A new grants programme has today been launched for FE and training providers, to explore how students and staff can work together in their understanding and use of technologies for learning.
The pilot programme, funded by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF) and managed by the Strategic Development Network (SDN), will commission four collaborative projects to develop and test models of student-staff partnerships.
Projects will explore what works and how best to build trainer/teacher skill and confidence in the development of student-staff partnerships and in the use of technology to support and enhance learning.
Julie Gibbings-Garrett, Head of Teaching, Learning and Assessment at the ETF, said:
“One of the core training priorities, highlighted by 2,300 sector leaders and practitioners earlier this year as part of our Training Needs Analysis, was the need to use digital and new technologies more effectively within teaching and learning. This exciting pilot programme is about trialing new concepts and models – harnessing the digital capability of students to support staff in their use of technology in all aspects of teaching, learning and assessment.”
Applications are open to any FE and training provider to lead a collaborative group of practitioners.
The full prospectus and grant application form can be found here
Three Briefing and Collaboration webinars will be held on 24th and 30th October, to provide an overview of the programme and to give delegates an opportunity to start forming project groups.
The deadline for grant applications is Friday, 9th November
Colin Bentwood, Managing Director of SDN, said:
“Technology can be a powerful tool in helping to underpin high-quality teaching, learning and assessment. But the technology used by students is constantly changing, requiring practitioners to be constantly learning, adapting and improving their practice. We’re really excited to be overseeing these new pilots – giving FE and training providers the space to trial innovative approaches, build models of student-staff partnership, and measure its impact on the quality of teaching, learning and assessment.”
Any questions about the programme or webinars can be directed to SDN: otla@strategicdevelopmentnetwork.co.uk
Notes to editors
The Education and Training Foundation
The ETF is the government-backed, sector-owned national workforce and professional development body for the Further Education (FE) and Training sector. Its role is to support the continuing transformation of the technical and vocational education system by ensuring the sector has world-class leaders, teachers and trainers. This leads to ever-improving learner outcomes, a better skilled workforce for employers and a stronger economy, country and society.
We do this by improving, driving and championing the quality of leadership, teaching and training through four key pillars:
- Setting professional standards, running the sector’s professional membership body (Society for Education and Training and for awarding practitioners with QTLS and ATS
- Supporting sector change
- Leading workforce development for leaders, governors and practitioners
- Providing key workforce data and research
Strategic Development Network (SDN)
The Strategic Development Network (SDN) team specialises in FE, HE and apprenticeships, supporting training and education organisations to grow, adapt and improve their provision. SDN has worked closely with 80 employer trailblazer groups and supported over 900 apprenticeship organisations and 3,000 staff to prepare to deliver apprenticeship standards and end-point assessment. In addition to programme management, SDN provides events / training, resources, consultancy and research.