ETBI-News-Summer-2016-web

Educators in all environments have
recognised that, through the internet,
open learning resources, and new
modes of teaching, technology can
transform learning experiences and
outcomes. From early childhood
through to postgraduate education,
FET staff and teachers and trainers
are increasingly using technology to
great effect as part of their practice.
Through the internet, learners can
decide when and where they engage
with their learning; they can receive
individualised feedback; people can
interact and share learning in small
and large online learning groups;
complex concepts can be explained
drawing on simulated and real life
audio-visual examples; and the overall
learning environment can become
more flexible and interactive than ever
before.
Technology can also be used to provide
increased access to education and
training opportunities by all members
of society. With the improvements
in the economy this can include
access to training for the most
marginalised of our society as well as
those in employment seeking career
progression opportunities.
How will it be
implemented?
The strategy aims to achieve its vision,
through the implementation of eighteen
practical actions, grouped under
three strategic themes of building on
existing capacity, expanding access
and continuous improvement and
innovation.
The strategy is structured under three
themes.
Theme 1 of the strategy focusses on
building on existing good practice.
Actions within this theme aim to embed
a systemic culture, structures and
practices so that technology-enhanced
learning becomes an intrinsic part
of further education and training in
Ireland. To ensure success, a set of
interconnected elements are required.
These are: staff with technologicallyappropriate
pedagogical skills and
confidence; access to digital learning
content and resources; appropriate
technology infrastructure and supports;
and high-quality programme design and
assessment. Each component relies on
the other and each must be in place in
order to avoid the challenges that have
at times been reported as part of the
adoption of technology in education
and training around the world. SOLAS
will work closely with the Department
of Education and Skills (DES) to
implement the strategy.
Theme 2 focusses on expanding
access. The actions within this theme
aim to expand access to further
education and training for people who
need flexible learning opportunities.
Target groups include those in
employment who wish to or need
to up-skill and those disadvantaged
due to their circumstances such
as their remote location, personal
circumstances or a disability.
Theme 3 focusses on continuous
improvement and innovation. The
actions within this theme aim to
support continuous improvement in
provision of technology-enhanced
learning, drawing on national and
international policy and good practice.
Collaboration with the wider education
and training system – primary, postprimary
and higher education, and
with the enterprise community – will
support high quality, expert teaching
and learning.
Who will be responsible
for delivering the
STRATEGY?
Key partners in achieving the strategy
are learners and those who deliver
FET in each of the sixteen Education
and Training Boards (ETBs), ETB
further education colleges, education
centres and training centres,
supported by management and
administration colleagues; and other
FET providers. Lead partners include
SOLAS, Education Training Boards
Ireland (ETBI), individual Education
and Training Boards and the Further
Education Support Service (FESS).
SOLAS will support and facilitate
achievement of the strategy through
its funding and co-ordinating
responsibilities, and there will be
close liaison with teams working on
national initiatives to build shared
service platforms and technology
infrastructure.
What is the implementation
timeline?
The strategy includes a number of
examples of existing practice; these
are just a snapshot of the ways in
which technology is being used to
engage learners and to ensure a highquality,
relevant learning experience. By
building on the existing good practice,
the strategy includes 18 actions with
proposed dates for implementation
over the next three years. A national
symposium is planned for September
2016, where interested parties can
share in the implementation planning
and roll-out of individual initiatives.
The experience of developing this
strategy was a very positive one,
with engagement by a wide range of
stakeholders through an ETBI/SOLAS
advisory group, working meetings
with representative groups, and the
online consultation process. We look
forward with confidence to similar
strong engagement and success in
implementing the strategy.
26 ETBI issue 3 – 2016 Section 1 | National and European Events