e-sy.infoThe South Yorkshire e-Learning Programme

Steve FarnsworthDeputy Director of Education – Sheffield

David Brookse-sy.info Programme Director – RM plc

Contents

• The Objective 1 context

• Key programme features

• Why e-learning?

• Why schools?

• E-learning and state policies

• The Big Challenges

• Public Private Partnership

The Objective 1 Context

• Economic step change

• Cultural transformation

The South Yorkshire Objective 1 Programme

e-sy.info is one of the largest projects in the South Yorkshire Objective 1 programme

• Delivered by an extensive public private partnership

• Covering the four Local Education Authorities• Engaging the life long learning spectrum from

the age of 10 (Year 6)• Requiring a unique approach in spending

European structural funds on schools

Objective 1 Priorities

• P1 – High Growth Industry• P2 – SMEs• P3 – Learning & Skills• P4 – Community• P5 – Infrastructure• P6 – Investment• And … the ‘cross-cutting’ inclusion

themes

The Objective 1 vision

SATS & Exams

EXPLOITING INNOVATION

Delivery Partnerships

Teachers & Trainers

Mentors &

Parents

Curriculum & Courses

LearningFoundations

Technology Services

LEARNING OUTCOMESProgression toHigher Levels

Key & Basic Skills

Vocational Curriculum

Sector Specific Skills

ECONOMICGROWTH

Jobs

Adaptive Skills

CULTURAL CHANGE

Aspiration Inclusion

EmployabilityFlexible Learning

Step change from a vicious spiral to a virtuous circle

Growth ofCompanies

G D P

Key programme features

• Not kit alone ~ skills, tools and a new way of teaching and learning

• Focus on school age learners ~ the next generation workforce

• Link schools with businesses ~ especially through our High Growth Clusters in manufacturing & digital

• Include the ‘hard to reach’– Excluded pupils (e.g. GCSE English Online)– Minority communities through the Portal– Small enterprises through the POD programme

• Sub-regional implementation

Why e-Learning?

• An engaging curriculum, anytime-anywhere

• Teachers in learning communities• A regional Virtual Learning

Environment (VLE)• Raised attainment• A developed workforce• Higher value jobs

Why start in schools?

• the ICT platform is already there• ICT as a key skill at 16• changing attitudes of young adults to

learning has to achieved there• common ICT tools, such as the VLE, are a

vital aid to transition at KS2/3 and from school to further education

• ICT is fundamental to more and more jobs• accreditation is moving on-line• skills previously gained in the workforce are

now vital to the school experience

The double helix metaphor

Early YearsFamily Learning

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary & work-based learning

The double helix metaphor

Early YearsFamily Learning

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary & work-based learning

Lifelong learning; homes and communities

The double helix metaphor

Early YearsFamily Learning

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary & work-based learning

Lifelong learning; homes and communities

The double helix metaphor

Early YearsFamily Learning

Primary

Secondary

Tertiary & work-based learning

Lifelong learning; homes and communities

VLE

e-tools &e-skills

E-learning and state policies

• DfES ~ Towards a Unified e-Learning Strategy

• 14-19 reform• Regionally: Learning for Life:

– New vocational pathways– skills/work-based learning focus– Specialist networks (via VLE)– KS3 (11-14) strategy – leadership development– E-learning

• e-learning buildings - BSF

Gathering Evidence

• The four local authorities (LEAs) have validated and refined this view of e-learning & ICT skills

• Qualitative evaluation & action research based on the e-sy.info pilot (2001-2)

• Quantitative feedback on ICT performance from formal inspections (2002)

• Summer 2005 will see the first chance to validate the approach in terms of large regional cohorts

A Critical Success Factor for Growth: Creating the digital labour pool

The e-sy.info programme is focused on:• ‘Creating a world class learning region’• Ensuring the workforce is digitally literate• Key transitions in lifelong learning, especially

10 though 19• Embedding ICT in KS3/4 (11-16) and

vocational curriculum• Employability in the knowledge economy• Creating the learning habit in SMEs• Widening participation through e-learning

Scalability & Sustainability• Cascade training – building local capacity and sustainability

– Skills Academy structure; E-tutor & E-mentor skills• Building a ‘brand’ that is widely known and valued for

combining:– ‘must-belong’ learning communities– unparalleled learning resources and connectivity– a wide range of public information and useful services

• Engaging long term support mechanisms through the e-sy.info Portal & the VLE– Parents– Libraries & Community Centres– Employers

The Big Challenges

• Mitigating the risks

• Capitalising on opportunity

High Impact

Low Impact

Narrow Reach Wide

Reach

e-sy.info

Mainstream policy

Isolated initiatives

Control

Transformation

Risk

Survival

Transformation - The Risk & The Reward

The big challenges

• Entering new territory• Scalability of both technical and

organisational solutions• Sustainability of the human effort and

the investment• Breaking the e-learning mould in terms

of location, audience and mode• Operating a contractual vehicle that

combines value, performance and innovation

Public Private Partnership

• Validating strategy

• Assuring dynamism

Public Private Partnership:The Contracted Consortium

The consortium includes• RM - UK’s largest educational ICT supplier • Tribal Technology Services - VLE specialists • BTL / Virtual College – leaders in vocational

on-line learning and e-assessment• Sheffield Hallam University - Renowned ICT

training provider and School of Education• Sheffield College – National award winner in

e-learning design and delivery

Engaging enterprisein the widest sense

• Cluster leaders– Advanced Manufacturing – the Engineering

Employers Federation– Creative & Digital - Digital South Yorkshire

• National & international forces– Boeing, Corus, Microsoft

• Community enterprises through the Objective 1 community action plans

Public Stakeholders

The extent of the partnership and the delivery approach widens the circle of influence yet focuses the mission. It involves:

• The four Local Authorities• Head teachers & principals• The Learning & Skills Council (LSC)• Objective 1 Directorate

Partnership Benefits

Validating strategy and assuring dynamism through

• Breadth of experience• Variety of perspectives• Cultural challenges to the status

quo• Mutual contractual obligations• Transparent benchmarking

The End

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