Generator, the technology improvement leadership tool for FE and Skills was launched on the 5 March 2009. This new online tool is available free of charge to all colleges and learning providers in the FE and Skills sector.

The launch took place at  Becta's Next Generation Learning conference where Minister for Further Education, Siôn Simon MP, challenged leaders from colleges, work-based learning and adult learning organisations to step up to the mark in their use of technology.

Siôn Simon MP said:
"I really want to see Further Education students enjoying the opportunities and benefits technology offers. There are already excellent examples of learning technologies right across the sector. But I want to see more and better. I want to see our colleges and training providers recognised nationally and internationally for the innovative and creative way they use technology.
One practical source of support is Becta's new online assessment tool, Generator, to help leaders in FE review and improve how technology is applied in their organisations. We need commitment from top management if the strategic importance of technology for learning is to be recognised."

What is Generator?

Generator is an online tool that offers providers the opportunity to identify where organisations can make improvements in their use of technology - it will help them to maximise their investment in technology for the benefit of learners.
Generator offers a review of an organisation’s  current use of technology, demonstrating areas where technology is effectively used to achieve outputs and has a positive impact on learner outcomes.  It further highlights areas where there are opportunities for improvement.

The tool provides insights on 9 business areas to help a college or funded work place learning provider :
•  review their current deployment of technology
•  reflect on the results
•  identify strengths and opportunities to improve
•  develop their plans

The tool has the capacity to combine multiple views from within an organisation and a useful feature is the ability to opt in to benchmark results against others in a similar sector.

Who was involved in it’s development?

A stakeholder steering group included representatives from all parts of the sector chaired by John Stone, Chief Executive of Learning Skills Network (LSN), has been closely involved in the design and development of Generator.

Towards Maturity has been involved with the steering group to provide insights from the use of learning technologies within the world of work to help FE & Skills providers to look at areas where they can use learning technologies to help address employer responsiveness.

Find out more:

If you are a funded learning provider in the FE & Skills sector , you can try it out for yourself at ww.generatorfeandskills.com or alternatively, find out more by emailing enquiries@generatorfeandskills.com

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