The college's learndirect programme fits within the context of its general strategic plan - to widen participation; to promote lifelong learning; to innovate learning through partnerships and to promote access to ILT. Learndirect aims to reach learners who need a flexible and more individualised approach to learning, which may not be available to them on a mainstream college course.
Staffed by a team of four, the learndirect centre is strategically placed at the front of the college, where it is easy for learners to access. Lewisham College was one of the first college-based learndirect centres to be established after the programme was launched in 1999. Together with the Cross River Partnership (CRP), a geographical hub was set up to cover Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley and Newham. The college initially established a partnership with a specialist sector hub - the TUC.
The TUC hub brought learndirect courses to a wide variety of off-site learners in their own workplaces. The courses were well received by learners. However, TU Studies teachers, working in the community, were required to audit learners online and on paper. This created such a heavy administrative burden for the TU teachers that the college decided to re-think its focus for learndirect. The college withdrew from the TU hub in July 2004 in order to focus its work on the geographical hub.
Learndirect students have full access to college guidance and support services. While many come to the centre to study basic skills and IT, others are referred directly by their tutors. For example, the college's teacher training unit refers applicants who need to improve their basic skills before embarking on the course.
Students on learndirect's basic skills courses can gain credits at each level. Frances Sweeney feels that accreditation is a motivational factor. 'In our experience, learndirect students like to monitor how they are progressing - particularly if they are working independently. Their confidence is boosted by receiving nationally recognised qualifications for their efforts and often stay on to do more learndirect courses,' she said.
The college's Learner Services division raises awareness of learndirect courses amongst teachers within the college, through training days. Staff also have the opportunity to complete learndirect courses at their desks, although audit requirements ask that they are fully registered as students before they take them up.
The college aims to extend learndirect provision to SMEs in partnership with its Business Development Unit, set up in September 2003. Together they plan to deliver Employer Training Pilots. To help fulfil the Government's Skills for Life targets, the college will place more emphasis on accreditation for learndirect courses. They will also introduce a drop-in testing centre to give students completing Basic Skills tests and ECDL, the flexibility to complete tests at times that best suit them. ..continue to Vision2learn
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