ALTON College has been chosen to help form a nationwide Technology Exemplar Network (TEN) to help other learning providers use technology more effectively. The college has been named as one of 10 outstanding further education and skills providers from across England who will join forces to launch the inaugural TEN. Jointly led by government technology partner Becta and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the TEN will work to share best practice for using technology between different learning providers across the country. The exemplars will receive funding to help develop their use of technology and share their successes with others. Alton College was selected to be part of the inaugural TEN because it has made a number of advances by using technology effectively, including developing individual learning plans for students to access online. The plans include target grades and a progress tracker and are used in tutor reviews. Staff can add comments at any time, to help keep the tutors, students and service managers in touch. Joining Alton College on the inaugural TEN are Bournemouth and Poole College, Brockenhurst College, City and Islington College, Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education, ISIS Training and Recruitment in Lincolnshire, National Star College, North Devon College, South Devon College and Xaverian Sixth Form College. In announcing the exemplars at an event in London last month, Bill Rammell MP, minister for lifelong learning, further and higher education, said: "The use of technology by colleges has the potential to make real improvements to learners' experience at college. "Adopting technology and making a success of it is not easy – it requires effective leadership, investment and a willingness to experiment. "I welcome the launch of the Technology Exemplar Network, which will greatly facilitate the sharing of best practice across the sector."
