ITeC Trainee News Blog

It is recommended that you switch off the PC & Monitor at the end of each day rather than just logging out.

A PC & monitor left on overnight wastes enough energy to print 800+  A4 pages.

Please switch it off.

Thank you :)

Just a quick reminder to all trainees of ITeC exam procedure.

1. If there are exams scheduled and the door is shut – DO NOT PRINT TO THE TFT LAB PRINTER! – Mincing through the room while a candidate is concentrating on an exam can be very disruptive. If in doubt, don’t print, if you did print leave it until all exams are finished. If you did print then printed somewhere else, don’t forget to put the wrong one in the recycle bin after the exams have finished.

2. Exam candidates are to be in the room at 1PM for a 1:15PM start.

3. If the computer you are using becomes erratic / non responsive then please inform us immediately, especially if it is a recurring problem. We need to know, to fix it and note on your exam any problems or pause the time.

4. Mobile phones should be switched off during exams.

On a side note: All ITeC staff do their level best to keep things running smoothly during examinations. Computer Equipment – by it’s very nature – is temperamental. While we do our best to ensure there are no problems, occasionally, things go wrong. IF something goes wrong, YOU will not be penalised so do not worry that it will affect your exam. Even new equipment will exhibit strange behaviour at a random moment, doing something it has never done before, or will ever do again. It happens and we will do all we can to get things back to normal as quickly as possible.

For further guidance see: http://www.swanseaitec.co.uk/blog/policies/exam-procedures/

Llys Glas, Grwp Gwalia’s redevelopment of the former police station in Alexander Road, will benefit from a job boost in catering, cleaning and administration.

Gwrp Gwalia has announced it will create 132 jobs over the next 12 months. They will focus on providing the new starters with training opportunities from NVQs to City and Guilds qualifications across a range of manual trades.

Learners are reminded that if they cannot attend ITeC for any reason then they need to:

• Telephone ITeC with the reason
• Before 10:30
• Either on the main ITeC number (01792 464561) or the freefone number 0800 083 1464
• A phone call must be made on each day of absence

Repeatedly poor attendance or lateness or failure to phone in may result in:

• Learners failing to progress from the Occupational Assessment onto the remainder of the training course.
• Learners being unable to sit exams on time
• Disciplinary procedures
• The job centre / benefits being informed and the course terminated

There will be a whole building fire drill on Wednesday (3rd Feb) PM.

This is a clear and concise explanation of blogs by the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/8486888.stm

Well done to the following learners on completing qualifications recently:

Andrew Green and Diane Wilson on completing ECDL Extra

Jake Ham on completing ITQ Level 1 for Users

Also thanks and well done to those learners who have already left ITeC but came in to complete their qualifications:

Hannah George on completing Key Skills Improve Own Learning Level 1 and Application of Number Level 2

Caroline Price on completing Improve Own Learning Level 2 and Communications Level 1

The ITeC homepage (swanseaitec.co.uk) has been updated to make accessing the online resource (blog and Moodle) from home a bit easier.

You can now access these directly from the home page Student Resources section as shown below.

The Alison software can then be accessed directly from the blog

ITeC is delighted to have been shortlisted for a Becta Next Generation Learning Award in the Work Based Learning Sector, and as part of the “celebration” will be having a visit from a Becta photographer on Monday 1st February.

He will be visiting the ITeC and some work placements to take photos representing what it is we do, in particular our use of Moodle, blogs and Web 2.0 technologies.

We need some willing volunteers to be be photographed, (or at least who don’t mind!).  A model release form will need to be signed by anyone who takes part.

Any questions please see Leia.

Following on from the Blog workshop yesterday (November starters), this news article highlights how bloggers can easily find themselves the wrong side of the law:

Seismic Shock: When blogging meets policing [BBC News - 26th Jan]

“Anyone who writes – or reads – blogs will know that they are not necessarily the place for reasoned and good-natured debate. All too often, they descend into vulgar abuse and name-calling – and on occasion, these disputes end up in the libel courts. But would you expect a blogger involved in one of these so-called “flame wars” to get a visit from the police?”