Alternative Learning & National Costing Model Conference
Feedback from delegates
Session title
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Roz Bendall Intro
1 (How important and useful NTCP could be; not to
rely on the data!)
3 (clear message on future of NCM; current
situation)
4 (case studies of real-world NTCM examples; )
1 (History of NTCP)
Robin Field-Smith HMIC
Sarah Woodward: West Mercia
Diane Hopkins, Gloucestershire
Helen Smith, Bedfordshire.
The bigger picture: ABC in forces
2 (case studies of real-world NTCM examples; )
3 (how ABC fits with NTC model)
Dmitry Dorsky, B-Plan
Workgroups
11
10 (gaining other forces’ ideas and examples of how
they will use NTCM as a management tool; not as far
behind as I thought with NCM; discussing how other
forces are using the model – good/bad experiences;
sharing problems and solutions; finding we’re not
alone in the difficulties of applying the model; being
able to feedback issues to the Implementation
Group; )
3 (Did not explain how used for decisionmaking – more about justification and pricing;
6 (not involved in this; would have liked more
detail/conclusions)
1
7 (Two groups in 1 classroom; these should
have been done 4-5 yrs ago and added little
value; didn’t really find out new ways of using
NCM – I thought others were doing really
great things with it to aid planning; wanted to
u/stand more about the model, how it works
and benefits it will have; expected more
guidance – felt like a research mission; not
enough time to talk about applying the
NTCM; not as involving or productive as I’d
hoped; not enough time – could have done
with 2 days just on costing)
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
using the model
9
costing enhancements
2 (attempts to cost alternative learning;)
1 (almost felt too scripted and answers
already decided;)
4 (Would have liked more answers: just got
more questions)
Hans Dirkzwager, BT
15 (BT’s ‘hothouse’ concept; )
Mark Osborne, NCALT
9 (Learned NCALT are doing something ‘top secret’
on custody: being introduced to the options and
choices of e-learning; how NCALT is being used and
who is using it)
Learning Outreach Team
Steve Cullen, West Mercia
7
1 using e-learning as clear part of operational
process
7 (Interesting but not linked to alternative
learning subject; limited link to training plan)
Jean Garrod, Centrex
2
2 (Models for Learning – again)
Peter Neyroud, NPIA
18
2 (too quick – why ‘obviously’? Not obvious to
me; not really any use)
Scottie Addison, HMIC
10 (The idea of protected learning time – make this
happen!)
Seminars
10 (Insight into what’s going on elsewhere; what
packages are being used – how they’re being
implemented)
Session title
training/guidance
5 (Interesting but not useful; theoretical –
some real examples would have been useful)
1 (This was an insult to my intelligence and to
other TMs considering how long NCALT has
been about; )
Could have been longer
Session title
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
Using PNAs, Rachel Cragg,
Centrex
IPR, Richard McCracken, OU
3
2 x Too short
ANPR, Lesley Pritchard, Herts;
Debbie Ganz
2 (looking at e-learning packages delivered by other
forces)
Implementing MLE into the MPS :
Ian Ellis, Donna Hayes
Responsive Innovations: LOT
4
Networking
15 (More opportunities please; sense of moving
forward together towards a more positive outcome in
training; new ideas; sharing experience and best
practice)
2 (very dry – but would still have included it)
5 (NCALT aspirations on product/service
developments; presentation on virtual classrooms;
Where alternative learning is going; opened my eyes
to a whole range of possibilities and opportunities; )
Presentations
Facilities
Good facilities, catering
1 Mixed messages re customer focus - MLE
will be forced on all forces in same format
rather than looking at required outcomes and
alternative ways of meeting needs.
6 (too fast, not informative enough, too dry;
some contained basic information that should
be a given; how undeveloped/unclear
direction is; flat, unengaging presentations
that told us what we already know but not
how to fix it! hearing that a BCU has fiddled
its figures; hearing that there should be a
national approach to evaluation, but not that
there is one)
Screen moving; TVs in rooms not working
Future conference ideas
Topic
Assessment
Delegate Comments
Work-based assessment to include PRDLDP, IPLDP, PIP; links between e-learning and
assessment/portfolio building and eveidence for accreditation; more from NCALT; NOS/A1 etc;
Alternative learning
CBA (cost benefit analysis) of blended learning; More info on LOT – how do these benefit forces;
overcoming barriers to alternative learning; case studies on implementing different alternative learning
techniques; discussion re future of e-learning; virtual classrooms; recognised e-learning training
products/companies and protocols; full demo of NCALT packages; embedding e-learning through cultural
change interventions; not just a ‘tick in a box’ the dangers of the misapplication of e-learning; whether
Centrex have supported forces in delivering key legislation updates; alternative learning update; Getting
buy-in to protected learning time; More specialist seminars; workshops highlighting online learning
materials; looking at current e-learning – ALMs delivered by other forces that may be of interest; blended
learning – best practice guidelines; measure of alternative learning and performance; case study from a
force showing the implementation, development, use of NCALT; breakdown of IT requirements etc,
barriers encountered, etc; good practice case studies in using blended learning and MLE; integrating
MLE with force HR IT systems; enforcement of national ICT infrastructure protocols; open learning for
public consumption, provided by the police service – content, context, accessibility; mobile data; elearning packages; other forces’ use of e-learning; NCALT and MLE – which forces use the system and
who have their own LMS
QA, Evaluation, Models for
Learning
QA and evaluation including blended and traditional learning; MfL for practitioners; linking different
aspects of the learning cycle and those responsible – more matrix than silo approach; insight into the
learning cycle and case studies highlighting use in forces; All practitioners in forces need to understand
how to apply Models for Learning in practice – regional workshops; QA; QA to meet requirements of all
frameworks; QA & Evaluation of blended learning; e-development – version of ICF as driving the
learning cycle; Development and impact of e-learning
Topic
National/local learning
programmes
Delegate Comments
Learning and Development Strategy; how to deliver a blended learning strategy with no/little growth and
competing demands; Performance Management framework for L&D; need to agree some learning
measures to support benchmarking like operational colleagues; IPLDP 12 months’ on; CLDP;
Integrating national and local programmes/systems to best effect – consistency and flexibility; Pipeline of
Centrex products; MOPI; PIP;
NPIA
Updates re NPIA esp. in relation to L&D and technology; more presentations like NPIA that update us on
things we don’t know;
ACPO
ACPO level buy-in and updating of issues around L&D and links to ‘business’ performance; how are
forces going to be encouraged to have one corporate approach?
Costing issues
Where financial efficiencies have been achieved; Specific costing agenda for 2 days – with practitioners
from other forces; Direction on how to cost training; Examples of when things went wrong and how
problems were overcome i.e. not just forces who had it easy; Future plans/way forward/progress of the
model/How it affects performance and links to it; More on NCM; More benchmarking: with comparison
data available; decision on governance of benchmarking system; Small workgroups enabling forces to
discuss and share experiences with the compilation of the model; Using for predictions and scenario
planning; more concrete examples of how the model can be used dynamically to aid business planning;
Guidance on how to cost training/e-learning/work-based assessment: simplified Manual of Guidance;
current progress of NTCM; capturing e-learning; ALMs within NTCM; HMIC/HO use and intentions of
NCM for cost savings/HO funding and grant decisions; Costed training Plan – best practice guidelines;
training on the costed plan – what info should be included and why and how, what should the plan be
used for? Exact definition of all the required entries on the costed plan and how to calculate the figures
so that everyone is using a standard method; Qualitative uses of comparison data; specific guidance and
direction with regards to the costed model; more time to work together on general application issues;
direction on what falls into the alternative learning ‘basket’ for costings; guidance on collecting costing
model data e.g. staff costs – average/actuals; include directions on how to cost e-learning in model;
Topic
Staffing issues
Delegate Comments
Succession planning – police officers, police staff; career planning for Heads of L&D; Development
needs/toolkit for Training Managers and co-ordinators – covering HO, Centrex, best practice,
networks/links, tips, FAQs;
General
More of same with updates on progress x 3: Get other forces here and on board – HMIC; Learning and
retention; elective learning; more focus on implementing things now, not just in the future; why not use
some alternative learning methods to deliver e.g. video-conference; opportunities to use e-learning, preor post-conference workbooks; comparison of force experience using other e-learning systems e.g.
knowledge solutions; working together more interactively to find solutions; Little to take back to force
which may jeopardise future attendance; organisers should collate in advance top 3 problems forces
have in common and try to have a solution(s) to discuss; what issues/comment arose from this
conference and how these had been progressed – update on points raised – to go out as document in
advance; possibly workshops depending what you’re going to do with the outputs of them; inform
delegates what’s going on to force things forward and make presentations/flipcharts available to all
delegates; more often (2ce a year?); more encouragement of shared best practice; longer seminars;
evening function??? This has been a very useful 2 days!