News
Lite successfully pilot Facebook as key learner communication tool
Beacon status provider, Lite Ltd, are piloting a new method of communicating with their learners that so far is proving highly effective. Lite offers a range of Apprenticeship programmes in Animal Care, Veterinary Nursing and Customer Service. For the past few months, staff at Lite have been piloting the use of Facebook as an additional way of communicating with their learners (both on the premises and out on placement) and with employers.
How does it work?
Lite have set up a Facebook page which only Lite learners are permitted to join. Appropriate privacy settings mean that the page cannot be viewed by anyone else. The page functions as:
- a notice-board for staff and tutors to post information, announcements and reminders
- a way for learners to send queries or requests directly to tutors or other Lite staff
- an instant messaging service for learners to chat live to Lite staff so issues can be dealt with immediately
Each member of staff has Facebook set up as their homepage at work. They are therefore immediately alerted to any direct messages or live chat requests that come through from learners, dealing with queries and requests for help quickly if not immediately.
Lite’s Facebook page is introduced to learners at their induction, when they are invited to become one of Lite’s online “friends”. Lite staff are finding that Facebook is also proving useful as an induction tool, a kind of online library where they can post information and links to a range of videos of interest to learners such as those that raise awareness of social issues like bullying and discrimination.
What are the results?
The Facebook system is popular with both staff and learners. Kelvin, an apprentice with Lite, finds that communicating with his tutor via Facebook saves time:
“It’s so much better than having to phone up to speak to my tutor. On Facebook, I can ask a question and will usually get an answer within a few minutes. It’s better than email because it’s more interactive.”
Lite Ltd’s Curriculum Coordinator Catherine Fildes, is the driving force behind the organisation’s Facebook strategy:
“It’s working so well because Facebook is young people’s preferred method of communicating. We’re interacting in a way that our learners are already very comfortable with: it’s on their terms. The bonus is that it saves time and money, and also ensures that we can keep in daily contact with learners who are out on placement. We make a point of sharing thoughts and ideas on our “wall”, posting messages of congratulations and of course birthday wishes. This all contributes to a real sense of community. And an important plus is that it’s great for learners with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders, as they find Facebook very user-friendly.”
To find out more about Lite’s Facebook strategy, call Catherine Fildes on 01744 24062
.
