S-cool - making more of people

When implementing a new ICT system, the most critical element of a successful implementation is forgotten often by the technical team - the management of the critical users of the system.

At the start of the implementation process communication with the potential users of the system is key. Getting early "buy in" from these users will mean that they will be less resistant to change and the implementation will be less prone to delays and complications.

Users can be split into three categories:

• Administrators - manage the system for the benefit of other users
• Power Users - assist other users on a day to day basis and can be seen as supporters of the new system
• End Users - use the system to perform a function

Training/information sessions will be most effective if you ensure that the correct people come to the sessions. To do this you should consider the following:

• Communicate the objectives to both managers and attendees well before the session - If people are aware of what will be covered they can consider any questions that they want to bring up
• Stress to managers the need for the identified person to attend the training and not to send along substitutes
• Plan the content ahead of the training session - Tailor the session to suit the category of users. Don't try to cover too many roles in one session. A training session for Administrators will cover too much detail for an end user and may confuse them

Lastly, make sure you use a trainer who is fully up to speed on the product.

For advice and guidance on developing effective training and implementation programmes, call S-cool's implementation team on 0117 3707000.

Collingwood College, a high-performing 11-19 Speciality Technology College based in Surrey, has been one of five schools in the area to pilot S-cool Plan-it. The system has received great reviews from both staff and students and will now be rolled out across 14-19 networks in Surrey.

The college has used Plan-it to help learners build individual learning plans across a range of year groups (from years 9 to 11), using appropriate aspects of the system to support learners depending on how far they had progressed along their learning journey. For example, Year 10 students used the system to identify their strengths and weaknesses, whereas Year 11 students researched career paths and job applications.

All the staff and students surveyed have said that they have benefited from using Plan-it with all of them being very positive about it. Students have found the system very user friendly and, as a testament to this, some have even been using it from home! Student comments included that Plan-it was "easy to use" and that "it made me realise that I needed to start planning for my future".

The pilot also highlighted that learners were confident in completing 'My School Life', a section in Plan-it which asks students personal questions about how they get on in school, at home and with other people. Because they know that only key staff (including form tutors and Learning Support) pick up on their personal comments, the information gained was valuable in highlighting personal issues that may have otherwise been left undisclosed.

Collingwood College will now be introducing the system across the whole school for academic monitoring and reviews, helping to personalise their learners' curriculum and build their self awareness, while at the same time enabling them to target support more effectively.

Follow this link to find out more about S-cool Plan-it.

From April this year, young people across London have been able to search for courses across the capital with a simple click of the mouse...

Choice is London's online course prospectus for 14-19 year olds and provides a pan London search of the 35,000 courses and programmes that London's 640 schools, colleges and work based training providers are offering. The site provides young people, their parents and advisors impartial advice on all the learning opportunities available in schools, colleges and work places across the capital.

S-cool was chosen to create a fresh new version of the site providing the expertise, development and design resources to enhance existing functionality, including:

• A more intuitive and usable interface for young people
• The ability to search by subject areas and providers, rather than just by keywords
• Improved data accuracy through the inclusion of QANs for the majority of courses
• Cross borough searching, resulting in greater choice in learning opportunities for young people

London Connects, a London-wide agency bringing together local, regional, and central government to support the delivery of the e-government agenda across the capital is responsible for managing the Choice project.

Peter Williams, Deputy CEO of London Connects, commented on the new site and S-cool's contribution: "Choice is really starting to take shape, providing real information, advice and guidance to young people in developing their learning and career plans. S-cool are responsive to all of our needs and requirements, contributing extensive educational expertise to the project, helping us to develop a resource of real benefit to London's 14-19 learners."

The next stage of the project is due to be released later this year which will result in a full London Choice Individual Learning Plan capability and functionality surrounding a job pathways tool, CV wizard, action planner, support manager and self career quizzes all integrated the existing system.

Visit London Choice at www.mychoicelondon.co.uk

Berkshire Connexions has chosen S-cool as the provider of their online Area Wide Prospectus (AWP) and Common Application Process (CAP) pilot. Learners throughout Berkshire will benefit from powerful online search and application tools, in order to help them make those important decisions about what Post-16 courses they should choose.

Integrating Futures4Me AWP and CAP creates the most advanced online search and application system available today, enabling learners to search and apply for courses online. There's no need to remember multiple passwords, and the seamless movement from searching to applying makes it more likely learners will apply to courses which are relevant to their interests and expectations.

Jo Middleton, Project Manager of the Berkshire Area Wide Prospectus commented on the decision to appoint S-cool as their new provider "The Steering Group, made up of representatives from our local authorities, Training Providers and FE Colleges were impressed with S-cool's experience and knowledge of the 14-19 agenda and the flexibility and sustainability of their web based solution. We were particularly attracted by the capability for cross border searching."

Including Berkshire, S-cool now provide AWP and associated systems to virtually the whole of the South East of England, increasing networking opportunities as well as integrating 14-19 systems across the region.

Speaking at S-cool's recent 'Realising the Vision' regional conferences, Nick Glossop, S-cool's Director of Education said "opportunities for networking and the sharing of best practice can play a key part in improving the levels of service offered to young people across the country. With over 85 LA's in England now using our 14-19 systems, we are in a very strong position to facilitate networking and the sharing of best practice."

To find out more about S-cool's 14-19 systems, please click here.

Kent and Barnsley local authorities talked about the challenges and opportunities they encountered whilst implementing the Futures4Me Area Wide Prospectus (AWP) and Common Application Process (CAP) at two events hosted by S-cool in Birmingham and London, respectively. Over 70 delegates attended the conferences, where they also had the opportunity to listen to the senior DCSF 14-19 advisor, Bev Annables, who discussed the issues facing the department in implementing the new 14-19 Vision document.

The conferences provided an excellent opportunity for Local Authorities to network and discuss sustainability factors surrounding their AWP at the same time as considering opportunities for the further integration. A requirement of the new DCSF Vision document is that all Local Authorities should have an integrated AWP, CAP and Individual Learning Plan in place by 2010.

Rob Williamson, SGI Coordinator from Connexions Kent and Medway told delegates that through the implementation of an integrated Futures4Me Area Wide Prospectus and Common Application Process, they have been able to improve the service they offer to learners including the provision of greater planning information to support the identification and re-engagement of NEETs.

Bev Annables presented an overview of the draft Vision document and gave delegates the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback relating to the document. The feedback has been collated and sent to the DCSF to consider for the further development of the new Vision.

Delegates gave excellent feedback regarding the value of the two conferences, saying they provided insight and ideas to help them on their first steps to realising the new Vision.

We will be holding more conferences in the future and we will publish details of these on this website.

For more information contact office@s-cool.co.uk