Thank you Stuart & Terry for you responses.

For some reason, Terry's reply appeared in hieroglyphics to me and I was
only able to read it as it was included in Stuart's reply. Anyone who knows
why - please let me know!

I appreciate your comments and you are absolutely right. There is a real
need for the kind of training you are proposing. However, to keep within
the scope of the project requirement for my course, I have had to limit
myself to IT training needs in terms of hands on using & understanding
software.

NFAC have set up a training panel to address the whole spectrum of training
needed by assessors. This will be a long term project but my hope is that
they will begin, early on, to address some of the more urgent needs.

Thanks again for your replies.

Susan Levy
IT Trainer & Resource Coordinator

Sussex Regional ACCESS Centre
(Formerly Assistive Technology Centre)
University of Sussex
Falmer
Brighton BN1 9QP
Tel: 01273 678497
Email: [log in to unmask]


On Wed, 18 Dec 2002 15:33:37 +0000, Stuart Walker
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I couldn't agree with Terry more.
>
>As Bill Fine of AbilityNet has said
>
>"There are no solutions in cardboard boxes.  An effective solution is a
>user  - using effectively."
>
>Without an understanding of the learning process, a suitable strategy and
>support to achieve this, you can never hope to implement an efficient
>technological solution to assist the learning process.  Technology for it's
>own sake may be interesting to some, but, I would argue, the true benefits
>can only be gleamed from an understanding of the interface between
>technology, people and how technology can effectively improve a person's
>educational, (or other) experience.  I would add that it is always
>important that both the student and the assessor have a realistic
>expectation of what can be achieved with the recommended technology, both
>in the short and long term.
>
>It seems particularly poignant to address this, at this time of year.  How
>many PC's will be bought before Christmas?  How many will stay unassembled
>while people will struggle to try and assemble them? How many will struggle
>to install software?  More importantly how many people will actually get
>the machines to do what they had originally envisaged them doing?  Should I
>add a "Bah Humbug!" here?
>
>Complements of the season.
>
>Stuart
>
>At 15:02 18/12/2002 +0000, you wrote:
>>In your training package please concentrate on strategy as much, if not
>>more than you do on technology. It is the commonest mistake to think that
>>once an assesor can identify a voice activated packe at 100 feet they can
>>solve the ills of mankind. But, I hope we all know it is not the actual
>>peice of software thats important it is how it is applied within the
>>learning process. Get the assessors in a position where they can think
>>about learning processess first, strategy second and technology third.
>>When we can all do that as though it were second nature we would have less
>>visits of clients where the first set of technology applied has caused
>>actual damage.
>>
>>Terry Hart
>>Technical Assessor
>>University of Plymouth
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: Susan Levy [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>>Sent: Wed 18/12/2002 11:52
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Cc:
>>Subject: Assessor Training Info Required Please!
>>
>>
>>
>>         Hello All
>>
>>         I've been selfishly lurking around this list for ages. At last
>> I've got
>>         around to joining!
>>
>>         I am currently studying for the Chartered Institute of Personnel
and
>>         Development (CIPD) Certificate in Training Practice. For my main
>> project, I
>>         am investigating the IT training needs of Assessors here in
>> Brighton with
>>         the aim of supporting and promoting their continuing professional
>>         development.
>>
>>         As part of this, I am gathering information about what other
>> ACCESS centres
>>         are doing about Assessors' IT training needs. Any
>> information/materials you
>>         could pass on by email or post would be very much appreciated.
>> For example:-
>>
>>         Induction training plans for new assessors
>>         Your Centre's policy on Assessor training (with an eye on
Continuing
>>         Professional Development)
>>         Assessor competency checklist (might be used when observing &
>> evaluating an
>>         Assessment)
>>         Details of any informal training provided
>>         Training CD ROMs (wishful thinking!)
>>         Any E-Learning used (more wishful thinking!
>>         Any plans to introduce a training programme
>>         Anything else you think might be useful
>>
>>         I know that NFAC has set up a Training Panel to develop Assessor
>> training
>>         but it hasn't really got started yet.
>>
>>         Thanks and kind regards
>>         Susan Levy
>>         IT Trainer & Resource Coordinator
>>
>>         Sussex Regional ACCESS Centre
>>         (Formerly Assistive Technology Centre)
>>         University of Sussex
>>         Falmer
>>         Brighton BN1 9QP
>>         Tel: 01273 678497
>>         Email: [log in to unmask]
>>
>
>
>
>Best Wishes
>
>Stuart
>
>
>
>Stuart Walker
>IT Officer for Disabled People
>Disability Office
>Ground Floor, Bradford Halls
>University of Bradford
>BD7 1DP
>Tel:(+44) 01274 236007
>Personal Email [log in to unmask]
>Office Email: [log in to unmask]
>MSN messenger: [log in to unmask] (video conferencing available
>through NetMeeting)
>
>http://www.brad.ac.uk/disability
>http://www.brad.ac.uk/disabilitystatement
>http://www.brad.ac.uk/dyslexia