Archive for the ‘Marketing and Technology Resource Bank’ Category

Digital Unite – Free Guides to Understanding the Internet

Friday, December 11th, 2009

digital unite small imageWhat will be the impact of the internet on social work practice and the delivery of social services in the next few years? Access to quality information is becoming increasingly important and this is reflected in the success of Directgov which provides access to government services through one website. There is now a government expectation that by 2011, all Local Authorities must provide… “Universal, joined-up information and advice available for all individuals and carers, including those who self-assess and fund, which enables people to access information from all strategic partners.”  Local Authority Circular (DH)(2009)1: Transforming Adult Social Care
If you are just starting to use a computer and want advice in plain English, you have some experience and want to learn more or you are helping people to learn about the Internet it is worth looking at the Digital Unite Learning Zone. Here you can download a range of free Learning Guides covering everything from social networking and blogs through to web tools and security.  Digital Unite has a remit for “helping older people unleash their digital talents” but the Learning Guides provide a useful introduction for anyone of any age who wants to understand more about how to use the internet more effectively. 
The link to the website Get Safe Online is particularly useful with lots of clear and useful advice about things that you can do to avoid becoming a victim of fraud, identity theft and other Internet crimes. It has a quiz, Just how safe are you? that asks you ten questions about online security and directs you to pages with more information if required.

Another useful website with free online learning is Alison ALISON* is the world’s leading free online learning resource for basic and essential workplace skills which includes basic study skills and touch typing skills. All courses on ALISON are accessible free to individual learners.

Shirley Ayres Consulting are committed to empowering people through access to knowledge and information. We are very aware that in the 21st century organisations need to find different ways to engage, excite and energise their stakeholders. This doesn’t just mean communicating well – it means having a good story to tell. Our approach combines extensive knowledge of the care sector with new technology to promote effective communications.   We support individuals and organisations to make connections and partnerships across sectors and disciplines.

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Launch of revolutionary new IT Skills programme

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Log on at ALISON and prepare yourself for the 21st Century workplace today!.

ALISON free interactive on-line learning for the workplace continues to grow rapidly with the launch of the global IT Skills Certification. This free and self-certifiable IT skills training now available to everyone. The certification can be achieved via the study of highly-interactive multimedia courseware which is freely accessible for study by anyone once they are a registered learner with ALISON. 

Whether you are completely new to computers or possesses some basic computing skills, the ALISON ABC IT offers full citizenship of the ‘Digital World’. ABC stands for ALISON Basic Computing.

If you are responsible for managing learning or training within an organization. ALISON MANAGER is an excellent way to introduce staff to the benefits of eLearning.

ALISON MANAGER is a complete, secure, web-based monitoring and reporting system for tracking all of your learners’ activity on the courses you have selected for them. This offers all of the benefits of a Learning Management System (LMS), but at a fraction of the costs usually associated with such systems. Find out more by emailing hhannant@alison.com quoting GB310627

ALISON ABC IT Certification is revolutionary. It is comprehensive, free, self-certifiable, and always current.  It covers not only conceptual understanding of IT and desktop applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel spreadsheets, but also the full range of practical skills required to be fully IT literate, including touch typing and the efficient use of Web-based e-mail.

The learning is self-certifiable through the ALISON Web site, with a requirement of a 75% test score averaged across all lessons. The touch typing module must also be completed for the certification to be awarded.

ABC IT-1 (Basic Concepts)

Introduces the learner to the basic concepts of computing and teaches how computing can be an everyday feature of life and work. In this module, learners are introduced to computer hardware and software for the first time and also taught the key concepts of the IT world.

ABC IT-2 (Applications)

Introduces the learner to the Microsoft Office 2003 application suite, the most commonly used office-software application package worldwide. This suite includes MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access.

ABC IT-3 (Practical Skills)

Explores the practical elements of computing. IT-3 covers three important elements of computing namely: basic touch typing, using and setting up a Webmail address, and desktop ergonomics, which teaches how best to organize one’s working environment for safe use.

Web site: www.alison.com

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Keep up with the IT revolution – Free and Low Cost Software

Tuesday, August 12th, 2008

There may not be any free lunches available but there is some really good news – you do not have to pay hundreds of pounds for software, if you know where to look. You can get it for a fraction of the cost or even free!

Did you know about the download sites and software library sites that are now available online? These are all legitimate websites and a source of great software which is either free or costs a nominal amount?

A very useful resource for small charities and individuals who do not have big IT budgets.

How do these sites work?

It is a new way of marketing products without spending large amounts of money. Computer programmers and small software companies  write good programmes and  upload them to the sites for anyone to use either free or at low cost. This enables them to become established and encourage sales of their more sophisticated programmes and products.

If you are looking for a free PDF converter (I have just downloaded Primo), a word processing package or a desk top publishing package then take a look at these sites which have lots of great office software totally free.

Using a download site you can get free anti virus software, find free fixes and patches to stop your computer crashing.

Download.com

Download.com offers a huge library of free and legal software downloads, music downloads, and game downloads. We provide timely, relevant, and credible information about important software updates and game releases as they come available. The editors write unbiased reviews and ratings for thousands of free downloads, and they are committed to maintaining coverage that is objective and accurate. All the downloadable software, music, and games in our library undergo a rigorous testing process to ensure it is safe and spyware free.Very easy and user-friendly but not everything is free, so check before you download. http://www.download.com

Shareware

This is basically a search engine for free software (and shareware). Find it at http://www.shareware.com

Tucows

A bit more complicated to use because of all the technical information but do persevere because there are some good downloads and everything that is free is clearly marked ‘freeware’. Find it at http://www.tucows.com

Interestingly a lot of people do not believe that good software can be downloaded for free. So they just don’t use them! It is definitely not true that software is only good if it costs you lots of money. 

You may also be interested in the free online learning offered by:

ALISON http://www.shirleyayresconsulting.com/post/2008/05/Welcome-to-Alison-the-free-global-learning-experience.aspx

SCIE http://www.shirleyayresconsulting.com/post/2008/04/Are-you-part-of-the-internet-revolution.aspx

SONY 1012 backstage  http://www.shirleyayresconsulting.com/post/2008/05/Backstage-101-a-free-online-learning-community.aspx

Handy Tip

See more on your browser

Do you wish that your browser was bigger? Well it can be. Simply press F11 and the toolbars will disappear in effect making it bigger.

Another tap on F11 and it’s back to normal. This works on all web browsers.

Why not try it now!

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Backstage 101 free online learning community

Saturday, May 31st, 2008

Backstage 101 is a Sony sponsored free online learning community encouraging discussion and collaboration on the technology of everyday life. Since the website is sponsored by Sony, they are  very keen to promote their products. The registration process encourages you to sign up for mailings about Sony products and services but this is not compulsory. The courses are well designed with the inevitable references to Sony products throughout the programmes which are not too intrusive.

With lessons in everything from personal computing, home entertainment to digital photography and video there is something for everyone with the bonus of a certificate of completion. The courses available change month by month and you have a specified time to complete each course.

If you are inspired to update your technology skills and knowledge the current courses on offer include:

  • Advanced Microsoft® Excel 2007, Part I: Analyzing Data

    Graphic Design for Non-Designers

    Road Trip Planning: Gear, Gadgets, and Navigation

    Green Living

    Record Your Life with Digital Scrapbooking

    Digital Camcorder Guide: Choosing the Right Camcorder

Find out more by visiting the website: http://backstage101.learningcenter.sony.us

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Welcome to ALISON the worlds leading free online learning resource

Saturday, May 31st, 2008

ALison - Free Learning

ALISON* is the world’s leading free online learning resource for basic and essential workplace skills. ALISON provides high-quality, engaging, interactive multimedia courseware for certification and standards-based learning. All courses on ALISON are accessible free to individual learners.

Among its popular offerings are courses to support study for the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and E-Citizen, two leading international standards of ICT literacy, Financial Literacy, Health & Safety and Touch Typing.

An excellent resource, especially for the first time computer user, the courses are well designed and truly interactive with feedback, quizzes and practice sessions.

The range of courses currently available include: the e-Citizen IT user certification is offered by the British Computer Society in partnership with the ECDL Foundation worldwide; Microsoft Word which introduces the fundamental principles of using Word 2003, Microsoft Access to help learn to use and create a database using Access 2003, to an intermediate level; The Microsoft PowerPoint course provides the user with the ability to produce their own PowerPoint 2003 presentations. 

Psychometric Tests offered in partnership with the Cut-e Group, the international experts in psychometric test development, can help you to understand your personal strengths for employment with respect to personality and competency. New courses are being added rapidly. 

The creators of ALISON, which is a not-for-profit social enterprise, believe that this model of education can save governments and educational institutions billions of dollars every year if it is adopted worldwide. Across the world, billions of people do not have access to high-quality skills-based interactive learning. The reason for this is usually distance and cost. The Internet changes this dynamic and ALISON provides a unique educational opportunity.

Visit the ALISON website http://www.alison.com/ , sign up to study online, record the hours for your PRTL and let us know how you are getting on. 

*ALISON stands for “Advance Learning Interactive Systems Online”.

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Jargon Buster – do you know the difference between your PQ, NOS and PRTL?

Sunday, May 25th, 2008

 

Sometimes, we can get so hung up on jargon, acronyms and professional speak that we lose sight of the fact that they fail to bring understanding or enlightenment to people outside of our world. Creating more jargon is not the answer. Changing the words we use might work better and possibly glossaries of terms and jargon busters are a step on the way.

Our sector desperately needs to communicate effectively to so many different stakeholders. Why is it such a major challenge keeping up to date with the latest acronyms, initials and jargon, especially in the areas of workforce development, education and training?

We are currently identifying useful resources and compiling a glossary of the most common terms and acronyms used across the care sector. You can then ask the GSCC about your PRTL (gaining information from our website may qualify!) and request a TNA from your employer who may refer to the PQ and seek guidance from the SSC about the relevant NOS.

GSCC – General Social Care Council

The General Social Care Council is responsible for setting standards of conduct and practice for social care workers and their employers, for regulating the workforce, and for regulating social work education and training.

PRTL – Post-Registration Training and Learning

Every social worker registered with the GSCC shall, within the period of registration, complete either 90 hours or 15 days of study, training, courses, seminars, reading, teaching or other activities which could reasonably be expected to advance the social worker’s professional development, or contribute to the development of the profession as a whole.

TNA – Training Needs Analysis

An analysis of training needs to identify any skill gaps for organizations and individuals.

PQ-  Post Qualifying

Education and training undertaken by qualified social workers and other professionals. Social workers need to evidence their PQ training and CPD when submitting their PRTL to maintain their  registration with the GSCC Social Care Register..

SSC – Sector Skills Council

Each SSC works to agree priorities and targets with its employers and partners to address four key goals:

• reducing skills gaps and shortages

• improving productivity, business and public service performance

• increasing opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the sector’s workforce, including action on equal opportunities

• improving the supply of learning opportunities, including apprenticeships, higher education and national occupational standards

Skills for Care and Development are the Sector Skills Council for social care, children and young people’s workforces in the UK. It is an Alliance of 5 organisations:

Care Council for Wales, Children’s Workforce Development Council, Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Scottish Social Services Council, and Skills for Care

NOS – National Occupational Standards

National Occupational Standards (NOS) have been developed to assist employers, businesses, employees and individuals. They contain descriptions of good practice and can be a benchmark for rewarding experience, knowledge and competence.

NOS Directory

All the NOS developed by Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and Standard Setting Bodies (SSBs) are available to download on the NOS Directory managed by the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA). The NOS Directory is available on the UK Standards website. http://www.ukstandards.org

In the meantime we would like to introduce you to Jargonbuster, a resource drafted by Kevin Ashby and Colin Nee (Charities Evaluation Services), with input from a steering group containing representatives from a number of charitable foundations, grant awarding bodies and national umbrella bodies.

This book defines and explains key terms used in evaluating and monitoring services. Definitions range from milestones to benchmarking and the differences between an output and an outcome are explained in plain english with examples and case studies.

An invaluable resource available to download here or on the Charity Evaluation Services website

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Launch of the national Post Qualifying Directory

Sunday, May 25th, 2008

Find out what post qualifying social work courses are available in England by consulting the National PQ Directory available on line through the following link http://www.practicelearning.org.uk/Post_Qualification_(PQ)/PQ_Directory.html

A more detailed guide to the London Post Qualifying Programmes is available to download from http://www.skillsforcarelondon.org.uk/downloads/PQ-Directory.pdf

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