Galway Technical Institute
Digitalisation strategy developed by Galway Technical Institute
What was the previous state of the school?
This project provided GTI with a unique opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of our approach to teaching and learning using technology in the classroom. One of the main objectives of the project was to create and implement a future strategy on the digitization of teaching methodologies.
According to the FET Strategy (2014), ICT Skills are a driver of social inclusion and social mobility: regardless of age and circumstances, having the right skills and the opportunities to use and develop them in order to gain confidence and self-esteem is essential to contribute to a better society, as well as to improve employability and productivity. The ability to transfer those skills to new situations and to be able to communicate, including through technology, in a way which suits individual circumstances and aspirations is at a premium in an evolving knowledge-based economy. (https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/Further-Education-and-Training-Strategy-2014-2019.pdf)
The SOLAS FET Professional Development report (2016) outlines that ‘The FET workforce is relatively confident in terms of ‘soft’ skill areas such as communication skills, teamwork and customer service, as well as the core teaching/training skill areas. Confidence levels are lower in other skill areas such as quality assurance and technology enhanced learning’ (http://www.solas.ie/SolasPdfLibrary/SolasFETPDS.pdf)
The TEL Strategy (http://www.solas.ie/SolasPdfLibrary/TEL_Strategy.pdf) outlines the necessity for FET providers to provide technology enhanced learning for it’s learners.
Other aspects considered were:
1.0 To facilitate the exploration , development, and adoption of a new LMS / Platform that will enhance GTI teaching practises and quality of delivery
2.0 To develop the e-learning content that fosters collaboration, continues learning and promotes innovation and meets the need of all stakeholders.
3.0 To ensure that GTI Teaching methodology adopts best practise to ensure the Digital experience is common across course offering.
4.0 To Develop the IT infrastructure and capabilities at GTI to support the Digital needs of our current and future cohort of learners.
5.0 To drive innovation and change to become the first paper free further education provider in Ireland.
Table
What kind of actions did this strategy need?
What was the fundamental direction of development?
GTI’s mission is to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies of our learners by designing programmes that are innovative and of high quality, and to deliver the programmes in a learning environment that reflects the complexity and challenge of a changing world.
• To provide all learners with ICT skills to obtain employment
• To provide alternative pathways for our students to be successful in life.
• To provide vocationally relevant applied learning experiences
• We connect education technology and work.
Vision
• Modify the curriculum to model real life ICT problems.
• Partner with local industry to ensure our curriculum is relevant.
• Develop a suite of in-house online courses/blended learning.
• Give every student a core set of ICT skills and 21st century workforce skills built into the curriculum.
• Utilise the power of 1000+ students to effect change in ICT.
• Create a framework to allow students access remotely GTI ICT infrastructure.
• We will continue to up-skill all staff in the delivery of ICT.
• All ICT resources (software/hardware) should be free at the point of use to our students. (social exclusion)
• We will be a paperless institution by 2030
Who were the stakeholders?
The main stakeholders are:
Current Students
Future Students
Parents
Teachers
GTI Management
GRETB Management www.gretb.ie
Department of Education & Skills www.gov/des.ie
SOLAS www.solas.ie
Education & Training Boards Ireland www.etbi.ie
National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals www.napd.ie
Local Industry www.skillsfora.ie
e-learning providers
Third Level Institutions www.nuig.ie www.gmit.ie
Teacher Unions www.tui.ie
Students Unions www.usit.ie
What were the core competences identified?
The SOLAS FET Professional Development report (2016) outlines that ‘The FET workforce is relatively confident in terms of ‘soft’ skill areas such as communication skills, teamwork and customer service, as well as the core teaching/training skill areas. Confidence levels are lower in other skill areas such as quality assurance and technology enhanced learning’ (http://www.solas.ie/SolasPdfLibrary/SolasFETPDS.pdf)
Competency levels amongst staff and students are currently calculated as basic/operational and advanced.
Development is required in the following:
• Develop LMS/Platform to enhance GTI teaching practices and quality of Delivery
• Develop e-learning content that fosters collaboration, continues learning and promotes innovation whilst meeting the needs of all stakeholders
• Ensure the digital experience is common across all course offerings
• Develop ICT infrastructure and capabilities at GTI to support the Digital needs of our current and future cohort of learners and teachers
• Innovation and change resulting in a ‘Paper Free’ education and training provider by 2030
Which organisations did they want to cooperate with, and how?
Higher Education Institutions
Industry Representatives
Small to Medium enterprise
SOLAS
ETBI
DES
Leargas
GRETB
ETBI
How did the strategy impact on…
… the students?
The strategy has had a positive impact on all aspects of the organisation.
• It has focused Access to 1000's Educational Apps
• Easier to access course material, internet.
• Increased Motivation
• Better engagement of students
• Viewing and creating video.
• Sharing material and creating content
… the teachers?
The strategy has had a positive impact on all aspects of the organisation.
• It has focused Access to 1000's Educational Apps
• Easier to access course material, internet.
• Increased Motivation
• Better engagement of students
• Viewing and creating video.
• Sharing material and creating content
… the parents?
The strategy has had a positive impact on all aspects of the organisation.
• It has focused Access to 1000's Educational Apps
• Easier to access course material, internet.
• Increased Motivation
• Better engagement of students
• Viewing and creating video.
• Sharing material and creating content
Overall, the strategy was…
Aspects of the plan are ahead of projected timeframe and some aspects are still in development.
Students and teachers have engaged in the following digitally enhanced teaching & learning tools:
Google drive
Sharepoint
Cloud storage functionalities
Customised learning platforms
Shared platforms
Communities of Learning – Collaborative learning
Feedback from learners includes:
‘ GTI offers a practical learning environment with many computer suites and digitally smart classroom spaces. Communication with learners and information sharing is quick and easy thanks to the many forms of digital media available to both staff and students. Content is accessible and systems ensure opportunities for all to engage in digitally supported learning models.’
Other comments
Some issues arose from a hardware and connectivity perspective which resulted in discussion having to take place at a level external to the organisation. This resulted in the creation of a platform which now offers greater flexibility and capacity for the organisation to further develop and indeed future proof our digitalization strategy. There were some additional financial costs and human resource issues which are being worked through.
Other actions that were needed to accomplish the plan were:
• Introduction of Mobile Devices – Surface Pros/iPads
• Development of GTI App
• Introduction of Cloud Based Services [Sharedrive/Sharepoint/One Drive]
• Exploration of Microsoft Teams
• Establishment of Communities of Practice
• Cloud sharing facilities
• Development of a Management and Administration Framework
