SOLVS - Supporting Ongoing Learning in Vocational Settings
Lead Contact: Garfield Southall, garfield.southall@btinternet.com
JISC Programme: JISC e-Learning Capital Programme
Lead Institution and Partners: Cheshire and Warrington Lifelong Learning Network, Greater Merseyside and West Lancashire Lifelong Learning Network, Greater Manchester Strategic Alliance, Edge Hill University, South Cheshire College, Liverpool University, Phosphorix, University of Chester, Liverpool John Moores University, West Cheshire College
This case study illustrates PDP; Interoperability; Technologies; Widening Participation; Implementation; Lifelong Learning; Work-based learning
Background & Context
What is the background to the e-portfolio initiative?
The Project arose from the need to support the learners who would be undertaking learning activities under the auspices of the newly created Lifelong Learning Networks (LLNs) in the North West of England, and how this type of learner could be supported in planning, choosing, recording and applying learning opportunities across a range of institutions at different times in their careers.
SOLVS extended the work of three JISC-funded regional pilot projects in the North West developed under the Distributed e-Learning Programme. The Manchester Self-Directed Learning and e-Portfolios (MANSLE) and the Facilitating Independent Learning using E-Portfolio and Associated Support Systems (FILE-PASS) projects focused on supporting learners and e-portfolios in HE and FE contexts. The Learning Matrix (LMX) project included a PDP component, but its key focus was to pilot an approach that would be able to support subsequent lifelong learning networks in the region and nationally.
What were the aims and objectives of the initiative?
Key aims:
- To support the development of personalised learning within a work-based environment
- To embed PDP into the pedagogy within representative specific areas of practice in response to the particular needs of the employer's sector and responsive to the needs of the individual learner
- To standardise practice for part-time applications through an e-portfolio, and to provide online learner support in preparing applications
- To provide standards-based technology allowing participating institutions (a) to publish learning opportunities to a learning bank, and (b) to receive standardised learner applications to courses
Specific objectives are:
- Develop tools to assist in the design of PDP activities tailored to specific employment sectors
- Use the tools developed to design activities and e-portfolios to support applications for enrolment on courses for two sectors
- Build searchable Learning Banks of learning opportunities from LLN institutions
- Link to information, advice and guidance resources
- Deploy those tools and resources with vocational learners within learner portals specific to the sectors
- Evaluate and report on the experiences
How was the initiative implemented?
The aims and objectives of the project were formed into work packages:
Work Package 1 - Tools for building and customising PDP activities. Objective - Extend ioPortal 'sequence builder' as asset of tools capable of creating vocation-specific PDP activity cycles
Work Package 2 - e-Portfolio based standardised part-time course application for LLN partners. Objective - Trial e-portfolio supported application process
Work Package 3 - Work-based Learner Portals. Objective - put in place learner portals supporting work-based learners in the two sectors
Work Package 4 - Aggregation of course information. Objective - To make information about partner institutions' courses available for aggregating in the learner portals
Work Package 5 - Using the systems with learners from two sectors. Objective - Monitoring of end-to end use by LLNs of systems developed
Three pilot projects were set up - at Edge Hill University, South Cheshire College and Liverpool University. Two focused on Course Applications and one on vocational information and guidance.
Regular project communications and meetings were integral to the project's success.
JTRAC was introduced during the project as an issue-management system. Each of the issues raised could be commented upon by all interested parties and their resolution tracked. This became a key system in the project.
Networking with other JISC projects, both as part of the e-Learning strand and others, became a rich source of inspiration.
