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Londonlearning news update
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| HMC delegates at the Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth | |
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| Londonlearning's stand at HMC | |
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| HMC delegates enjoying a trip on the Bournemouth Belle | |
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| Leaders of some of the UK’s top independent schools enjoying a well-earned, breath of fresh sea air on the Londonlearning boat trip to Britain’s Jurassic Coast, October 2007. | |
October 2007
Londonlearning’s sponsorship at this year’s Headmaster’ & Headmistresses’ Conference Annual Meeting in Bournemouth, England, was greatly enjoyed by delegates.
Leaders of Britain’s top independent schools thoroughly enjoyed
the sea air and informative guide to the history and geology of the Jurassic
Coast of Dorset and Poole Harbour during the Londonlearning boat trip
to this World Heritage site. Having an afternoon break in the busy programme
of their annual conference proved a great hit for the seafaring delegates.
The HMC Annual Conference has an intense programme of seminars and speakers
that this year included the Government Minister Lord Andrew Adonis, Greg
Dyke, Former Director of the BBC, Brigadier Edward Butler and Ian Hislop,
Editor of Private Eye.
“The boat trip was a great opportunity to thank our key customers
for their continued support this year”, said MD Gerry Barnard. “The
HMC Annual Conference is always a good opportunity to meet new head teachers
and talk about the implementation of our online courses in colleges and
schools, as well as show them our new products. My-iPortfolio received
lots of interest, and we also will be working with some new customers
as a direct result of our presence at Bournemouth”.
The Annual Conference for headmasters and headmistresses from the UK's leading Independent Schools will be taking place in Bournemouth at the beginning of October.
Londonlearning will again be exhibiting at the important conference and will be showcasing its exciting new e-book product, My-iPortfolio.
My-iPortfolio is a modern information environment designed to meet the needs of learners, parents, education providers, and employers. It promotes excellence. It is a professional communication tool for a modern school to deploy with its local or international audience.
Aims
Its primary purpose is to enable users, pupils and teachers, to assemble, modify, and publish a modern, multi-media portfolio that gives readers attractive, comprehensive, in-depth information, and personal insight into a pupil's achievement. The result is more powerful than any paper-based system can possibly achieve. My-iPortfolio harnesses the functionality of modern technologies to create a dynamic e-book with appeal to children and adults of all ages.
Its secondary purpose is to provide teachers with more effective and efficient ways of presenting and monitoring actual pupil performance and work in progress, across a whole school or curriculum subject.
More information about the product is available from Londonlearning (Guernsey) Ltd at: My-iPortfolio@London-learning.com
Londonlearning have announced new fees for candidates at approved centres taking the Institute of Administrative Management ICT qualifications. The prices will come into effect from November 1st 2007.
A spokesperson for the Institute commented that prices have been held for the last four years and that the modest fee increases were being kept well below inflation over the same period.
Spain´s Minister of Industry has given his approval for an innovative new development by Londonlearning's partners MIK and the Mondragon Cooperative Corporation. Named 'Innovalab' (laboratory of knowledge visualisation), it will be situated onboard a totally refurbished historic Basque fishing vessel, moored five minutes from one of Europe's premier 21 st century buildings, the Guggenheim Museum.
Designed to inspire and assist managers and leaders addressing innovation and change within their organisations, Innovalab will provide a new creative environment to breath and live innovation in, a floating laboratory situated in Bilbao's modern Maritime Museum harbour
At the launch of Innovalab, MIK's Carlos Fernandez told a distinguished invited audience how his vision had now turned into reality through the sponsorship of the Basque and Spanish Governments. Together with Dr Gregorio Rivera, Mr Fernandez will organise Inspiration Sessions, Discovery Workshops and Innovation Seminars for European participants.
He outlined how the workshops will be interactive, participatory, academically oriented and informative, focussing on the challenges for the knowledge society. Dr Rivera went on to describe how Innovalab will be aimed at professionals, will be business generating and involve play and project activities for leaders, organisational leaders and people of all ages. Discovery Workshops are already envisaged for politicians, civic planners, artistic and scientific communities and education and training leaders.
Londonlearning will work closely with MIK to bring the opportunities of Innovalab to UK organisations, including schools and colleges. Spanish television will document the creation of Innovalab and the progress towards its opening in 2008.
All girls entering Northwood College, a leading independent GSA day school for girls in Middlesex, United Kingdom, will be developing their ICT skills next academic year with the help of Londonlearning's online courses.
Northwood College has an extensive history. Founded in 1878, Northwood College has been providing a high quality of education for girls for 125 years. The modern education demanded, and deserved by girls today, is of course very different from that of their Victorian predecessors, but the underlying values of integrity, responsibility and service have always been the basis of their ethos. Now the school is ensuring that all girls develop the ICT skills needed to help them study today and prepare them for future life at university and employment.
Head Mistress Mrs R. Mercer commented: "We have been looking at the Londonlearning courses for some time. Having involved my key staff in the decision making process I am pleased they have selected this modern form of learning as right for our girls and staff. I am looking forward to seeing our girls now have e-learning at their fingertips in the Junior and Senior School".
From September, Northwood College will introduce the IAM Online Foundation in ICT qualification for younger pupils and new learners in ICT. The girls will progress at their own pace to achieve the IAM Online Award in ICT qualification at Level 2, the equivalent of GCSE.
Aston Villa
Football Club was the striking venue for a one-day national conference organised by HTI and the e-Learning Foundation and sponsored by Londonlearning.
School leaders in primary and secondary schools and colleges from across the UK met together with business leaders keen to develop closer partnerships with schools, to explore the opportunities for delivering the personalised learning agenda, through the effective deployment of modern learning technologies.
The conference was opened by Jerry Roest, managing Director of PC World Education. The 200 delegates learnt more about the national strategies that aim to harness technology for learners from the distinguished speakers, including Tony Richardson, Executive Director: Strategy and Policy, BECTA and Toby Salt, Strategic Director for School Leadership Development, National College for School Leadership (NCSL).
Anne Evans, Chief Executive HTI sets the conference aims
Gerry Barnard, Managing Director of Londonlearning commented:
"It was important to meet and talk with the Head teachers and share with key leaders just how the Londonlearning online courses and IAM qualifications can help schools to strategically embed ICT and e-learning. It was excellent to have such positive responses when delegates discovered just how we can help them to raise standards of learning in their schools and develop as centres of community wide learning and teaching. The national agenda is moving increasingly towards how the public can gain value from their investment in education. One excellent way is for parents to access the same modern interactive courses in ICT that their children are following in school, via e-learning, and this is, of course, what Londonlearning so successfully provides".
More feedback from the 'Leadership, Leadership, Leadership' conference is available from HTI at enquiries@hti.org.uk, or, e-Learning Foundation: info@e-learningfoundation.com
Delegates at the Leadership, Leadership, Leadership conference, Aston Villa F.C., 25 th April 07
All pupils attending the St Mary Magdalene Academy, the brand new academy in Islington for pupils aged 5-19 years, will benefit from learning with the same modern ICT online learning programmes as enjoyed by pupils in some of Britain's leading Independent schools.
Academy Principal, Paul Hollingum, wanted his pupils to benefit from the best ICT programme he could find. Impressed with the results of the Londonlearning courses, the Principal is looking forward to Academy pupils learning ICT skills using modern e-learning methods, at their own pace and being assessed when they are ready, online. In time, the Academy might also offer the courses to parents at home too.
In the brand new school all pupils will use online learning to help them progress independently in ICT from Level 1 to Level 3, from 8 years old to the sixth form. The aim is that they should quickly be able to apply their ICT skills competently and confidently across the curriculum, especially in the Humanities and Citizenship areas.
Architects view of the brand new St Mary Magdalene Academy
St Mary Magdalene Academy is sponsored by The London Diocesan Board for Schools. Academies are all-ability schools established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups working with partners from the local community and the Department for Education and Skills. Academies are located in areas of disadvantage. They either replace one or more existing schools facing challenging circumstances or are established where there is a need for additional school places. The Department expects academies to form part of the Local Education Authority's strategic plans to increase diversity in secondary provision. 17 academies are already open.
"We are looking forward to welcoming the Academy into our network of schools" said Gerry Barnard, Managing Director of Londonlearning "I am sure there will be lots of opportunities for pupils and teachers in the academies and independent sector to work together, using our online ICT programmes as a natural starting point".
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| David Woodgate, CEO, presents a Wolverhampton GS pupil with the IAM Online Award in ICT certificate. | |
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| The first group of Wolverhampton G.S. pupils to achieve the national standard in ICT | |
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Pupils at the prestigious Wolverhampton Grammar School, founded by the first Merchant Taylor to become Lord Mayor of London, Sir Stephen Jenyns, are confident that they have achieved the necessary ICT skills to equip them for university study and employment in the modern world.
No doubt Sir Stephen, a man of vision, an influential employer, and a key figure in the City of London in the 16 th century, would have applauded the success of Wolverhampton Grammar school today. If he was listening in on the school he founded in 1512, he would have heard David Woodgate, Chief Executive of the Institute of Administrative Management, himself a former banker in the City of London, congratulate pupils on their success, the first school in the Midlands to achieve the IAM Online Awards in ICT. The senior school assembly heard that competency in ICT, actually being able to use modern software applications efficiently and effectively, is a modern-day requisite for being a successful employee in the City. Mr Woodgate reminded pupils that India was already producing 1 million graduates a year, equipped with the necessary ICT skills, and together with China, they provide considerable competition for UK employers to face, now, and in the future.
Dr Bernard Trafford, Headmaster, thanked David Woodgate for visiting the school. He told the assembly of Year 10 and 11 pupils how pleased he was with the achievement of the first group of pupils to complete the Londonlearning online course, and to receive the important qualification certificates from a Professional Institute, IAM. He looked forward to all pupils in Year 11 completing their e-portfolios in the near future and demonstrating their ICT competency to national standards.
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| Westminster School, London | |
USA teachers will soon hear about the excellent ICT education that pupils have in some of Britain's finest schools as Londonlearning prepares to visit the largest Computer Education event in Texas next month.
Independent schools in the United Kingdom come top of the world in pupil performance, according to the OECD and Londonlearning is keen to tell teachers in the USA about ICT education in our independent schools.
These historic establishments now use the power of modern online learning to give their pupils the benefits of tutorials, school focussed exercises and formative assessments. Using the Londonlearning programmes they ensure they achieve the ICT skills now demanded by Universities and employers. The online course, community resource and international qualification from Londonlearning is now a hallmark of excellence in UK online education.
Texas teachers will learn how all pupils at Prime Minister Tony Blair's school in Scotland, Fettes College, are developing their ICT skills through the online course. There are very few schools in the world that can boast a history like that of The King's School Ely where all pupils and teachers use the Londonlearning resource. The school was founded over 1,000 years ago and King Edward the Confessor, who died in 1066, was educated in the magnificent buildings around Ely Cathedral. And, in the heart of the capital city, Westminster School, founded in 1179 A.D., attended by Ben Jonson, Dryden and Purcell - and more recently by A.A. Milne and Sir John Gielgud - is pleased that their pupils are achieving the international ICT qualification from the Institute of Administrative Management.
Teachers at TCEA will meet Alan Howard, Director of ICT at St Mary's School, Calne who will be representing Londonlearning and telling delegates why his school has purchased the Londonlearning Courseware licence.
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| Graham Fisher guiding quality training. | |
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| Assessing e-learning is a serious business! | |
Heads of ICT from across the UK visited London this month to participate in Quality Training for operating Londonlearning courses.
Delegates heard from David Woodgate, Chief Executive of the Institute of Administrative Management about the vital role they play in assessing and verifying candidate's e-portfolios for IAM. Mr Woodgate stressed the importance of ensuring that standards were consistent right across the world for IAM qualifications and the key contribution of quality training from Londonlearning in maintaining standards. He told delegates:
"The ICT Awards are an excellent qualification and teachers play a key part in monitoring standards. One of Sir Colin Digby Jones's messages to employers, as the UK Government's Skills Envoy, is about the importance of ensuring that everyone knows how to correctly use Information Communication Technology. Together, we provide the assurance that people actually can".
Delegates spent time getting to grips with the National Occupational Standards for IT Users from the e-Skills Sector Body. Led by the expertise of trainer Graham Fisher, the teachers examined and moderated actual student work in ICT, applied in subjects across the school and college curriculum.
At the end of the training Londonlearning were thanked for a very informative and rewarding day. Tony Beadle, Information Systems Manager at King William's College, Isle of Man commented:
"The chance to actually see exemplar material and to share the experiences of those in the field is always invaluable and will undoubtedly assist in our own implementation".
Judith Brown, Head of ICT at Barnard Castle School in County Durham reported:
"The training was extremely useful and has cleared up several of the issues and problems we have been worrying about in our centre. It was especially helpful to see other candidate portfolios and mark the work – I will certainly be using these exercises with colleagues in the new term!"
More information about Londonlearning training courses can be obtained from: mail@London-learning.com
Gerry Barnard, Managing Director of Londonlearning received the honour of a Fellowship of the Institute of Administrative Management at an International Graduation Ceremony held at the Merchant Taylors' Hall in the City of London.
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| David Woodgate CEO IAM, Gerry Barnard FInstAM, Ewen Mackie Chairman IAM |
Mr Barnard is proud of his award and is looking forward to contributing to the success of the Institute in its international work.
The IAM was established over 90 years ago by a progressive group of managers of large companies and public service organisations.
The Founders were practising managers who met as a self-development group in the London School of Economics. The institute has been supporting professional managers ever since, and is proud to continue to do this.
Membership today approaches 10,000 in some 65 countries and is steadily increasing. IAM members include directors, executives and managers at all levels. These are the professionals who manage administrative operations - in the public sector - in the private sector - in schools - in large organisations and in small and medium enterprises.
The IAM is an independent educational charity. It is a not-for-profit, non-political organisation promoting professionalism and excellence in Management and Administration.
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| www.aliveandkicking.org.uk |
HMC Annual Conference 2006
Londonlearning will be promoting an innovative way for the UK top independent schools to support young people in Kenya during the HMC Annual Conference at the Midland Hotel this month.
Top Headmasters and Headmistresses visiting the Londonlearning Exhibition stand at the conference will learn how their pupils can assist children in Kenya to play more sport, and at the same time address their vulnerability to diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, through the UK Charity 'Alive & Kicking'.
Londonlearning has made Alive & Kicking its key charity this year. Mr Gerry Barnard, Managing Director of Londonlearning believes Alive & Kicking is a great way for UK School teams - Rugby, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Athletics - to help young people in Africa;
"We know that sadly pupils in Kenya have little chance of realising their dream to be top footballers because their schools have limited sports facilities and struggle even to provide footballs. Once I knew Dr Kip Keino , Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya was actively supporting Alive & Kicking and endeavouring to assist children in poverty stricken areas to develop their skills then I was sure some of our top schools in the UK would help. The Heads I know have a strong sense of social responsibility and usually have a passion for sport too...so I'm sure that they will encourage their pupils to get involved in this grassroots initiative".
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| Omani Ministry officials visit Emanuel School, London, July 2006 |
His Excellency the Minister for Education in Oman has invited Londonlearning to work with key officials to help move the ICT curriculum forward in the country.
The pilot will involve a number of schools in implementing e-learning using Londonlearning's online ICT learning materials.
Teachers will be trained to help deliver the programme in classrooms and embed ICT across the curriculum.
A Ministry spokesperson commented, "ICT skills are essential for our young people and our graduates today must have English language skills and transferable qualifications. We are looking forward to working with Londonlearning as we establish the pilot project here in Oman".
The invitation follows the Omani Ministry of Education visit in July, covered in our July News Update.
One of the UK's oldest schools is keeping up to date with modern e-learning and assessment technology to ensure that all its pupils are equipped with the ICT skills they need for University and employment.
There are very few schools in the world that can boast a history like that of The King's School Ely. The school was founded over 1,000 years ago and King Edward the Confessor, who died in 1066, was educated in the magnificent buildings around Ely Cathedral which are still used by the school today. He would have had a very different learning experience if he was a pupil today. Information Communication Technology at the school next term will be taught online, allowing pupil's to learn at their own pace and receive instant assessment and feedback on their learning.
More and more top Independent schools in the UK are discovering the benefits of using Londonlearning's online courses to move their curriculum forward and embed ICT skills across the curriculum.
"We are delighted that King's Ely have decided that Londonlearning is the best course to use. There are a lot of ICT courses available in the market and simply by word of mouth schools are learning about us and deciding ours is the best to use, especially as it employs modern assessment technology and can involve all subjects across the curriculum" said Gerry Barnard, Managing Director, Londonlearning. "From Fettes in Scotland to Eastbourne College in Sussex, Llandovery College in Wales to Charterhouse School in Surrey more and more pupils are developing their ICT capability with us, so we are looking forward to some excellent results at King's Ely".
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Londonlearning was delighted to recently host top officials from the Ministry of Education in Oman in a fact finding trip to the UK.
Dr Zuwaini and colleagues from the Ministry, accompanied by UKS CEO Fadi Abdul Fahlek, visited top London schools, Dulwich College and Emanuel School.
The officials met with Headteachers and teachers at both schools to hear first hand the benefits of using Londonlearning's courses. Pupils spent time showing the Omani classroom visitors how they use the resources and demonstrating the ICT skills they had developed.
Dr Zuwaini was particularly impressed to hear how pupils applied their acquired ICT skills in other lessons.
Mr Fahlek commented, "There is considerable interest in Londonlearning's ICT courses in the Middle East and this was an invaluable visit for our Omani colleagues. I'd like to thank the Headteachers at Emanuel and Dulwich for making the visit so worthwhile".
The UK Awarding Body the Institute of Administrative Management has submitted its suite of three new ICT qualifications to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority for inclusion in the National Qualifications Framework. The qualifications are supported by Londonlearning's e-learning materials.
The qualifications are at three levels:
Level 1 - Foundation
Level 2 - Award
Level 3 - Certificate
Angela Harnett, the IAM's Head of Awards is delighted that IAM has extended its qualification offer to colleges and schools as well as it's current membership.
"The new ICT courses are a fine addition to our Core Programmes and Dual Awards that we offer in conjunction with the National College of School Leadership" she said.
"The ICT courses are mapped to e-Skills iTQ and National Occupational Standards for IT Users. The ICT qualifications will count as credits towards Professional Institute status. We believe the possibility of Membership of a Professional Institution is a positive attraction to students entering university or employment".
THE INSTITUTE OF ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT is the leading organisation for today's administration professional. Established in 1915, the Institute of Administrative Management is the only professional body for both practising and aspiring Administrative Managers. Professionals who are responsible for the management of Systems and Processes, Human Resources, Communications, Information Technology, Facilities, Training & Development and Finance. The IAM offers qualifying programmes in administration and related fields and has students in the UK and 65 other countries. The IAM strives to promote Professionalism in Management and Excellence in Administration and supports the profession of Incorporated Administrative Manager.
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Bulgaria is taking very seriously indeed the need to provide professional and vocational training at a standard enjoyed by other European members as part of the preparation for entry into the European Union. This means embracing transferable qualifications underpinned by quality standards together with implementation of the latest e-learning technologies.
Londonlearning is pleased to announce that their Bulgarian partner, RL Solutions is entering into an agreement with Bulgaria's influential National Centre for Professional Development & Vocational Training to offer UK ICT courses and qualifications. e-Learning courses from Londonlearning will be jointly developed and implemented in Sofia to meet the needs of different sectors, unemployed groups and State Administrators.
During May discussions with directors at the National Centre for Professional Development, Mr Rosen Tumbev and Mr Ivailo Dimitrov, a number of common areas for collaboration were identified.
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| Graham Able, Master of Dulwich College & Gerry Barnard, MD Londonlearning. | |
Londonlearning's online ICT courses are to be followed in a new curriculum model for new joint venture schools in China. The announcement was made by a leading UK headmaster at an important East-West Conference in London.
Graham Able, Master of Dulwich College outlined how Londonlearning's online courses will form a key element of the new joint venture schools' curriculum being set up in China.
Mr Able made the announcement during his speech at the 2 nd Sino-International Schools Forum held in London. The conference, which brought 100 of China's top head teachers and education business leaders to London from 1 st - 4 th April was organised by the CHEER Consortium, Dulwich College and Eton College.
The forum's aim is to broaden horizons and establish connections between UK and Chinese education. One outcome is sharing common courses in ICT.
Londonlearning's online ICT courses were the subject of great interest from Chinese delegates following a conference presentation by Mr Barnard. As China has excellent e-learning provision in many cities the Chinese Head teachers were particularly interested in Londonlearning's courses. Gaining a transferable qualification from the UK proved an attractive proposition for the Chinese guests. They particularly liked the fact that their pupils will learn valuable ICT skills whilst using the international language of English.
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Speakers at the Conference included:
The Sino-International Schools forum, which rotates every year to a different location in the world, strives for more co-operation and development among Eastern and Western schools. This is facilitated by providing a regular platform, on which both Chinese and foreign secondary schools have a unique opportunity to hold discussion and establish collaboration.
"The conference proved to me how similar the values are that we share as educators" said Mr Barnard, "the concern for the individual, the concern for high standards and skills, the concern for a greater understanding and respect between people. I am looking forward to working with our friends in China and to soon see a Chinese language version of the Londonlearning courses in operation too, especially in the rural areas outside of major cities like Beijing and Shanghai".
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Londonlearning (Guernsey) Ltd has moved its administrative offices in St Peter Port to brand new facilities in the prestigious Admiral Park development.
Martello Court provides Londonlearning with the most up to date facilities for meetings and presentations with international customers.
"We were attracted to Guernsey partly because of the facilities and hospitality our clients could enjoy whilst on the Island and we are delighted with the new offices" said Managing Director Gerry Barnard. "Admiral Park is even nearer to the ferry terminal and journey time to the airport remains fine".
New address:
Londonlearning (Guernsey) Limited
PO Box 119, Martello Court
Admiral Park
St Peter Port
Guernsey
GY1 3HB
ICT Heads of Department from leading independent schools undertook a training programme at Dulwich College in London to ensure that standards of work produced by UK pupils on Londonlearning courses are consistent with National Occupational Standards.
National Occupational Standards for IT Users underpin Londonlearning's online ICT programmes. "The Standards are produced by the e-Skills Sector Skills Body in consultation with employers and Higher Education" said Graham Fisher, Education & Training Consultant. " They are the framework that allows us to benchmark learner achievement and monitor progress" he said, "many countries around the world lack this framework and using Londonlearning's courses and reporting technology is a good way of moving forward with Standards implementation".
Heads of Department sampled student evidence and undertook exercises designed to ensure that learner's achievement was correctly recorded against the Standards.
Londonlearning provides training materials for its Satellite Centres to use with other teachers in school. "When we have new staff joining the school the Quality Assurance Training Materials are an invaluable resource " commented Bernard Howard, Director of Computing at Emanuel School.
For more information on Londonlearning Quality Assurance Staff Development training e-mail: info@ London-learning.com
Londonlearning and Adobe Systems Incorporated have joined forces to launch an important new online qualification pilot to help young people and teachers reap the benefits of Adobe's technology expertise. The venue of the launch, the UK's premier Education and Technology Show at London Olympia is a fitting event for such an important initiative.
"We were aware from talking to head teachers and employers of their concern that increasingly young people were leaving school in the UK without the key ICT application software skills that we know they will need for future study and the workplace" said Gerry Barnard, Londonlearning. "It seems that many qualifications have not given due emphasis to skill acquisition so we thought it about time that we did something about that to support schools and employers".
The new Adobe Awards will be delivered using interactive e-learning that Adobe firmly believes will help the curriculum in schools to keep moving forward inline with Government e-strategy.
"If we can help teachers realise the benefits of using Adobe Acrobat professional software and support them by delivering e-tutorials for use in the classroom and at home then we will have made a positive contribution to address the ICT skills gap" said Liz Hankin, Director of Adobe's education consultants EdICTs.
Daily presentations at BETT about the new ICT courses and Adobe Awards are between 11 th and 14 th January at 1.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. at the Adobe stand in the National Hall.
Schools and Colleges wanting to participate in the Adobe pilot can access an application form under the Teachers section on the Londonlearning web site.
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| Rob Lee Jones at 3December |
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Londonlearning's new online BTEC award in 3D Modelling and Computer animation was showcased at the prestigious worldwide Alias event 3December.
24 cities around the world from Seoul, to London, to Los Angeles, took part in live events that united thousands of Computer Graphic artists and designers around the world.
Young students currently participating in the Londonlearning pilot of the exciting new course running at Lewisham City Learning Centre in South London presented their work to an enthusiastic audience assembled at the Olympia Conference Centre.
Alias, the leading software company hosting the event presented the Londonlearning students with a special prize to mark the occasion, reminding the industry representatives present that the students were the future of the CG industry.
"It was a great honour to be showing our animation work on the same platform as professionals who've worked on the Batman film and cutting edge adverts" said Daniel Grivsby, aged 17
Rob Lee Jones told the worldwide audience how the course developed key teambuilding skills as well as competency in Maya software. Lewisham City Learning Centre is now the first authorised Alias education training centre in the UK and teachers are now signing up for CG training before running the BTEC Awards.
For more Information contact Lewisham City Learning Centre 0208 699 2529
Beacon Education, the leading school management company in the Middle East will be offering the latest e-learning courses from Londonlearning to pupils in its flagship schools following an agreement made with Londonlearning's partner in the United Arab Emirates, UKS.
Commenting on his visit to Beacon's British School in Dubai, Mr Gerry Barnard, MD of Londonlearning said that the school was determined to offer the very best of e-learning from the UK to its pupils." It is exciting to think that a pupil at a Beacon School in Dubai will receive the same ICT tuition and online assessment as a pupil at the prestigious Westminster School or Dulwich College in England. Our products seem perfect for Taaleem and Beacon 's vision. We offer online courses from Preparatory school to University that also can be studied in the family. It was good to learn about their plans for a network of five individual schools with exceptional shared facilities in Dubailand and we look forward to working closely with teachers here in the coming months".
Other schools in Dubai will also be running the Londonlearning courses. "Dubai is a modern city that is growing so fast that it is vital that schools can keep up to date and offer the most modern courses that complement their environment. Emirates International School is one such fast growing establishment with first class facilities so we are delighted in their interest" said Mr Barnard.
Over 100 Head teachers from the UK's leading independent schools visited the Londonlearning exhibition stand at The Belfry, Warwickshire, UK during the annual conference of the Headmasters' & Headmistresses' Conference.
"As well as talking with potential new customers we were delighted to meet some of our existing customers and hear how well our e-learning courses are being received in their schools" said Gerry Barnard, MD of Londonlearning.
"The Headmaster of Ipswich School came to tell me that even though his Head of IT was unfortunately in hospital this term all IT lessons continued without disruption to the pupils' learning because of our online courses. That's what I call good news".
"During the conference, addressed by speakers from Government, the BBC and Higher Education one message was clear" said Mr Barnard, "Independent schools are centres of excellence in education that can help move the standards of teaching and learning forward without the constraints operating in parts of the state sector. We are therefore particularly pleased that some of our Independent school customers are sharing the experience of our e-learning courses in the wider community and working closely with state funded schools. We look to the Government and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to facilitate and encourage such collaboration".
During a Londonlearning reception held at The Belfry, Head teachers heard from pupils and teachers doing the Londonlearning ICT courses. One sixth former told the assembled audience that he had successfully completed the course in his own time without ever having to seek the help of a teacher. He said that the online tutorials and assessments had been fun to learn with and that he had been able to learn important ICT skills much more quickly than previously in the different schools he had attended.
Stephen Luck, BSc MSc PGCE MBCS, Head of ICT Bloxham School told the audience:
"The Londonlearning course combines excellent online learning resources with an efficient marking and reporting system which takes much of the drudgery out of administering what is essentially a skills based course. I have taught a wide range of ICT skills courses (including Key Skills) and can honestly say that the Londonlearning course is by far the best I have used".
Dean Close School were the winners of Londonlearning's prize wine tasting competition during the conference and will receive a £1000 courseware licence next month.
The holders of a degree and the Level 3 Online Certificate in ICT currently being piloted in the UK's top independent schools will be fast tracked for the Institute of Administrative Management's professional body membership according to an agreement reached in London this month.
"Having ICT skills is not a luxury in today's society, it is an essential skill in terms of employability" said David Woodgate, Chief Executive of IAM.
"We are looking forward to working closely with Londonlearning to bring the benefits of their excellent online ICT courses to the benefits of our members".
The Institute of Administrative Management (IAM) is a leading professional membership and awarding body. Founded in 1915, the IAM offers vocational qualifications in administration and related disciplines. With students in 65 countries it has an international reach.
Contact IAM at: info@instam.org
Caroline House, 55-57 High Holborn, London WC1V 6DX
Londonlearning is pleased to announce that its latest online product has been submitted to the UK Awarding Body Edexcel for approval as a BTEC Short Course.
The online course will provide interactive learning using the industry leading software Maya. Through the 100 hour course, students will develop the 3D Modelling software skills suitable for future employment in the Design, Film or Games Industry.
The Londonlearning courseware provides interactive, online tutorials in Maya software that will appeal to a wide range of learners. These will include designers, architects, school pupils and computer games fans.
Londonlearning has developed the qualification in partnership with Lewisham City Learning Centre, the first Alias authorised education training provider in the UK for 3D modelling.
Professor John Vince, Head of the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA) at Bournemouth University, is a strong supporter of the 3D course that Londonlearning and Lewisham CLC will provide for pre-university students. He believes that students going on to study animation at university will soon be required to demonstrate their prior 3D skills, particularly through an electronic portfolio of their work. This will result in less need to teach software skills in the first year of higher education, enabling universities to focus on higher-level creative skills, such as storytelling and filmmaking.
Zali Collymore-Hussein, Lewisham CLC Manager, says that their philosophy is to offer students and teachers access to the latest industry standard technology and to equip them with skills for the future. The use of Maya software for 3D animation projects strongly reflects this philosophy and has provided the opportunity for school pupils to unleash their creative potential.
The online course author, Rob Lee Jones wants to encourage pupils to dream big and to be able to use their creative imagination and produce professional results. Rob says that through doing the BTEC course many school pupils will amaze adults with what they actually can achieve.
Londonlearning will announce through 'Update' when approval is received to offer the online course in schools. This is anticipated for September 2005.
For more information contact: rob_lee_jones@yahoo.com
Dr. Andrew Storey, Head of ICT at Dulwich College has been short-listed for the prestigious Becta ICT in Practice Award.
Andrew was nominated by Lewisham City Learning Centre Manager, Zali Collymore-Hussein, for his leadership in ICT. Not only has Andrew led the talented IT team at Dulwich College to develop online ICT materials to support the application of IT skills across the curriculum at the College, but he has extended that leadership to guide Heads of ICT in local state schools in implementing e-learning and assessment.
Dr. Storey, the lead author of Londonlearning's highly successful online ICT courses that have been taken up by many Independent schools, has not only demonstrated his leadership qualities locally but has exported his good practice in ICT around the world. Through the Londonlearning courses he has provided Heads of ICT in schools and colleges from Europe to China with powerful teaching and learning materials and a strategy for building and delivering ICT skills across the curriculum.
Judges from Becta, the British Educational Communications and Technology Agency have visited Dulwich College to interview Andrew. Winners and runners-up will be announced on 12 January 2006.
Becta is the UK Government's key partner in the strategic development and delivery of its information and communications technology (ICT) and e-learning strategy for the schools and the learning and skills sectors.
Becta's Awards schemes play a vital role as part of the organisation's commitment to identifying, exemplifying, rewarding and disseminating effective practice in ICT. The Awards are complementary, highlighting good practice across the spectrum of teaching and learning. The awards focus on practitioners (ICT in Practice Awards), learners (Creativity in Digital Media Awards), industry (BETT Awards) and whole educational institutions (Web Awards).
The ICT in Practice Awards aim to identify models of excellent practice and use these to develop and promote effective practice in the use of ICT in teaching, learning, and leadership. The Awards allow us to share this information with the wider teaching community while rewarding individuals and teams who demonstrate exemplary practice in ICT.
The 2006 Awards closed for nominations on 7 April 2005.
Teachers from top schools across the UK travelled to London on the 14 th June to attend a Londonlearning training session on how to apply the latest online marking technology for delivering BTEC Awards in the classroom.
During the intensive training day teachers heard from Dr James Kinch and Dr Andrew Storey how the use of the technology had promoted formative assessment with pupils and improved teaching and learning in ICT.
Delegates attending the training day came from both Private and State schools who have adopted the BTEC Awards in ICT (online) from Londonlearning. They included teachers from Fettes College in Scotland, Tanbridge House School in West Sussex and Barnard Castle School in Co. Durham
During the day delegates had hands-on practice in using the marking engine to assess and report back on their ICT skills. They also learnt how easily they can now customise and produce detailed reports on pupil progress for parents and Head teachers.
They witnessed a live demonstration on how long it takes to actually mark the online external tests and provide comprehensive feedback to pupils taking the BTEC Award. One hundred and twenty tests from pupils at Westminster School in London were marked and returned to the Head of ICT in 14 minutes. "I'd like to see an Exam Board do better than that!" said one Head of ICT.
Hadi Shaheen from UKS in Dubai commented "Schools in the Middle East will love this. They already like the BTEC online tutorials but when they find out that all their marking problems are over they will be very excited. I am extremely impressed with the Londonlearning course and how easy it is to install the marking technology".
More information on the BTEC Awards in ICT (online) from mail@london-learning.com
Representatives from secondary schools, Further Education colleges, City Learning Centres and the Awarding Body Edexcel met with the UK Government regulator, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to present the BTEC Awards in ICT (online).
QCA meeting, London
The QCA team who hosted the meeting included the head of e-assessment, the head of 14-19 education and the head of ICT qualifications.
The purpose of the meeting was to examine the BTEC Awards in ICT from Londonlearning in the context of QCA's new Framework for Achievement.
Andy Russ, Deputy Head of Tanbridge House School in West Sussex told the participants why the new BTEC Awards from Londonlearning would facilitate the smooth transfer of pupils from primary to secondary schools in ICT skill building.
Stuart Dethick, an ILT lecturer at Newark & Sherwood College described how the mini-tutorials and formative assessment were so valuable in supporting adult community learning and work-based programmes across the region.
Zali Collymore-Hussein told the meeting how the emphasis on IT skill acquisition within the software application was what learners and employment wanted today.
She said that " the BTECs underpin many qualifications currently in the National Qualification Framework. If the units were to appear in a Framework for Achievement, with appropriate credit ratings, then this would give schools and training providers the flexibility they need to respond quickly to local needs. The problem at the moment is that most qualifications do not keep up with the pace of ICT development and learner expectations.
For more information contact: zalihe@lewisham-clc.org.uk
Londonlearning has released the latest updates to the successful BTEC Awards in ICT (online) courseware.
New Londonlearning satellite centres from Scotland to Sussex will soon be able to teach ICT, mark and report individual learner’s achievement using the latest Marking and Reporting Engine technology.
Londonlearning is delighted that all existing customers can seamlessly deploy the latest product update. New centres, including Fettes College in Edinburgh and Brighton & Hove High School in Sussex will be able to hit the ground running with the improved version.
The improvements to the courseware have been made as a result of valuable customer feedback.
“We welcome the input from teachers delivering our courses and the improvements we have been able to make demonstrate that the BTEC awards in ICT (online) are really designed by teachers for teachers” said Gerry Barnard, MD of Londonlearning.
For more information contact:
mail@London-learning.com
Londonlearning has agreed a distribution licence in Greece for its BTEC Awards in ICT (online) courseware.
Following negotiations in London the President of the Greek company, ICT Hellas S.A., Mr George Tsatsabas and Mr Gerry Barnard, Managing Director of Londonlearning have signed an agreement that will mean learners in Greece will soon be reaping the benefits of Londonlearning’s online courses in ICT.
Mr Tsatsabas explained that the Greek Government wanted a qualification that was assessed from a central location. Students in Greece will now sit external assessments delivered online from Londonlearning (Guernsey) Ltd in St Peter Port. Students will receive their results within 24 hours, thanks to Londonlearning online technology.
Learners in Greece will initially follow the ICT courses in the universal language of IT, English. However, Londonlearning will work with ICT Hellas to produce a Greek language version of the course that leads to the international qualification, a BTEC Award.
For more information contact:
mail@London-learning.com
Londonlearning has joined with leading organisations across Europe to submit a project proposal for a European Specific Targeted Research Project.
The participants include Spanish company Alecop, Fraunhofer IGD in Germany and Brno University. The Project is led by Mik S. Coop in the heart of Spain’s machine tool industry in Spain.
The project seeks to explore the synergies between human skills and knowledge management systems for fault diagnosis in complex machinery.
“The thought of technicians actually learning on the job when dealing with faults in complex machinery may be alarming for some, but this is, in fact, one of the key applications of e-learning and knowledge sharing. Londonlearning looks forward to working with the partners at the cutting face of technology applications” said Gerry Barnard, MD of Londonlearning.
For more information contact:
martin@mik.es or mail@London-learning.com
Londonlearning has joined one of the UK’s leading think tanks on e-learning, FMS associates. This group has been formed to harness the expertise from a number of UK companies to address the challenges of e-learning and to provide total solutions for customers.
The FMS mission is to provide experienced, high quality, independent, consulting and implementation services. They typically are engaged to scope, design, implement and support large scale e-learning implementations as part of an overall learning and development program within the clients own business and that of their extended value chain.
With Consultants based throughout Europe, the US and Asia Pacific they work globally & locally to help large organisations and learning providers understand, develop and implement e-learning strategies.
The FMS Learning Solutions team is one of the most experienced independent e-learning consulting groups in the market. Their team has all been involved in major e-learning initiatives as buyers, managers and implementers.
Norman Buckberry of FMS Learning Solutions welcomed Londonlearning’s participation in the think tank. “Having input on assessment and qualification issues is of great benefit to companies” he said.
For more information contact:
Norman.buckberry@fmsglobal.com or mail@London-learning.com
Londonlearning’s suite of online BTEC Awards in ICT have been selected to meet the needs of high school communities in the Middle East.
Microsoft, IBM, Universal Knowledge Solutions, Londonlearning and Edexcel have teamed up to deliver a new educational service designed to assist schools in providing advanced IT curricula to their students. Known as ‘ELITIS’, this exciting new service was launched by the Lebanese Minister of Education at a televised event in Beirut. ELITIS will role out across all secondary schools in the region during November 2004.
ELITIS, “e-learning IT in schools” will enable students in the Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and other Middle East countries to achieve a BTEC Intermediate Award in ICT online during grades 7 to 9 and to achieve a BTEC Advanced Award by the end of grade 12.
Within the ELITIS project IBM is providing hardware to schools which will be replaced after 3 years; Microsoft is providing software and upgrades; Londonlearning provides the e-learning content.
Initially students will learn their ICT skills in English however Londonlearning is working with Universal Knowledge Solutions to produce a contextualised version of the online course in the Arabic language. Students across the Middle East will then have the choice of learning ICT skills in English or Arabic and to achieve an internationally recognised BTEC qualification.
“Knowledge and Technology are so intertwined nowadays that it is almost inconceivable to have the first mentioned without the other. The alliance between academia and technological innovation has made it possible to integrate continuing education in almost every professional sector whilst laying a strong foundation at school. The Londonlearning course will help us to equip our younger generations with the tools needed to meet global trends and challenges with confidence and ability”.
Dr. Milad F. Sebaaly, Chief Executive UKS
For more information contact:
rabouzeid@uks.ae
or mail@London-learning.com
A new e-learning course designed by teachers specifically to meet the needs of independent schools around the world was launched at the HMC Annual Conference in St Andrews, Scotland in October.
The BTEC Foundation Award in ICT (online) provides the essential vocational grounding in ICT skills to enable pupils in Years 6 to 8 to confidently and correctly apply software applications in their work across the curriculum.
Designed by expert IT teachers with other subject teachers in mind, the online course from Londonlearning is a valuable whole school resource enabling non-IT teachers to not only integrate ICT easily into their own teaching but also to oversee pupils learning on the online course.
Newcomers to IT and other members of the school community needing to refresh their skills will find the interactive modular learning a refreshing change from the traditional IT training manual approach. All software application examples and assignments have been contextualised for the school environment. Pupils are required to apply new skills learnt in subjects across the curriculum, in homework or classroom activities.
Pupils achieving the BTEC Foundation level can progress to the BTEC Intermediate level and eventually the Advanced Award. A pupil can easily demonstrate their ICT competence when moving schools as evidence for the qualification is stored in an electronic portfolio. It is therefore possible for a pupil beginning the BTEC Foundation course in a Prep school to complete it at the Secondary school stage. Where strong collaboration already exists between an Independent secondary school and its feeder preparatory schools it is quite possible for a pupil to begin work on the BTEC Intermediate course before they transfer.
The online course and external examination for the BTEC are provided globally through Londonlearning, approved by the UK Awarding Body Edexcel.
Gerry Barnard, Managing Director is delighted to launch the new qualification at the HMC Annual Conference at St Andrews.
“We had a very positive response from Headmasters attending our seminar in Dublin last year when we announced our pilot plans” he said. “I am delighted to say that our online courses are now being taken in China, the Middle East and the UK and we are looking forward to see more schools reap the benefits of this formative approach to learning and assessment. The online BTECs are a wonderful vehicle for building collaborative partnerships internationally and in the local community, something I know many Heads and the Secretary of State welcome”.
| Special HMC Annual Conference Offer Order forms and demonstration CDs available from mail@London-learning.com |
The first Prep school pupils in China to enrol for a new international online qualification in Information Communication Technology from the UK have welcomed this exciting new way of learning.
Pupils in Shanghai and Beijing described their online course as “Cool!” when they logged on at the start of term to begin their BTEC Foundation Award in ICT (online) course from Londonlearning.
Not only will the young pupils in China learn how to use Microsoft Office applications correctly but they will also be encouraged to involve their families at home to join in gaining these essential skills together.
The BTEC Foundation Award in ICT (online) has been designed by teachers in top UK independent schools who were not satisfied with other IT qualifications currently available. The resulting Londonlearning course is a whole school online resource that pupils, teachers, secretaries and parents can learn essential computing skills whenever they need to, and wherever they are.
The pupils in China will spend up to two years on the BTEC Foundation course learning new IT skills and applying them in other subjects across the curriculum. When they are ready they can progress to the BTEC Intermediate Award in ICT (online), already running in independent schools in the UK.
A big challenge many Independent schools find is when they have pupils arriving from countries across the world with a wide range of ICT experience and competency. Progression at a level and pace to suit an individual’s needs is therefore a key design feature of the suite of BTEC Awards in ICT (online) from Londonlearning:
“This is the beauty of the online BTEC; a pupil works at an appropriate level and can take the exam whenever they feel competent enough to enter. I would not be surprised if we find a junior pupil demonstrating their competence in ICT at the BTEC Advanced Award level in just a few years time” said Dr Andrew Storey, the course designer.
“From a teacher’s perspective, as a result of the online BTEC we are confident that our pupils are now better equipped with the necessary ICT skills for successfully continuing their lifelong learning at the next stage; whether that is school, university or employment”.
China was the first country outside the UK to adopt the BTEC Award. Schools in the UK already running the BTEC Awards in ICT (online) include:
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Dulwich open day