Distance learning has long been a popular method for childcarepractitioners wishing to update their skills and qualifications as itallows them the flexibility to study at their own pace without having totake time out to attend evening classes or day release sessions.
One of the major drawbacks of this system of study has been thatlearners can feel isolated as they have little personal contact withtheir tutors and fellow students.
But the internet is changing all that. Technological developments meanthat providers offering online childcare courses can now create avirtual classroom and, through student discussion forums, blogs andtutor instant messaging services, can offer learners the sort ofpersonal support and camaraderie they would get at college or trainingcentre.
It is not just the major national distance learning institutions such asThe Open University and National Extension College that are offeringe-learning programmes. Specialist childcare training providers are alsousing the internet to take their training to the students rather thanrequiring them to travel to the training venue.
Cheltenham-based Training Packages reports that it went online in Marchthis year in response to demand from practitioners who found it hard toattend its courses in person.
'The Government is putting great emphasis on continuing professionaldevelopment, and our courses target a wide range of practitioner fromchildminders to playworkers,' says joint managing director Ruth Booth.She adds, 'We are currently looking at developing some sort of blog sothat we can share our experience and expertise.'
The beauty of online systems is that they can be accessed by students,their trainers, assessors and nursery managers, anywhere and at anytime. This is certainly the view of the Parenta Group, which offersonline learning and recently acquired Academy Training to help itprovide a blended range of options, including apprentice and NVQqualifications.
'Online learning allows for an added degree of flexibility, as studentsare able to progress through their course at a pace that best suits themand in an environment that they prefer,' says Sally Eaton, educationdirector.
Willows Training on Merseyside is just launching its NVQ Level 2, 3 and4 training courses online. 'These will be followed up later this yearwith our CPD courses,' says Ginny Taylor, co-partner in the company.
'We are doing this because we want to make life easier for our studentsand potential students and help them fit their study into theirwork-life balance.
'The NVQ assessors will still go to the setting and carry out theirobservations but candidates will be able to compile their portfoliosonline.'
She adds, 'We are hoping to set up an online student forum for them sothey can exchange ideas with one another. It's all about creating acommunity.'
FURTHER INFORMATION
- www.nec-courses.co.uk
- www.open.ac.uk
- www.training-packages.com
- www.childcarestudy.com
- www.willowstraining.com
- www.parenta.com
FOUNDATION DEGREES
When foundation degrees were launched in 2001, they were the first newhigher education qualification in 25 years. They are designed inconjunction with employers to meet skills shortages at the highertechnician and associate professional levels and are offered byuniversities in partnership with higher education colleges and furthereducation colleges.
Flexible study methods make them available to people already in work,unemployed people, or those wanting to embark on a career change.
The Early Years Sector Endorsed Foundation Degree (EYSEFD) courses havebeen assessed by the DfES as meeting core learning outcomes. Studentsneed to have a level 3 qualification in early years, childcare orplaywork (or equivalent) and at least two years' experience of workingin the sector.
There are currently over 300 colleges and universities deliveringfoundation degrees, and more and more are getting involved. Foundationdegrees are broadly equivalent to the first two years of an honoursdegree.
Institutions such as Kingston University offer a further one-year,work-based top-up course to students who successfully complete the EarlyYears: Senior Practitioner Foundation Degree so they can gain a BAHonours in Education and Childcare.
A new foundation degree for childcare workers has just been launched atCanterbury Christ Church University in response to Every Child Matters.The university's education faculty combined with its faculty of healthand social care to develop the course, which focuses on the need forpractitioners specialising in health, education or social care to worktogether to ensure that children's complex needs are properly met.
Portsmouth University has recently opened a campus-based and e-learningsupport centre for its more than 1,000 foundation degree students. TheFoundation Direct centre's director Frank Lyons says it is developingonline professional development planning units which it has piloted onits early years care and education foundation degree.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- www.foundationdegree.org.uk
- www.ucas.com (university admissions website with details of allfoundation degree courses).
