Learner Voice

Aims and objectives

• To develop a strategy and practices which enable effective learner

participation across the organisation

• Use learner voice to drive the organisation‟s quality improvement

agenda

• Develop organisational culture and management behaviour to

improve learner engagement

• Implement practical learner voice mechanisms that empower

learners and contribute to real organisational change

The role of learner voice in organisational

improvement

“......Learners‟ perceptions are crucial in coming to a view about the

effectiveness of a Provider.

These views will form part of the jigsaw of information we use to form our

overall assessment of a Provider when we inspect, and when it comes to

making decisions about which Providers to inspect and when....”

(Ofsted Learner View September 2012)

Learner Voice: a working definition

By „learner voice‟ we mean:

“....the involvement of learners and potential learners in shaping the

learning opportunities that are available to them.

It means involving learners in reforming the lifelong learning system at

all levels, by supporting them to act as partners with policy

makers, providers, practitioners and other agencies.

Learner voice initiatives enable learners to express their views, needs

and concerns and also ensure that organisations respond

appropriately to the issues that they raise” (NIACE)

A whole organisation approach

An up-front managed and coordinated strategy for driving improvement

and/or sustaining excellence

• Promoting a positive agenda for learner voice

• Developing effective models for the organisation

• Ensuring quality of delivery

• Promoting a positive learner experience

From Good to Outstanding

Good

• Views actively canvassed

• Well-developed system of learner representatives and focus-groups

• Learners confident their opinions are listened to

• Displays throughout the college illustrate what the college has done

to address issues

• Learners views used well to help monitor college performance and

plan improvements

From Good to Outstanding

Outstanding

• A comprehensive learner involvement strategy ensures that learners

views are gathered and acted upon to bring about improvements

• The promotion of partnership working in [now] well developed and

effective (examples include community and employers)

• User engagement is very good. In relation to learners and

community partners in particular, it is outstanding

Case study review

What are the key learning points for leaders and managers?

What could you adapt or adopt to work in your sector?

INFORMKeep learners informed about their

rights and ways to participate in the

organisation.

CONSULTSeek the views of learners and provide

feedback on any decisions taken.

INVOLVEStaff and learners work closely together to

make sure that all views are understood and

taken into account.

COLLABORATEAll aspects of decision making are done in

partnership with learners. All parties sign

up to a common goal and share a

determination to reach it.

EMPOWERDevelop knowledge skills and abilities to

control and develop own learning. Learners

work together, set agenda for change and

have responsibility for some management

decisions.

Talking learner voice

„ladder of engagement‟

Outstanding teachers,

trainers and

organisations…..

‘Ladder of engagement’*

• stepping stones

• continuum

• overlap/complementarity

• increasing maturity

(individual and organisational)

* Based on FutureLab 2006, 2008

Activity: Talking learner voice

In groups, get an overview of the „ladder of engagement‟ and its

viewpoints, then concentrate on one „step.‟

Group feedback:

Summarise the key features of „your step‟ and how it fits in within the

whole „ladder‟

Activity: Talking learner voice

Group Activity:

What Learner voice activities do you currently use?

What evidence do you currently have of where learner voice makes a

difference – what is the impact measure?

What learner voice activities could you introduce in the

short/medium/long term?