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 Union Learning – Adding Value to the Union Card Union Learning: adding value to the union card Education, Learning and Skills Forum Learning and Skills for All Fund 2009 - Manchester Launch Event Learning and Skills for All Fund 2009 - Lancashire Launch Event Learning and Skills for All Fund 2009 - Cumbria Launch Event Learning and Skills for All Fund 2009 - Chester Launch Event Learning and Skills for All Fund 2009 - Merseyside Launch Event  |
About TUED Online LearningAll TUC Education's online courses are delivered through a web-based learning environment called Moodle. Group activities take place using an online learning environment, which learners can log into whenever is convenient. The course is run in a similar way to the classroom involving a mixture of discussion-based activities, workplace tasks and individual project work. Discussions are based around the activities and involve sub-groups of the class, and are facilitated by experienced online tutors. Within the bulletin board, TU Education tutors specially qualified in online teaching give support and guidance. All online tutors are briefed in the course subject they deliver. Although reps are not required to login at specific times, they do need to complete activities on a regular basis in line with a timetable set by the tutor at the start of the course. The courses cannot be done independently. For all TUC Education's online courses, we would expect you to:
Online learning* is especially suitable for union reps that need a convenient and flexibly delivered course. To get the most from online learning you will need to be self-motivated, self-disciplined and organised.
Application processUnion reps wishing to take a TUC Education's online course must complete the appropriate application form available from www.unionlearn.org.uk/online. Each course has a separate application online form which can be accessed via the course information pages. You will receive an acknowledgement of your application by email within two weeks of submitting the form. The email will give details of the expected course start date. After submitting an initial expression of interest, you will receive a college enrolment form which you will need to complete and return before the course begins. For some of the more advanced online courses, you will be asked to provide additional information of any previous training and you have undertaken and experience you have gained as a union rep. Online courses are delivered by our network of Trade Union Education tutors based in further education colleges nationwide and run according to the college academic year. Core courses are delivered on a termly basis. Start dates for specialist short courses are advertised on each course information page.
IT skillsApplicants should note that no advanced IT skills are required for TUC Education's online courses. Learners require basic skills with a keyboard and a mouse. Getting Ready for E-Learning All successful applicants to a TUC Education online course are required to take a pre-course module before beginning their online option. This GREL module will help you understand the requirements and processes involved in online learning, familiarise you with the Moodle system and allow you to meet fellow learners. Even if you have completed GREL on a previous online course, you may still wish to join the group before your new course as it offers an invaluable opportunity to meet and get to know fellow learners.
AccreditationTUC Education accredits its online programme through the National Open College Network (NOCN) to provide clear national recognition of the quality of courses and the achievement of union reps. They are fully equivalent to their classroom-based counterparts. Registration for accreditation is voluntary. There are no tests or examinations. You will build up a file which shows the work you have completed during the course, and Open College Network (OCN) credits are awarded for achieving the learning outcomes for that course. The OCN will also issue a certificate on completion. Credits can be built up over a number of years and are transferable throughout the country. They can be used to gain access to other courses in further and higher education. They also give unions and employers a clearer view of what reps have learned and are able to do after attending a TUC Education course.
Qualifications and Credit FrameworkDuring 2007-2008, TUC Education and the NOCN* took part in testing and trialling of its programme within the national Qualifications and Credit Framework* (QCF). The QCF is a new way of recognising achievement through the award of credit for units and qualifications. It provides flexible routes to gaining full qualifications, and enables qualifications to be achieved in small steps. Within the QCF there are three types of qualifications that can be gained:
Qualifications are achieved as course units are completed and credits awarded; the more credits gained the higher the qualification. The table below illustrates how many credits reps will need in order to achieve one of the three types of qualification.
As the table shows, a learner gaining six credits at level 1 can use these to get an Award. Alternatively, they can save up the credits until they have enough to gain a Certificate, or transfer them to another qualification. However, only certain combinations of credits lead to one of the three qualification types. For example, some qualifications are made up mandatory units along with a number of optional units; other qualifications consist entirely of optional units. TUC Education has developed four qualification routes for trade union reps that will help reps gain the right credit combinations in order to achieve Awards, Certificates and Diplomas.
Time off for learningUnion representatives who wish to attend TUC courses in working time should first ask their employer for time off with pay. The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and the Safety Representatives and Safety Committee Regulations 1977 give accredited union and safety representatives a legal right to reasonable time off with pay to attend courses approved by the TUC or their union. Guidance towards establishing what constitutes reasonable time off can be found in the ACAS Code of Practice (http://www.acas.org.uk/publications/pdf/CP03.pdf). Online learning should not be seen as an alternative to paid release from work. The law that says trade union reps are entitled to reasonable paid time off for education and training. This also applies to online courses, whether learning takes place away from work or in work, in your home, at a workstation or in a learning centre. Talk to your employer about what makes sense for you. Representatives who find difficulty in obtaining paid time off to attend TUC courses should seek assistance from their senior union representative or full time union officer.
Course costsAll online courses are free for union reps from unions affiliated to the TUC.
Briefing document (1,200 words) issued 11 Sep 2007  TUC Education in the Midland region ONLINE PENSIONS COURSES FOR UNION REPS Pension Champions online course |
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