OWLS - an introduction
•
0 likes•97 views
An introduction to the OWLS self assessment system
Recommended
Recommended
More Related Content
Similar to OWLS - an introduction
Similar to OWLS - an introduction (20)
Recently uploaded
Recently uploaded (20)
OWLS - an introduction
- 1. owls Outcomes that Work for Learners and their Stakeholders owls Outcomes that Work for Learners and their Stakeholders Dr Sue Newberry, MD, Good Ideas Ltd A brief guide for training providers, employers and learners.
- 2. Are you… A Training Provider? Would you attract more learners or more funding by enhancing the quality of your training services? A Learner? Would better training help you to improve your career prospects? An Employer? Are you getting the most from your investment in training? If your answer is 'Yes' then you need to learn more about OWLS!
- 3. The OWLS Quality Cycle 3
- 4. The focus of OWLS 4 Moving away from the classroom – and towards the workplace.
- 5. OWLS stakeholders OWLS The Learner. The Manager. The Trainer.
- 6. Benefits of using OWLS Benefits for trainers and training organisations: Improved internal communication and procedures Better relationships with employers and learners Better evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of your training services Opportunity to benchmark your performance with other VET providers 6
- 7. Benefits of using OWLS Benefits for learners: Better learning outcomes Better prepared for your work role More able to demonstrate your experience and competence in your work role 7
- 8. Benefits of using OWLS Benefits for employers and managers: More effective training for your workforce, more tailored to the needs of their work roles New workers better prepared for their work role Better evaluation of your investment in training 8
- 9. Take an OWLS perspective 9 UsingtheOWLSqualityassurancesystemhashelpedustoimproveourtrainingservices. It‘sgivenusadifferentperspective onwhatwedoandhowwecanbettersupportourlearners as wellaslocalemployers. It‘sevensavedustimeonourEFQMworktoo! GailAnderson,Chief Executive Voluntary ActionOrkney
- 10. How does OWLS work? 10
- 11. The OWLS Structure 11 Contributing Factors Criteria for Success Examples
- 12. What makes OWLS so effective? 12 OWLS was specifically designed to ensure that any vocational training is more directly applicable to the workplace It is not designed to replace existing systems. It adds value to existing quality assurance systems used by training providers. OWLS has been tested across a wide range of vocational training provision across all age groups, different vocational sectors and academic levels from introductory level to post graduate qualifications OWLS works for all kinds of vocational training including initial VET and continuing VET or life long learning. OWLS is one of the first 'bottom up' approaches specifically designed to enhance the quality of VET and that is in line with the new EU EQAVET framework.
- 13. How long does it take to complete OWLS? In some ways it doesn’t stop! Some are quicker than others It is beneficial for even very experienced training organisations It’s worth taking the time to work with learners and employers 13
- 14. owls Outcomes that Work for Learners and their Stakeholders owls Outcomes that Work for Learners and their Stakeholders Dr Sue Newberry, MD, Good Ideas Ltd Thank you for watching.
Editor's Notes
- Are you interested in the quality of training? The OWLS partners are passionate about improving the quality of vocational education and training. My name is Sue Newberry and I am the Managing Director of a small business called Funding Ideas. We provide specialist training and consultancy services to the not for profit sector and their partners. That makes me a learner, a trainer and a manager! I got involved in OWLS because we wanted to deliver the best quality training to our customers in the not for profit sector either face to face or through our on line learning community, the Learning Ideas Space. We also wanted to help our charity clients who deliver training themselves to help them design better blended learning solutions for their clients! The OWLS system was originally designed as part of a European transnational project – A development of Innovation project under the Leonardo da Vinci Programme.
- It doesn’t matter whether you are a training provider, learner or an employer – its important that you know about OWLS and how it can improve vocational education and training for the better!
- OWLS is a tool designed for trainers and training organisations to review their training provision. OWLS provides trainers and training organisations with a structure to help them reflect on their performance and to improve their results for learners, managers and for their organisation! OWLS is an online, multi-lingual, self-assessment quality assurance system which aims to improve the quality of Vocational Education and Training (or VET). The best news is that it is free to use when you register on the OWLS website. (www.owls-nest.eu)
- The main purpose of OWLS is to make VET more effective. In particular we want to ensure that learning outcomes gained in the “classroom” are actually useful in the workplace. Our work is very much in line with the EQAVET framework at European level – our focus was specifically “Indicator 6: Utilisation of acquired skills in the workplace”. To learn more about EQAVET and how Europe is planning to improve the quality of VET click on Attachments and select the link to EQAVET. We want learners to acquire and apply learning outcomes that are relevant and of practical benefit to the workplace, to them as workers, to their employer and to the European economy.
- The OWLS system provides a framework for trainers to work more closely with their key stakeholders: learners and employers to improve VET. Our research demonstrates that when training providers engage with learners, employers (and line managers) they can really make a big difference to their training services. Every stakeholder has their own perspective on the training that’s delivered – so its important to listen and respect their ideas and feedback.
- OWLS delivers numerous benefits for a variety of stakeholders. For trainers and training organisations using OWLS leads to Improved internal communication and procedures Better relationships with employers and learners Better evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of your training services Opportunity to benchmark your performance with other VET providers OWLS is about continuous improvement, working with stakeholders to identify things that can be made better. It is not about control. It is designed to compliment and add value to existing systems rather than replace any existing QA systems that VET providers may use.
- For learners OWLS can deliver Better learning outcomes Better prepared for your work role and learners are More able to demonstrate your experience and competence in your work role
- For employers and managers using OWLS helps to create More effective training for your workforce which is more tailored to the needs of people‘s work roles; New workers who are better prepared for their work role; and helps give you a Better evaluation of your investment in training
- But don’t take our word for it – listen to our existing customers who have “taken an OWLS perspective”. If you’d like to learn more about the experience of this OWLS user please click on Attachments in the top right hand corner of this screen and select one of the case studies available.
- The OWLS Quality Cycle provides training providers and trainers with a structure which enables them to review their VET provision. OWLS is a cycle of continuous improvement and is aligned with the 4 stages of the EU‘s EQAVET. You decide where to start and in what order to work through the 4 stages.
- Let‘s take a closer look and see how the OWLS Quality Cycle is structured. Each stage comprises a number of Criteria for Success. These are made up of a number of Contributing Factors - you score your organisation‘s performance against each of these factors. If you need help there are examples of how other training organisations have met each Contributing Factor. We‘ve provided you with a specific example as a handout – click on Attachments in the top right hand corner of this screen and select 'OWLS - Planning sample'
- OWLS is a continuous improvement cycle so in many ways it doesn‘t stop! Some organisations may be able to work through the 4 stages more quickly than others. Experience in using quality assurance systems may help but it is more Even the most experienced training organisations have found that 'taking an OWLS perspective' has helped them to think differently about their training services. important to work with your learners and employers to research your evidence carefully and thoroughly.