Evaluation of Strategies for Online Learning Implementation in Further Education

Plumpton College, Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) and East Kent College Group (EKCG) responded to the Covid-19 emergency by rapidly moving learning online in March 2020.

All three institutions identified that whilst staff initially felt confident to do this, the quality of the experience for learners was too variable.

To respond to the impact of increased online learning the three institutions formed a partnership led by Plumpton College, and initiated a research and development project to rapidly develop and sustain staff confidence and capability in the:

• Effective use of platforms
• Development of content for active online learning
• Delivery of structured ‘live lessons online’

The project ran between November 2020 and March 2021 and progressed through four key phases:

1. Research:
   To establish baseline measures of capability, confidence and satisfaction in online and blended learning. Outputs from this initial research informed 4 workstream development plans.
    
2. Development:
   The partners collaborated to create support materials for platform use and content development for each workstream:
   1. Criteria to define best practice and minimum expectations for good or better online teaching, learning and assessment.
   2. Structured staff development programme.
   3. Study guides for students.
   4. Methodology/criteria for effective assessment of online learning.
       
3. Implementation: 
   Development phase deliverables were tested throughout the partnership and case studies illustrating the impact of these interventions were produced.
    
4. Evaluation: 
   Progress was reflected on and measured against initial benchmark position and expected outcomes:
   • 75% of staff who have undergone the development meet expected standards in delivering good or better online TLA.
   • A minimum 5% increase in student satisfaction against the same criteria compared to the baseline starting point.
   • Staff demonstrate enhanced digital confidence: live delivery measures (all staff at least 15%, most staff at least 50% and some staff >75% of online is ‘live’).

Read the full research report here