ESTELLE MORRIS PRAISES NEW FREE INTERNET RESOURCE FOR
FURTHER EDUCATION
A national Web initiative offering free online training in
Internet skills to students and lecturers in further
education are being launched today [June 10] at
www.vts.rdn.ac.uk.
Building on the success of the 40 higher education
tutorials launched last year, the 11 new "teach yourself"
Web tutorials in the Resource Discovery Network (RDN)
Virtual Training Suite will enable students in further
education to find high quality information on the Internet
to support their course work.
Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Estelle
Morris, said: "The potential of the Internet to support
education and work can only be met if people have the
skills and inspiration to use it. That is why I am glad
that the RDN Virtual Training Suite is now offering 11 new
tutorials which will provide a helpful overview of what the
Internet can offer for anyone studying or teaching at a
college or university".
"The fact that these tutorials can be taken at any time
over the Web for free means that they can help anyone learn
at a time and a place that suits them. I hope that large
numbers will take advantage of this and discover how the
Internet can enhance their studying."
The RDN Virtual Training Suite offers self-taught training
in Internet information skills. Each tutorial has been
written by an expert "tour guide" - a further education
teacher or librarian with knowledge of both their subject
area and the Internet.
The tutorials offer step-by-step instruction in Internet
searching and information skills, such as critical
evaluation. Online quizzes and interactive exercises
lighten the learning experience and there is a glossary of
Internet terms and a "Links Basket" to collect a personal
list of useful Web links.
Lecturers, librarians and IT trainers are encouraged to use
these tutorials to support subject curricula, student
induction, staff development and training in IT Key Skills.
The skills covered map on to part of the Key Skills
specifications for Information Technology, as defined by
the Qualifications Curriculum Authority. Teaching Packs
offer case study examples of how these tutorials can be
used in different courses at levels 1-3, ranging from A
Level to GNVQ and AVCE.
The 11 tutorial titles are:
· Internet for Art, Design and Media
· Internet for Business Studies
· Internet for Construction
· Internet for Engineering (General and Automotive)
· Internet for Hairdressing and Beauty
· Internet for Health and Social Care
· Internet for Hospitality and Catering
· Internet for Information and Communication Technology
· Internet for Leisure, Sport and Recreation
· Internet for Performing Arts
· Internet for Travel and Tourism
Further Information
The RDN Virtual Training Suite is available at
http://www.vts.rdn.ac.uk and provides 50 subject-specific
tutorials that teach Internet information skills.
The Resource Discovery Network (RDN) is a national Internet
service for learners, teachers and researchers funded by
the higher and further education funding bodies and the
Learning and Skills Council via the Joint Information
Systems Committee (JISC), and by Research Councils such as
the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). It is
available at http://www.rdn.ac.uk
The Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) promotes the
innovative application and use of information systems and
information technology in further and higher education
across the UK and funded development of this resource.
This project was co-ordinated by the Institute for Learning
and Research Technology (ILRT) at Bristol University, in
collaboration with the RDN and more than 20 UK colleges.
Further information about ILRT is available at
http://www.ilrt.bris.ac.uk
***************************************************************
Dr Philip Pothen
JISC/RDN Communications Manager,
JISC Office,
King's College London,
Strand Bridge House,
3rd Floor,
138-142 The Strand,
London WC2R 1HH
Tel: 020 7848 2935
Mobile: 07887 564 006
Fax: 020 7848 2939
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