RESEARCHEARCH By Lynne Taylerson and Julie Chamberlain


More than 170 delegates from 80 colleges, work-based training providers, adult and community learning, and voluntary organisations participated in the West Midlands Professional Exchange last year. Using a joint practice development


model, delegates nominated topics and facilitated segments, introducing their peers to practice innovations. We engaged with each of the


20 Professional Standards 2014 during the course of the eight face-to-face events and the webinar. The exchange had a strong focus on maths, English, safeguarding, SEND and learning technology innovation, with expert input from Specialist Leads in maths, English and SEND. Some Exchange impacts are


evidenced by ‘quick and easy wins’, others will come through commitments to long-term planning, investment and skills development. At a safeguarding event, providers


displayed their paper and online resources used to disseminate information on Prevent, British Values and student online safety. This led to other organisations


introducing ‘Be Safe’ screensavers, posters and inserts for student travel passes. One provider is developing a two-week e-safety course with guest speakers, developed after experiencing


RESOURCES


• Why not try some of these innovations in your classroom? Check out: https:// padlet.com, https://plickers.com/, https://getkahoot.com/, http://www. mathseverywhere.org.uk/


To receive an email inviting you to participate, contact WMCETT Project Manager Julie Chamberlain on J.chamberlain@warwick.ac.uk


To get details of Professional Exchanges in your area, or express an interest in taking part, contact Paul.Kessell-Holland@etfoundation.co.uk. www.foundationonline.org.uk


WMCETT is based in


the initial teacher training department of the Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Warwick.


units from Loughborough College’s ‘Digital Induction’. Input from Education and Training


Foundation Regional Specialist Leads enabled several providers to create ‘English and Maths Corners’ which learners use during breaks to help develop these essential skills. Useful technology for maths and


English corners includes the Padlet digital canvas for collaborative group work, Plickers for polling and formative assessment, and Kahoot for multiple choice games-based assessment as well as innovations using tactile, visual and written resources. The strong technology thread


resulted in the introduction of learning apps at two apprenticeship providers. These included Maths Everywhere, for modelling of practical maths problems, and PhotoMath, to help learners develop skills in formulae use. A cohesive community was formed


during the Exchange, which later enabled one work-based learning provider to draw upon the skills and experience of peers while setting up and using Google classroom. Specialist SEND events led


one provider to establish Autism Champions, ambassadors whose role is to ensure procedures and environments were autism-friendly. Following the events, another provider


began delivery of an in-house Level 3 qualification in autism. Teacher development has also


seen important impacts. Several organisations have begun to use the Foundation Online Learning (FOL) resources enabling flexible, bitesize professional development with achievement certificates. FOL courses on Prevent, safeguarding and equality and diversity have proved popular. Basecamp is a free, web-based tool


which enables participants to share links and documents, have live chats and forum discussions, and make plans together. This has enabled a thriving online


community of practice to develop in the West Midlands which undertakes regular professional discussions and resource-sharing. This has ensured dissemination and networking continues beyond the events. Provider pairs are engaging in visitor days and peer working, including RARPA working groups and observations. This collaborative resource will prove


important in the planning of the next tranche of Professional Exchange events which begin in the West Midlands in Spring 2017. We hope that SET members will join


WMCETT’s next Professional Exchange events. Details of future events will be available at goo.gl/uYB7D1


Lynne Taylerson is director of ITP Real Time Education and has lectured in FE and worked in teacher education for 17 years. Read Lynne’s blog at @realtimeedu. Julie Chamberlain is project manager of the West Midlands Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (WMCETT). She manages the WMCETT Professional Exchange project.


Building a vibrant community of professional practitioners


Colleges, work-based providers, adult and community learning and voluntary organisations share strategies and resources in a powerful Professional Exchange network


22 ISSUE 26 • WINTER 2016 INTUITION


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