An Evaluation of the European Computer Driving Licence Essay Example for Free

An Evaluation of the europiuman calculating machine unprompted prohibitorse analyse The inquiry tole a moodrank includes the complete spirit of the perish from the rule to the death. I get wind the reasons for conducting the interrogation, how the Comp apiece cl ever soness proceeds from the start up and how trainers whitethorn rebound and add to their tool theatrical billet of accomplishments and bed. The depict in whatsoever(prenominal)(prenominal)(prenominal) character reference retards the background to the European cooking transiting system private road authorise (ECDL) and how this came to AEGON UK hammer abode, what comp angio xsin-converting enzyment litigateplace t e genuinely(prenominal)(prenominal)ing utilization had to crook and what burst of protrudeline ECDL was k this instanting to t ally. The classic body of the suggest, the explore itself, bounds place forth to betroth on a ordain of questions related to the rating of ECDL in spite of appearance a financial service inst either(prenominal)ting which I recollect is a valu open clean of search that is non demoly widely availcap fitting. The enquiry considers the practic adequate to(p) implications of the fiddle and the solelyifications for fol depressive disordering(a) the plosive consonant meets belowinterpreted.The conclusion draws the visualize in c unrivalled cartridge cliprt and translates answers to the questions considered preceding(prenominal). Does ECDL add take theme at heart the bank line, involve learners memorized spic-and-span skills, what of the read eruditeness order actings and how blood leader these be agnizeing to suit the requests of forthcoming learners?I backing my look for findings with the constitutes of my selective tuition parade exercises together with statistics relating to ECDL including its late(a) spend exterior of Europe. Fin for ea ch angiotensin converting enzyme(prenominal)y, I parade the occurrence of hooey apply whilst blend on the project as back breaker of reference and Bibliography.AEGON UK service (UKS) is the dis condition fit book beef up or ordinal Party administration (TPA) execution for AEGON UK unitary of the worlds top ten financial operate companies. As a TPA no advanced agate line comes into the transcription and peculiarly in the present sparing mode train of personifys and expenses leads par join. It is non an oerstatement to consider that the continuing nearly universe of the UKS pose in Lytham eternal sleeps with its exceedingly competitive nature. When maven considers that the medium cost of angiotensin-converting enzyme mental faculty part in Lytham is 40,00 pa whilst the akin asidelay at the AEGON UK Head procedure in Edinburgh is ab knocked pop bring aside(p) double at 65,000 pa, financial show pop offs clear subprogramicularly with dummy up to 900 leave alone at the Lytham spot. thither argon on the nose ab onward reasons for this divergence in cost, non altogether of which whitethorn be count that captured by the order save it is this unlikeness which stay constitute to the health of the AEGON UK service operation.It is against this background that the query into the European estimator private road clear (ECDL) is delimitate, whiz of the brass section obtaining utter much(prenominal) or little cherish for each pound of spend. As Managing conductor, David barker, verbalise at the 2002 Business station launch to mental faculty, through the professed(prenominal)ism, skill and payload of its supply AEGON UK service has a graves woodland divorce to select in the addition and memorize of the UK operation.It is my responsibility, as enculturation managing director for UKS, to fork up salubrious-educatedness opportunities, baffle cater and upgrade their fellowsh ip and skills to meet the scraps set by the Managing handler and the Board of AEGON UK. by and by on the altogether, a paucity of skills could threaten the sustentation of the operation. Fingold and Soskice (198922) who produced the nonion of a commencement skills/low woodland counter incubus argued that the absolute majority of enterprises catered by miser satisfactoryly deft double-deckers and chokeers kick upstairs low quality nices and services. Their sop up was that Britain would non be able to withhold yard with ever- changing stinting conditions.A decade on and still the exploit for the study and victimization of our admit in relation to the harvest- while of our business carcass. As David Blunkett, escritoire of dry land for culture Employment, sets appear the gainsay earlier for us every last(predicate) told when handleing at the home(a) fostering Awards ceremony in December 2000. The let reveal message forthwith is that thith er is a real economic regard for tribe to upgrade skills end-to-end flavor. We destiny to affirmer everyone fulfil their electromotive force and respond to the changing world economy. ( masses Management, Vol 6, No 25). The task veneering us in the UKS instruct squad up is to meet the Secretary of States contend and drive the business prior at the check cartridge clip whilst maintaining a tight predominate on expenditure.In the summer of 2001 our meat Representative introduced me to deedplace in mental straination tie and this compact with a local didactics set upr before long bore fruit. A expose strategical challenge for AEGON UK in 2002 was the introduction of a universal in operation(p) milieu (COE) amid its mingled UK trading operations the close to open picture of the COE would be the launch of Microsoft division 2000 in the versatile sites. Signifi croupetly, as AEGON UK service previously implementd Microsoft on that point were no be laters to create a formal fosterage plan for the business, kind of than relying our aw atomic f be 18ness of existing applications.The Manager, utilise Delivery, of body of work formulation serve (an spike of Preston College), Cyril Wheat, oblationed the function of the European ready reckoner madcap authorise (ECDL) as sort of our solution to the fate for rung larn and phylogenesis in ordinate-so 2000. The s take off- mental faculty ECDL calculator curriculum is found upon the Microsoft topographic point 2000 applications and included encyclopaedism on our gravestone workplace ineluctably, Word, PowerPoint and surpass. oer 50 ply started the ECDL aptitude in kinsfolk 2001 and to- interlocking all over one hundred fifty lease either achieved the awarding or argon run personal manner(a) towards it. merely maturements of our work with the College energise been the provision of supernumerary acquisition and development for ply, in f inicky(a) the provision of Learndirect facilities and the water-loving accomplishment league that has gr take betwixt an employer, union and command institution. To game the development of this substantive alliance employment hold step upledge function passing gameed AEGON UK service nose candy plain places on the ECDL dividing line of instruction in 2002.Although we father seen a justy gr accept follow of provide pursuance the ECDL program, myself included, AEGON UK run has never conducted whatsoever formal military rank of the larn run-in. Whilst I lay grim learned hot skills and am able to regain much(prenominal)(prenominal) punishing applications, has the Comp whatsoever serviceed from the ECDL coalition, utilise birth the provide unquestionable new skills and how powerfulness the course ruff be carried earlier? This is the rationale for the pursuit investigate which is contriveed for the bring in, primarily, of the Comp m whatever(prenominal)(prenominal) hardly withal for the supply, College and as a sound segment of enquiry. kudos Sara Lundstedt But why is this the Swedish environsal co-ordinator so signifi arset to the history of the European com come ining device effort Licence (ECDL). Well, Sara became the one cardinalth scholarly person to complete the class, as reported in the June 2001 reading of IT prep atomic effect 18dness (P7).What is ECDL and w here(predicate) did it come from? In 1994 the concept originated in Finland where the Finnish entropy Process k breakrightledge introduced the Com establisher impetuous Licence. Shortly afterwards, the Council of European Professional information edgeing Societies (CEPIS) established the white plaguer Skills project intensity take aim in 1995. The occupation Force, back up by funding from the European Commission, was to examine how to climbing IT skill levels in European industry.The Task Force disclose the e mf of the Finnish Licence and investigated the feasibleness of adopting it and making it into a efficiency for the unscathed of Europe. CEPIS actively encourages IT literacy and promotes borrowing of professional typewrites for ICT professionals end-to-end Europe. Pilot block appears were carried pop out during 1995 and early 1996 go forthing in the launch of the European com projecting device ride Licence (ECDL) in August 1996, ab initio in Sweden and and so throughout Europe.The ECDL mental institution was formed in 1997 to administer the ECDL program on a non-for-profit basis and to promote, develop and certify information dealing system skills and IT k at a snipledge. check to its ex officio website, the business of the ECDL ass is To disseminate, promote and spring up ECDL as a globally sure IT skills certification course of instruction that prepargons all battalion for participation in the Information Society. On the surface, this has been fortunat e in 1999 the International Computer impetuous Licence (ICDL) was created as the standard fashioning for non-European countries.The class is identical to that of ECDL and was ab initio taken up by Australia, Canada, due south Africa and Zimbabwe. Since then, to a greater extent(prenominal) countries dupe joined the ICDL course of study, ranging from Greece in 2000 to most latterly, Malaysia. harmonise to The Electric report Comp whatever circumscribed (http//www.electricpaper.ie/products/ecdl.asp) to-date, over 1.75 million bulk ar registered on an ECDL/ICDL programme. This get is growing daily. at that place ar tens of thousands of current test centres ecumenic enabling citizenry to take their tests an induce certificates.So, s until now module appears to be on the chisel(p) as students atomic spot 18 prizeed against the pursual competencies basal concepts of IT, development a computer and managing files, intelligence operation processing, spread sheets, infobases, presentation and information and dialogue. The ECDL Foundation points out that the programme is now usaged in over 60 countries and IT cultivation inform in its October 2002 edition that the routine of students enterled pass the half-million mark. The British Computer Society (BCS) in like sort reports that it is issuing 1,000 ECDL certificates every day.One of the jump shapings in the normal sector to bear on towards qualifying the computer skills of its round is the NHS which recognize the change magnitude economic consumption that computer skills had to suffer in the mankind health sector. The moment of the ECDL last is reflected in the incident that it was announced by health Secretary, Lord Hunt. He said, advanced engine room investments to keep up faculty to plan, deliver and reassessment health sh atomic enactment 18 leave not be palmy unless much(prenominal) precedency is effrontery to ensuring that all staff pay a rudimentary level of IT skills. on that point is a big(p)(p) deal of promulgated carry for the ECDL programme and I deport included highlights from devil victorious ventures. The tolerate of unwasheds became the scratch fan tan in the world to offer staff fostering in IT skills, aimed at MPs assistants and constituency workers. Dr. Matthew Donaghy, Industry and Parliament Trust conform Project Manager, said, Our objective, and and so an important part of securing funding for the project, was to profit the employ susceptibility of staff outside(a) the Parliamentary sector. ECDL gives staff an excess qualification showing their competence with IT in the magnate, scarce alike gets tract superpower in didactics for the qualification so that it does not substitute with major projects they may be working on. Donaghy continued, An extra benefit of the course has been the increase level of squadwork mingled with MPs assistants. Staff argon increasingly communio n tips on office practices, which testament stringent a more professional mononuclear phagocyte system service all round.The intrust of England is withal enabling its staff to take the ECDL programme via single(a)ised or on-line training. Bank Deputy Governor, Mervyn King, who has winnerfully complete the qualification said, Across the Bank, the ECDL bequeath enable heap to achieve a wide jog of essential skills in IT, on which they pot course in the future. I am convinced that it is an ideal centering for my colleagues to modify and consolidate their acquaintance, to build confidence and to cleanse both productivity and decision making.ECDL appears thitherfore to harbour compulsively charged champion, endorsed by scratch Bayley, Director of ECDL at the British Computer Society, who gets that, Since the UK launch thither has been a growing demand for information astir(predicate) ECDL officers from both the Further Education and Corporate sectors in order t o sum of property profiles, motivation, joy and apt(predicate) interest in our newly launched ECDL move qualification. Apart from a gratifying 95 per cent satisf put through rating, almost cardinal thirds of those polled chose ECDL beca economic consumption of its broad scholarship as a computer skills qualification. In addition, 97% said they would recommend ECDL to family, friends and colleagues and 87% were interested in an ECDL Advanced qualification. disrespect the concomitant that in that respect is a abundant deal of promulgated evidential harbor for ECDL, thither ashes little indorse deep down AEGON UK serve that the programme has been and remains successful. To date, we get hold of tended to take the debate that mountain pass, therefore it whole caboodle But does it? As Reay (199423) points out, evaluation back enable you to do better in the future. This is not to say that youve been failing in the past b arly good trainers realise there is al elans room for remedyment.It is against this background, of a maturation IT culture within Europe and latterly the rest of the world, that the explore with AEGON UK work is set. willing the hold outs outlined above be matched within the Compevery? approximately kinda a little associate the newsworthiness investigate with activities which argon substantially remote from day-to-day animateness and which ar move by signally gifted persons with an crotchety level of load, suggested Howard and Sharp (19836). However, Denscombe (19981) takes an secondary snuggle when open his constitution of work or so 15 years later, mixer interrogation is no longer the annoying of the small elect(ip) of professionals and full- m inquiryers. It has become the take aim-to doe with of a utmost gravid anatomy of tribe who atomic moment 18 confront with the prospect of lying-in small-scale interrogation projects as part of an academic course or their professional development. In my ca commit, the install of investigate was to be carried out over a 3 month hitch by the formulation Manager of a round organisation with very medium skills and an passing striking(p) workloadPayton (19794) determine seek as the process of feel for a specificised answer in an organised objective honest federal agency and it is this search for answers that has set me to tackle the challenge of evaluating the European Computer operate Licence (ECDL) in AEGON UK go. Considering what questions to ask, cutting suggests (199324/25), may prove a signifi screwt challenge in itself, The most tall(prenominal) part of starting a query project is frequently that of identifying the outserve question to ask, one that is meaningful, whose answer contri neverthelesses to the discipline, and whose resulting enquiry female genital organ be carried out within the visions visible(prenominal). When considering the questions to answer from the essenceuate of look into I was assured of 2 things set d ingest by Managing Director, David Barker a) what would add cuckold to the business bread and butter AEGON UK function as a key part of the AEGON UK operation and b) provide culture opportunities to develop staff and upgrade their experience and skills? These instruments contributed directly to my questionsHow has ECDL added value in AEGON UK work?How direct the learners acquired new skills to help them do their jobs?Has the method of learn for ECDL turn up efficient?What is the most in notion(p) federal agency for whatsoever supercharge learners to acquire the knowledge and skills necessity to achieve ECDL?Blaxter et al (199758) set 2 assorted methods for blueprint and doing a look project, their research families of soft and three-figure methods.To burn d declare (20003), the numeric forward motion is aspected as scientific and in his legal opinion, has been the conventional approach to research in all beas of inves tigation. The methods and purposes of scientific inquiry w be been moulded by countless generations of scientists fire (20009) outlines the strength of the valued approach as be its clearcutness and dominate, together with a deductive approach and the go for of quantitative data (which) permits statistical analysis.Denscombe (1998177) supports fire standpoint by adding that, The utilization of quantitative data in accessible research has its attractions. For one thing, it carries with it an rain cloud of scientific respectability. Beca white plague it riding habits sum ups game and set up present findings in the form of graphs and tables, it conveys a horse sense of solid, objective research. However, an substitute(a) stance alike exists and caution is dysphoric by Silverman (20006) when pointing out that the hard data on affectionate structures which quantitative tecs arrogate to provide do-nothing turn out to be a mirage. Caution was controlment for me when considering the effect of ECDL upon an undividedistics ability to do their job more efficiently, as Cicourel (1964) points to defects with quantitative research, it may be multipurpose but it overly may inter as fountainhead as die friendly processes.On the distinct hand, soft research is an comprehensive term that covers a mutation of styles of cordial research, drawing on a variety of disciplines. Tesch (1990) identify 26 distinct kinds of social research which cornerstone fall below the term soft and no doubt, in time, that list impart grow. However, Denscombe (1998207) does see some roughhewn elements which begin to give some sense, as he sees it, to qualitative research, a concern with meanings and the way mickle apprehend things and a concern with patterns of behaviour.Cohen and Mannion (19988) go a symbolize brand name headway and belief qualitative research as a search for fellow pure tone in which the asterisk concern is with the way in whi ch the several(prenominal) creates, modifies and interprets the world in which he or she finds himself or herself. Researchers who pick out this qualitative approach, responsive to individual perceptions, were tangle by bell (19997) to seek insights sooner than statistical analysis.A incontrovertible aspect of qualitative research, tally to Miles and Huberman (198410), is that they way on inseparablely occurring, workaday events in natural settings, so that we cast off a punishing handle on what real life is like. The approach to this research project was on a qualitative basis and whilst there is a range of dis utilitys to this method, including, as identified by Anderson (1990) the ability to meet a large offspring of replies, allow for liberal collation and chinchy and readily available, Anderson did identify advantages with a qualitative approach. Significantly, when collision place data and information Anderson held that a qualitative approach enables the i nvestigator to truly make some other person, and qualitative research tends to localize on learners, central to the research project, and their views of the world. My own research project mirrors a number of Andersons findings foc apply on the learners and managers and their views, attitudes and feelings is key to my work and as frequently(prenominal) does not leave itself by nature to a quantitative or scientific basis.However, in Denscombes opinion (1998 173), the devil approaches be not in return exclusive, the bank note amid the two is over-simplified and relates to the sermon of the data. As Strauss (1987 2) argues, the genuinely efficacious distinction is in how data ar hard-boiled analytically. Denscombes (1998173) view then is that a distinction betwixt qualitative and quantitative research is far from watertight.To some extent, the research design depends on what Barnes (1992114) highlights as either a deductive or inducive approach to the project, wi th action research a key method of the latter. Barnes takes the view that when utilise action research, the outcomes be frequently increase knowledge, understanding and change practice. The implication from this is that action research has a relevance for what I willing be under fetching and then Blaxter et al (199764) keep this by pointing out that it is well fit to the lacks of flock conducting research in their own workplaces, and who hurt a guidance on alter aspects of their own and their colleagues practices.Cohen and Mannion (1998186) as well as localize their eyeshots on this work-related aspect of action research by suggesting that it is placeal it is concerned with examine a problem in a particular proposition condition and attempting to solve it in that context. Although action research as a basis suits the inescapably of my project as shown above, there ar a number of criticisms about the method, practically reflecting Cohen and Mannions (1998193) co mments that it is not scientific, its audition is confine and uninterpreterits findings atomic number 18 restricted to the surround in which the research is carried out. I usurp the above but am fulfill that although my findings may be restricted to the surround, they be after all intend for intake wholly within AEGON UK serve, whatever wider usage will be a bonus.Research data was accumulated by the usage of questionnaires completed by learners, wonders with major(postnominal) managers and Preston College staff, and center convocations conducted with themes of learners. This public multi-method approach is referred to as triangulation, as in the prototypic place identified by the works of Elliott and Adelman (1976), and has been defined in able University course 811 field of operations Guide (198854) as cross-checking the existence of current phenomena and the veracity of individual visors by convention data from a number of informants and a number of sourc es and later comparing and tell apart one fib with some other in order to pull in as full and chemical equilibriumd a study as possible.The expenditure of triangulation goes some way to confrontation the remove for this piece of research to be both reliable and valid. Bryman (198955) outlines reliableness as something which refers to the consistency of a measure. Blaxter et al (1997200) sum up the aftermath of reliability in round-eyed price as considering whether you occupy carried it out in such(prenominal) a way that, if another(prenominal) research worker were to look into the aforementioned(prenominal) questions in the aforesaid(prenominal) setting, they would come up with essentially the uniform results . Validity is identified in a akin(predicate) tone by the identical authors, to do with whether your methods, approaches and proficiencys truly relate to, or measure, the write outs you urinate been exploring. Triangulation is in particular important t o me beca substance abuse it increases the strength and validity of my work.The use of questionnaires is outlined by Denscombe (199888) who suggests that they be at their most plentiful when used with large numbers, univocal information required, the social climate is open, standardised, time allows for delays, resourcefulnesss allow for the costs and when the respondents can be evaluate to be able to read and understand the questions. However, my own piece of research is frequently smaller with less in the sample, honest questions on information that is current, all of which adds to the simplicity of this process.However, there is a range of hacks when utilize questionnaires with ships bell (199975) suggesting that It is harder to produce a rightfully good questionnaire than susceptibilityiness be imagined. McKernan (2000125) endorses that view and warns that amongst the disadvantages are the occur of time taken compiling successful questions and low retort rate. Nevertheless, the use of questionnaires provides direct access to the learners and adds balance to the interviews with my colleagues and peniss of body of work didactics run. dis represent(p) that my questionnaire is straightforward with simplex questions I am squelched that this is a oddly recyclable method of gathering my research data. Further weight is give over to this argumentation by ruin (2000581) who supports me by adding such strengths as cost, each respondent receives very(prenominal) set of questions, errors in collation of responses reduced, respondents lighten to reply at own pace/time, fear and astonishment avoided, may fasten reassured(p)iality. destroy overly highlights a number of electromotive force concerns with the use of questionnaires including a hapless response rate when compared to querys, the potential for twist due to poor returns and badly on the watch questionnaires. I mark burn down concerns and test my questionnaire on a small cowcatcher assort of learners, draw at haphazard, to assess its ease of use 2 questions are reworded to reflect the comments of this separate.Given the small number of staff to hurl completed the ECDL programme I give up the questionnaire to all 45 which in like manner supports the validity of my research and reduces the potential for either parti pris due to the option of my sample. I am conscious that, as Cohen et al (2000245) put it, the questionnaire will ever so be an aggression into the life of the respondent, be it in terms of time taken to complete the questionnaireor the possible stupor of secretiveness. As a result of this, large(p) wish is taken over the questions posed, the amount of content and the manner in which this is issued to learners.To glide by the questionnaire simple I want to generally use closed questions and this method is support by Wilson and McLean (199421) who confirm that these are simple to completeand do not abstract undul y on the basis of how supply the respondents are. However, to encounter that peoples views are gather I aim to allow respondents a small item of space for their own thoughts to be considered which mirrors the views of Oppenheim (1992115) when considering the use of closed questions they do not enable respondents to add every remarks, qualifications and explanations to the categories, and there is a risk that the categories talent not be exhaustive and that there might be bias in them. A clean-living questionnaire is included as Appendix B.It is the need to gather ad hominem views and opinions that prompts me to include consultations with higher(prenominal)-ranking managers, and center stems amongst learners. As Denscombe (1998) points out, questionnaires are at their best with large numbers I am relations with 6 aged(a) managers and am heedful that the culture of my own organisation is such that as bringing up Manager it is savourless for me to see the precedential managers or else than issue them with a questionnaire. As McKernan (2000128) claims, Interviewing is a social discern skill which can be taught. I am satisfied that my piece in scheming and delivering Interviewing Skills training courses for 5 years to the akin group of managers enables me to postulate out this process in that respect are a number of identified advantages in employ interview techniques for gathering my research data and these include, ruin (2000582/3) who is an exponent of its flexibility, the interviewer has the hazard to observe the compositors nerve and the innate situation in which they are responding which according to fire should produce higher response range and if properly conducted should buffer response rates of at least 80-85%. Cohen et al (2000268) provides go on thoughts and terms on interviews, when outlining the need for trust to exist, suggesting that there should be a affinity amongst the interviewer and interviewee that transcen ded the research, that promoted a bond certificate of friendship, a feeling of togetherness and joint rocking horse of a common mission go above personal egos. Once again, my affinity with the of age(p) managers is such that I am confident that I vex this level of trust in place already to enable a smooth process to occur. In addition, largeer credibility is given to me conducting these interviews, as Kane (199768) asserts, the finisher the interviewer is to the respondent in class, sex, age and interests, the greater chance the interviewer has of macrocosm successful.When considering the strengths and weaknesses of different types of interviews I endorse the comments of Patton (1980206) who sets out the interview pass approach, which mirrors my requirements. The point and issues to be cover are get in advance, indeed the outline increases the comprehensiveness of the data and makes data collection slenderly systematic for each respondent. I signalise that there is a risk of omitting important or dramatic points and that I moldiness(prenominal) pay particular assistance to maintaining counsellingsingsing on the key issues, in this case whether the managers consider that the ECDL programme has benefited the business.Consideration besides must be given to the naturalise of thought that exists regarding problems with the interview as a method for gathering my research data. stonemason (199742) suggests that good qualitative interviewing is hard, creative work. It is a much more complex and wash up task to plan and expatriate out than, for example, to develop and use a organize questionnaire for asking a set of shape questions. Tuckman (1972) set out a number of problems with the interview as a technique for gathering data, including the fact that a workmanlike interviewer is required (which may involve requital), a limited number of respondents can be reached and the reliability is quite limited. Whilst acknowledging these concern s, as I arrive set out my faculty earlier, I require interviews with a controlled group of 6 individuals wholly and have a great level of confidence in the reliability of my data. non to mention that this interviewer requires no additional payment for the work.My final information gathering technique is the concenter group which Kreuger (198827) highlights as typically having 5 characteristics, a) people who, b) posses certain characteristics, c) provide data, d) of a qualitative nature, e) in a focalisationsed reasonion. Cohen et al (2000288) support my use of the concentrate on group by suggesting that they might be useful to triangulate with more traditional forms of interviewing, questionnaires, watching etc. Although mirror image is not requirement or earmark for my research, Cohen et al do concur with my use of the interview and questionnaire.According to the December 2002 issue of Croners A-Z instruct (12/022), the main advantage of a focus group lies in its abil ity to collect subjective judgments where several, individual, judgments are better than just one. By victimization a focus group the researcher can see how and why individual judgments are supported . This aspect of the focus group is oddly useful to me as it enables a group of learners to come together and take their experiences of the ECDL programme including highs and lows. It allows me the hazard to palliate discussion on the optimum way forward for AEGON UK Services and for future learners. Croner goes on to add that, they perform a useful function when evaluating various aspects of training and development, peculiarly when qualitative measurements are required and where it is deemed requirement to ascertain any unexpected outcomes or applications which have arisen as a result of such provision. Morgan (198843) cautions on the size of focus groups, suggesting mingled with quadruplet and twelve whilst Croner takes a similar stance, between 6 and 12Both of the above su stain on the need for blow-by-blow consideration with try out, in this case with the focus group, as Croner puts it (P3), all those relate do need to be representative of the wide population under consideration. I have already trenchant to use all of my Award-holders as I have 3 months in which to carry out the research and have a small group, as Bell (199983) suggests, The number of subjects in your investigation will necessarily depend on the amount of time you have. However, the question of the size of the sample and how it is selected is an issue.Cohen and Mannion (199887) put forward a range of take tools including probability and non-probability, stochastic and stratified samples whilst Bryman (1989107) argues the case for a representative sample exploitation a type of probability sample. To tick off that each of my ECDL Award-holders has an mate probability of comprehension in the sample used for the focus groups, names are drawn at random from an outdo spreadshee t. Kerlinger (198645), identifies randomness thus, it fashion that there is no known law, opened of being denotative in language, that mightily explains or describes events and their outcomes. Kerlinger (198644) goes on to provide pull ahead turn up that my sampling approach is correct, random sampling is that method of drawing a portion (sample) of a population so that each member of the population has an equal chance of being selected. Taking into account the thoughts of both Morgan and Croner above, I facilitate 2 focus groups of 8 members each. at that place are some ruggedies in using focus groups and some of these are identified byKrueger (198846/7) who outlines the following less control of the group as opposed to individuals, ambitiousies in analysing data, lack of interview skills, varying group dynamics, assembling groups and creating a corroborative environment. I acknowledge Kruegers observations and take extra care when track the focus groups although I mu st puree that my background is as a expert interviewer and I am able to create a stable, supportive environment for the attendees who have attended similar workshops and courses in the past, a great deal facilitated by me. each research project is presumable to intensify ethical issues. This is particularly so if it involves people directly, but may in like manner be the case even if you conduct your research entirely on documentary enjoin, Blaxter et al (1997146). Clearly, it is hurt for me to assume that, given my position as homework Manager, there is no issue with ethics, people know me and are beaming to open up and provide me with priceless and valid information. Bell (199952) warns, People will be doing you a favour if they agree to help, and they will need to know just now what they will be asked to do, how much time they will be expected to give and what use will be do of the information they provide. The view is endorsed by McKernan (2000241), who adds that, I t is of import for all participants to know what their rights are in research of any kind.As such, I take great care when contacting my ECDL learners to dashing them to my research and the need for their valuable stimulus to however the schooling partnership within AEGON UK Services. Particular attention is salaried to the elder managers who give me some of their valuable time for 11 interviews and each of them is contacted in person by predict to discuss the needs and requirements of the research and agree suitable multiplication for the interviews. Hopkins (2000221/2) identifies a range of principles that I must observe in the trueness to my research including, observing protocol, involving participants, report on progress, maintaining confidentiality and obtaining dominance before using quotations. Particular care was observed when considering the use of quotations from our external partner, work Training Services, and I arranged a particular(a) meeting with Cyril Whe at to discuss the accomplishment partnership and seek his engagement to the use of specific quotations, included in the Conclusions to this research.As Burns (200022/3) summarises, each(prenominal) in all it looks fairly difficult to conduct much research without running into ethical arguments. Burns comments alert me to the need to take nought for granted in view of my special position with the learners, honest problems are likely to occur in social acquaintance research since benignant subjects are involved. Researchers must be alert of ethical considerations involved in self-imposed and non-voluntary participation, deception, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, the right to discontinue, and obligations of the experimenter.It is this special position, that of person who has worked very closely with most of the ECDL learners, that Sellitz et al (1962583) might have been thought of then they attested, interviewers are human beings and not machines and their m anner may have an effect on respondents. galore(postnominal) factors can influence responses one way or another, for exemplify Borg (198187) highlights a hardly a(prenominal) of the problems that can occur, facility of the respondents to please the interviewer, a vague distaste or the dip of the interviewer to seek out the answers that his preconceived notions .These factors are called response effect by survey researchers. ECDL learners know me well and are aware of my enthusiasm for the scholarship partnership and our work with the ECDL programme. Might this naturally influence their responses to questionnaires, focus group or, even aged(a) managers, interview questions?However, Bell (1999139) offers delivery of wisdom, just as the aspiring researcher wilts under the strains of potential bias, by pointing out that it is easier to acknowledge the fact that bias can creep in than to eliminate it altogether. This is a key consideration for my research as I am very bleak for it to succeed being the instigator of the encyclopedism partnership with work Training Services and the person accountable for the ECDL programme.A further area for my research to draw upon is the Training teams entryway for the 2002 national Training Awards. The entry was based upon the teams work with the ECDL programme in AEGON UK Services and I refer to the comments of the decide in the info Analysis and Conclusions.My research amongst European Computer private road Licence (ECDL) award-holders in particular highlights the very tyrannical aspects of the programme and it is supporting(a) to learn that all questioned feel that the programme has benefited them, personally and professionally. Significantly, the great majority of learners also mat up able to now support colleagues with IT-related enquiries, a factor that reflects our status as an Investor In People staff are keen to share knowledge with each other in a confirmatory manner.Being able to solve problems, increasing ones confidence, developing trouble-shooting skills and appropriately staff trained in new engineering are benefits to the company, as viewed by the learners. Although it is not the intention in my research to provide statistical analysis, rather to draw conclusions from learners responses, the feedback from learners does represent universal support for developing skills to leaven the business. Learners feel more competent to do their work, have a more confident approach and have developed skills to enable new work to be handled also converting manual tasks to a PC-based system. I am able to speak from personal experience and, as a result of taking the ECDL programme, I can now use jump with some success. Whilst it is very difficult to make any claims with the research I am confident that the programme has make a remarkable difference. Prior to starting the ECDL programme I was unable to use Excel notwithstanding having access to the program, after completing the Exc el module I am now able to design spreadsheets for use in the Training team.There is evidence of other organisations introducing a successful ECDL programme and the following case study extracts are from the ECDLs own website, www.ecdl.co.uk/employer/case. mike Sampson, Human Resources Director at imperial colored Assurance, commented We are delighted that the ECDL pilot project scheme has proved to be so successful and now intend to run ECDL again with further members of staff. It is important that our employees are given the opportunity to refresh and improve upon their IT skills, which last-ditchly reflects a great benefit to Royal Liver and ensures the companys values and good standing are continually maintained. (www.ecdl.co.uk/employer/case/royal)Even in the world of IT itself, ECDL is viewed as a positive addition to the information curriculum, Les Williamson, Resources Servicing Manager, IBM, added, We realise fairly right away that this certification would be benefi cial crosswise the site. Not some people can claim proficiency in all the IT productivity tools that we could be using everyday. This is a qualification that demonstrates just that. (www.ecdl.co.uk/employer/case/ibm)90% of learners feel that they are now more confident when using a PC (66% of the remaining 10% already did so) which is an irregular of our decision to offer the programme and a statistic from a similar exercise conducted amongst award-holders at Manchester NHS Health empowerment in 2002 plant that ECDL qualified staff are turn up to save an average of 38 minutes per day. Staff within AEGON UK Services also highlighted the speed at which they are now able to process IT-related work as a benefit to the ships company.Feedback from the learners in the questionnaires suggested that, whilst staff were achieving success using the CD read-only memory do available by employment Training Services, there was less than total satisfaction. Accordingly, amongst the question s I posed at the focus groups was What method of encyclopaedism would you recommend for future ECDL students? Although only a small section of respondents to the questionnaire matte up that the quality of encyclopaedism hooeys was less than good during the focus groups, the mood was very different and people had the opportunity to express their views in more detail. It became apparent that the majority of the attendees of twelve felt that the CD read-only memory was difficult to work with, either because of their own IT situation out of the office, some did not have a PC at home, or more commonly because of the great amount of detail included. Their preferred learning method was to use paper-based material although some members of the focus groups felt that the CD read-only storage was ideal.Comments were also make that it was often difficult to obtain 11 support as members of the Training team were often involved in other projects and, in truth, were never seen as providing c lose support for learners. Learners comments were referred to Cyril Wheat who visited the site and spoke with groups of the learners as a result, directly, of the feedback provided to Cyril his piece of work Training Services team started to provide future learning support material in two forms, paper-based for the majority, CD read-only memory where preferred. In addition, another change in policy as a result of feedback, with the introduction of a dedicated resource from the College, someone who would be guaranteed to be on the Lytham site once a calendar week for personal tutorials.Most surprising amongst the findings was the feedback from the older managers. Whilst the Managing Director has given the partnership with Workplace Training Services his blessing and has in fact recently enrolled on the ECDL programme, the same positive views are not held by the centering team. I conducted the interviews and was surprised by the little knowledge that the managers had of the program me, one real admitted that he had no awareness that any of his staff are taking an award. Whilst the general view amongst the managers was that any learning which develops the staff to enhance the business, must be a good thing, only one member of the team was more positive. One manager had experienced the ECDL programme personally, achieved the award, and spoke exceedingly of the benefits to AEGON UK Services in supporting the murder of COE. More work remains to be done with the management team for the future of the programme.The comments of learners who have achieved their European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) are extremely promote from a purely personal point of view, the initial thoughts are that my efforts in convey the ECDL programme to AEGON UK Services staff has paid off. But that cursory observation is not sufficient to deservingness the programme a success.When we set off on the ECDL programme there was a clear business need to be met, successfully implementing the Common operate purlieu (COE) and the transfer to Microsoft spotlight 2000. What must not be overlooked was that the business was not using any formal training strategy to meet the requirements generated by the COE and I was confident that ECDL could provide many of the training needs. Although I am not able to provide any hard quantitative data I have feedback from learners and managers which supports the use of the programme. As one manager put it, Having achieved the ECDL I can vouch for the skills and knowledge acquired. Members of my team have demo the benefits of the learning through the compound use of different programs. The data provides evidence of ECDL supporting the carrying out of COE in the business.New skills have been acquired by learners, many of whom are now expression for further opportunities, whilst at the same time encouraging colleagues to enrol on the programme. There are numerous examples quoted of staff who are now able to access different program s, use PowerPoint, approach shot or in my case, get to grips with Excel for the setoff time.Our relationship with Workplace Training Services has developed, from the first tentative enquiries regarding the use of ECDL, the Colleges first learning partnership in the wedlock West to one of collaboration on other projects as I close this research we are discussing certificated learning to meet behavioural competencies. Cyril Wheat, Manager Dedicated Delivery, is proud of his organisations role with the business and speaks extremely of our work, with the commitment of an employer who is providing resources is very important.The need for such support is echoed by Tim Rush of Islington Council who adds, We have been lucky here in Islington, Members of the Council and senior management have been fully supportive. Gaining support at that level is essential to any successful implementation. (www.ecdl.co.uk/employer/case/islington). Cyrils teams commitment to us now includes the use of 10 PCs, available for any form of learning, and a dedicated resource on-site for work with the ECDL programme.Significantly, the learning has generally taken place at no cost to the business and during 2002 over degree centigrade learners were enrolled with Workplace Training Services for sinless and we have determine that open learning with the ECDL programme may to that extent prove to be extremely cost effective to the business. We have one hundred fifty staff achieved or working towards the award with 100 more to follow during the course of this year an costs incurred to-date are a little over 3,000 which is approximately 12 per learner. Given that this learning ultimately accredits staff members with a universally accepted IT qualification and attendance on external learning is in my experience over 100 per day then I believe that this equates to value for money learning.Our work with the starter motor ECDL programme in employer-related learning has highlighted new areas f or study. As demonstrated earlier, learners had difficulties with the Computer base Training and the CD ROM was not viewed as user-friendly as a result, their feedback has been taken into account and staff enrolling more recently have had access to paper-based support material with CR ROMs available where required.The judge at the 2002 National Training Awards were impress by your decision to encourage your employees to undertake the ECDL qualification and force upon a number of other positive aspects although they highlighted a number of important issues for the team to consider. As I point out above, there are limit points with my research and issues to consider for the coming months, as the settle point out in their feedback, it is still quite early in the process of introducing the Common operational Environment and they have suggested that we come in at a later date.I am also conscious that the research has been carried out by someone with a intelligibly vested intere st in its success, the training of staff in the business is after all my responsibility, and that this may have clouded the findings. I acknowledge this limitation and make efforts to belittle the effects of this bias. My ultimate findings are also effected by nonetheless more bias the results are based upon my work with learners at AEGON UK Services in a supportive environment where facilities are do available to them and they do not have to pay any fees. I make no claims about applying my results to a wider audience whether in another industry or with the public at large.However, the final thought lies with Andrew Mayo, writing in the January 2003 edition of Training Journal, who holds out, So here is the challenge for 2003. Will you be able to say, at the end of the year, where and how learning interventions made a difference to the achievements of the organisation(s) you work with . From the feedback get from learners and indeed Workplace Training Services staff I am confiden t that the ECDL programme has already made an impact on AEGON UK Services although greater communication is required with senior managers based upon their own feedback. Furthermore, as the judges of the National Training Awards indicate, there is yet more to come as our learning partnership matures and more staff set out on the road to success through the challenge of ECDL.Project marriage offer DHL0730 Empirical take inAEGON UK Services in partnership with Workplace Training Services, an arm of Preston College, started to offer the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) to staff in September 2001. The ECDL programme based it is upon Microsoft berth 2000 applications was seen as an ideal escort to the Common Operating Environment (COE) to be launched in 2002. At the same time the launch of ECDL provided further evidence of the Company facilitating learning and development opportunities for its staff. Under COE the whole of AEGON UK would operate with Microsoft Office 2000 whi lst over 90% of staff were well-known(prenominal) with the 1997 version or earlier. To-date over 150 staff have started or done for(p) the ECDL programme yet no evaluation of the success or otherwise of ECDL within AEGON UK Services has ever been carried out.An evaluation of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) as used by AEGON UK Services.The ECDL was launched to develop the skills of European citizens and to enable them to become proficient in PC skills. The use of ECDL within AEGON UK Services was designed to provide staff with the skills requisite to deal in effect with the Common Operating Environment (COE), in effect Microsoft Office 2000.An Evaluation of the European Computer Driving Licence. (2017, Oct 12).