Resources subscription service
Electronic resources for vocational practitioners and their trainers
What is the subscription
service?
Becoming a subscriber gives you access to downloadable teaching and learning resources
to help with your continuing professional
development and if you are responsible for training others.
Resources are suitable for:
- vocational assessors, including end-point
assessors - those responsible for quality assurance (IVs,
IQAs and EQAs) - vocational teachers and trainers, including
coach assessors of apprenticeships - those responsible for staff training
This is what subscribers say ...
What you get
Subscribing gives you access to a range of
professionally-produced resources in full colour with
photos, tables and diagrams including:
- video presentations and webinars
- factsheets
- articles
- practical activities for skills’ development and for
evidence of competence
You will also be able to:
- buy Hilary’s printed guides at 30% discount
- keep up to date with current changes in the FE and
Skills sector and the implications for practice - keep your CPD up-to-date
- access training resources if you are responsible for
staff development.
New resources are added regularly.
What does it cost?
In this ten-minute screencast, Hilary explains how to embed English, mathematics and digital skills (EMD) into vocational programmes including:
- definitions
- the difference between contextualisation and embedding
- examples of each, including a short activity
- principles for designing and delivering learning linked to EMD.
This is an ideal resource for those involved in the design and delivery of Functional Skills qualifications and T-Level projects.
If you don’t want to subscribe, you can purchase the screencast here.
Subscriber resources - here's what you get
Practical activities for assessors
A series of 14 work-based activities with links to assessor qualifications and guidance on how to use them:
Guidance on using the assessor activities
Activity 1. Self-assessment
Activity 2. Assessment planning
Activity 3. Comparing assessment methods
Activity 4. Peer and self-assessment
Activity 5. Arriving at an assessment decision
Activity 6. Giving feedback
Activity 7. Meeting individual needs
Activity 8. Your role in quality assurance of assessment
Activity 9. The benefits of a holistic approach
Activity 10. Using technology
Activity 11. Keeping it legal
Activity 12. Equality, diversity and bilingualism
Activity 13. Reflection and CPD
Activity 14. End-point assessment of apprentices
Initial assessment screencasts
Initial assessment: Principles and benefits
Components of an initial assessment system
Handouts and CPD activities for assessors
Activity: Learning domains and apprenticeship standards
Handout and reflection: The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
Handout and reflection: Example assessment plan (based on The Care Certificate)
Handout and reflection: Standardisation activities for assessors
Most popular …
End-point assessment methods
Explanations, diagrams and activities on each of the main EPA methods:
- Presentations and showcases
- Observations
- Professional discussion
- Knowledge tests
- Practical skills tests
- Projects, tasks and assignments
- Portfolios, learner logs and employer statements
- Using EPA methods
Presentation: Becoming an assessor trainer in apprenticeships
An introduction to the role of the on-programme assessor/trainer that looks at examples of an apprenticeship standard, assessment plan, assessment methods and the implications for practice.
Handout and reflection: The stages of learning
A one-page introduction to the five stages within the teaching and learning cycle with reflective questions based on The best vocational trainer’s guide (2015).
Handout and reflection: The experiential learning cycle:
A one-page introduction to Kolb’s experiential learning cycle with reflective questions from The best vocational trainer’s guide (2015).
Activity: Embedding English, mathematics and ICT
Examples of what to do and what not to do from other trainers and assessors.
On-programme curriculum planning
An activity on putting together the on-programme curriculum within apprenticeships with questions for reflection.
Vocational curriculum planning: making the most of the workplace
A seven-minute screencast on linking your curriculum-planning to learning in the workplace.
The reflection series (handouts and discussion activities)
- Getting started with CPD
- Reflective writing
- Reflection for vocational practitioners
- CPD for assessors
- Helping learners to reflect.
Embedding English, mathematics and digital skills
An eight-minute screencast on how to embed these skills into the work task or technical process.
Planning and using work activities
A handout plus questions for discussion and reflection.Getting started with teaching and learning
Most popular …
The best apprenticeships guide
A 32-page online guide for those responsible for delivering the on-programme element of apprenticeships.
CPD activities for internal quality assurers (IQAs) and internal verifiers (IVs)
Nine work-based activities with links to the IQA qualifications :
Guidance on using the CPD activities for IQAs
Activity 1. Self-assessment
Activity 2. Planning for internal quality assurance
Activity 3. Improving assessment practice
Activity 4. Observing assessment practice
Activity 5. Evaluating use of technology
Activity 6. Running standardisation meetings
Activity 7. CPD of assessors
Activity 8. Evaluating policies, procedures and legal requirements
Activity 9. Reflecting on your performance
Calculating caseloads: Activity and reflection
An activity on working out assessors’ caseloads with questions for reflection
Screencast: Improving the quality of vocational assessment
A short presentation on the main responsibilities of the internal quality assurer and how you link their main activities to the quality assurance cycle.
CPD activities for EQAs
Eight work-based activities linked to the qualifications for EQAs:
Guidance on using the activities for EQAs
Activity 1. Self-assessment
Activity 2. Identifying risk
Activity 3. Planning external quality assurance
Activity 4. Observing assessment practice
Activity 4. Conducting external quality assurance
Activity 5. Standardising practice
Activity 6. Providing advice and support
Activity 7. Evaluating policies, procedures and legal requirements
Activity 8. Reflecting on your performance
EQA of end-point assessment
A handout explaining how EQA of EPA works with questions for reflection.
An introduction to the IQA’s role
A five-page handout with case study and self-assessment checklist for those thinking of becoming an IQA.
Article: Becoming a vocational assessor
Three areas to consider if you are thinking of becoming a vocational assessor.
Slides: Becoming a vocational assessor
Powerpoint version of the article plus a summary slide at the end.Screencast: The Post-16 Skills Plan and T-Levels – where are we now?
Looking at the implications of the Post-16 Skills Plan, concentrating on the introduction of technical qualifications (T-Levels) and what the college route looks like (updated November, 2018).
Slides: The Post-16 Skills Plan and T-Levels
Looking at the implications of the Post-16 Skills Plan: slides from the screencast.
Screencast: What about learning styles?
A critical look at what research says about learning styles and practical ways in which vocational teachers and trainers can address the issues with their learners.
Most popular …
Screencast: The Education Inspection Framework (EIF) 3
The third, updated screencast on the EIF that looks at curriculum:
- intent
- implementation
- impact
… and what this means if you are a vocational practitioner responsible for teaching, learning and assessment.
*Resources can be bought separately without subscription here.