Dear Members,

I hope you are all well and have some time off planned over the summer to rest and recuperate. At ALT, we are entering our busy period as preparations ramp up for our Annual Conference and AGM. I have lots to share with you in this update.

Could you be our next Trustees?

Our Trustees are a vital part of ALT. Our Trustees set ALT’s direction, are responsible for ALT’s strategy and the overall performance of the association. We have two vacancies for appointed Trustees and are seeking enthusiastic individuals to join our Board. Find out more about how to apply. Applications close on Monday 29 July at 12:00 BST (noon).

Annual Conference 2024

We are really looking forward to our Annual Conference in September. We had a fantastic response, as ever, to the Call for Papers and Scott, Diane and the Conference Committee worked hard to complete the peer review of every submission. The ALTC24 draft programme is out now and we’ve announced our keynotes.

Opening the conference on Tuesday, Chris Friend will explore empowering people through technology in ‘Humane Education: Empathy in Policies, Places, and Platforms’. On Wednesday, our student panel will be ‘Imagining the Future of Education and Technology’ and sharing their thoughts on what the future could hold. Our final keynote on Thursday, will explore how our panel fosters inclusive environments and spaces by ‘Inviting Improvement through Lived Experience’.

This year sees the return of the popular ALTC Radio show hosted and organised by DJ extraordinaire Dom Pates and we introduced a new theme focused on emerging research. Our Gala Dinner will include our Awards ceremony and evening entertainment.

As I mentioned in my last report, we are trying a new venue this year. The venue is well connected by rail and air with accommodation in the vicinity or short train ride to Manchester city centre. I look forward to hearing your feedback on it. We know the timing of our Annual Conference is a challenge with children starting school or the start of term at work for many, so, we are trying out this kind of venue as we have more flexibility on the timing of the conference in future.

We know how difficult the current economic climate is and the challenge of securing funding and time to attend conferences like ours. To help our Members, we have written a blog on ‘Writing a business case to attend ALTC24‘ with tips and suggestions for writing a strong case to attend. Thank you to our Trustee Puiyin Wong for sharing the case she wrote as an example.

Annual General Meeting 2024

Our Annual General Meeting will take place at our Annual Conference on Wednesday 4 September. If you are unable to attend the conference, you can register to join the AGM online. Resolutions must be received by 16:00 on Friday 26 July.

ALT Awards

We had a fantastic response to our call for nominations this year. We introduced a new award with our partners at Ufi VocTech Trust that aims to highlight the work of educators who develop student skills in vocational subjects (education that prepares people for a skilled craft as an artisan, trade as a tradesperson, or work as a technician). Our judges had a very difficult job selecting our winners and we look forward to awarding them at our Gala Dinner in September.

This year, we reintroduced the Community Choice Award to enable our Members to have a say in who they feel deserves recognition for their work. I encourage you all to read the entries and vote for the person or team you feel is most deserving of recognition. Voting is open until Thursday 22 August 2024 (at noon). You only get one vote, make it count!

CMALT Online Course

The CMALT Online course, tentatively titled “Your guide to Certified Membership of ALT (CMALT)” is progressing at pace. Our friends at Catalyst IT Europe have provided the cloud-based Moodle platform that will host the course. My thanks to Richard Oelmann, Joey Murison and Sam Taylor for helping us make it happen.

We have been very lucky to have the support of the team at King’s Digital to design and create the content. Having the collective learning design skills and experience of the team has been invaluable. My thanks to Michael Kay, Hazel Deacon, Elisa Vallarani and Evelyn Huang (and everyone involved that I have forgotten) for the hard work they have put in to this project.

In June, CMALT holders and assessors were invited to record videos for the course on their experiences and tips. My thanks to Anna Armstrong, Ellie Dommett, Geraldine Foley, Kiran Gawali, Tom Gurney, Antony Makrinos, David Reid Matthews, Dom Pates, Sheila Smith, Julie Voce and Puiyin Wong for giving up their time to create content to help their peers. We are very lucky at ALT to have such generous Members!

Image from a post on X by Puiyin Wong/@Puiyin. “It was fun filming [for] the upcoming…#CMALT course for @A_L_T today with Dom Pates/@dompates & Anna Armstrong/@frenchdisko. We aced it! Julie Voce/@julievoce you better watch out, ours are better than yours!”

We plan to demonstrate the course at the Annual Conference in September. King’s Digital will also share the process and approaches they go through to design and create the course. I hope you’ll join us on Thursday 5 September at 13:30 for our session.

Launching new Special Interest Groups

This year, we reopened applications for new Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and received a brilliant response. We are introducing four new SIGs who will launch at the Annual Conference. We will be inviting Members to get involved as Officers of these new SIGs very shortly so watch this space!

CEO Recruitment

Our Board of Trustees have been very busy over the last few weeks interviewing candidates for our next CEO. Thanks to our recruitment consultant Jenny Hill, from Harris Hill, we had a very strong field. We will update Members on the outcome as soon as we can.

Call to get involved

We will shortly be inviting Members to get involved in ALT, as we do every year, via our ‘call to get involved’. Participation is a core value at ALT and our Members are integral to everything we do. By getting involved in our activities, you can shape what we do. I hope to see lots of new Members get involved in what we do!

We are looking for expressions of interest for officer roles for our new Special Interest Groups (SIGs), launching in September 2024. The four new SIGs focus on: Digital Accessibilty, Digital Assessment, Independent Consultancy & Career Pathways, and Digital Sustainability. We will launch these new SIGs as part of the Annual Conference 2024.

Expressions of interest for Officer roles

Nominations are invited for the following Officers:

Digital Accessibility SIG

Subheading: 

Applications for our two Trustee vacancies close on Monday 29 July 2024 at 12:00 PM BST (noon).

The Association for Learning Technology (ALT) is the leading professional body for Learning Technology in the UK. We represent individual and organisational Members from all sectors including Further and Higher Education and industry. We provide recognition and accreditation for those with a professional interest in Learning Technology. 

 

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COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT TRUSTEE?

 

We are seeking two new Trustees to join ALT's Board. Our Trustees set ALT's
direction, are responsible for ALT's strategy and the overall performance
of the Association.

YOU HAVE UNTIL 12:00 PM BST (NOON) ON MONDAY 29 JULY TO SUBMIT YOUR
APPLICATION. [...]

Accessibility is so important and can't be ignored, yet so often we see inaccessible documents and presentations being used. Integrating accessibility tools not only benefits those students and staff who really need it, but make the experience of navigating and using documents take up less cognitive load for everyone! In this session Stephen Taylor will introduce you to some quick accessibility fixers you can start applying, why you should apply them, and how they will benefit everyone. 

 

Interested in getting further into using AI tools for online courses but not sure where to start? In this session, Leonard Houx, Director of Learning Design at Cambridge Education Group, will show ideas for using free AI tools to conceive, strategise, and deliver and analyse your online courses.

 

Speaker: Leonard Houx is the Director of Learning Design at Cambridge Education Group. He is a fellow of the Centre for Online and Distance Education, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Association and a former Director of the Learning Network. He has written about online learning for the Financial Times, Times Higher Ed, and Guardian.

 

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VOTING IS NOW OPEN FOR THE COMMUNITY CHOICE AWARD 2024!

 

Voting for the ALT Community Choice Award 2024 is now open until THURSDAY
22 AUGUST 2024 (at noon).

We invite all Members of our ALT community to vote for their winning entry
[4] between now and the closing date. The winner of the Community Choice
Award will be announced at the Awards Ceremony [5] on 4 September 2024.  [...]

By Ann Gravells and Gavin Lumsden

A significant transformation is underway in the realm of Further Education and Skills (FE&S) training with the introduction of the new Diploma in Teaching (FE&S) qualification. The qualification commences on 1st September 2024. This update not only aims to enhance the quality of teacher training but also aligns with contemporary educational needs and standards. The transition from the existing Diploma in Education and Training (DET) to the Diploma in Teaching (DiT) reflects a progressive shift designed to better equip teachers for the evolving landscape of further education. This article delves into the details of this new qualification, the accompanying resources, and the comprehensive guidance provided by Ann Gravells and me to ensure a smooth transition for all stakeholders.

Understanding the new Diploma in Teaching (FE&S)

The new Diploma in Teaching (FE&S) is tailored for practitioners in England who teach learners aged 14 and above across diverse contexts including colleges, prisons, private training providers, and community organisations. The qualification is available from level 5 (typically offered by further education colleges) to level 7 (often provided by higher education institutions). While the core content remains consistent across levels, the depth of study, research, and complexity of assessment activities increase with higher levels.

The DiT qualification incorporates several contemporary educational themes such as Education for Sustainability, Digital and Online Technologies, and Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge. It is meticulously aligned with the latest Learning and Skills Teacher (LST) Occupational Standards, ensuring that trainee teachers are well-prepared to meet the demands of modern educational environments.

Key changes from DET to DiT

1. Content and Curriculum:
   – DET: General educational content.
   – DiT: Incorporates new topics relevant to today’s educational needs, such as sustainability and digital pedagogy.

2. Standards:
   – DET: Based on older teaching standards.
   – DiT: Aligned with the latest LST Occupational Standards, ensuring up-to-date educational practices.

3. Mentorship:
   – DET: Varied mentorship requirements.
   – DiT: Mandates two mentors for trainee teachers, one for pastoral support and another for subject-specific guidance. 

4. Teaching Practice:
   – DET: Requires 100 logged teaching hours and 8 observations.
   – DiT: Expands this to 250 hours (150 teaching practice and 100 non-teaching hours) with 10 observations, ensuring comprehensive hands-on experience

Transition guidance and checklist

To facilitate a seamless transition from DET to DiT, a detailed checklist and guidance document has been created by Ann Gravells and me. This checklist ensures that training providers, teachers, and learners are well-informed about the changes and requirements of the new qualification. Key aspects of the checklist include:

– qualification offering: confirming if current awarding organisations (AOs) offer DiT and if re-approval is necessary.
– choosing an AO: suggestions on selecting an AO if the current one does not offer DiT.
– funding and resources: information on funding options and updating resources to align with the new qualification content.
– mentorship and staff requirements: ensuring adequate training for mentors and verifying staff qualifications for teaching and assessing.

If you are a centre who would like to offer the qualification, please contact your awarding organisation, as not all are offering it.

New Book: “Achieving your Diploma in Teaching (FE&S) – Putting theory into practice for the qualification or apprenticeship”

In conjunction with the rollout of the new DiT qualification, a new book titled “Achieving your Diploma in Teaching (FE&S) – Putting theory into practice for the qualification or apprenticeship is now available for pre-order. This book promises to be an invaluable resource for both trainee teachers and educators. It aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, providing practical insights and strategies for effective teaching in the FE and Skills sector.

The book covers a wide range of topics essential for aspiring teachers, including course design, lesson planning, teaching, learning and assessment strategies, the development of resources and the use of technology. It also emphasises the importance of reflective practice and continuous professional development, encouraging teachers to continually improve their teaching skills and stay updated with the latest educational trends regarding their subject.

Preparing for the Future

The transition to the new Diploma in Teaching (FE&S) represents a significant step forward in teacher education. It ensures that educators are better equipped to handle the challenges of modern teaching and therefore provide high-quality education to their learners. The emphasis on sustainability, digital technologies, and robust mentorship frameworks aligns with the broader goals of enhancing educational outcomes and fostering an inclusive, future-ready education system.

Training providers, teachers, and learners are encouraged to thoroughly review the guidance and checklist to ensure they are fully prepared for the new qualification. By adhering to these guidelines, they can ensure a smooth transition and continue to provide exceptional education and training in the FE and Skills sector. 

The introduction of the new Diploma in Teaching (FE&S) is a welcome change that promises to elevate the standards of teacher training, and ultimately benefit the learners who depend on skilled and knowledgeable educators. The transition from DET to DiT is set to be a positive and transformative experience for all involved.

Follow Ann Gravells and Gavin Lumsden for future resources and clear guidance, you can also find us on either www.anngravells.com or www.essentialteaching.uk

You can also join our Diploma in Teaching (FE&S) LinkedIn group for discussions and updates with like-minded educators and teachers.

>> Thanks for reading this AmplifyFE post! AmplifyFE is a strategic partnership between ALT and the Ufi VocTech Trust. AmplifyFE connects over 3000 professionals in Further Education and Vocational Education, providing a strong networking community to share, collaborate and learn. We connect innovators, industry and educators, therefore, AmplifyFE posts may include contributions with a commercial focus. AmplifyFE’s posts are included on the #altc blog to support networking, collaboration and sharing. For more information, please check AmplifyFE’s dedicated submission guidelines.

The #altc blog submission guidelines detail who can post and the type of posts accepted to this blog.

Voting for the ALT Community Choice Award 2024 is now open until Thursday 22 August 2024 (at noon).

We invite all Members of our ALT community to vote for their winning entry between now and the closing date. The winner of the Community Choice Award will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 4 September 2024. 

 

Green Changemakers: A Paradigm Shift in FE

Join Lou Mycroft to find out more about what Green Changemakers are and how they are shaking things up in the West Midlands. Expect plenty of potentia, three mindset-changing pivots and maybe the occasional Golden Unicorn.

Lou Mycroft is an FE Changemaker, currently drawing on all the learning of FE’s community landscape to facilitate the Green Changemakers Programme in the West Midlands and Warwickshire.

 

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ALTC24 KEYNOTES: A PREVIEW OF THIS YEAR'S INSPIRING SESSIONS

 

The upcoming ALT Annual Conference 2024 [4] promises thought-provoking
insights from distinguished speakers across three days with the overarching
theme “Doing, reflecting, improving, collaborating”.

This year we are convening three keynote sessions fostering discussion
around key issues: 

* HUMANE EDUCATION: EMPATHY IN POLICIES, PLACES, AND PLATFORMS - CHRIS
FRIEND [5]
In this talk, Chris will introduce what he calls “Humane
Technology”—tech designed to empower people to develop their own
agency.
 
* IMAGINING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY - STUDENT [...]

The upcoming ALT Annual Conference 2024 promises thought-provoking insights from distinguished speakers across three days with the overarching theme “Doing, reflecting, improving, collaborating”.
 

This year we are convening three keynote sessions fostering discussion around key issues: 

 

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ALTC24 DRAFT PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED!

 

We’re thrilled to announce the draft programme for our flagship
conference, ALTC24 [4] is now available to view online. 

As a leading event for professionals working with Learning Technologies,
the ALT Annual Conference brings together a vibrant community of experts,
practitioners, and innovators. Register [5] today to enjoy the UK's
foremost gathering of Learning Technologists. [...]

We’re thrilled to announce the draft programme for our flagship conference, ALTC24 is now available to view online.

The Association for Learning Technology (ALT) is the leading professional body for Learning Technology in the UK. We represent individual and organisational Members from all sectors including Further and Higher Education and industry. We provide recognition and accreditation for those with a professional interest in Learning Technology. 

By Anirudh Vadiyampeta, COO & Co-Founder of Fabrio

Background

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) is no longer a niche skill – it’s the universal language of modern creativity. From manufacturing everyday products to developing Oscar-winning special effects, CAD is fundamental to the entire design process. Yet, a concerning skills gap is emerging. A staggering 64% of engineering companies report a lack of skilled talent as a barrier to growth, with 56% of new recruits lacking the necessary skills upon entering the workforce.

The gap between education and industry becomes strikingly apparent in engineering education. While colleges and universities are integrating CAD into the curriculum, traditional teaching methods often leave out practical, industry-relevant CAD skills employers desperately need.

The Problem:

• Time-Consuming Marking: Educators are bogged down by manual marking processes, spending countless hours providing feedback on CAD assignments. This leaves less time for valuable learner interaction and curriculum development.
• Insufficient Feedback: Learners are not receiving adequate or timely feedback on their CAD work, hindering their progress and impacting their learning experience.
• Industry Disconnect: Development of learning content is slow and often lacks commercial input. As a result, learning lags behind industry needs.

Fabrio: Bridging the Gap

Forward-thinking institutions are already taking action to bridge this gap. Leading universities like UCL and Imperial College London are incorporating Fabrio into their engineering curriculum, recognising the need to equip their learners with industry-relevant CAD skills.

At Fabrio, we’ve developed a revolutionary platform that empowers both learners and educators to meet these challenges head-on:

• Interactive CAD Courses: Our courses are specifically designed to reduce teacher intervention and promote independent learning, allowing learners to progress at their own pace. This approach has been successfully implemented at UCL, where Fabrio is being used across various engineering disciplines.
• Real-Time Feedback: Our unique add-in integrates seamlessly with industry-standard CAD software, providing learners with instant feedback on their design work. This real-time assessment feature is a game-changer, allowing learners to identify and correct errors immediately, fostering deeper understanding and faster skill development.
• Industry-Relevant Skills: We bridge the gap between education and industry by teaching the practical CAD skills employers are looking for, ensuring learners are job-ready. We work closely with industry giants like Autodesk and RS Group to ensure that our teaching always meets the real-world needs of the industry.

By combining cutting-edge technology with industry-aligned content, Fabrio is transforming CAD education and preparing the next generation of engineers for success.

Call to action:

Help us to understand how CAD is being taught in your college or university by completing this very short survey https://fabriodesign.typeform.com/to/B5PQvfUZ. 

Join us on: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

>> Thanks for reading this AmplifyFE post! AmplifyFE is a strategic partnership between ALT and the Ufi VocTech Trust. AmplifyFE connects over 3000 professionals in Further Education and Vocational Education, providing a strong networking community to share, collaborate and learn. We connect innovators, industry and educators, therefore, AmplifyFE posts may include contributions with a commercial focus. AmplifyFE’s posts are included on the #altc blog to support networking, collaboration and sharing. For more information, please check AmplifyFE’s dedicated submission guidelines.

The #altc blog submission guidelines detail who can post and the type of posts accepted to this blog.

Please use this form to register if you'd like to attend the AGM online.

You do not need to register for the AGM if you are attending our Annual Conference, as this is included in your registration. 

>>> Please note the time may change while the conference programme is finalised <<<

Our 2024 Annual General Meeting will be held in person and online at ALT's Annual Conference, 4 September 2024, Manchester, UK.

All Members are encouraged to attend and the AGM is also open to guests and observers. The Calling Notice for the AGM was issued in July, and in accordance with the ALT Constitution adopted in 2019, the business of the Annual General Meeting will include: the election of Trustees; approval of accounts and report and decisions on any resolutions. 

All papers for the AGM and related information will be published online.

This year there are no vacancies for elected Trustees and no Trustee elections will take place. 

Learn more about how ALT is governed

• Explore our aims and values and our work on equality and diversity.
• Learn about our work as a charity
• Meet the current Board of Trustees
• Find out about what we do and our impact

Our 2024 Annual General Meeting will be held in person and online at ALT Annual Conference, 4 September 2024, Manchester, UK.

All Members are encouraged to attend and the AGM is also open to guests and observers. In accordance with the ALT Constitution adopted in 2019, the business of the Annual General Meeting will include: the election of Trustees; approval of accounts and report and decisions on any resolutions. 

Technology in language instruction has become a new norm due to its effectiveness, and one example is the Teams-Games-Tournaments (TGT) method. The purpose of this study is to measure students’ achievement in English language classes by using technology-infused TGT and ask the students to evaluate their learning experience with this method. This research involved 30 students as the control group and 30 students as the experimental group from two sections of the same general English course at a Thailand university. Pre- and post-tests of the control and the experimental group were conducted to assess the success of the method. At the end of the term, a questionnaire consisting of closed and open-ended questions was used to record the students’ perceptions. The findings showed that the experimental group’s scores were higher suggesting the success of the method in improving students’ achievement. The experimental group’s perceptions as expressed in the questionnaire under cooperation, motivation, achievement, and satisfaction were highly positive as students gave, on average, ratings of more than 4.0 to all categories. The implication of these findings was the effective application of this method in English classes.

The 2024 ALT Annual Conference sees Edtech leaders, innovators, and educators from around the globe come together for three days of collaborative learning. We are excited to announce the headline sponsor and other organisations that are supporting this year's ALT Annual Conference.