This document discusses how an organization called TDM uses the learning management system Totara and eportfolio system Mahara together for IT apprenticeships. Key aspects include using Totara for online courses, tracking competencies, and assessments, while Mahara is used for reflective journals, gathering evidence of skills, and submitting assessments. Apprentices are guided through their learning journey using both systems in an integrated way.

1. Apprenticeships using
TotaraLMS & Mahara
Laurent David
Head of Open Source Software Services @ TDM Ltd.
+ Software Developer
Thomas Bell - @thomaswbell88
+ Implementation Manager @ TDM OSS
+ IT Professional Trainer & Assessor @ TDM Wyre Academy
+ Co-Author of “Mahara for Beginners”(~August 2012 publication)

2. Quick intro ...
TDM
http://thedevelopmentmanager.com/
“Let's do good stuff!”

3. ●
Training..
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In Open Source Software
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Consultancies
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Business & Education focus
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Development..
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Of Open Source Software
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Bespoke Software development
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Management..
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Of Open Source Software
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'Implementation Management' for organisations
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Successful software deployment

4. ●
Totara Partner
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Managed Hosting
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Codeline Development
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Branding
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Moodle Services company
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Implementations
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Training
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Mahara Partner
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Authors of the Mahara book: 'Mahara Beginner's Guide'
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Mahara Certified Training Courses

5. Over a year in existence now,
but with decades of training
provision:
Online Training Academy
IT / ICT Apprenticeships Delivery
Tutor Training
Management Training
High-stakes Industry Qualifications

6. 2012 Proud to be partnered/certified with:

7. IT Apprenticeships
●
Our vision for apprenticeships
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Quality apprentices for organisations to grow
into quality ICT professionals
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“Learn to make cupboards, by making
cupboards”
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Tried and tested..
800 year old concept
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“Dog food”

9. How do we do it?
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eLearning Courses
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Face to face intensive week training
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Learning on the job
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Reflection
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Assessment of competence in the workplace
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Hard skills tests (hard!!)

10. What is ?

11. What is ?
Key points for the Wyre Academy:
● Individual Learning Plans from NVQ tied
competencies. SMART planning
● Face-to-face sessions Booking Management
● eLearning courses supplement learning
● Integration with ePortfolio area for learner reflection
● Completion reports for funding bodies and the boss!
...

12. What is ?
● Constant development..
● Changed the look and feel
● Assessment Matrix (“Progress Tracker”) to map
competencies ↔ Evidence
● Evidence area for assessor evidence, matrices etc.
eAssessment tool
● Totara Upgrades

15. How do Mahara and Totara mix?
●
Wyre Academy Totara = Structured Learning
Delivery:
●
Individual Learning Plans
●
Online Courses
●
Tracking + Reporting
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Workshop Booking

17. How do Mahara and Totara mix?
●
Wyre Academy Mahara = Personalised
Learning
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Professional Learning Community
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Reflective Journals
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Evidence gathering
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Evidence showcasing
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Assessment submission to
Mahara Groups & Totara Courses

18. Learner Journey In Totara/Mahara
●
Learner Registration & Interview
●
Diagnostics Assessments in TotaraLMS
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Successful employment placement using their
skills/strengths
●
Induction training: “Apprenticeships
Induction” course (online) & Mahara

20. Apprentices learn to use Mahara...
Induction workshop
Personalise their profile!
Introduced to reflection
Learn about their own learning & thinking
skills
Socialise with peers

21. Learner Journey In Totara/Mahara
●
Individual Learning Plan/s creation
●
Auto assigned relevant competencies
●
Auto enrolled on relevant eLearning courses
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Timescales and due dates added to competencies
●
Different plans added based on the individual e.g:
– Functional Skills Plan
– Diploma in ICT Professional Competence Learning Plan
– Diploma in ICT Systems & Principles Learning Plan

23. Learner Journey In Totara/Mahara
●
Learner gathers evidence in Mahara
●
Learners constructs their pages in Mahara:
– Screencasting
– Videos
– Audio
– Product evidence
– Witness testimonies

31. Learner Journey In Totara/Mahara
●
Formative Assessment:
●
Assessor Feedback attached to Pages
– Video/audio feedback
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Assessor Discussions & Observations attached as
feedback to relevant Mahara Pages
●
Final submission to relevant groups in Mahara

34. Learner Journey In Totara/Mahara
●
Summative Assessment:
●
Totara 'Quizzes', 'Assignments' and 'Lessons'
●
Pearson Vue examinations at Academy venue

35. Mahara's Key Features for
Assessment Delivery:
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Course Groups
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Page watchlists
●
Email notifications (digest)
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Feedback on pages (with Attachments)
●
The integration with Totara for eAssessment,
reporting and teacher-led eLearning etc.

36. Additional notes
● Not just for apprentices..
● Assessor portfolios of competence
● Assessor Profiles
● Workplace Mentor Profiles & ePortfolios
● Workplace Mentor Training

37. Mahara ePortfolios
at TDM
●
We've been involved in the development of Mahara for
over 3 4 years now and still inputting.
●
Very happy for the continuing success and uptake
●
Looking to write the sequel to our successful Mahara 1.2:
A Beginners Guide
Book being published very soon!

38. Plans for the future..
(from last year)
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“Mahara Evidence – Totara Competency” Mapping
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“Mahara Assessor Overlay”:
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Point and click on Mahara blocks to grade/assess in
Totara/Moodle
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Closer TotaraLMS/Mahara integration
Please get involved! If these sound interesting,
contact us to fast-track its development

39. References
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/salim/
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/nostri-imago/
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/alancleaver/
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http://wyreacademy.com
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http://thedevelopmentmanager.com
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Mahara 1.2: A Beginner's Guide book
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Mahara for Beginners book (August/September 2012 publication)
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More info on IT Apprenticeships with TDM Wyre Academy
●