IfL case studies focus on technology and CPD

IfL have published six case studies as part of 'Supporting the Workforce' (PDF 1.53 MB), a research project designed to help boost teachers' and trainers' skills in using new technologies to support their professional development.

Download the Supporting the Workforce project report (PDF 1.53 MB)

New tools of the mind for learning and skills instructors

Carillion plc is one of the UK’s leading support services and construction companies, employing around 50,000 people. Its training arm, Carillion Training Services, has a portfolio that includes 18 centres around the country, serving more than 2,000 learners. Bill Saunders has been with Carillion for 16 years and is one of three learning and development managers responsible for helping 100 or so instructors with their professional development. He invested two years doing his Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (DTLLS), and completed the Professional Formation process with the Institute for Learning (IfL) in December 2009. He is also a qualified Subject Learning Coach and an IfL Volunteer Connection.

Bill Saunders, learning and development manager, Carillion Training Services

How to fit a quart into a pint bottle

Offender learning practitioners often work in challenging and isolated conditions. Like teachers in many other parts of the lifelong learning sector, they have to meet a range of very diverse needs, but the prison and offender education context presents a number of further challenges and constraints, related to teaching in a secure environment. Nick Marshall, IT curriculum team leader at Dover Immigration Removal Centre, explains how 15 teaching staff with limited internet access are recording their continuing professional development (CPD).

Nick Marshall, IT curriculum team leader at Dover Immigration Removal Centre

A learning spiral for teacher educators and trainee teachers

With more than 50 business centres, JHP Group is one of the largest vocational training providers in the UK, employing about 600 trainers and assessors. It has a virtual learning academy that allows employees to take their teaching qualifications regardless of where they work in the country. Stella Austin, a senior academy teacher, explains how she uses the Institute for Learning’s online personal space, REfLECT, and encourages her learners to use it too.

Stella Austin, senior academy teacher at JHP Group

A team approach to reflective practice

In 2009, the Institute for Learning (IfL) sponsored two LSIS STAR Awards in the teaching, training and learning practitioner category, one nominated by learners and the other by peers. Manjit Johal, who leads an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) team that teaches adult learners at Sandwell College, received the peer-nominated award. The dedicated teacher, once described as ‘gold dust’ by an Ofsted inspector, shares his experience of recording and declaring his continuing professional development (CPD).

Manjit Johal, ESOL team leader at Sandwell College

Extending the use of REfLECT

Since 2008, West Kent College has been encouraging its teachers to use the REfLECT online learning space from the Institute for Learning (IfL) to support their reflective practice and help create a sharing good practice community. The initiative has helped teachers become much more confident with their information and learning technology (ILT), which in turn has had a positive impact on learners in the classroom. Ros Pearson, head of education and training at the college, and Michelle Constable, staff development coordinator, explain their current achievements and future ambitions.

Ros Pearson, head of education and training, and Michelle Constable, staff development coordinator, at West Kent College

Thinking creatively to get the best from REfLECT

Anne Samson is the operations manager for the Westminster Partnership CETT in London, and an IfL CETT Connection. She has been thinking about ways to reduce the duplicate recording of continuing professional development (CPD) after an event to satisfy the requirements of different organisations and audiences. Outlining a typical scenario, Anne explains why she was keen to find a solution that would save time without sacrificing the quality of information provided.

Anne Samson, operations manager for the Westminster Partnership CETT