Paul Joyce, Deputy Director for Further Education and Skills at Ofsted, writes about the review into online education during coronavirus in the further education and skills sector.
Some key findings were:
- Learners’ experiences varied considerably during this period, both across the range of providers and across subject areas in the same provider.Â
- Generally speaking, learners at levels 1 and 2 have engaged less well than those at level 3.
- The success of the transition to online learning in lockdown has depended on how well prepared managers, staff and learners were and how well managers planned the transition.
- Colleges and providers have made considerable efforts to support learners in accessing online learning, but the lack of suitable technology or connectivity at home remains a problem for a significant minority of learners.Â
- The varying competence and confidence of staff with information technology has affected providers’ success in making the transition to online learning. Staff training has been crucial.
