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Nottingham Trent University - The Signposts to Success Consortium - Case Study - continued

 

Blackpool and the Fylde College logoBlackpool and the Fylde College
Our project developed a comprehensive on-line ILP in the college VLE (Moodle), which includes:

 

Whilst documentation is provided to guide the reflective and action-planning processes, the VLE offers a highly interactive learning experience which trainees are able, to some extent, to control. An effective facility is the ‘sandbox’ where trainees are able to ‘play’ in order to familiarise themselves with the site and practise any unfamiliar IT skills they need to use their e-ILP.

 

An interesting development with our ILP pilot was the decision to ask trainees if they would be willing to allow their tutors and mentors access to their on-line Learning Journal. There were very mixed reactions, and Keith, on the video, explains his own views on the matter.

 

 

Streaming video: Learner discussion on using a Moodle VLE to create an ILP - opens in new window (12 minutes)

 

Keith, a learner on the pre-service PGCE (Post-Compulsory Education), is asked what he thinks of Moodle:

  • he enjoys it
  • he wasn’t familiar with a VLE before but has found it very easy to get into and use.

 

And the layout?

  • fine
  • clear and easy to use
  • a simple background and well laid out.

 

He likes the fact that he can do what he wants to with it and go to various sections such as the learning styles questionnaires.

 

Keith talks about the reflective and action-planning processes that he has undergone over the year:

  • how he identified his preferred learning style but then reflected on how this might inform his planning
  • how he built up his portfolio himself
  • how he reviewed as he went along through the year to see how he had developed and changed.

 

The ILP is demonstrated and its various sections explained, including a range of assessments and action plans. 

 

Keith is asked his feelings on his tutors and mentor having access to his ILP:

  • doesn’t like it!
  • the original philosophy of the Learning Journal was that it was a personal document
  • if it is going to be ‘widely read’ trainees will just edit it
  • the quality and development of people’s Learning Journals is going to be affected
  • people will write what they think their tutor/mentor wants to read rather than reflecting their own thoughts.

 

A summary of Keith’s experience of using an on-line VLEs for ILPs:

‘I think it is an excellent idea and I look forward to using them and developing them further in the future.’

 

Our findings
Feedback from learners involved in the pilot shows they feel the ILP is an effective means of providing support and that the use of an online ILP, hosted on Moodle, enhances and extends that support, since it offers a greater and more-diverse learning experience and one that can be accessed remotely.