The official opening of ISIS Training’s new premises in the centre of Boston took place on 23rd April. The Worshipful the Mayor of Boston, Councillor Maureen Dennis, opened the centre and welcomed guests to the Open Day. Mary Turnor, WBL Operations Manager of ISIS Training introduced the Mayor to the staff, explained the work ISIS Training carried out and our role in Technology Exemplar Network.
Open Day
The day’s activities also included an open day where we were able to showcase our use of technology and demonstrate the work we carry out as part of the Technology Exemplar network. All Employers and prospective learners were invited to come along, view our facilities and talk to our staff about the services ISIS Training offer. Mary Turnor, WBL Operations Manager, explained that they are really pleased with the new systems and technologies.
The staff at ISIS Training explained to visitors how the new centre incorporates a range of the latest technologies to support learning and assessment and were able to demonstrate how they use technology to support a range of activities.
IWEB
We also demonstrated IWEB a staff portal which has been written and developed in house by our IT Technician, Dan O’Hara. This system allows staff to access documents, share news, MIS data and coordinate diaries across the different centres. New or updated procedures are co-ordinated by our quality manager, Pip Whiteman, who uploads them on to the system. This ensures that all staff have access to all the latest information and version control is properly managed. The day was a great success and a further open day will be held at our Lincoln centre on the 23rd July 2010.
Mary Turnor (Ops Manager) and Members of the ISIS Training staff with the Mayor of Boston Councillor Maureen Dennis
ISIS Training has recently completed a £25,000 upgrade of our IT systems and equipment to further improve the delivery of all our qualification and learning programmes. The project was funded through grants awarded by BECTA and the LSC, to recognise our status as one of the 16 Exemplar providers in the Technology Exemplar Network and through our own resources.
Improved Network
One of the major improvements is the re-cabling and upgrade of the ISIS Training network
This will provide high speed communications, internet access and data transfer in our Lincoln Centre.
Additional Purchases
We have also purchased a wide range of new IT equipment for use by staff and learners which include: Interactive SMART Boards installed in all classrooms in both our Lincoln and Boston Centres, SMART Voting systems to hold interactive quizzes and informal testing, two new Computer Suites for use by our Foundation Learning Tier learners, Wii consoles to bring fun into learning and help develop teamwork, co-ordination and interpersonal skills.
New Nintendo DS consoles with Brain Train software will help develop and improve numeracy and literacy. All this new equipment will enhance our current use of E-portfolios and the highly successful Learning Advisors IT Toolkit, used for electronic Assessment.
Commitment
ISIS Training are fully committed to meeting the needs of our learners and employers regarding the use of technology. We will continue to embrace our use of technology and are constantly looking at ways to further enhance our IT facilities.
ISIS Training were one of the sixteen education and skills providers from across England to be presented with their award for achieving Technology Exemplar Network status for a second consecutive year at the BECTA Next Generation Learning Awards in Birmingham on the 8 March 2010. ISIS Training was represented by their E-Learning Manager, Mick Gilroy, who was presented with an engraved glass trophy. The evening was hosted by the well known presenter and TV personality Sandy Toksvig, who conducted the ceremony, presented the awards and provided excellent entertainment for the second year running.The Technology Exemplar Network is designed to help colleges and other learning providers use technology more effectively. ISIS Training was chosen as an exemplar because o f their effective use of E-learning, E-Portfolios and the highly innovative e-assessment methods they have developed for use with their learners. This includes accessing remote and hard to reach learners through the use of these technologies.
The 16 Technology Exemplar network Providers
Mick Gilroy – E Learning Manager of ISIS Training accepting the Technology Exemplar Phase 2 award from Cathy Ellis – Head of FE & Skills – Becta
