Case study Organisation: Accountancy Plus Training Ltd Type of FE provider: Work Based Learning Focus on: Technology
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“ We’re really excited about the possibilities of technology and its benefits for learners, staff and the business.” Background
Use of technology
Accountancy Plus Training Ltd is the largest independent training provider based in the South West specialising in accountancy training, including online learning. In 2003, the company was recognised by the Learning and Skills Council as a Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) – their CoVE mission is to widen participation in accountancy training. More than half of their Association of Accounting Technician (AAT) learners are on accountancy apprenticeships.
As part of her ALC programme, Prue has set up a learning development team with two full-time multimedia developers, an investment that’s proved worthwhile. One day a week they meet with Prue to explore exciting ideas and interesting innovations:
Prue Deane teaches mostly AAT foundation courses for Accountancy Plus (for which she wrote all the course materials) and currently manages the IT across the organisation. Recently, she became a subject learning coach (SLC), is training to be an advanced learning coach (ALC), and was involved in the subject learning coach e-learning elective – a springboard for the blended learning approach in teaching/learning programmes.
“We develop existing workshop resources into interactive PowerPoint materials using Adobe Flash and Adobe Presenter. The presentations include a variety of activities to cater for different learning styles and ensure learner engagement – for example, animated storyboards, drag and drop activities, hot spot activities and rollover text. We’re also planning to add video introductions explaining how the programme works, and optional sound throughout the presentations. It’s primarily to support distance learners but also to consolidate learning for our taught-course learners.”
When new units are finished they are uploaded onto Moodle (Moodle is a free and open source web based e-learning software platform) and piloted by students. Feedback so far (via a feedback forum on Moodle) has been very good. The team are currently finishing off the last unit of the AAT foundation level course and will then showcase it at the AAT conference in April. The Moodle site has been an important development over the last year. All materials for taught/distance learning courses have now been uploaded, including PowerPoint presentations, practice simulations and activities. The learning development team is also developing additional resources to enhance the learning process, such as group activities for taught courses and consolidation/revision activities. A major innovation that is currently underway is a virtual reception area and office. Learners will be able to enter the virtual office, sit at their desk and computer and then click on filing cabinet drawers to select and open their course units. Amongst other things there will also be pictures on the wall containing mini photos of tutors which learners can click on to email them.
Staff continuing professional development A high priority is given to e-CPD at Accountancy Plus. Three staff (including Prue) are e-guides and Prue is also training to be a professional development adviser (PDA) as well as an advanced learning coach. Prue is also involved in the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) digital dividends e-technology programme. Two staff are about to start their subject learning coach training, joining the company’s existing coach. All staff complete questionnaires that are analysed using Survey Monkey, a web based facility used to identify training needs; staff are then trained in monthly continuing professional development (CPD) sessions (for instance, on how to design a course for Moodle, or an interactive activity) and their training is reinforced with coaching and mentoring. Prue is keen to engage all staff with technology and everyone is kept in touch with new developments. Tutors have to use Moodle to access their diary and course materials, to ensure that they become adept at using it, whilst forum posts on Moodle show them what’s new.
Benefits There’s no doubt that embracing technology is a winwin situation for the company, its staff and learners alike, as Prue explains: “We’re aiming to provide our learners with top quality blended learning, hitting buttons in terms of the different approaches to support the variety of ways that students learn. Using technology that students are already familiar with and enjoy makes learning much more interesting for them. Being able to use such a range of teaching methods gives them variety and stimulation, so they’re engaged, motivated, and most important, having fun while they learn. Our work on the foundation level course means that it’s now much more accessible – students say they really enjoy it.”
Future plans With the huge potential that new technologies offer, Prue and her team are bubbling over with exciting ideas. Three of them, for instance, are currently trialling iPhones. “The plan is for tutors to take iPhones to learner review visits, where they can access our web based database and tracking information, along with Moodle, and show learners around the site. If the trials go well, we’ll purchase iPhones for all tutors and run an e-CPD slot on it. Following on from the e-guides training, we’re about to invest in Turning Point (interactive voting system). At the moment in taught sessions we use batches of multiple choice questions (embedded in our PowerPoint presentations) to consolidate learning and highlight gaps; with the handset voting system, learners can answer anonymously but it still highlights gaps and consolidates learning – it’s just more fun. We’re really excited about the possibilities of technology and its benefits for learners, staff and the business.”
“Being able to use such a range of teaching methods gives them variety and stimulation, so they’re engaged, motivated, and most important, having fun while they learn.”
RW09/09/CS007
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