Thursday 22 Nov 2007 @ 10:11
Centre for Excellence in Leadership
Centre for Excellence in Leadership
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CEL e-gazing publication offers insights into technology in FE
The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) has published a compilation of thinkpieces about the strategic significance of technology in the further education system. "e-gazing: further horizons for leaders" is CEL's second publication about the e-gazing aspect of leadership and elearning, and includes contributions from seven sector representatives. An accompanying DVD features video clips of interviews with five of the thinkpiece contributors and twelve other leaders, experts and visionaries.
In the publication, Dr Alan Clarke, associate director for ICT and learning at NIACE, highlights the potential benefits of harnessing technology for learning in the adult and community learning (ACL) sector. Alistair McNaught, a senior adviser with TechDis, believes that technology is the single factor that can most rapidly reduce barriers to learning, allowing disabled and non-disabled learners alike to become more independent, take more responsibility for their own learning and participate actively in creative learning experiences.
Robin Ghurbhurun, former head of learning and development at Lewisham College, sees a new generation of learners who are accustomed to living in a digital world. He believes that learning institutions should take their lead from social networking websites to create a curriculum that is learner-led and to “deliver learning that heeds the learner voice and respects learner choice”.
In her piece on predicting the unpredictable, Professor Gilly Salmon, professor of elearning and learning technologies at the University of Leicester, argues that education institutions are "struggling to achieve transformations that positively enhance or transform the student learning experience" and that students must be consulted and involved in shaping learning futures.
Video clips of Bill Rammell MP answering participants' questions at a CEL elearning event are included on the DVD. The education minister says that strong leadership is critical and that principals and governors must lead their elearning and technology strategies. Having a vision, understanding the strategic framework, identifying appropriate tools and investing wisely will help them meet social policy challenges, deliver personalised learning and ensure a future for their learners on the "right side of the e-divide".
Helen Pettifor, executive director of leadership portfolio and standards at CEL, said, "We have always thought of e-gazing as looking at the future. What I realise, on reading these contributions, is that e-gazing means looking very closely at the here and now and asking ourselves, are we equipping all our learners for their future?
"Technology is already challenging power relationships between teachers and learners. It is having an impact on the way people learn and what they are learning. Our role at CEL is to support sector leaders in realising the potential technology has to offer and helping shape the dream of a better learning future."
NOTES TO EDITORS
"e-gazing: further horizons for leaders" is available to download at: www.centreforexcellence.org.uk/UsersDoc/egazingFurtherHorizons.pdf
About CEL
The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) was launched in October 2003, as a key national agency within the Success for All initiative.
CEL has a crucial role to play in developing organisational leadership in the further education system to anticipate, influence and respond to government policy initiatives, including, for example, the 2006 white paper, "Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances".
CEL's remit is to foster and support leadership improvement, reform, transformation, sustainability and quality improvement. It serves the existing and future leaders of all providers within the further education system, including FE colleges, training and work-based learning providers, adult and community providers, offender learning, specialist colleges and voluntary organisations.
Following the publication of the white paper, CEL is involved in the introduction of a mandatory principal's qualification and the development of the quality improvement strategy for further education.
The white paper also heralded an expansion of CEL's diversity and equality remit.
CEL now operates through a charitable trust formed by its operating company on 1 April 2006.
To date, more than 1,160 different organisations and 31,000 individual participants have engaged with CEL.
CONTACT
Lindsay Baugh: (07736) 246 697 or (01707) 392 552
Email: lindsay.baugh@howardsgate.co.uk
In the publication, Dr Alan Clarke, associate director for ICT and learning at NIACE, highlights the potential benefits of harnessing technology for learning in the adult and community learning (ACL) sector. Alistair McNaught, a senior adviser with TechDis, believes that technology is the single factor that can most rapidly reduce barriers to learning, allowing disabled and non-disabled learners alike to become more independent, take more responsibility for their own learning and participate actively in creative learning experiences.
Robin Ghurbhurun, former head of learning and development at Lewisham College, sees a new generation of learners who are accustomed to living in a digital world. He believes that learning institutions should take their lead from social networking websites to create a curriculum that is learner-led and to “deliver learning that heeds the learner voice and respects learner choice”.
In her piece on predicting the unpredictable, Professor Gilly Salmon, professor of elearning and learning technologies at the University of Leicester, argues that education institutions are "struggling to achieve transformations that positively enhance or transform the student learning experience" and that students must be consulted and involved in shaping learning futures.
Video clips of Bill Rammell MP answering participants' questions at a CEL elearning event are included on the DVD. The education minister says that strong leadership is critical and that principals and governors must lead their elearning and technology strategies. Having a vision, understanding the strategic framework, identifying appropriate tools and investing wisely will help them meet social policy challenges, deliver personalised learning and ensure a future for their learners on the "right side of the e-divide".
Helen Pettifor, executive director of leadership portfolio and standards at CEL, said, "We have always thought of e-gazing as looking at the future. What I realise, on reading these contributions, is that e-gazing means looking very closely at the here and now and asking ourselves, are we equipping all our learners for their future?
"Technology is already challenging power relationships between teachers and learners. It is having an impact on the way people learn and what they are learning. Our role at CEL is to support sector leaders in realising the potential technology has to offer and helping shape the dream of a better learning future."
NOTES TO EDITORS
"e-gazing: further horizons for leaders" is available to download at: www.centreforexcellence.org.uk/UsersDoc/egazingFurtherHorizons.pdf
About CEL
The Centre for Excellence in Leadership (CEL) was launched in October 2003, as a key national agency within the Success for All initiative.
CEL has a crucial role to play in developing organisational leadership in the further education system to anticipate, influence and respond to government policy initiatives, including, for example, the 2006 white paper, "Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances".
CEL's remit is to foster and support leadership improvement, reform, transformation, sustainability and quality improvement. It serves the existing and future leaders of all providers within the further education system, including FE colleges, training and work-based learning providers, adult and community providers, offender learning, specialist colleges and voluntary organisations.
Following the publication of the white paper, CEL is involved in the introduction of a mandatory principal's qualification and the development of the quality improvement strategy for further education.
The white paper also heralded an expansion of CEL's diversity and equality remit.
CEL now operates through a charitable trust formed by its operating company on 1 April 2006.
To date, more than 1,160 different organisations and 31,000 individual participants have engaged with CEL.
CONTACT
Lindsay Baugh: (07736) 246 697 or (01707) 392 552
Email: lindsay.baugh@howardsgate.co.uk
