTA, NCSL, Centre for Excellence in Leadership, Leadership Foundation, QAA, Ofsted, ALI, Ufi, BSI

Some issues for today

Do we need an NHS e-learning strategy/ Who can take it forward? Who are the key partners? How can we link with and benefit from the wider context? What is the role of virtual communities of practice?

Thank you!