Glamorgan Blended Learning Ltd

Access to UK Higher Education

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:27:53 +0000

More than 30,000 students a year in the UK study on full and part-time Access to Higher Education courses. Over 2500 are students on Access courses in Wales. This year, one of those students could be you.

The credits you gain on accredited courses at Glamorgan Blended Learning Ltd can contribute to the QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma, which is recognised by all universities and Higher Education institutions (HEIs) in Wales and England.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment isn’t all about exams. In all of GBL’s accredited courses, a variety of assessment methods are used. These may include written and oral assessments and could take the form of projects, reports, presentations, assignments, field work, essays, tests or research study. You will be assessed for separately for each course and will receive credits for each one that is accredited.

Standard Terms and Conditions

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:12:11 +0000

Glamorgan Blended Learning Ltd has adopted the OUR-ACE approach to manage and implement its policies relating to this website and the services offered through it in accordance with European Union Law.

Title I – Opportunity
Glamorgan Blended Learning Ltd (“We”), agree to provide You, the consumer, access to this Website and the goods and services offered through it, on the understanding that you have agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions as set out below.

You may return such goods as are supplied by us in order to have the opportunity to consider other goods or services with us or other provided. This is provided you notify us of your intention to cancel the contract within 7 days, and that you return the goods to us under the following terms:

In their original packaging;
The goods must be only be returned after we have given authorisation and will be at your expense provided that are the goods are not of a type specified, or are supplied in circumstances as being, “non-returnable”, unless otherwise covered by your statutory rights.;
We will only accept goods back if they are in no worse a condition than when they were supplied to you by us including that any seals or shrink-wrap are not broken;.

If these conditions are met we will refund you for the amount you originally paid for the goods within 30 days from the date we receive the goods back from you following authorisation for and receipt of the goods.

Title II – Understanding
You understand and accept that to the fullest possible extent permitted in law, we accept no responsibility for any loss or damage or injury caused to you or your hardware or software whether we cause such loss or injury directly or indirectly.

In the event that you buy any goods or services using our Website you will be bound by such terms as are notified by us to you on the correspondence from us that you will be sent once you have confirmed your order as indicated on the Website or on the correspondence itself.

In the absence of any correspondence being sent by us to you, the terms will be as specified within these terms and conditions or those specified on the Website itself concerning the price of the goods, the methods of acceptable payment¬ and the timing of such payments, and the requirement by you to pay such additional carriage and freight charges as may be specified on the Website.
We have no responsibility to supply to you any goods or services as may be advertised for sale or supply on our Website. When you place the order for goods or service¬s, you are making a legal offer to us, which we may or may not decide to accept. A legally binding contract will exist between us when you receive written confirmation from us (by e-mail or otherwise) that confirms your order.

Title III – Relevance
Through accessing our website and browsing services you are saying that the content we provide is relevant to you. We may store in on your computer a ‘cookie’, which is a way of helping us remember you so we can better meet your needs and avoid inconveniences such as requiring you to re-enter your details.
You agree that in the event of any dispute of any nature that may arise between you and us, these terms and conditions you agree that the relevant jurisdiction for resolving this shall be England and Wales, and it should be considered that these terms and conditions will be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of [Member State] and the European Union.

Title IV – Aspiration
We understand that we provide an excellent range of goods and services and that you may make purchases in the moment and then want to cancel the order after experiencing doubt about your decision. Instead of the inconveniencing of You and Us by us fully processing and delivering the order, please notify us and we will keep the order on hold. We will be happy to discuss the order with you to deal with any doubts you have and recommend alternatives so we can better meet your needs.

Title V – Choice
In the event of any discrepancy between the terms and conditions specified or highlighted on the Website, and These terms and conditions, and or such terms and conditions¬ as are specified in the correspondence between us that the prevailing terms will be those most favourable to us.

No terms which You and We agree will be varied unless such a variation has been agreed by us in writing. However, We reserve the right to supply to you goods that are not exactly those you ordered, but are of an equivalent type and quality, at the same or less price than those you ordered. If you are supplied with goods at a lesser price than those you ordered and paid for, we will reimburse you with the difference.

Title VI – Expression
You acknowledge and will respect all such copyright and other intellectual property rights we own or may own in the look and feel of the Website and its contents including any sounds, music, text, graphics, data, stills, photographs and moving images. Such intellectual property rights shall include all registered and unregistered intellectual property rights of any type or nature including trademarks and community marks. You further agree that you will not infringe our intellectual property through its expression in any method or manner now known or as may exist in the future without permission.

We endeavour to make all customers satisfied and reduce any barriers to them having the most pleasurable experience ordering from and having the order fulfilled by us. Please feel free to contact through the most convenient means on the contact page if you have had a dissatisfactory experience with us and we will endeavour to put it right. Equally we like to hear from you if you have had a particularly good experience so that we know the aspects of our provision of goods and services customers most want.

Any queries arising out of these terms and conditions should be addressed to the following sources:

Glamorgan Blended Learning Ltd
The Institute of Life Sciences
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP

Assessment Requirements and Criteria

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 22:10:09 +0000

Assessment isn’t all about exams. In all accredited Trolling Academy courses a variety of assessment methods are used. These may include written and oral assessments and could take the form of projects, reports, presentations, assignments, field work, essays, tests or research study. You will be assessed for separately for each course and will receive credits for each one that is accredited. Your tutor will discuss with you the most appropriate method to assess and examine your learning, using the choices below.

Case Studies

Consideration of a particular, relevant situation or example, selected by the tutor or by learners, which enables learners to apply knowledge to specific situations. May be used as a collective / group activity and discussed in a group of learners or by an individual learner. Or may be used with individual learners as a written activity through case study materials and learner responses. The learning may be assessed and evidence collected at the Trolling Academy by:

One-to-one tutor observation and recording using Skype
Class discussion/tutorial using Moodle
Learner notes and comments using BuddyPress
Audio/video/photographic records on YouTube or Flickr

Oral Question and Answer

Specific, open or closed questions for immediate response. Can range from quite formal questions, for example, an oral test, to a quick, fun way of finding out where learners are up to, for example, a quiz. Allows response and questioning from learners and immediate feedback from tutor. The learning may be assessed and evidences collected through:

Responses / records / notes by both tutor and individual learner using Skype.
Audio / video / photographic record using YouTube or Flickr

Written Question and Answer / Test / Exam

Specific, open and closed questions for immediate response. Can range from formal exams and tests, to a quick, fun way of finding out where learners are up to, for example, a quiz. Allows response and questioning from learners and feedback from tutor. The learning may be assessed and examined through:

Recording of responses by individual learner using Skype or YouTube
Use of on-line assessment, written answers, and tutor feedback, using QPress

Tutor-marked Essay

A discursive, written response to a question or statement which involves the learner in finding and presenting information and opinion in a structured way, which normally includes an introduction, the information / opinions / evaluation / analysis and a conclusion. The learning may be assessed and examined through a clear tutor set assignment, using the following evidence:

Essay or research paper
Detailed tutor feedback

The best tutor-marked essays may be eligible for entry in our partner’s Student Publishing Service, where it could be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Tutor-marked Technical Report

A record of an activity and / or a summary of research which presents information in a structured way. Does not include opinion, but may include analysis or evaluation. May be presented in written or oral form. The learning may be assessed and examined through a clear tutor set assignment, using the following evidence:

Technical report or extended abstract with tutor feedback
Tutor / peers / conference feedback on presentation / notes relating to report/abstract

The best tutor-marked technical reports may be eligible for entry in our partner’s Student Publishing Service, where it could be published in a book format with an ISBN.

Project

A specific task involving private study and research for individuals or groups. Normally involves selection of a topic, planning, finding information and presenting results orally or in writing. The learning may be assessed by and evidence collected through:

Tutor assessment through records and notes such as on Skype
Peer assessment such during and at the end of process through discussion and observation, such as on Moodle or BuddyPress
Learner records, including notes, learning log, plans, record of project process, such as on BuddyPress
Externally verifiable audio / video / photographic records on YouTube or Flicker.

Production of artefact

Production of a relevant artefact selected by the tutor or by learners, which enables learners to demonstrate skills and to apply knowledge. The learning may be assessed by and using evidence through:

Tutor observation or one to one demonstration using Skype
Record of discussion with peers and learner’s notes such as BuddyPress
Audio / video / photographic records on YouTube or Flickr
Completed artefact.

Role Play / Simulation

Use of a situation selected by the tutor or by learners, to enable learners to practice and apply skills and to explore attitudes. The learning may be assessed by:

Record of tutor / peer observation using Skype
One to one assessment with tutor using Skype
Discussion on Moodle or BuddyPress
Self-assessment using Moodle / QPress
Audio / video / photographic record, such as on YouTube or Flickr
Learner log or notes, such as on BuddyPress

Group Discussion

Discussion of a topic or situation selected by the tutor or by learners, to enable learners to share knowledge and thoughts and to assess their learning. The learning may be assessed using evidence through:

Tutor / peer observation and notes on Moodle discussion
Record of discussions using Skype
Self-assessment using Moodle or QPress
Audio/video/photographic record on YouTube or Flickr
Assessment of learner log or diary such as on BuddyPres

Creating Content for the World Wide Web using WordPress

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:08:48 +0000

During this course you will gain an understanding of the practical processes involved in accessing the Internet and creating your own content using WordPress. You will start of learning how to access the World Wide Web (WWW) and explore a minimum of three different web sites (e.g. One corporate, one business and one private).

You will be able to identify and discriminate between good and bad website template design and discuss the perceived quality of given sites in terms of navigation, ease of use and consistent design. You will be able to the criteria for planning and building a web site in respect of ease of use, navigation, style, consistent design.

You will gain confidence in listing the various file formats and image attributes required to incorporate images on the Web as well as know the differences between JPG (JPEG), GIFF, PNG etc. and identify their appropriate usages.

You will create a HTML template for WordPress using its built-in editor, or your own web design software. You will be able to change text colour, font styles and heading size. You will gain confidence in experimenting with background colours and images and be able to add images and adjust size, location, border. You will find out how to create tables and format cells, columns and rows, create text and image links and create a minimum of three ‘named anchors’ with links to them.

You will discover how to use WordPress.com and private servers to create a simple web site ‘home page’ based on the WordPress template.

You will learn how to produce a page design and structure plan for a web site and create a Home Page proposed by your design and plan incorporating a title, grid, text, images, colour, background colour or background image; links and anchors.

You will find out how to export that Home Page to a hard-drive with a specific file reference and be able to preview completed work using a web browser. You will be able to make amendments if required, save the Home Page to, and re-test from, portable media.

Importantly you will be able to understand the Health and Safety implications of working with various materials and follow Health and Safety instructions.

Community Awareness using your iPhone

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:54:06 +0000

On this course you will learn to understand facilities and amenities available within the your local community using your iPhone. After completing the course you will be able to locate at least six of the following examples on your iPhone:

Post Office, Bank, Hospital/Medical Centre, Sports Centre, Supermarket, Launderette, Chemist, Clothes Shop, Cafe/Snack Bar, Newsagents, Travel Agents, Cinema, Florist, Bakery, Take Away, Hairdresser

Learn how to get around using your iPhone

You will gain knowledge of how to access the facilities provided within the Local Community with the support of your iPhone. You will be supported in using at least six of the facilities within the Local Community, including making a purchase from a retail outlet and where possible using iPhone apps to gain cashback at the store.

You will importantly learn how to use your iPhone to support you in using Public Transport, including making a short journey by Bus or Train.

Photography – Presentation and Finishing and Copyright Law

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:45:02 +0000

By the end of your time on this course, you will know how to choose prints for final presentation, including by making a choice of prints, taking into consideration print quality and suitability to assignment criteria. You will carry out retouching and/or spotting of black and white prints and learn to disguise minor scratches and dust marks on prints by using retouching techniques. You will demonstrate sensitivity to composition, aesthetics, proportion, balance and sequencing when presenting photographs and present an appropriate selection of prints, laid out both singularly and on a panel with other prints, text or labelling.

A core part of the programme also includes understanding how to mount monochrome or colour prints onto presentation board; mounting prints, using dry mounting and spray mounting techniques. You will be able to understand any potential safety hazards associated with mounting techniques and safely use mounting equipment and materials.

You will be able to demonstrate background knowledge of essential materials, suppliers and methods used for print mounting and describe essential print mounting materials, equipment, methods and suppliers.

You will learn to understand Health and Safety issues and safe studio practice and carry out Health and Safety procedures and safe studio practice.

On the course you will gain an understanding of the importance of storing digital and analogue images correctly and be able to identify a variety of approaches for safely storing digital and analogue materials.

You will be able to understand the law relating to copyrighting of photo images and identify key considerations relating to protection and copyrighting of digital and analogue images.

Living in a Changing Society: Changing Communities

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 12:34:15 +0000

We live in a changing world it is said. This is something given to be true, and concepts like glocalisation – acting local and thinking global – have become embedded in people’s lifes.

After you have completed this course, you will be able to understand the term community in all its guises. You will be able to identify what community means to you personally and list some typical features of community in support of this.

On the course you will get to understand how communities have developed historically in Britain and Wales, and describe how a given community has evolved these areas. You will also learn how to describe the influences of the Industrial Revolution on communities, including coalfields communities.

On completing the course you will be able to understand why and how communities change and be able to list possible reasons why different communities may grow or decline.

You will be able to understand the place of the individual within the community and describe the term of social network. Using this you will identify a personal social network and discuss it.

Finally, you will be able to understand possible implications of government policies/initiatives on communites and describe how a given initiative or policy has affected a community, such as with regards to coalfields communities.

Impact of EU Law in the Law Making Process

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:34:27 +0000

This course provides a great introduction into European Union Law, and is available on a distance learning and/or tutor supported basis. Our tutor are know experts in European Law, with masters degrees in the subject.

On this course you will learn to understand the institutions of the EU, including the Council of Ministers, the Commission and the Parliament. You will be able to explain the role of the Courts of Justices of the EU and understand the different sources of European Union Law. You will learn how to explain the difference between regulations, directives and decisions and their effects as well as evaluate the effects of the different sources of European Union Law. Finally you will be able to understand the significance of EU Law for parliamentary sovereignty, and its impact on courts in Great Britain.

Internet Safety Awareness

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:00:04 +0000

Trolling when done by people called Snerts can be quite harmful, as the messages they post are done to entertain themselves online, disregarding the hurt they cause others. They differ from Trolls who post to entertain others. Collectively they are known as Trollers.

On this course you will learn to identify different types of online bullying, navigate websites safety and be able to report abuse, and navigate for sources of help and create online safety rules. You will be able to recognise and secure risky activities associated with social networking while being able to outline the dangers of meeting people online, through viewing and commenting on online safety videos. You will be able to recognise secure and risky activities when using the Internet for social purposes and know the common ways of making social contract, and the advantages and disadvantages of these.

Prospects and Funding
This course is suitable for anyone looking for a career in supervising Internet use by children or vulnerable adults’, or people looking to start a career in computer forensics, where the ability to identify risk websites is becoming essential. Funding might be available in Wales for those wanting to enter these careers who were made redundant in the last 6-months through the Re-Act Scheme.

Accreditation
This course can be accredited by Agored, the Open College Network in Wales. The cost of accreditation is included in the course fee.

Buy Now

If you are ready to take this course please use the form below.

We are currently supporting the BBC Give an Hour campaign, which encourages everyone to give just one hour to help someone get online.

Becoming a Better Troll – Writing Posts in the Trolling Genre

admin — Sat, 12 May 2012 10:58:40 +0000

Many think that trolling is something that involves harming others – this is not the case. Trolling can also be done to entertain others. This course will help you become better at trolling for entertainment. You will learn to be able to write using the appropriate stylistic and narrative conventions of a Troll, and be able to plan posts carefully to introduce effective trolling features at the most appropriate moments in a thread. You will be able to created sustained posts which are easily recognisable as trolling, and be able to make imaginative use of trolling conventions to produce entertaining posts that captures the interests of other community members. Finally you will learn how to edit and redraft posts for greatest authenticity as a Troll.

Accreditation
This course can be accredited by Agored, the Open College Network in Wales. The cost of accreditation is included in the course fee.

Buy Now

If you are ready to take this course please use the form below. We are currently supporting the BBC Give an Hour campaign, which encourages everyone to give just one hour to help someone get online.