eskills - the it of learning presentation - deborah forster

The Specialised Diploma: The

IT Line of Learning

5th June 2006

DIPLOMA DEVELOPMENT

Purpose of the Diploma

-Motivation to learn-Fulfilment of potential

The individual

Enabling students to be successful in learning and in working life

The employer The nation -Business competitiveness-Productivity

-Economic prosperity-Social cohesion

Diploma objectives

• Provide a world-class learning experience for young people, through a blend of general education and applied learning within a coherent and motivating programme;

• Develop young people who, when they enter employment, have the essential skills and capabilities which meet employer needs;

• Aid effective transition from schools or college to further education or higher education and to adult and working life.

What matters to employers

• Business competitiveness in the knowledge economy:– Increasing needs for higher-level skills – Adaptable workforce managing constant change

• The capability of the individual: – Boost communications (english!) and numeracy– Develop higher order cognitive thinking and reflection – Build the foundations for lifelong learning

• A world-class qualification: – Synoptic approach – addressing employer and HE needs – Ensure preferred route for Higher Education – Maintain currency and employer engagement

Why diplomas are different

• Effective partnerships– Employers, Higher Education, QCA, DfES, Awarding Bodies– Specifications being developed in partnership

• Quality of content – Based on extensive research and understanding of the future – Integration of general education and applied learning

(knowledge, understanding and competence)– Independent research– Critical analysis

• Holistic– Synoptic approach – Extended project– Clear progression routes, with advice and guidance

A multi-purpose qualification

• Flexibility to meet the needs of:– Students with the capability of progressing to

any university of their choice– Students who are not currently progressing to

university but who have the talent to do so– Students who want a valued qualification to

improve their employability at 18

- Options, progression routes, advice & guidance

The IT line of learning

• Purpose: to help equip all students with the capability to thrive in the e-economy

• Future IT workforce

• Future business managers and leaders

• All individuals

Timeline

Design Diploma

Develop qualifications

Prepare for delivery

First teaching

June 2006 Sept 2007 Sept 2008Oct 2005

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

Diploma Stage 1

Input from Employer Steering Group

Input from UK employer survey (632)

Employer Needs Definition

Structure, balance of content and progression

Ongoing consultation

Higher Education requirements

Learning Outcomes

Diploma specification

Work-related learning requirements

New content requirements

Project Team

Education network

Awarding Body Group

Diploma Development Partnership

Wider consultation

Employer Steering Group

The Partnership

Employer views Current issues:

“You don’t know what you are getting – what can a person can actually do.”

“I don’t understand the qualifications structure.”

“Standards are not high enough, especially in English.”

“Need more focus on building and assessing competence.”

The Diploma must…

“Seize the opportunity for clarity and simplicity.”

“Be the preferred route for employers and universities, and exciting for students.”

“Set a clear standard so employers know what a person can do – must reflect achievement and employability.”

“Be business / IT, not just technical IT, and create well rounded students.”

“Include meaningful work-related experience.”

“Be properly supported by employers – we need to contribute more.”

• Unite all key stakeholders to make sure this is successful

• Bring together consolidated voice of employers for IT

• Define learning objectives and Diploma specification

• Engage employers to support development and implementation

• Liaise with other Diploma Development teams

• Overall responsibility for IT line of learning

e-skills UK role….

Stage 1 – defining things!

Employer skills needs

Current qualifications gap analysis & new content specification

Work-related experience Rel 1

Diploma spec complete

4Q05

HE entry requirements

Diploma structure & balance Rel 1

Learning outcomes Rel 1

1Q/06 2Q/06

Assessing delivery implications

3Q/06

The IT line of learning

Principal learning – develop knowledge, understanding andskills relevant to a broad economic sector.

Generic Learning – all Diploma students cover common generic skills which are relevant to successful learning and future employment.

Additional/Specialist Learning – allow learners to tailor theirProgramme according to their interests and aspirations

Themes

• Business

• People

• Technology

PROPOSED LEVEL 3 STRUCTURE

ADDITIONALOR SPECIALISED LEARNING

WORK-RELATED EXPERIENCE

INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PLAN

How businesses work

Business communications and professional development

GENERIC AND PRINCIPAL LEARNING

Creating technology solutions

Realising the potential of technology

Supporting technology systems

Core technology skills: programming / data analysis / security

EXTENDED PROJECT

Maturing Diploma Personal Development Skills

e.g. Communication – writingbusiness letter writing > short business summary report > detail business analysis report

Communication

Teamwork

Personal (self management, thinking, learning)

Problem solving

Numeracy

IT Skills

(personal portfolio development)

Proposed High-level Outcomes – Level 3

• Understanding the fundamentals of how organisations operate and appreciate key factors underpinning business performance.

• Evaluate the contribution of technology in the global business environment.

• Design and develop software solutions that deliver identified business benefits.

Proposed High-level Outcomes – Level 3

• Manage small-scale system operations, including change management, security and technical problem solving.

• Communicate effectively in the business environment, including utilising sophisticated English and Maths to create business proposals and project plans.

• Demonstrate inter-personal skills including team working, self-management, critical analysis, creative thinking and reflective learning.

ADDITIONAL LEARNING




IT user skills

Including Functional Skills at Level 2

Technology solutions

Project

English: Functional Skills at Level 2

Maths: Functional Skills at Level 2

Technology in Business

Personal effectiveness


GENERIC AND PRINCIPAL LEARNING

English in business Maths in business

OPTIONS




English: Functional Skills at Level 1

The digital world


IT user skills: Functional Skills at Level 1

FUNCTIONAL SKILLS

Project

Working with people

Working with technology

Option

Option

Critical Success Factors

• Input on Learning Outcomes

• Critical Success Factors

FURTHER INPUT: www.e-skills.com/diploma [email protected]

Conclusion

http://www.e-skills.com/diploma

mailto:[email protected]