Working from home

With lockdown happening so suddenly, many of us found ourselves having to adapt to working from home overnight. Below, our Digital Champions, share their experiences of working remotely in lockdown, the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome them.

Hayley Carter – CCLD Assessor

What has gone well?

As a team we have been able to continue with remote teaching and learning sessions to deliver the “CORE” of our new CCPLD qualification. Using a variety of digital platforms and evidence to document this, we have enabled learners to still continue to progress on their qualification even in the current circumstances

What has been challenging and how have you tried to overcome it?

Due to the qualification requirements, the new CPLD qualification and the “practical” element involved, remote learning has naturally impacted delivering the qualification. To overcome this, we have been able to observe some learner sessions and team meetings, as well as carry out remote “walk and talk” sessions. We have also adjusted some teaching resources to ensure employers are still engaging and adapting some elements of the “practice” qualification. For those learners who are not as confident using digital tools, I have suggested alternative methods such as using What’s App, which they know how to use.

Top Tips

During remote working, I think it is really important to maintain contact with your work colleagues through digital platforms, and to share ideas and suggestions, as well as to “offload.” It is good to take the time to chat and catch up, so you know you are not in this alone!

Mel Ingram - IT assessor

What has gone well?

Going completely digital with our delivery has had such a positive response from both learners and assessors. My learners are more engaged and the Digital Learning Design course is now more paramount than ever for learners completing work for their employer.

What has been challenging and how have you tried to overcome it?

As everything is done over the Internet, having a good connection has been the biggest challenge. To overcome this, I limit the number

What has gone well?

One of the greatest successes has been running digital workshops for learners. As we are unable to deliver our usual full day workshops, we have been delivering webinar sessions that last no more than two hours to keep the learners engaged. Through using Nearpod we are still able to set learners up with engaging and meaningful activities. The key to success is accessibility for learners! We have found that with support from apps like Nearpod, Whereby, Trello, Microsoft Teams etc. even our most technophobic learners can engage with minimal issues.

What has been challenging and how have you tried to overcome it?

Technophobia and low levels of digital literacy are some of the main challenges we face, particularly with learners who struggle to even access the internet at home. We have gotten over this challenge in a number of ways. Firstly, by recording our screens using PowerPoint we can give basic tutorials on software packages or just using a computer. This allows us to give visual demonstrations and guidance to those learners who are unable to access things like of devices connected whilst working and also the number of tabs open using the Internet.

Top Tips

Teams has loads of features that can be utilised for digital learning such as audio and video calls, screen sharing, chat facilities as well as file sharing and integrating other tools. Also, I recommend when recording a meeting for assessment, to start recording the session immediately so the timings are correct. More tips for facilitating distance learning can be

Sam Holland - IT, Social Media & Digital Marketing Curriculum Developer

found here: https://bit.ly/2MuKdrz Teams. We have also been participating in verbal discussions and Q&As with learners over the phone using apps like Cube ACR. The app allows you to easily record your phone conversations with learners, then upload the files to the relevant assessments. For those learners without any access to IT, this app has been invaluable.

Top Tips

While not being able to offer face-to-face learning has its challenges, we are finding that creating more learner led resources to empower learners to complete work on their own, is hugely improving their confidence. The app Nearpod has the ability to create learner-led resources, which we have received some really good feedback from. Another resource we utilise for learners is OneFile courses through learners VLE. We have created several of these courses with links to Microsoft Forms, so the learners can complete their written work within these forms, and the assessor can be notified when they are completed. While it does take a bit of admin work, it is a lot more interesting and engaging for the learner than just being set an assessment with criteria attached.