CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS Individual Learning Plans and Technology Overcoming access barriers for learners and teachers.

CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS To overcome barriers of physical access when using ILPs to promote reflective learners with a clear understanding of their goals. THE CHALLENGE

CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS Exploit functionality of Blackboard VLE to manage ILPs in an electronic format THE MISSION

CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS BTEC National Diploma Business learners – years 1 and 2 THE TARGET

CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS To provide access to targets and progress information for all learners and teacher in an anyplace/ anytime manner. To enable learners to take ownership of their targets and to be able to reflect on their performance whenever they feel necessary. To allow teacher the opportunity to provide tutorial commentary about learner performance in a confidential manner. THE INTENTION

Consider challenges Evaluate options Discuss Blackboard capabilities Establish format for Blackboard Provide group information and documentation IT Services set up Groups Deliver, evaluate and share How was the project established?

CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS DID IT WORK Ownership Learner led tutorials Teacher acts as a guide Good reaction from learners Confidentiality Not lost or forgotten

CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS DID IT WORK Delays in establishing Blackboard format – November 2006 start date Delays in delivery of teacher/ learner training – late October Suitability of documentation

CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS WHAT THE TEACHERS SAY (1). So far I have been very impressed with the quality of discussion during tutorials using e-ILPs as a focus and the fact that students have a sense of ownership of their progress and future objectives. One student, as he was writing that he had to improve his behaviour in class, turned to me and said I cant believe that Im writing this – Ive always known I needed to do this, but Ive never admitted it before. There is no doubt that when the students see on the screen what they had hoped for and what theyve actually achieved it is a powerful tool for acknowledgement of achievement or recognition that change is required. Diane Evans

CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS WHAT THE TEACHERS SAY (2). I think that the system has proved more effective than written ILPs, it has allowed the student to take ownership of the process whilst also embracing the preferred method of communication of the modern learner – IT. No longer can the documents be lost or forgotten as a permanent copy remains pasted securely and confidentially on blackboard. Mat Scott

CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS WHAT THE LEARNERS SAY (1). The electronic version of the ILP is much better for me. Id be worried about losing a paper copy of not bringing it to the sessions when I needed to and theres the advantage of not having to carry it around. Jack. Im far happier using an electronic document. If I make a mistake, its far easier to go back and make the corrections and its neater. I prefer using IT for all my work. Jack Ive not yet accessed my ILP from home; however, I have accessed the document away from a tutorial session to check my target dates. Andy I like the fact that I can access it at anytime and make amendments to the information. Max

CHALLENGING MINDS. INSPIRING SUCCESS WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Monitor pilot project Identify successes/ improvements Develop cross college ILP for July 2007