The tutors at the EKC Training Centre have been tasked with updating their teaching methods and engage with new digital means of teaching, learning and assessment. The site is based adjacent to a Category D Prison but is classed as external training however the location has meant that we only received fibre broadband in late 2019 therefore the tutors had not been able to utilise digital... more

The tutors at the EKC Training Centre have been tasked with updating their teaching methods and engage with new digital means of teaching, learning and assessment. The site is based adjacent to a Category D Prison but is classed as external training however the location has meant that we only received fibre broadband in late 2019 therefore the tutors had not been able to utilise digital technology to a great extent before this. The lockdown has enabled the team to re-train and get up to speed with digital developments in teaching, learning and assessment so by using information gained in CPD training they have developed and altered their resources to experiment and develop new formats and teaching methods using digital technologies. They train on technical courses such as IT professional, plumbing and electric and as we recruit approximately 98% of our enrolments from the Category D prison we have enormous language and cultural differences.

The tutors also need to be aware of the confidence and digital skills of the learners as some are from the travelling community so have not engaged in any substantial training in the past. Others have been in prison for up to 25 years therefore they have very little knowledge of the increase in digital reliance in the modern working environment. The site is so rural that up until early last year we did not have robust internet connection and had to work off mobile data however the college upgraded the connection which has meant that we could completely review our delivery and we needed to look at a wide variety of different tools which were now available to the team which hitherto we could only dream of utilising. However we needed to make sure we used the tools and applications which would enhance the teaching and improve learning rather than just use them for the sake of it.

The technology we needed to engage with was important as we needed to look at the underlying ways in which the learners retain their knowledge however the speed of delivery along with the rolling programme of enrolments causes there to be overload on the demands of the tutor therefore we looked at ways of utilising tools to get frequent formative feedback on the learners and quickly identify where there are problems of understanding and intervene. In the building services department they took their module tests and used apps on Teams and OneNote to turn them into self marking quizzes which then populated a tracking document which could be reviewed by all staff in the department as well as myself and if needed the EQA. The spreadsheet for tracking was stored on the Sharepoint which made this possible. The team tested and tried several different apps and online resources over a 4 month period and asked the learners for feedback on each which was enlightening as reviewers were very candid and as they are adult learners some of the applications were not felt to be mature enough. We also had to take into account the general digital skills of our learners as they often had massive gaps which meant they were reluctant to use IT however the first lockdown made a massive impact on their willingness to engage. They came back very keen to improve and make sure that they could use and understand the technology that would inevitably form part of their futures - regardless of which industry they were to move into.

the IT learners were far more open to any new packages or applications and they engaged fully with the new resources the tutors presented and again they were asked to review and offer improvements to the various items which were created. This has subsequently meant the IT tutors have collaborated and agreed to use the same applications which had a higher rating from their learners.

I have been delighted with the way in which the staff have collaborated on these initiatives and they are keen to share their outcomes and results with the department on a regular basis. It has also had a knock on effect of enhancing the IT/digital skills of the staff - they work within their teams and learn from their colleagues.

The available apps will constantly change and it would appear that the team are keen to be the first to test a new app and they bring this to team meetings and demonstrate so that we are constantly looking to improve and make use of the available technology. less

The tutors had to reflect on their own digital abilities and identify gaps in their knowledge and skills then we worked together on a plan to update and fill competency gaps. This is an ongoing plan as part of their CPD.

I feel that communication and collaboration have improved and the individuals are more likely to work with their colleagues to have an agreed approach so the... more

The tutors had to reflect on their own digital abilities and identify gaps in their knowledge and skills then we worked together on a plan to update and fill competency gaps. This is an ongoing plan as part of their CPD.

I feel that communication and collaboration have improved and the individuals are more likely to work with their colleagues to have an agreed approach so the learners do not have to learn new ways of working when progressing or moving from tutor to tutor. The willingness to change, adapt and upskill has been amazing with the added benefit of enthusiasm for the new ways of working which is infectious. The Covid lockdown and use of remote working has been transformational - the staff can now teach in class and also offer theory sessions remotely at the same time. I hope to take this forward as I would like to engage remotely with other HMP establishments to undertake theory sessions and then visit site for practical work, exams and assessments which would allow me to engage with more learners which I cannot do on site as I have small classrooms. less

Not that my approach to this would be different rather that I want the tutors to engage in continual reflection and updating of their teaching methods in line with the digital developments as well as new cultural types of learners who enrol with the college. The way in which they teach needs to be continually questioned and tested so that they make use of new techniques which is now becoming... more

Not that my approach to this would be different rather that I want the tutors to engage in continual reflection and updating of their teaching methods in line with the digital developments as well as new cultural types of learners who enrol with the college. The way in which they teach needs to be continually questioned and tested so that they make use of new techniques which is now becoming embedded in the way they reflect on each session, method and tool then look for improvement. less