Projects

From From November 2007 much of the project work previously underataken through DLC has been taken on by Hourglass a not for profit organisation set up by Karen Hayday and Lisa Morris and incorporated in 2008 as a Company Limited by Guarentee.

Hourglass Social Objects revolve around Environmental Issues, Education and Community Involvement.

1. The Growth Project (2008-2010)

Hourglass are managing a PCT project working with MIND to work with people with Mental Health Issues who arelearning to grow their own food on allotment sites within Rochdale Metropolitan Borough.

2. WET (2007-2009)

Hourglass are partners in the WET European Project through the Leonardo da Vinci programme. The project's aim is to put together the European training standards for the level two Operative in a Waste Water Treatment Plant. The partnership consists of representatives from Romania, Cyprus, Italy, Spain and Greece. As a partner, we have been responsible for work package 2, which looked at industry standards for the Waste Water Industry throughout Europe, finding examples of good practice and organising all the key elements into the new European framework.

3. e-Talents (2007-2008)

As subcontractors for the Leonardo da Vinci e-talents programme, we are working on the professional profile of the e-manager of a tourist facility. We have written and are currently tutoring the e-learning materials to train managers in the hotel industry in the use of new technologies.

http://www.actione-learn.eu/new_elearning/mainHome.php

4. FEELing (2005-2007))

DLC were technical partners in the FEELing European Project through the Leonardo da Vinci programme. The partnership consists of representatives from France, Italy, Spain and Greece. As a technical partners we have been responsible for the design of e-learning materials on the Mediterranean Littoral Environment. There are three modules on Ecology, the law and teaching methods. The PDF below gives a short description of the project, whilst the link will take you to the courses.

FEELing Project information

http://www.actione-learn.eu/new_elearning/mainHome.php

 

5. Design of the memorials Gardens in Rochdale (2007)

As part of our interpretation and design side of the DLC, in partnership with Ilen Associates, have designed a sensory garden in Rochdale and produced all the interpretation boards for the project. The design was part of the Parks programme awarded Green Flag status in Rochdale in 2007.

6. Healey Dell Nature Reserve( 2006-7)

Part of a Big Lottery grant, DLC worked with Healey Dell Nature Reserve to take information from various reports to make its industrial history and wealth of flora and fauna come alive.

Part of the project was to put the Dell on line so that all the materials from the project would be available to any one wanting to visit the reserve. The web-site at http://www.healeydell.org.uk/ contains learning materials and Activities designed and written by the DLC in partnership with Ilen Associates, for people of all ages and abilities. All the materials are free and down loadable from the Web-site. On the ground are Interpretation boards, Trail guides, Maps plus information on the flora and fauna of the area.

7. Connecting West Hull (2006)

DLC delivered two sets of environmental workshops surrounding principles and concepts in sustainable building and sustainable management of buildings.The overall aims were:

1. to increase the environmental capacity of the community and
2. provide an initiative to compensate for the losses felt by the community following the lack of support for the Earthship building.

This was to be achieved by:

• Delivering two sets of 5 workshops at the Gypsyville Community Centre, one set during working hours and another in the evening.
• Providing a ‘day-trip’ visit to study and assess sustainable buildings and building techniques, as well as to witness sustainable building management practices first-hand.
• Producing learning materials, reference materials and worksheets for the participants.
• Producing an ‘environmental review’ of the existing buildings and plans for a new sustainable building and/or extension to one of the existing buildings. This was to provide the materials for the assessments.
• Assessment of the final work provided by the participants with a Certificate of Achievement for successful candidates.
• Making all the materials available via the Internet for use by current or future participants.

8. Green Investments in the Tourism Industry (2004-6)



In this European Project through the Leonardo Da Vinci Programme the DLC worked on the population of the National area of the Website on: Green Initiatives, UK Specific Tourist Information, Events and Green Links.

The DLC developed the ‘Quality Management of a Tourist Agency. The manual was designed to relate learning to the learner’s particular employment role within the industry and also to form an introduction to the other three manuals designated as outputs through the project. The Manual was then delivered as a pilot to learners provided by other members of the project partnership in a range of countries with extensive tutor support utilizing formative and summative assessment strategies which finally led to Certification for successful completers of the E-Learning Modules.  An evaluation report was also produced which summarizes and analyses the outcomes of the pilot. Throughout the project, the experience of DLC staff in the field of E-learning was utilized in the development of modes of delivery, with respect to both technical and learner support. This was achieved through contributions at partnership meetings and provision of reports and presentations.

DLC was represented at all the international project meetings, making a significant contribution to the associated host dissemination events by delivering presentations in Cyprus and Sicily. Local dissemination activities involved a large number of local and regional industries and organizations with which we work through the College and our courses.

9. Bios & Environment Transnational Network (2004-6)



The DLC's contribution to the project consisted of two units (Environmental Awareness and Reducing the Environmental Impact of Business) were available directly from the BIOS site, so that any business could download the materials. DLC also delivered the course to employees and managers in a range of service and industry sectors and produced useful student evaluation data. In addition, staff from DLC undertook a detailed evaluation and produced a report with respect to two other Modules arising from the project i.e. the Evaluation of Environmental dimensions in Agriculture, Forestry and Food Production & Scientific Advances & Environmental Ethics Modules.  Throughout the project, the experience of staff in the field of E-learning was utilized in the development of modes of delivery, with respect to both technical and learner support. This was achieved through contributions at partnership meetings and provision of reports and presentations.

DLC was represented at all the international project meetings, making a significant contribution to the associated host dissemination events by delivering presentations at most of them (Cyprus, Sicily and Crete).

10. Environet (2001-2004)

Was a  1.249.996 euro international project though the Trans-European Telecommunications Networks programme whose aim was to help small and medium sized businesses:

• Identify their environmental issues
• Meet their regulatory requirements
• Access high-quality accredited environmental training
• Gain market advantage by adopting best environmental practice
• Improve their bottom line through efficiency measures
• Link with other companies interested in environmental improvement

Environet was an Internet-based information, assessment and training service. Through the web site, enrolled companies were able to:

• Access information on the environmental regulations that affect the operation of their business
• Access online tools to help achieve compliance and environmental improvement
• Receive comprehensive impartial advice on environmental best practice from  published material supported by real people through our helpline
• Receive training on environmental management issues via e-learning modules -  the Open College qualifications available are equivalent to GCSE through to Diploma level.
• Network with other companies through the ENVIRONET forum – business learning from business