Activate Learning
Level 3 Award in Education and Training Induction
Tuesdays WB 23/02/16-14/06/16 ; 3:30pm-6:30pm
The Team
Sian Cabrera : Your Personal Tutor, Teacher and Course Leader
Mara Simmons : Programme Manager in Teacher Training
James Kieft: Teacher Training and Development Manager
Would you like a white background / printer friendly version of this document?
Frequently asked questions.....
Q1) What will the structure of the Activate Learning Award take?
This course is a 'blended' learning course that will be comprised of partly online and partly face to face sessions. The structure of Activate Learning Award in Education Course can be found in the assessment schedule.
Please see the following link for a digital copy of your official assessment schedule. https://docs.google.com/a/activatelearning.ac.uk/document/d/1SfWnzNB-eQsWF26HIVOCVIBMYhQwUbfo1uCrZOU6Tko/edit?usp=sharing
Q2) What will we be doing for the online sessions?
To access the Google Classroom Virtual Learning Site you will need to go to:
1) https://classroom.google.com/
2) Click the + (plus) sign
3) Click Join Class then login using your Activate Learning Login e.g scabrera@activatelearning.ac.uk , then your normal college login (username and password)
4) Then enter the class code in the class code box: The class code will be provided to you on this SMORE on the day before the start of your course. So watch this space.
Please see here for the official Google Classroom Code for your Google Class Site: 8sv fkz. To see how to access a google classroom class you can watch this short video to support you understand how to join Google Class room as a student or to create a class as a teacher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K26iyyQMp_g&ebc=ANyPxKpUE-tNYkBrY7lA7e6CAnS_v4-ratKlKa4KegpvKxL4WbwsduYzL7aH1gCOUHTtEmvTnJohNdumnpkyfaDNccsMJ0SwTQ
Google Community
You will also have to access the Activate Learning Award in Education Google +Community.
To access the Google +
1) Go to https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/108974391275983778495
Once you have submitted your enrolment form and confirmed who is paying for the course your tutor will invite you to this site.
2) You will need to login with your Activate Google account to access this. e.g scabrera@activatelearning.ac.uk , (then normal username and password)
To take a tour of Google + please see this link https://support.google.com/plus/answer/3466760?hl=en-GB&ref_topic=3049661
Q3) How will we communicate together when completing the online elements of the course?
Google + (Plus) Activate Learning Community - will be the main forum we will use to post activities and have discussions each week. Here is what a Google Community Looks like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M98BzV8ZBpw.
Big Blue Button - We will use this software to have online web conferences. To do this you will need a head set with a microphone. You can get these from your ILT department if you haven't already got one. To set up audio using this please watch the podcast below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y__UsUrRx0&feature=youtu.be. You will also need to create a login for your the free Big Blue Button Site. (this is a free open source education web conferencing site that will allow us to see each other and speak to one another at the same time).Here is a video to help you know what to expect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh0bEk3YSwI from a student perspective. This is a summary of features https://demo.bigbluebutton.org/#video. (e.g screen sharing, group face to face discussions, individual discussions with the teacher etc)
Google Hangouts - We will be be using these to message each other, to have face to face discussions in group and to have video face tutorials. This is a look like some of the features of Google Hangout https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkpjZ7oA_Qg.
Q4) What advice do I need to give my manager about the Award in Education and Training Course?
In addition to this blended 3 hour session you will be expected to spend a minimum of 3 further hours additional independent studies each week. In these three hours you will be expected to write up the criteria that we cover in the session for the following week.
Q5) What weeks will be online and what will be face to face?
Week 1) 23/02/16 :Supported online - In this session we will help you to access your Google + community, we will test out the BigBlue Button web conferencing software and we will enable you to access the Google Class Site. You will need access to a computer in a quiet room, (internet access) and will need a headset and microphone.
Week 2) 02/03/16 :Face to Face Session - Oxford - Room will be posted on the Google Community the Monday before the session.
Week 3) 08/03/16: Online Session
Week 4) 15/03/16: Online Session
Week 5) 22/03/16 :Face to Face Session - Oxford
Week 6) 12/ 04/16 :Physical Face to Face Session - Reading
Week 7) 19/04/16 :Online Session
Week 8) 26/04/16: Online Session
Week 9) 03/05/16: Online Session
Week 10) 10/05/16 :Micro-teach Session - TBC Reading or Oxford - We will post which site this soon on your Google Community Site. We will try our best to have this at Oxford or Reading (two members of staff will need to assess this micro teach session).
Week 11) 17/05/16: All day bookable Assessment Support tutorial support sessions (face to face in Oxford - or online via Google Hangouts) from 1:30-6:30pm (20 minute tutorials).
Week 12) 24/05/16: Group online support using conferencing support software - using Big Blue Button where you will get the opportunity to ask any questions you have regarding the assessments.
Week 13) 07/06/16: Online
Week 14) 14/06/16 Online
Q6) What will I need to do each week of the Activate Learning Award in Education and Training Course?
In addition each week, you will also need to login and access the Activate Learning Award in Education and Training Google Community and obtain the Weekly Guidance Document and will need to follow the activities and assessments.
Q7) Which room will I have to go to for the Award face to face sessions?
Q8) How will I get enrolled for the Activate Learning Award in Education Course?
- An completed application
- A writing exercise (emailed this to Sian)
- An email confirming funding (with your head of learning or learning manager) and sending this to Papiha Whitehouse & CC Sian Cabrera.
- Arranging the time for you to attend the course each week Tuesdays 3:30pm - 6:30pm (as per the assessment schedule)
You will need to fill in an enrolment form to officially enrol on the course.
If you are based at Reading campus (as per your contract) you will need to submit this to Papiha Whitehouse (Reading) she will scan and send this to learner service and Sian the course leader.
If you are based at BBL, Oxford, Banbury, Bicester you will need to scan this and email it to Papiha (Papiha.whitehouse@reading-college.ac.uk) and Sian (scabrera@activatelearning.ac.uk) and then submit the physical copy to your local reception learner services who will then forward this onto Papiha.
Q9) What if I cannot attend every single AL in award in education session?
Q10) How do I get in touch with my tutor for support?
Q11) How will I be asked to reflect on my progress throughout my course?
Please ensure your blog is professional we will be using your blogs to show your manager of your progress throughout your course and potentially others across the organisation.
In addition to writing your weekly blog you will need to complete official reflective logs for each of your three units.
Unit 1:Roles and responsibilities in Education and Training
Unit 2: Inclusive Learning in Education and Training
Unit 3:Assessing Learners in Education and Training
To see an example of what a WordPress Teaching and Learning Blog looks like https://hannahruthtyreman.wordpress.com/
To see an example of what a Blogger (Flipcard) Blog Looks like see here here: http://cheneyagilitytoolkit.blogspot.co.uk/ (this is a Blog created by a recent Chenney TeachMeet we attended) it gives you all different ideas for planning teaching, learning and assessment).
Q12) What homework /independent studies will I need to complete each week?
In addition to this each week you will need to do independent reading and research using relevant books and journals (there is a reading list in your course handbook to help) . You will then need to 'write up' your criteria covered each week for your official assessments.
For example in Week 1 we will be covering the following criteria
Unit 1 : 1.1,2.1,2.2,3.1, 3.2,
Unit 2: 2.4
This will mean you will need to do activities set, (either virtually or face to face, depending on the schedule) then you will after the session you complete independent reading and research and will need to write officially the criteria we covered.
The full schedule will outline this and the homework you will need to complete for the following week.
The schedule will also outline, compulsory homework, as well as additional 'stretch and challenge optional homework' you can do if you would like to stay ahead if you have time.
Q13) How do I reference my work?
If you are not sure what referencing is please see the following video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW_ysMJQNNc.
Every unit assessment will require you to add a variety of relevant references into your work and use a references list at the end of the assessment.
To help you create a Harvard Referenced reference list you can use our Partner Brookes University's bibliography creator https://www.citethisforme.com/ .
Alternatively you can use this gap fill website http://www.neilstoolbox.com/bibliography-creator/.
Q14) What Health and Safety Information and code of conduct will I need to sign?
Please ensure you add your digital signature to this document by the first day of the course 23/02/16 you will need to use your Activate Learning Google Account to access this.
To do this:
1)Go to your Activate Learning Google Community (your tutor will have invited you to this by day 1 of the course)
2) Login using your first initial and surname then @activatelearning.ac.uk e.g scabrera@activate learning.ac.uk
3) Click refresh
4) Then on the Athens screen, input your normal user name and password
(if you are having trouble with this) contact your tutor on 50740 or IT department on 51500 and ask for help from Andy Taylor.
5) Then go to the INDUCTION HEALTH AND SAFETY FORM and add your name, digital signature to confirm you agree to the information in the health and safety declaration document.
Q15) When will I be given my course handbook?
This will be made avaliable to you on the start of your course (online). You will not get a paper copy of this, if you want a paper copy of this then please feel free to print this out.
Your course handbook will give you information about the course aims and objectives, the assessment policy, your assessments, the team, how to access the VLE, equality and diversity information.
Q16) How do I get to the Oxford or Reading Campus and find my way around?
Reading College
To find directions about getting here see the following link: http://www.reading-college.ac.uk/contact-us-at-Reading-College
Q17) How do I access the LRC resources to support me on this programme?
To access learning resource centres resources please see here https://sites.google.com/a/activatelearning.ac.uk/activate-learning-libraries/home/information-for-staff.
All Activate Learning staff and learners are registered to use and borrow our resources.
Make the best of our books and journals, our study spaces, audio-visual and online resources and eBooks. If you are based at one campus the LRC provide a service that will allow books to be transferred between campuses.
We have some 80,000 items in stock in our five libraries at Banbury and Bicester College, City of Oxford College and Reading College.
Most items can be borrowed for three weeks, but some (including CDs and DVDs) are limited to one week. Reference books must be kept in the library.
As a member of staff, you may borrow up to 12 items. You can renew your books up to twice by phone, email, the library catalogue or in person.
Our library catalogue displays holdings at all of our libraries.We manage an inter-site loan service, so if you require an item from another Activate Learning Group library, please speak to a member of library staff and we'll arrange for it to be sent over.
To find out opening times for our libraries see here https://sites.google.com/a/activatelearning.ac.uk/activate-learning-libraries/home/our-libraries.
Q18) How do we consider equality and diversity at Activate Learning?
We are committed to advancing equality of opportunity, respecting and celebrating difference, eliminating discrimination, harassment and victimisation and fostering good relations between all who work or learn at, or use the services of Activate Learning. We will treat all students, staff and others associated with Activate Learning with fairness, respect and sensitivity.
We aim to create and maintain a working and learning environment in which all people have the opportunity to participate fully, give of their best and achieve their full potential in a climate free from discrimination or harassment.
We recognise that all have a right to equality of opportunity irrespective of race, disability, gender, gender reassignment, age, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status, or socio-economic status, background or class. Equality and diversity is central to all that we do, and fundamental to our mission and values.
Our commitment to learners
We will
- Make clear our expectations and commitments to equality and diversity in our marketing and recruitment materials and events, during the learner and staff admissions processes and again during induction
- Celebrate equality and diversity for example via Activate Learning posters, tutorial activities and celebratory events
- Strive to provide an inclusive teaching and learning environment that is personalised to the individual and which takes account of the individual need and cultural backgrounds
- Embed equality and diversity within curriculum planning and teaching and learning
- Strive to provide additional learning support (ALS) tailored to individual needs for learners who require ALS to support their learning and progression
Q19) How will I develop my English, maths and ICT on this programme?
At the start of the programme you will be asked to set targets to improve your English, maths and ICT skills on the course independently, these should be specific measurable achievable targets. You will have to collect evidence about how you have developed these skills and will need to document photographic evidence and writing about how you have developed these skills in your blog towards the end of your course (see your assessment schedule for further details of this).
In addition to this there will be a number of opportunities to develop your English, maths and ICT on your Award in Education Programme in each session e.g You will have a discrete technology session (ICT) , you will be asked to create an infographic showing visually appealing data (maths and English literacy) you will be asked to deliver a microteach (English speaking) etc . Remember to keep a record of your English, maths and ICT development to enable you to successfully write your blog.
To find out about minimum core see here where Anne Gravells discussed what minimum core is and provides free resources at the bottom of the page http://www.anngravells.co.uk/minimumcore.html.
Q20) What feed forward advice can you give me to support me passing my official assessments?
The key reasons why learners do not always pass official first time are as followed
:Learners do not follow command verbs in the criteria of the assessments E.g For example a learner may give bullet points and identify when asked to explain, however an explanation requires them to give detail saying how and why something occurs with reasoning (several reasons), and use examples to support).
Another reason assessments don't pass first time is that are not well structured. To structure the essay and leaflet, clearly use the criteria as headings and ensure the content relating to each criteria is clear so the assessor and moderator can see you have interpreted the criteria well and demonstrated your knowledge sufficiently.
If has been a while since you have written an essay, try and look at examples of what a good essay looks like and conduct research . Remember to give a clear introduction, middle and end.
When discussing criteria, always try and paraphrase the criteria in your opening line. For example for 1.1 assignment 1 you may open the assignment by saying it is critical that teachers and trainers comply to a range of laws, legislation and employment codes of practice as part of their role/responsibility etc
Try and get books out early including the recommended course books e.g.’ The Award in Education and Training’ (2014) or the older version of this book ‘Preparing to Teach in the lifelong sector 5th Edition Gravells this will help you considerably.
Recommendations to support you passing your assignments
Ensure you allocate plenty of time to completing your assessments. The course is an intensive course and you will be expected to keep up to date with all work listed in the assessment schedule. You will need to complete as much work as you do in your lesson at home so be organised and plan ahead and ensure you allocate plenty of time on a regular basis either during the week or at weekend to complete the work ready for the following week
Always ensure you complete your weekly reflective log and try and build good habits of writing this up as soon as you have finished the session or write key notes to help you write this up the next day.
A weekly timetable with all your commitments and times where you are going to complete your independent studies maybe useful help you organise your time each week. If you are allocated additional time to complete work (3 hours extra in addition to your class time) then ensure you go to a quiet room so you can't be disturbed.
Remember to spend time each week reading and researching content linked to your criteria. Every assessment you produce will need to demonstrate a wide variety of references from different sources.
Instead of doing a reference list at the end of the unit, ensure you keep a reference list throughout each week as you find and embed references into your work.
When adding references to your work don't just put any reference in, consider what reference am I putting in? Is it relevant? and remember to demonstrate your understanding of the reference and try to develop critical arguments throughout.
It’s advised that you will spend the equivalent time in classes outside of lessons preparing assessments, and completing background reading for your Award.
Try to complete your independent study work as soon as you can after having finished the session, as the content is fresh in your mind. This will reinforce your learning (the brain) pathways in line with our learning philosophy, leading to more long term memory storage as result of repetition strengthening neural pathways.
Always factor in short breaks from using the computer and doing work to ensure you can work productively and allow for rest too.
As a ball park figure of how much you should write in assignments, try and aim for minimum of three solid paragraphs for each criteria (note The roles and responsibilities assignment 1 criteria 1.1 will be longer).
If the assignment criteria asks you to explain remember to give reasoning, detail how and why something occurs proving reasoning (giving two or more reasons).
Unless absolutely necessary (e.g for your presentation or a short report) avoid bullet points unless absolutely necessary.
Do not write too much, use the command verbs in your assignments e.g explain, analyse, describe and opt for quality not quantity
Please check though each criteria to see if you have met the criteria before submission of your work officially
Please spell check your work before submission and use a spell checker to help you. Claro-read digital assistive software can also be used to read out your work aloud if you find it difficult reading your work after haven written in.
Remember to include a variety of references to meet level 3 standard. This means you have to include a variety of references in each assessment task for each unit.
Remember to bring a spare complete lesson plan for your observers on the day of your micro-teach session.
Remember to include a list of references at the end of each essay if you are unsure how to reference properly you can use the online Neils toolbox reference generator which can be found using the following URL: http://www.neilstoolbox.com/bibliography-creator/
There are various software programmes that can support you creating visually appealing leaflets such as Microsoft publisher and Pixtochart (http://piktochart.com/ ) or Smore (https://www.smore.com/app). However remember to make your leaflets appealing to others as they will not only be shared on the world wide web (depending on what software programme you use) we would also like to use these to show your managers and to support other staff via the Pass It On Programme.
Generic criteria and achieving level 3 standard in your assessments
According to Ascentis (2016)
As well as demonstrating the generic criteria for each unit you need to
o Use accurate use of grammar, spelling and punctuation
o Clear expression of ideas and arguments
o Use of reading and research through the inclusion of appropriate references in written text
o Accurate use of numerical calculations an interpretation of data
o Use of information and communication technology
o Commitment to working within a professional value base.
Use this this as a self -assessment checklist before submitting any written assignments.