An Excellence Gateway case study
Published: 11 November 2009
This case study was produced by JISC Regional Support Centre for Yorkshire & Humber on behalf of the Excellence Gateway.
Sector relevance: Work-based learning
Keywords: Improving institutional effectiveness, efficiency and effectiveness, meeting employers' needs, management information system (MIS), communication with employers, e-portfolios, digital signatures, progress monitoring data, Information Rights management, internal verification (evidence gathering), accounting and finance, administration, business management, entry to employment (E2E)
Summary
T-centrix has created secure digital signatures. For the first time, online items can be reliably authorised by a signatory. Learners’ work can be securely assessed online and administration processes can become paper-free.
About T-centrix
T-centrix is a work-based learning provider based in Castleford, West Yorkshire. Courses centre on the construction, transport, business and service sectors.
The challenge
Online systems provide many advantages: they can be a repository of course materials, video, audio, admin forms; they present cost and time savings; they allow remote access; they centralise information; users can track information easily; and information can be seen across organisations.
However, learning providers previously may have been unable to carry out online assessments due to the lack of security in using an image of a signature – an image of a signature can be inserted into a document without the authorisation of the signatory. Therefore, any documents to be stored digitally would have to be paper-based first and scanned, resulting in extra work and storage.
The challenge for T-centrix was to develop a system that made digital signatures secure. No previous system allows for this.
The activity
Richard Moss, IT Manager, worked with consultants to develop C2T (Connect to Training) Tracker, a system that provides all online benefits and can also convert a signature into a code. A tablet detects the movement of the signature and coverts it into an encrypted text string. A pin number is required to access the signature. In this way, a signatory can input the pin number to create a digital signature and, when printed out, the code is viewed as the actual signature.
Image 1: Screenshot of a learner's course tracker
The outcomes
The creation of a pin number means that the online system guarantees that the item has been authorised by the correct person. This works both online and on paper, as the signature is recreated when printed out.
The impact
Benefits are:
- greater security: items can only be authorised or assessed by the appropriate person; and
- less physical storage required: items that previously had to be authorised on paper can now move online.
C2T Tracker opens up online systems for a greater variety of uses. In addition to being used as an e-portfolio and teaching aid, it can now be used for:
- assessment
- administration.
The system is fully compliant with the QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) and MIAP (Managing Information Across Partners).
The system will make life easier for the learner as they move from provider to provider or employer.
"It’s all for the learner. All information is with them. They can take their record to another learning provider, who can see all the courses they have done. It’s to give the learner the best."
Richard Moss, IT Manager
The future
A card is being developed that allows remote access to the system. This means that a student can take the card to an employer, who can then view courses and qualifications taken and credits acquired.
Useful links
- T-centrix website
- C2T Tracker
- For more information about this case study, email the JISC Regional Support Centre for Yorkshire and Humber.
- View all Yorkshire and Humberside good e-practice case studies on the Excellence Gateway.
Read other related case studies
- Croydon College: Supporting learners with STARS
- Brockenhurst College: Driving up quality with Rolls Royce eSARS
- South Nottingham College: Trialling e-portfolio systems
Disclaimer: The Regional Support Centres (RSC) and the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) support the development of educational e-learning. In the case study, we may refer to specific products, processes or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer or otherwise, or link to websites or supporting material. Such references are not endorsements or recommendations and should not be used for product endorsement purposes.