www.writeon.ie Overview South Tipp VEC 24/01/13 Tom O’ Mara NALA
Overview • Tom O’ Mara, Distance Learning Co - ordinator, NALA – Background to DLS and www.writeon.ie structure (40 mins) – Guided Tour of www.writeon.ie (45 mins) – Hands on tasks (45 mins) – Q&A (15 mins) – Blended learning introduction
NALA’s Mission • NALA is committed to making sure people with literacy and numeracy difficulties can fully take part in society and have access to learning opportunities that meet their needs.
What does ‘literacy’ mean to us? • Literacy involves: • listening, • speaking, • reading, • writing, • numeracy, and • using everyday technology to communicate and handle information. • But it includes more than the technical skills of communication: it also has personal, social and economic dimensions. Literacy increases the opportunity for individuals and communities to reflect on their situation, explore new possibilities and initiate change.
NALA’s work • Guided by Strategic Plan 2011 • form detailed policy to expand adult literacy services and integrate literacy and numeracy development across education and training programmes; • support education and training providers to implement policy on integrating literacy and explore and develop new approaches in adult literacy practice; and • make it easier for people with literacy difficulties to take up learning opportunities and use public services.
Gap • Since 1997, provision of adult literacy learning opportunities has grown from 5,000 places to 56,797 in 2010. • Annual funding increased from approximately € 1m in 1997 to over € 30m in 2011. • In spite of these successes, support is still only being provided to approximately 11.35% of those adults identified by IALS.
Possible Reasons for Gap • Lack of information on available supports • Stigma attached to “going public” about a literacy problem • Negative experiences with previous school-based education • Fear of starting tuition • Lack of childcare support • Poor public transport options • Time • Money • Level of provision – 2 hours per week not effective • Many centres at capacity
Distance Learning – One Possible Solution • Addresses many of the barrier issues: – Stigma reduced as service is private and confidential – Not like traditional schools – no building, no desks, tutor rather than teacher, curriculum personalised – Lack of childcare not an issue – study at own time, most tuition happens in evenings after children are in bed – No transport required – Study at own time and at own pace – Free – Expands capacity for those in existing services
Distance Learning Service 1. We get adults’ attention: – 2 Radio series – highest listenership per head of population in Europe – 11 TV series – Promotional campaigns – print, broadcast, online 2.We provide information: – Freephone support line – 1800 20 20 65 – Freetext number – text ‘learn’ to 50050 3.We provide learning opportunities: – Home-based tutors, printed materials, Web sites, DVDs, CD-ROMs
Introduction to NALA Distance Learning Service • Distance Learning Service Overview • Aims – To provide independent learning options at levels 2, 3 and 4 • Purpose of writeon.ie – To allow learners to improve their reading, writing, numbers, ICT and personal development skills and pursue accreditation if desired
writeon.ie • www.writeon.ie went live in September 2008 in response to demands from Distance Learners and Tutors seeking accreditation • One concept was to provide single point of reference for interpretation of FETAC SLOs • Used initially with second Written Off? series and independent learners – Round 2 of IV and EA • Then taken up by one VEC to accredit learners – Round 3 and 4 • Formal Blended Learning Project running with 12 centres in 2010 • Currently tutors in 180 different centres have used the site for accreditation, including 31 VECs
Accreditation and NALA • FETAC validated NALA’s ‘Words and Numbers in Everyday Life Programme’ in November 2007 • Level 2 content went live on writeon.ie in Sept 2008 • FETAC validated NALA’s ‘Writeon 3’ in October 2010 • Level 3 content went live on writeon.ie on Oct 18 2010 • Writeon.ie is based on the programme and organised around the awards • Accreditation is optional!
12 Level 2 Minor Awards Award Code Award Title Value M2C01 Reading 5 M2C02 Writing 5 M2C03 Listening and Speaking 5 M2L12 Personal Decision Making 5 M2L13 Setting Learning Goals 5 M2N05 Quantity and Number 10 M2N06 Pattern and Relationship 5 M2N07 Shape and Space 5 M2N08 Data Handling 5 M2N09 Quantitative Problem Solving 5 M2T10 Using Technology 5 M2T11 Computer Skills 5
14 Level 3 Minor Awards Award Code Award Title Value 3N0880 Communications 10 3N0929 Mathematics 10 3N0928 Application of Number 5 3N0930 Functional Mathematics 5 3N0881 Computer Literacy 10 3N0931 Internet Skills 10 3N0552 Digital Media 10 3N0896 Career Preparation 10 3N0532 Health and Safety 10 Awareness 3N0565 Personal Effectiveness 10 3N0564 Personal and Interpersonal 10 Skills 3N0921 Managing Personal Finances 10 3N0553 Self Advocacy 10 3N0585 Event Participation 5
3 Level 4 Minor Awards NON-ACCREDITED Award Code Award Title Value 4N0689 Communications 15 4N1987 Mathematics 10 4N1858 Digital Media Technology 10
4 Major Awards P2GL0: Level 2 Certificate in General Learning • 30 Credits 3M0874: Level 3 Certificate in General Learning 3M0935: Level 3 Certificate in Employability Skills 3M0877: Level 3 Certificate in Information and Communication Technologies • All 60 credits, with different compulsory and optional minor awards
180 centres, 31 VECs have used writeon for accreditation to date
Non VECs who have used writeon.ie for accreditation • National Learning Network, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim • National Learning Network, Monaghan • Northwall Community Training Centre • Enable Ireland, Crumlin • Enable Ireland, Sandymount, Dublin 4 • Senior Traveller Education Centre, Tralee • Fealeside STTC Abbeyfeale • Rehab Care, Casla, Co Galway. • Rehab Galway • Crumlin PINEL Project • An Cosán, Tallaght • St Bernadette's Special School, Letterkenny, Co Donegal • Tivoli Training Centre
Success to Date Since September 2008, 27,400 learning accounts set up 1,000+ learners have received..... 6,000 + Level 2 minor awards, and 500 + Level 2 Certificates in General Learning 300+ learners have received..... ... 1,200 + Level 3 minor awards, ... 90 + Level 3 Major Awards Independently and in 180 different learning centres from across Ireland
12 Steps to Accreditation • Step 1: Log on to the site • Step 2: Select areas of study • Step 3: Initial Assessment • Step 4: Learning plan shown • Step 5: ‘Learning’ • Step 6: Summative assessment • (Step 7: for Level 3, additional learning and assessment activities) • Step 8: NALA verifies work, contacts learner to let them know they can apply • Step 9: Fill in Form, verify it’s own work, click Submit. Step 10: – Internal Verification, – External Authentication – Results Appeal and – Results Approval processes. • Step 11: NALA requests award from FETAC. • Step 12: Award posted out to learner or centre
Writeon.ie Changes 6 Sept 2012 • For learners..... – New videos – Video up front – Information gathered for all levels up front – Real audio used on first screens – Sequence changed – password > select level > collect info – New character Tom in ‘cafe’ – Randomised assessment – Directed to portfolio after summative assessment – Portfolio added to level 2 – Portfolio pending message – Portfolio forms changed – Submission only possible once portfolio verified – No more paper – tick box, then submit
Writeon.ie Changes 6 Sept 2012 • For us ..... – New tutor report – New summative assessment form list – New IV decision list – Fields on front end match those on backend – New IV verified tick box – Onscreen message box – Editable Centre list – 2 new L3 awards – Award verified mails to Tommy and Joan – Round numbers and learner details entered for legacy learners – Other changes planned for 2013.....
Live Site • www.writeon.ie • Walk through
New Centre Registration Process • Centres now need to register to use writeon for accreditation.... – From Jan 31 2013 – Centre must be member – Corporate membership allows 2 named centres to use site – Additional centres can be added to a membership for Euro25 – Individual Centre- Group membership for Euro50 – Attendance at training mandatory – All centres need to complete registration form with.. • Contact details • Acceptance of T&Cs – Training planned for January and February around country
Some Hands On Time Some time to try out site... 45 mins – Group 1: Write On 3 Mathematics – Group 2: Write On 3 Personal Effectiveness – Group 3: Write On 3 Digital Media – Group 4: Write On 3 Health and Safety Awareness • Try – initial assessment, – some learning and – portfolio area • Opportunity after for questions
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