1. Janette Wallace and Hannah Gauci
Assessing the effectiveness of the induction process for novice ALs in LHCS in preparing them for the AL role.
Janette Wallace and Hannah Gauci

2. Background Closure of regional centres – isolation, lack of community
Ad hoc approach to induction/training not in one place
Some ALs feel unprepared and unsupported in first year
School based induction programme developed to run alongside generic activities
17J SK299, phase 1
18J LHCS modules phase 2 (ongoing)
Aims phase 1:
To assess AL confidence in their role
To assess AL perception of the effectiveness of their induction
To inform induction at phase 2

3. Induction programme School based
Programme of seven ST and peer led AC workshops bespoke for SK299 supported by a forum
(Including TMA marking, supporting nurses, exam prep)
Generic training
Adobe Connect training
AL Essentials - self-directed induction
Tutoring online course

4. Methods
Questionnaire sent to 23 SK299 ALs (respondents n=16) at end of 17J presentation
previous experience
confidence in role
induction programme
Focus group (n=5)
Descriptive statistics on quantitative data
Qualitative data summarised

5. Results 1: AL profile
All had previous teaching experience (81% HE, 43% FE, 18% schools).
25% had been an OU student
31% had been an AL previously (but more than 1 year ago).

6. Results 2: AL Confidence
Aspect of role
Proportion of respondents who felt confident or very confident at presentation start (%)
Proportion of respondents who felt confident or very confident at presentation end (%)
Increase in proportion of ALs who felt confident at presentation end compared to start (%)
Confidence increased when delivering online tutorials 18 82 64
Supporting student at a distance in forums 55
100 45
Supporting student at a distance when using 91 9
TMA marking 36

7. Results 3: Evaluation of workshops
Workshop Title
Respondents attended or watched recording (n=16)
Useful + Very Useful(percentage of respondents)
Adobe Connect and the first tutorial 16
100%
Getting started 15
AL essentials 14
Supporting nursing students 10
56%
Preparation for TMA01 13
91 %
TMA01 reflection and looking forward to TMA02
73%
TMA02 reflection, TMA03 and exam preparation 11

8. Results 3: Evaluation of generic activities
AL Essentials
Three of the respondents had not tackled AL Essentials at all with the remaining ALs covering, some, most or all parts.
Overall the feedback suggested there was too much to cover and to begin with the ALs wanted to get to grips with the module material.
Tutoring online
Attended by 12 of the 16 ALs.
The comments were positive.

9. AL essentials overwhelming Didn’t feel part of cluster
Most anxiety around online tutorials when started
Good mentor essential
Didn’t grasp importance of moderation of TGF early enough
Like to be given tasks in workshops
ALs have wider range of previous experience
Timing of events important
Tutor moderators course very useful
Confidence in most aspects increased by end of 17J: induction/experience
Like opportunity to interact with other new ALs
Mentor and ST support invaluable – amount of support varies
Online workshops useful

10. Conclusions and future work
AL previous experience varies
ALs more confident in role at end of first presentation.
Data doesn’t confirm how much is due to induction programme
Results informed phase 2 (18J) and new STEM AL induction
Feedback to ALSPD sharing with other faculties

11. Induction programme 18J School based
Programme of five ST led AC workshops bespoke for LHCS ALs (Including TMA marking, exam prep)
Faculty based
Online and F2F
New tutor forum for queries on STEM AL site
Generic training
AL Essentials - self-directed induction
Tutoring online course
Adobe Connect training

12. THANK YOU