ETB Sector Assessment Reference Documents (announced June 2018)
A suite of reference documents for quality assuring assessment of learners has been developed by an ETB sectoral assessment working group in collaboration with the Further Education Support Service (FESS), and following a detailed consultative process. These reference documents have been developed to assist ETBs in developing and documenting policies and procedures for quality assuring learner assessment, in line with best practice. Copies of the reference documents have now been distributed to all ETBs in hard copy and are also available through a secure login repository on www.etbi.ie
Maynooth University Fifth Annual Summer Writing Institute for Teachers (SWIFT) 2018
Maynooth University Fifth Annual Summer Writing Institute for Teachers (SWIFT) 2018
The Maynooth University Writing Centre is delighted to announce the fifth summer writing institute for teachers (SWIFT) which will take place from Monday 3rd July to Friday 7th July 2018 inclusive.
Further information is available here
http://muwritingcentre.blogspot.ie
Resource Development Initiative (announced January 2018)
Resource List Development Initiative Phase 5
Following the success of the phase 1, phase 2, phase 3 and phase 4 'Resource Lists' that were developed by FET teachers and trainers, FESS would like to announce phase 5 of the development.
In response to requests from the sector this current call is for potential writers of resource lists for level 1.
This round of resource list development is targeted at level 1 only, as this is the level for which resource lists have not yet been developed. We will consider applications for resource list development in the following field areas, specifically related to programmes at level 1.
- Literacy / Communications
- Numeracy
- Personal Skills and Development
- Other field areas in which certification is being achieved at Level 1.
Further information is available here
The application form should be submitted by to resourcelist@fess.ie no later than 17.00 on Friday 2 February 2018 at 17.00.
Resource Development Initiative (announced May 2017)
Following the success of the phase 1, phase 2 and phase 3 'Resource Lists' that were developed by FET teachers and trainers. FESS would like to announce phase 4 of the development.
This current call is for potential writers of resource lists at any level in any award area or any FET thematic area NOT already uploaded to the FESS website. Applicants should check the FESS website to ascertain what is already there before submitting an application.
This round, phase 4, of resource list development is targeted specifically at filling gaps only. Applications relating to resource lists already on the FESS website will not be considered in this round.
The application forms should be submitted by teachers/tutors/trainers who may be interested in getting involved in writing the resource lists:
Applications must be submitted to resourcelist@fess.ie only, no other email address should be used.
Deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 19 May 2017 at 17.00.
It is expected that writers will spend the equivalent of 2 full days (12 hours) working on each resource list in their own time. Payment is €203.16 per day i.e. €406.32 per completed resource list.
All resource list writing must be completed and submitted on or before Friday 18 August 2017.
Updated list of eCollege on-line courses (announced March 2017)
An updated list of eCollege courses, available to FET staff members employed by DES/SOLAS-funded, QQI registered providers, is now available for viewing. The courses are free of charge.
Please click here for more information
Taking Care of Your Well-Being for FET Teachers and Tutors (announced November 2016)
To work effectively with learners it is important to take care of your own well-being, as a teacher and tutor. This booklet will explore how you can use the findings and strategies of positive psychology and maximise your own individual potential for happiness and well-being. Taking Care of Your Well-Being for FET Teachers and Tutors was developed by Dr. Marie Rooney on behalf of FESS to support those working in the FET sector. We hope that you find it useful.
Publication of Programme Module Specific and Thematic Resource Lists (announced October 2016)
FESS is pleased to announce that in addition to new programme specific resources, we now also have thematic specific resource lists available here
The thematic resources can be categorised under the following headings:
Equality and Diversity
Learner well-being in the FET Environment
Literacy and Numeracy
Teaching and Learning
Technology Enhanced Learning
Resource Development Initiative (announced May 2016)
Following the success of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of a project that resulted in programme module specific resource lists being developed by FET teachers and trainers, FESS would now like to announce Phase 3 of development.
This phase of development will focus solely on 2 areas:
1. Resource lists for specific programme modules leading to QQI Certification at Levels 5/6
2. Resource lists addressing specific FET thematic areas
Two application forms are listed below for teachers, tutors or trainers who may be interested in getting involved in writing the resource lists:
- Application Form 1 is for programme module specific resource lists
- Application Form 2 is for FET thematic areas
Click here to view resources developed during Phases 1 and 2 of the project.
Applications must be made to resourcelist@fess.ie, no later than Wednesday, 1st June 2016 at 17.00. Applications will only be accepted for the development of resource lists for the specific programme modules and FET thematic areas identified.
All resource list writing must be completed and submitted on or before 22nd August 2016.
IBM's Academic Initiative partnership with FESS and the National Network of IT Teachers
FESS and the Network of IT Teachers have been delighted to partner together to offer CPD to FET IT teachers over the last year. As part of these CPD offerings, FESS and NNITT have also been proud to partner with IBM in delivering CPD in their Academic Initiative.
The IBM Academic Initiative is a programme that partners Colleges and Universities around the world to better educate students for a more skilled and competitive IT workforce. Teachers and students who participate in the IBM Academic Initiative have access to courseware and certification training programs based on open standards and IBM proprietary technologies.
Teachers in the Irish FET sector can now register with IBM Academic Initiative and gain access to resources, educator guides and toolkits in areas such as software development, security, database technologies, mobile, and Cloud technologies.
If teachers wish to register for IBM Academic Initiative it is recommended that they register using a legitimate college or ETB email as IBM authenticate all requests for Academic access against a list of known institutions.
Please note; the nomination process for access to the Cloud offering in Academic Initiative (i.e. Bluemix) has been temporarily closed since 1st March and will open again to new nominations at a later date. Information with respect to the reopening of Cloud/Bluemix will be communicated as soon as IBM inform of same.
In the meantime; teachers can continue to enroll with the IBM Academic Initiative and gain access to many other resources other than Bluemix/Cloud (such as Security, Mobile etc) - it is only the Bluemix that has a temporary global stop (during which we understand they are streamlining the process for academic access to Bluemix and certain other services)
FESS plans to continue its relationship with the network of IT Teachers and SOLAS eCollege to deliver CPD opportunities for teachers delivering programmes leading to IT awards.
Publication of Programme Module Specific Resource Lists (announced November 2015)
FESS is pleased to present an updated section on www.fess.ie which provides suggested resource lists developed by FET teachers and tutors to support delivery of programme modules leading to a range of QQI components. These resource lists may be of interest to teachers and tutors teaching a programme module for the first time or teachers and tutors looking for new ideas. It is hoped to continue to upload more resource lists as they become available.
Please check out these lists here
Maynooth University Fifth Annual Summer Writing Institute for Teachers (SWIFT) 2018
Maynooth University Fifth Annual Summer Writing Institute for Teachers (SWIFT) 2018
The Maynooth University Writing Centre is delighted to announce the fifth summer writing institute for teachers (SWIFT) which will take place from Monday 3rd July to Friday 7th July 2018 inclusive.
Further information is available here
http://muwritingcentre.blogspot.ie
May 2015 Grading of QQI FET Major Awards
To view an explanation of how QQI calculate the grade of a FET major award using the QBS, and to access some worked examples, please click here.
