During January the Project Co-ordinator oversaw the production of accreditation portfolios for each participant in accordance with local educational establishments’ requirements. Each trainee who completed the training programme was invited to create a portfolio of the training they had undertaken. This would allow them to receive nationally recognised qualifications as accreditation of their prior learning. The open-learning training support sessions were used during January to ensure that this activity took place in a friendly and supported environment.

7 out of the 8 participants who completed the training programme submitted a portfolio towards the NVQ in Telematics

The NVQ level 1 in Telematics is a course which looks at particular aspects of telecommunications, namely the Internet, E-Mail and video-conferencing.

Summary of Telematics Elements:

• Internet - looks at what the Internet is, how to use it, how to find and 'download' things from it using an Internet browser.
• E-Mail - explores what E-Mail is and how to use an E-Mail package.
• Video-conferencing - explores what video-conferencing is and how to use video-conferencing hardware and software

5 out of the 8 participants who completed the training programme submitted a portfolio towards the FAST multimedia qualification

The Foundation Accreditation in Science and Technology (FAST) Multimedia is a course which looks at all aspects of multimedia; sound, graphics, CD ROM, the Internet, E-Mail and the integration of these elements in one document. Participants are expected to maintain a portfolio of work that will be an integral part of their accreditation and_, in addition, evidence will also be maintained on floppy disk(s).

Summary of FAST Multimedia Elements

• Voice to software - involves sampling your voice and then manipulating the sound in different ways.
• Text to voice - involves typing out a message on a word processor to 'speak' in a variety of voices
• Picture image manipulation - using an image manipulation package and a scanner or digital camera to scan a picture into the computer and manipulate this image in a variety of ways.
• CD-ROM - an appreciation of what CD-ROM's are, how to use and interact with them and extract information from them.
• Internet - looks at what the Internet is, how to use it, how to find and 'download' things from it using an Internet browser.
• E-Mail - explores what E-Mail is and how to use an E-Mail package.
• Graphics - an introduction to Freehand draw package looking at vector drawing and illustration techniques, including drawing an object and then duplicating, scaling and filling the object in different ways.
• Integration - as a group or individually integrate voice, text, graphics in one software package to provide an insight into the concepts of storyboarding, presentation etc.

• 2 out of the 8 participants who completed the training programme successfully completed the ‘Getting Online Advanced Internet Training programme.’

The Getting Online Advanced Internet Training programme is delivered by IDEA (Innovation in Digital and Electronic Arts) and MiiD (Manchester Institute for Information Delivery). City College Manchester accredits the course, which is free of charge to individuals resident in England and over 16 years of age. To take part in any course individuals must register as a GO learner. Once registered, individuals are automatically enrolled on the Advanced Internet Training course. The course is delivered via the World Wide Web and is designed to take participants effortlessly through all aspects of the Internet. Individuals learn at their own pace, in any location.

The Advanced Internet Training course covers all aspects of the Internet, including email, the World Wide Web, ftp, mailing lists and Bulletin Boards. Introduces telnet, mud’s and Internet Relay Chat (IRC). To minimise your on-line time and telephone bills students may download any course on to their own computer. This enables individuals to study 'offline' and work at their own pace through the course material. The Course comprises a number of sections which include reading material and exercises. At the end of each section students are required to complete an exercise form which is submitted via the Internet. These forms are designed to assess progress, not to catch students out. Courses have a simple structure to give easy access to content, glossaries and contact information. A credit system helps keep track of progress through the course. Members of the GO support team are available during office hours by phone or email to answer your queries and help with any difficulties. Email: MiiD@mmu.ac.uk or phone on 0161 247 6457. Anyone who has a need or desire to use the many and varied Internet tools available today, whether for work, school or entertainment will benefit. If expert or novice the GO course will enhance your use of the Internet.