DISCOVER learning zone
Hello!
My name is Nigel Wynne. I work within the Faculty of Health at Birmingham City University and lead the team that is responsible for designing and developing a range of interactive resources and learning opportunities for carers interested in using technology to enhance the support they receive.
This is the first of a number of regular blogs that myself or members of my team will be writing in order to explain what we are doing and to gain feedback and suggestions from carers who would like to suggest comments and ideas.
In this blog I’ll describe the overall aims of the work we are engaged in, the general design of the service we will provide and an indication of the nature of the technologies and resources we will be using to support the carer communities Discover4Carers is working with.
Overall Aims
Discover4Carers aims to:
- Provide guided opportunities for carers to use technology in ways that improve their quality of life and ability to care
- Promote the skills and confidence that carers have in using digital technologies like the web, computers and mobile devices
- Ensure that carers can evidence their skills and experience in ways that help to access further employment or educational opportunities.
To achieve these aims we are creating a web based resource called the Discover Learning Zone. This resource can be accessed by any carer via the Discover website following a quick registration that simply requires a Username and e-mail address.
The Learning Zone has three main Tiers:
Tier 1: Provides access to collections of high quality web based resources grouped around different topic areas
Tier 2: Tier 2 has two areas; Connecting for Care and Enhanced Care Skills. Connecting for Care contains activities that helps Carers use technology safely to communicate and share experiences. Enhanced Care Skills contains activities and resources that help Carers to further develop their care skills E.g. Preventing Falls and Pressure Sores and Using Assistive Technologies in the Home.
Tier 3: Making Your Skills and Experience Count. This area offers guidance and support to Carers to help them evidence their current skills and experience and the skills gains they have achieved by working within the Discover Learning Zone.
Each of the Discover Learning Zone Tiers will have opportunities for Carers, whether they are complete novices in using technology or more experienced and confident, to generate certificates that evidence ability in this regard.