Promoting independent learning through technology

Enhancement of Learning Support

Enhancement of Learning SupportBackground to project

Phase 1 : January – April 2010

Commissioned by LSIS to explore the training and development needs of LSAs and those who manage them

Talked to learners, LSAs, LSA managers and Tutors

Undertook a literature review

Desk based research

Survey

Enhancement of Learning SupportBackground to project

Terminology and RoleProject focussed on “Learning Support” as opposed to “Learner Support”Changed project terminology from Learning Support Practitioner (NOS) to Learning Support Assistant (LSA) but in practice many titles usedHugely important role but......Shockingly under researchedViews of LSAs and learners particularly lacking in the literature

Enhancement of Learning SupportBackground to project

Key Findings•A hugely diverse workforce

•Formal role most developed in FE sector

•Key role in supporting and promoting independence, but..

•Often a lack of clarity, at individual, organisational and system level about how to combine activity which is enabling with that which is necessary support.

Enhancement of Learning SupportBackground to project

Key Findings

Learners have very clear views about what constitutes effective support, and how they want to be supported

They want a focus on enabling and more independence

The personal qualities of support staff are key – being listened to, included and treated with respect

Above all they want the right to be involved in defining their own support

Enhancement of Learning SupportBackground to project

A lot of induction and training is compliance related.

Often there is insufficient focus in training on the core competencies of the role in supporting learning.

A wide variation in what is offered.

Significant barriers to participation.

Unlike schools the sector has no recognised career structure within which LSAs work and progress.

Enhancement of Learning SupportBackground to project

There are lots of training resources available, but…..

No central point which stores and disseminates information effectively across the sector.

There is a need for more joint training and specific training for teachers in relation to working effectively with LSAs.

Training for Managers of LSAs is underdeveloped.

An organisational culture whose values and ethos promotes inclusion at all levels is vital for effective

development

Enhancement of Learning SupportBackground to project

Phase 2 –September 2010- March 2011Programme of development activities based on the recommendations from the initial research.

Natspec and AoC joint delivery partners.

Nine regional partnerships, involving eighteen colleges.

Additional partnerships with JISC Techdis, NAPTA and Lifelong Learning UK to support the project.

Key aim –to draw on practitioner expertise and experience to develop resources and materials that will have practical relevance and add value.

Enhancement of Learning SupportBackground to project

Regional ActivitySouth West and North West – resources and approaches to enable learners to be involved in managing and directing their own support

London – A self assessment tool.

Yorkshire and Humberside – Using technology to support greater independence for learners

South East – Developing an online tool to profile the CPD needs of Learning Support staff

North East Regional Event

Enhancement of Learning SupportBackground to project

Regional Activity West Midlands – Resources to support alternative

approaches to CPD

North East – The role of systems and structures in promoting or hindering learner independence

East Midlands – Organisational Improvement Tool

Dates for your diary! – National Conferences –

March 8th 2011 – South - Westminster KingswayMarch 15th 2011 – North - Warrington

Payment through your LSIS accounts

Enhancement of Learning SupportBackground to project

Other project related activity includeA web portal to host all information of relevance and interest to LSAs

A professional development network across the Doncaster and South Yorkshire region

A report on the effective management of learning support – West of England College

To find out more or contribute go to http://www.natspec.org.uk/enhancement-of-learning-support.html

Each region has its own page, with lots of information and all the documents for today, plus a blog!!

•Is a free on line learning resource designed to help staff in learning and skills sector to plan and develop their careers

• Offers a range of interactive exercises to help you identify career goals and steps to achieve them

• Saves your responses to your personal development plan as a tool for reflection and a spur to action.

• http://www.leadershiplearning.org.uk

Shaping my Future

A free on line toolkit

• Career Coaching provides one-to-one support either face-to-face or by telephone.

• Career Coaching is an opportunity for personal development and explore your career management issues

• Career Coaching is about building career confidence, developing ways to be more effective at work and to make an impact.

Career Coaching

• To run alongside the project with Natspec

• Offer to provide support to access Shaping my Future with one hour of free telephone coaching

• In return for feedback on the effectiveness of Shaping my Future and career coaching

• Available to one Learning Support Assistant per region

• Applicants need to be committed to completing the project (working through Shaping my Future, telephone coaching and providing feedback) and will need access to IT and phone. Project will run between Nov 2010 and Feb 2011

• Further details from kathryn.james@lsis.org.uk

Shaping my Future project