Excellence Gateway
This case study was produced by JISC RSC (Regional Support Centres) Eastern on behalf of the Excellence Gateway.
Sector relevance: Work-based learning
Keywords: Learning Innovation Grant (LIG) funding, increasing employability, CVCD , improving institutional effectiveness
CSV Media Clubhouse is a learning provider that specialises in providing work-based training in media and ICT. Although ensuring that learners fulfil their potential, enhancing their employability and routes into work are top of the agenda at CSV.
Therefore, they have adopted and are currently using a low-cost, portable media format called the CVCD which can be used by students to document their skills, interests and abilities using video, audio and other media. This came to surface after a successful Learning Innovation Grant (LIG) bid to help improve employability through innovation.
The Learning Innovation Grant (LIG) funding is provided by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and administered by the Association of Learning Providers (ALP). LIG funding supports the innovative development and application of ICT technologies and e-learning within the work-based learning (WBL)/skills sector. As at June 2008, LIG funding has supported 224 projects across a wide range of geographical and occupational areas. Access LIG exemplars on the Excellence Gateway.
The CSV (Community Service Volunteers) Media Clubhouse® is a digital multimedia centre combined with music and community art facilities. It is situated in the heart of the planned Ipswich Village, close to the town centre. CSV Media Clubhouse® provides work based training in media and ICT skills to improve employability and increase diversity in the media. CSV also operates social action help desks with over 80 broadcast partners throughout the country.
The courses offered include music production, video production, ICT, web design and English as a Second Language (ESOL). The students at the centre come from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. The CSV Media Clubhouse® provides them with the opportunity that perhaps was not once there, to train and acquire skills and qualifications needed to follow their desired career paths.
The aim of the CSV Media Clubhouse® is to help all individuals who want to further their personal development and thus future employability.
Management staff at the centre felt that innovation could play a part in helping students document their interests, skills, coursework and experience. However, they needed to research the market to investigate what would be the best solution for them.
There is a variety of e-portfolio tools used for different purposes by a range of learning providers. Therefore deciding upon a ‘best fit’ approach was a challenge.
CSV Media Clubhouse® began to explore the possibility of implementing portable portfolios or electronic CVs for their learners. Initially, they investigated using standard format CD’s as a platform for students to upload content, however there proved to be some technical issues in doing this. Furthermore the idea seemed unoriginal.
Their hope was to have an innovative tool for all learners that could:
Inspiration then came from a similar project happening in the US, where students were supplied with rectangular, pocket-sized CDs.
Following their success in obtaining Learning Innovation Grant (LIG 2) funding, CSV were able to purchase the equipment and media required to provide each student with opportunity to create their own CVCD.
The CVCD is a small, rectangular CD that is pocket sized and very portable. The accompanying equipment allows students to print images onto the CVCD to add a professional touch.
The underlying program of the CD is PowerPoint using the ‘Export to CD function’ and using links to the slides for navigation. The approx memory of each disk is around 350Mb. These are produced using digital production at CSV. Students can therefore upload various media including video, audio, images and other media that help illustrate their competences, skills and interests.
The learners’ CVCD provides the opportunity to have a personalised, vibrant presentation of their skills, experiences and competences. By comparison, it gives potential employers a vivid impression of these attributes that a regular CV cannot. Therefore, it helps interviewers to make more informed decisions about the applicant.
Furthermore, the aesthetics of the CVCD are appealing and offer a keen and professional presence when in the hands of an employer and therefore is more prominent amongst other application.
It has also provided learners with transferable skills and the right confidence and manner to approach employers.
One student has already secured a job in a local restaurant on the strength of the content on the CVCD showing his artistic abilities. They have also attracted local art galleries who are currently exhibiting his artwork.
While the idea of the CVCD is simple it is an incredibly effective, low-cost tool. As shown it helps enhance the employability of each student enrolled at the CSV Media Clubhouse®. To date, the LIG project has created jobs, volunteering and training opportunities for 14 learners.
The success of the CVCD has also seen CSV exceed its targeted production that was set within the LIG funding bid.
It has also sparked interest from Connexions, the careers and recruitment advisory service, who are keen to use the technology for their clients.
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Source: Quality Improvement Agency
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