Online Learning
Horizons College Online Learning
Horizons College prides itself on knowing its learners. Within this statement, we ensure that we give all learners every chance of success in all aspects of the learner designed study programme and their individually set EHCP goals. During this ever-changing time and climate, the college has been on the front foot of ensuring that, whilst learners may remain at home due to lockdowns, shielding or self-isolation etc., they all have the right to access their full education entitlement.
Horizons College has ensured that education is reaching all learners by implementing an effective learner centred blended online learning curriculum. This has been constantly evolving, developing and quality reviewed through the past year both internally and externally to ensure that the impact from the curriculum is right for our learners and allows them to focus on skills development, social impact, with overall learning and well-being.
Safer Internet Day
Horizons College takes part in Safer Internet Day each year. It’s celebrated across the globe, with thousands of young people joining in across the UK to explore how they can use the internet responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. We continue the work from Safer Internet Day throughout the year. Find out more here: Safer Internet Day 2022 - UK Safer Internet Centre
How the college uses online learning:
The college predominantly uses two main platforms for its leaning and both can be utilised in a variety of ways to meet the needs of the individual learners. They are fully inclusive and easy to navigate around.
Microsoft Teams – This platform is used for the communication and engagement element. Lessons can be delivered as if face-to-face learning is taking place as learners can see a live feed from their members of staff, ask questions, interact with peers and seek help and guidance if required. This tool is extremely effective for staff to facilitate learning in a variety of ways and can be very bespoke to the individual learners needs and skills development. Sessions can be delivered in line with their existing timetable and designed curriculum and can be delivered individually, in small groups or in whole class groups, mirroring face to face contact sessions received within the classroom.
Please follow the link to view the Microsoft Teams User Guide
Google Classroom – This platform allows learners to take ownership of their work, submit, gain feedback with next steps and resubmit if applicable and comment on their own work with support from staff if required. This allows for staff to set themes and tasks based around the learner’s student-centred key themes such as Activities for Daily Living, Health and well-being, embedded Functional skills, Employability, Online Safety as well as their EHCP Termly targets to name a few. This platform allows the learners to evidence their completed work online with support from staff and build a portfolio of evidence showing the progress of learning and mastery of their skills development, focusing on sequential learning. Google classroom also allows the learners to have a space where they can communicate with their peers, interact and have a social space where they can be with their peers within an online setting, which aids and supports the learner’s overall well-being. This allows the learners to have a voice whilst potentially not in college to seek help, support, voice concerns and interact with staff and learners in a safe space where this can be monitored by the tutor.
The impact of the online learning over the course of the year since the college launched the platform has been significant. The college attendance to online learning has constantly been above the 90th percentile showing the learners are effectively engaging with their online sessions and are enjoying the teaching, learning and assessment that is being undertaken. The college consistently reviews the online provision internally and externally from which constant improvement is being made to ensure our learners receive their full-entitled education within the current climate.
Useful links:
How to Download and Use Google Classroom
Horizons College Google Classroom Training
How to upload students' work to Google Classroom
For any questions, concerns, support or training requirements please feel free to contact Steven Heary on: sheary@horizonscollege.ac.uk or telephone Horizons College on 01793 481493
