Learning design in action

Back in August 2014 we employed our first set of apprentices to work in Elephant Learning Designs and to learn on the newly created Level 3 Diploma in Digital Learning Design qualification.

It’s been an exciting two months for me and others in helping get the workplace and resources ready for the learners arrival.  Everything about this has been new.  In addition to my role as a Learning Support Technologist I now manage and develop the learners and the programme, assess and lead on internal verifying.

All learners are now settled in and are progressing really well in their employment and are learning and developing learning materials for teaching staff.  Learners have just commenced the first unit of their course work which has been well received.  All learners are demonstrating unique skills and knowledge.  This is proving to be a successful and diverse team where everyone has different skill sets in different areas that contribute to the development of others.

How is the programme run?
We have decided to run this programme as an apprenticeship which offers real workplace skills and knowledge of creating highly engaging and purposeful interactive learning materials.  The apprenticeship is a year but learners can do another year and progress onto the Level 4 Diploma in Digital Learning Design.  Discussions of potential ideas will take place in the New Year of who and what is being done for the Level 4 programme.

What are the learners doing?
All learners are starting and/or midway through some projects for teachers while others are finishing off internal department projects.  These projects entail creating interactive learning materials on a range of subjects and topics, Moodle graphic/user interface designs and informative poster designs.  But there are plans to extend this work into larger projects and deeper engagement once Elephant Learning Designs is fully promoted internally.  Plus, there is a view to open Elephant Learning Designs to external businesses too.

What happens next?
Currently we are aiming to create eLearning experiences that are visually dynamic but have the impact that should be expected.  Thus, providing the underpinning understanding of what eLearning actually is and not just a ‘fun factor’.  This is research that myself (through my masters) and a colleague are currently investigating, then we will guide our learners to this outcome.  It builds on from my previous views on Flipped Instruction? and A little deeper with eLearning.

Learners will soon be planning and developing their own pathway into what they want to do with their newly gained skills and knowledge.  So I will be providing support they need to ensure they reach their goals.

Beyond
It’s been a whirlwind of positive experiences for me and I’m sure it has for our learners.  But one of the most unique elements about this is that everything is new.  So by absorbing and reflecting through this newness, we are creating our own standards and expectations and these will flow into the qualification specification and possibly beyond into future curriculum development.

Screencast Feedback

This is an actual example of a screencast feedback I gave to a learner during the pilot of the L4TLD I offered. This one is raw (and now dated (May 2013) - minus my beard) as I wanted it to be done there and then. But I did provide formal written feedback, which you can see on there too. The audio is poor, so make sure your volume is high.

Believe

The day has arrived! It's so surreal to say this.  I never thought in my wildest imagination that I would be here enrolling onto an MSc.  Given my slow start in education.  I could cry, really!  I'm making personal history.  I'm going to give it all I've got.  I promise.  You only live once (so it's said) and I'll probably experience this once in my lifetime.  Here I go, I'm going in!

• Gemma Long - "Just read your post. Being an underdog will put you at an advantage compared to others as it means your going to work harder, so are more likely to see results. I'm sure today will fry your brain (lots of new people, a new campus, getting your assignment :-0) but try and enjoy it as much as poss. I met some lovely people on the course so I'm sure today will be the start of some new friendships for you. Enjoy the ride as I'm positive you'll make it successfully to the end."
• Helen Waddle - "Enjoy it and well done you, you will have a fab time x"
• Roy Scott - "Well get in then and get it done, so proud of you and good luck"
• Potti Dotti - "I am very proud of you Dan. I always knew you'd go far and i know you'll do well. X"
• Robert Hutton - "That is great Dan. You now understand that YOU control what you get out of educational and not education controlling you like had pre 16. Rob"
• Martyn Hollingsworth - "Well done dan your a star crack on with it"
• Sophia Dalton - "You can do it Dan! I believe in you 🙂 x"
• Dave Barnes - "Go for it fella 🙂"
• Donna Nixon - "gd luck n all the best for the future - part timer 🙂 hehehehe"

Last night I was getting nervous about all of this.  It's soon come around since March!

I had a great introduction day at university, however I did feel out of place and that I don't belong there, as I thought universities were just for intelligent and gifted people.  Most likely due to my own educational background and ex-mining town upbringing.  Even being amongst others that were from more well-educated backgrounds.  Some befriended me which I was initially anxious about, but we bonded well.

Anyway, next year marks ten years since I started my transformation to educate and make something of myself.  Ten years, can’t believe how quick it’s gone.

I remember saying in the moment:

'Underdogs', it is time to step up. You don't have to have anything. Position yourself and be sure of your intention. The rest will follow.  (I was an underdog)

Some people get education served on a plate. Some people work hard for it from the bare nothing. Education is not to be taken for granted.

It all might seem self-centered, but I'm standing up for the people that don't believe in themselves. I got here from doing just that, even if I might not be so good. But I believe I am, and that is what it should be about right?

We teach to get others to be independent.  That’s the ultimate goal.  I taught myself this through drive and determination with the overall goal making of something of myself.

I might not know a lot, but I do know about learning and how it surrounds and binds everything.  Plus, it’s my main subject along with natural history and music haha.

Anyway, I’ll give this MSc everything I’ve got.  There will be some hard and challenging times ahead, but isn’t that what learning is about?  If you are not challenged, you are not learning.  I have my network of believers, supporters and inspirers to help me get through this.

I am proud to get to this point, why shouldn't I be. I don’t say it as much as I should. But deep down I am.  I pushed myself to make me a better and more rounded person as well as to know more.  I somewhat feel I have a head start for this, as I got acquainted with a lot of related digital learning literature through my full-time job.  I learned how to critically engage and analyse it to my context.

To look back on…  I did this recorded interview back in Summer 2012.  How I have changed in direction and grown in confidence!  How many ‘erms’ can you count?!

Passionate Teachers (I'm on at 15 mins 30 secs).

It’s not about where I am, but how I got here.  And I’ll keep on sharing the experiences.  Thank you for the opportunity.