Final Report for Professional Development Activity
Rationale for the professional development activity
The need was identified from the School development Plan which required investigation into
providing more vocational type courses suitable for Post 16 and also ‘E’ learning courses which
would broaden the curriculum, promote independent learning and allow for flexibility in
timetabling. I wanted to research Vocational and E Learning courses which would be suitable for
implementing in a grammar school.
Professional Development Activity
The activities I carried out were;
1)Visit to an “ET Sharing Good Practice” winner and a school already providing a broad
range of Vocational courses.
2)Visit to Local Further Education College to explore vocational courses and which may
be suitable for delivery by video conferencing / ‘E’ learning.
3) Investigate ‘E’ learning scheme called currently being piloted by Heriot Watt
University called “Scholar” and visit a school to see this program in action.
Outcomes and Dissemination
I have become more knowledgeable on the range of Vocational and ‘E’ learning courses
available and their providers and presented this to the SMT in school.
I have acquired sufficient knowledge and skills to enable the school implement the
successful delivery of suitable new courses identified. I am able to outline the benefits of
using E Learning for the delivery of some of these courses.
The identification of these courses will broaden the school curriculum in line with
Costello.
Benefits to Staff
 enhancing the curriculum and developing pedagogy.
 acting as a catalyst for change.
 improving E Learning awareness.
Benefits to pupils:
 learn independently with a much broader range of subjects to choose from.
 adding value to the student experience with different learning methods.
 removing barriers to effective learning and understanding.
 Promoting innovation, and potential, to accommodate need in a new way.
Evidence to Evaluate Improvements
Evidence of improvements are that suitable Vocational and ‘E’ learning courses are
identified with some courses being planned for delivery. Further evidence would be the
successful delivery of the courses with a viable uptake by the pupils.
Sharing of Experiences
This has been achieved by providing a report to SMT and relevant departments on the
result of my findings and also through publishing this report.
Value and Effectiveness
This professional development activity has been very valuable, being able to spend time
with other teachers from different types of schools in order to learn from their
experiences. The range of course available and the good practice being carried out in the
schools visited can be implemented in my own school.
The visits to other schools and institutions provided the opportunity to see:
i)
the environment where good practice takes place
ii)
good practice being implemented by the teachers
iii)
effective learning taking place by the pupils
The following courses have been identified for post 16:
1) Vocational Courses:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
EDEXCEL
Applied Single Award ICT
Applied Single Award Health and Social Care
Applied Double Award Health and Social Care
Applied Single Award Leisure Studies
Applied Single Award Engineering
f. Applied Single Award Business
g. Applied Double Award Business
h. Applied Single Award Science
AQA
i. BTEC Sport ( National Certificate)
j. BTEC Construction ( National Award)
EDEXCEL ( No Exams – all assignments)
k. Applied ICT
l. Applied Business
(CCEA)
2) E Learning:
a. The School visited has used Scholar program from Herriot Watt
University for teaching Science. Teachers found the program most
useful to pupils when used for revision and for catching up on work due to
absence. Instant feedback to pupils when tests were attempted helped to
improve learning. About 90% of the material on Scholar program is
useful for CCEA A Level Physics and Chemistry although some terms
used can be different from CCEA specification. The Program was
expensive at around £30 per pupil.
Teachers at this school are making use of WIKIspaces and BLOGs for
teaching Applied ICT
Most subjects are introducing tests which are carried out and marked on
computer. This is used for 15 – 30% of exam results.
b.
ECDL on line course provided by Advance Learning. This course is
accessed online and pupils can work independently through the relevant
modules in preparation for the tests. This course requires no teaching as
all modules are fully explained online. It does however require some
administration time to log pupils onto the course and provide enrolment
keys for them. The administrator can monitor when the pupils have
logged onto the system and how they are progressing in the sample
assignments provided. The tests can also be carried out online but the
school would have to become an accredited centre for ECDL. The easy
option is to do the tests in collaboration with the local Further Education
College and use the school as one of their pilot examination centres.
3) Courses provided by Further Education College
AS Engineering
AS Applied ICT
AS GCE Applied Health and Social Care
City and Guilds AutoCAD
ECDL
Future Plans
Further investigation into the E Learning courses which are available and into the design
of our own in house E Learning courses using the LNI Environment.