UK Automotive Academy in the running for global technology award

March 3, 2011 - PRLog -- A revolutionary web-based workplace assessment system, pioneered by S&B Automotive Academy, as part of an educational pilot project in the UK, has demonstrated successfully that learner competence can be assessed remotely via the internet.

With an objective of harnessing communications technology to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of  workplace assessment, the web-enabled Net Cam system, dubbed 'Project Jericho', allows cameras to be positioned anywhere in the workplace, so that learners can be tested without the need for an assessor to be present.

As well creating the means for assessment on demand, Project Jericho will ensure the Academy significantly reduces its carbon footprint through reduced travelling for assessors. An improvement in assessment completion times, quality of evidence, learner support and value for money for employers are among a raft of new benefits.

Jon Winter, S&B’s Chief Executive, who is travelling to the finals of the IMS Global Learning Consortium Awards in California, during May, said:

"Traditional methods of qualifications assessment have relied upon an Assessor having to travel to a candidate’s place of work. With Net Cam, we have developed a means of capturing evidence of competence from anywhere in the world, via the internet.

"Microphone enabled, Assessors can view a candidate performing a particular task and hold a two-way conversation, as if they were there in person, " continues Winter.

The wireless camera can be hand held or placed in a fixed position and controlled remotely by an Assessor with the facility for zoom and panning in sharp detail.

By enabling assessment as soon as an individual is ready, time management is improved significantly. This allows them to proceed swiftly through their training, keeping motivation levels high. It also addresses the issue of non-availability of assessment on demand, which has always been one of the traditional barriers to work based learning.

At the same time, the initiative provides an opportunity for school pupils to see an industry sector at first hand through remote observation of a workplace, akin to 'virtual' school visits. in a concerted effort to help youngsters make informed career choices. The Academy is already working with schools and employers across the South West of England to facilitate this.

Corporate Social Responsibility is a key driver for the Academy and Project Jericho has afforded an innovative method of improving sustainability. By reducing the amount of travelling required by assessors, the Academy aims to reduce face-to-face assessment by 25% during 2011 with a further reduction of 25% in 2012.

The Academy is working towards the integration of remote assessment within the Apprenticeship framework.

S&B Automotive Academy - http://www.sandbaa.com
IMS Global Learning Consortium - http://www.imsglobal.org/

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