PAL Packs Peter Kilcoyne ILT Director Worcester College

PAL Packs Peter Kilcoyne ILT Director Worcester College of Technology pkilcoyne@wortech. ac. uk

PAL Packs (Personally Accountable Learning) • Background to the defined model and PAL Packs • How we have implemented PAL Packs • Meeting the challenges • Examples of PAL Packs • Invitation to work with us

Background to the defined model and PAL Packs Why? • Need for efficiency. The continued reduction in the overall level of funding. Traditional model of delivery not sustainable. • The learner taking greater ownership of the learning process. Developing crucial independent learning skills. • The need to drive up quality across the college through use of blended learning.

The PAL Solution • Reduction in teaching hours by 15% across all full time level 2 and level 3 course. • Delivery of 15% of these courses through online Moodle based PAL Packs.

Process • Course teams meet with ILT and Study Centre staff to discuss process and support. • Course teams decide on which parts of which modules will be delivered through PAL Packs. • Develop a plan with a PAL Calendar. • PAL Packs written by course teams with support of ILT and Study Centre team.

Developing a Model for PAL Packs • Self study • Normally delivered in Study Centres with Study Centre Staff supporting learners • Personalisation, differentiation, learning styles • Active Learning • Engaging • Minimise work load for course teams

Roles • Course Teams – planning and writing of PAL Packs • Study Centre Teams – supporting creation especially finding resources. Supporting timetabled sessions. • ILT Team – training and supporting teams. • Curriculum Managers – ensuring effective implementation. • Quality Team – quality assuring PAL Packs.

Moodle Based PAL Packs “Structure” – recommended not • • • prescriptive Instructions Learning Objectives Learning Content – esp OER/OCW, NLN, Video, tutors own resources, Learning Activities – e. g. forum, glossaries, wikis, journals etc Assessment – quizzes and or assignments

Quality Assurance of PAL Packs • Annual review by SSA • Sample of PAL Packs evaluated • Learner survey • Meeting of key staff • Action plan for improvement

Meeting the challenges • Resistance from some • staff • Resistance from some • learners • Staff skills in creating • online learning packs • Time for building PAL • Packs Management and communication Explaining benefits of independent learning CPD and support Support and model designed with easy building in mind

PAL Examples • Hospitality Workplace Skills • Foundation Diploma in Art and Design • Carpentry • Marketing

Some example PAL Activities using Moodle learning tools • • • Glossary – Sports Injury Quiz – Social Care Assignment – Personal Development Forum – English Lit Journal – Performing Arts

Invitation to work with us • • Visits Advice on change management Advice on implementation Staff development Partnerships between curriculum teams Sharing content Sharing documentation