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Dissemination & Showcase Event
The Digital Step Dissemination & Showcase Event will take place
in Belfast on June 29th to celebrate the impact of the project at both
national and European level. Click
here to download the conference programme.
Coming Soon….Research Report on Employers Attitudes to
Non-Formal Learning
Digital Step has commissioned a research study into the attitudes
of NI employers towards non-formal learning and qualifications. The
study will survey 200 SMEs and the findings will be published (and available
for download) in summer 2005.
CCEA AWARD
Digital Step designed the new Occupational Studies in Digital
Technology award for Northern Ireland’s main examination’s
body, CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment).
The CCEA Occupational Studies in Digital Technology is now available
to every school and Further Education College in Northern Ireland.
Dream Ireland has been registered as an approved training centre
for the new CCEA award which fits within the National Qualifications
Framework at Level 1 and 2 and Entry Level.
Between October and December 2004, 32 participants achieved the
CCEA Occupational Studies in Digital Technology through Digital
Step programmes at Woodvale Bytes, Upper Springfield Bytes, Workforce
Training Services and The Junction mental health project in Lisburn
– the first time the award has been used in an informal context.
Specific features of the award include:
- GCSE equivalent qualification in 50 hours training in informal
learning environments
- New model of learning combining PD skills with marketable skills
- Covers key skills (Literacy, Numeracy & ICTs)
- Digital media - web design, film/video editing, sound/music,
animation, games etc.
- Accredited by CCEA
- Continuous assessment - no exams
- Tailored for young people who do not fit with traditional approaches
to learning
TRANSNATIONAL TRANSFER OF DIGITAL STEP
Dream Ireland are the lead partner in the Digital Step project and
along with MILOS in Berlin and ACCESS in Sweden make up the R.E.A.L.
transnational partnership which examines new approaches to training
and education for socially excluded young people using media and
popular culture.
In January 2005, the Project Manager and Project Co-ordinator of
the Digital Step project travelled to Germany to deliver a training
workshop to representatives of the MILOS Development Partnership.
The event was hosted by the MILOS DP as part of the process to
transfer the Digital Step learning model from Northern Ireland to
Berlin.
There is currently no informal accreditation system in Germany
and no uniform standard for the accreditation of soft skills. The
MILOS DP intends to transfer and adopt the Digital Step approach
for the German education and vocational training system.
The workshop took place on the 27th & 28th January and was
designed to demonstrate how to plan, implement and assess the Digital
Step media-based learning activities.
The training was attended by 14 delegates from 8 different training
and education organisations in Berlin. A number of these organisations
will pilot the Digital Step learning model and accreditation system
between February and June 2005.
NEW QUALIFICATION FOR CCEA
Digital Step has developed a new qualification (based upon
project activities) for the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum,
Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).
CEA was set up by government to provide advice on and support for
what is taught in schools and colleges in Northern Ireland and how
it is assessed.
Digital Step designed the new Occupational Qualification in Digital
Technology which is currently being piloted in a number of schools
throughout Northern Ireland. |
