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The Online Course Delivery project aims to address the need for the development of online learning within adult and community learning and the wider post-16 education sector.

Making More of Moodle

A 6 week online course ideal for practitioners who are looking to use Moodle as more than a simple repository for resources, but wanting to make the most of the tools available to ensure that the learner has an interactive multimedia rich experience. The course consists of five modules:

Module 1: Look and Feel - Week 1 explores the learning environment; the look and feel of the course and its importance to the learner.

Module 2: Meeting the Learners' Needs - Weeks 2 and 3 explore how the course materials can be presented in ways that meet the needs of the learner. An online learning environment provides the opportunity to present learning materials in different formats for our learners, we can use audio and video as an alternative to text based materials. We can create interactive learning objects that allow our learners to self study and interactive assessment materials that provide immediate feedback. The course materials which are stored online can support the delivery of class based sessions. They can provide self study materials or an opportunity for a learner to revisit materials as often as required.

Module 3: Engaging Learners - Week 4 explores the ways in which tools available both inside Moodle and on the Internet can be used to engage learners in collaborative activities.

Module 4: Supporting Learners - Week 5 explores how learners can be supported when learning online using tools available both inside Moodle and on the Internet.

Module 5: Reflecting and Recording - Week 6 explores ways in which learners can be encouraged to reflect on their learning experience and for their progress and achievement to be captured.

Apply for Making More of Moodle

In order to suit the changing needs of today's workforce in education, NIACE began delivering staff development training online in 2006. Three fully-facilitated courses accredited by the National Open College Network (NOCN) are currently available:

Exploring Successful Learning Online

A 6-week blended course ideal for people who have yet to experience online learning or the use of a virtual learning environment, This course aims to support those wishing to explore some of the potential uses of online and blended learning within their own delivery.

The course consists of two face-to-face days at the beginning and end of the course and three modules:

  • Module 1: Exploring online learning - identifies and explores effective methods of delivering online and blended learning
  • Module 2: Advantages and disadvantages of using online collaborative activities - provides participants with the opportunity to explore the uses of online collaboration
  • Module 3: Tools for online learning - offers participants the opportunity to identify and use tools and skills that can be used to develop and deliver online learning

 

Application of Online Learning

A 12-week online course which aims to support those working in post-16 education who wish to use online learning and online methods within their learning provision. Participants gain the practical experience of being part of an online community, and explore the skills and knowledge required to create their own online courses.

The course consists of five modules:

  • Module 1: Understand e-learning (introductory module) - explores the pedagogy and principles of e-learning and online learning
  • Module 2: Widening participation - explores widening participation by incorporating e-learning and online learning into participants' delivery, and associated issues such as accessibility and outreach provision
  • Module 3: Developing online programmes - explores the conversion of face-to-face courses to blended/online courses, useful software and support mechanisms
  • Module 4: Personalised online support - explores effective online learner support, the role of online facilitation, the use of communication tools and how to manage an online community
  • Module 5: Evaluation and assessment - explores a range of evaluation methodology for face-to-face, blended and online courses, and provides participants with the opportunity to evaluate their own blended/online learning experience

Modules 1 and 5 are compulsory and participants choose one optional module from modules 2, 3 or 4.

 

Training for Trainers

A 14-week blended course, which aims to develop participants' competence as trainers, and to explore and identify the methods and tools available to deliver training online and offline.

The content covered within the course includes:

  • Learning and training cycles
  • Training standards and values
  • Facilitating learning - teaching and training styles, co-training
  • Planning and designing training sessions
  • Resources for delivering training - including e-learning resources
  • Supporting learners - including humanistic theories, NLP, TA
  • Equal opportunities and working with conflict
  • Creating and running e-communication groups
  • Supporting learners in the use of e-learning technologies

Assessment and evaluation

To obtain current costs and future delivery dates for any of these courses, please contact Sue Charlish ( susan.charlish@niace.org.uk ). If you are an organisation with particular requirements and wish to offer your staff the opportunity to participate in the courses at a negotiated time at agreed rates, we will be happy to discuss your requirements and provide a tailored package.

 

SDELC home pageStaff development e-learning centre

The Staff development e-learning centre (SDELC) provides information and activities to develop staff awareness and knowledge to support the integration of e-learning within your organisation. The content is divided into modules of study for managers, tutors and support staff, but users can choose their own course of study relevant to their individual needs.

SDELC can also help you and your organisation meet the requirements for continuous professional development (CPD) and e-learning professional development (ePD), with tools included to enable staff to record their individual learning activities and reflections to meet this aim. Users must register on SDELC to access the resources and to activate their personal profile area where CPD, ePD and other activities are stored.

Modules on SDELC include:

  • Getting started with SDELC
  • Getting to grips with e-learning
  • The tools of e-learning
  • Managing e-learning
  • Incorporating e-learning into your curriculum area
  • Leading e-learning
  • E-learning content - sourcing and creating
  • E-learning and outreach
  • E-learning and accessibility
  • Widening participation with e-learning
  • Further staff development training resources
  • Sources of funding for developing e-learning
  • Project management

Visit the SDELC website

 

History of the project

Initially funded by the Learning and Skills Council, the original aims of the Online Course Delivery project included the undertaking of research into the potential of introducing online learning within adult and community learning. As part of this research strand two reports were produced: The potential of introducing online learning in adult and community learning provision and The potential of online assessment in non-accredited adult and community learning. Two evaluation reports from the first and second round of delivery of the online courses are also available, as well as an impact report, which describes the influence that the courses have had on past participants' work practices.