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Project Activities

Work-based learning maturity toolkit

The WELL project has been awarded an extra £40k to develop a work-based learning 'maturity toolkit'

We are pleased to announce that the WELL project has been awarded another £40k to develop a 'maturity toolkit' in relation to work-based learning. Ibrar Butt and Peter Hartley clinched the deal in a meeting at the JISC Innovation Forum, working with our external consultant, Peter Chatterton.

The aim of this Benefits Realisation project is to distil and embed the lessons learnt from a range of institutions undertaking work-based learning projects into a 'work-based learning maturity toolkit' and to trial it with a group of institutions.

The idea would be for institutions/faculties to use the toolkit to determine how "mature" they are in respect of work-based learning, to determine where they would like to be and then to formulate plans, based on evidence collected. Support mechanisms would then follow by way of guidance through collaboration across UK institutions.

Collaborative development approach

The maturity toolkit would be developed as a collaborative project between the following HEIs:

  • The University of Bradford

  • Middlesex University

  • Craven College

  • ELRAH

  • UWIC

  • Westminster

Timescale of project: September 2010 - March 2011

Please contact Ibrar Butt for further details: i.butt@bradford.ac.uk

Criteria for a model of work-based learning

Workshop 3 - An evaluation of a draft generic model of technology-supported work-based learning, in order to support personalised learning, quality enhancement, and flexible delivery

Professor Peter Chatterton (Blended Learning Unit, University of Hertfordshire & WELL project evaluator)

Ibrar Butt (WELL project officer, University of Bradford)

The JISC funded Workforce Engagement in Lifelong Learning (WELL) project will develop, implement and evaluate a model for module/unit delivery and assessment that meets the needs of the employer, learners and University. The model will be piloted with learners from the Escalate programme in two academic schools at the University of Bradford.

This workshop will establish the criteria for this model with a focus on:

  • Module process, from pre- through to post-course delivery

  • How technology can support personalised learning, quality enhancement, and flexible delivery

The WELL project is developing a draft of these principles and we require stakeholder commentary and critique of them, and how effective they are if applied to different contexts. The workshop will be interactive and hopes to engage members of all stakeholder groups for the project.

Venue: Escalate Centre, Richmond Building

Date: 1st March 2010, 12:00-3:30pm (lunch provided)

Please contact Ibrar Butt for further details: i.butt@bradford.ac.uk

Stakeholder Communications

Workshop 2 - Stakeholder Communications and Engagement (Professor Peter Chatterton, Blended Learning Unit, University of Hertfordshire)

The WELL project has a key role in bringing together major players across the sector: (e.g. funders, industry, practitioners, and beneficiaries). This workshop aims to help the project in developing a stakeholder communications and engagement strategy and plan, with a focus on identifying:

  • Stakeholder groupings, continuous feedback, and relationship management
  • Why we need to engage stakeholders; objectives and outcomes for communications and engagement
  • Key stakeholder concerns/needs, issues and opportunities
  • Key communications messages
  • Techniques/tools/channels/media that can be used with different stakeholder groups, both formally and informally.

Venue: Escalate Centre, Richmond Building

Date: 3rd November 2009, 1:45-4:50pm (lunch provided)

Please contact Ibrar Butt for further details: i.butt@bradford.ac.uk

Impact Evaluation

The WELL project has adopted an ongoing approach to evaluation, using a reflective approach that is designed to secure continuous improvement. We have arranged a series of evaluation workshops, the first of which is on 'Impact' on 3rd November at the Escalate Centre.

Workshop 1 - Impact Evaluation (Professor Peter Chatterton, Blended Learning Unit, University of Hertfordshire)

Looking at the core aims and objectives of work-based learning projects, the workshop aims to develop a short and long-term impact evaluation strategy and plan, with a focus on:

  • Agreeing key needs, issues and challenges
  • Identifying the indicators of 'success' (short and long-term)
  • How the indicators are measured for each stakeholder group (either qualitatively or quantitatively)

Once developed, the impact evaluation strategy aims to determine if such project have the desired effect on their stakeholders, and whether these effects are attributable to the project's intervention.

The workshop will be interactive and hopes to engage members of all stakeholder groups for the project. Expected Outcomes of the session are both indicators and measures of success.

Venue: Escalate Centre, Richmond Building

Date: 3rd November 2009, 9:30-12:30pm (lunch provided)

Please contact Ibrar Butt for further details: i.butt@bradford.ac.uk

APEL Assembly

The WELL project team are organising an assembly on the subject of APEL (Accredited Prior Experiential Learning). Assemblies are exciting opportunities for JISC projects, other related projects and subject experts to share good practice and collaborate on common themes. APEL is an important process which formally recognises prior experiential learning and work experience of lifelong learners. This assembly will discuss members' approaches to APEL and challenges faced. 

Venue: University of Bradford (you can also participate online via Elluminate), Learn Higher Room (01.58), Joseph Priestley Building

Date: Thursday 8th October 2009, 1:00 till  4:30pm (including lunch)

For further information or if you are interested in attending (either face-to-face or online) please contact Ibrar Butt (WELL Project Officer) i.butt@bradford.ac.uk

JISC Online Conference: Institutional Impact

JISC held an online conference on 9th July for projects funded by the JISC Institutional Innovation Programme. JISC are keen to ensure maximum benefits from all their funded projects and has established the Support, Synthesis, Benefits Realisation team to help projects collaborate, share practice and identify additional benefits and outcomes to their work. At the online event Ibrar presented an overview of the WELL project and agreed to lead an APEL Assembly.