Listowel Community College

Rationale of FLP

The Flexible Learning Profiles (FLP’s) initiative commenced in 2006 with eight DEIS schools. It arose out of a response of the Department of Education and Science to Proposals for the Future Development of Senior Cycle Education in Ireland (NCCA 2005). The NCCA’s consultation on senior cycle had found strong support for building on the strengths of the current senior cycle while affirming the need to focus on the learning and the learner as well as on “getting the Leaving”. This is a school-based curriculum development initiative that involves working with schools on thinking about the developing flexible learning profiles for senior cycle students. It has two aims to contribute to improved retention rates in senior cycle and to ensure a rewarding experience and improved outcomes for all.

Rationale for choosing Fetac for Listowel Community College:

The senior cycle in under review and Listowel Community College are part of a group of eight schools looking at innovative ways to enhance the present senior cycle system for all students. Listowel Community College is a Fetac centre and therefore efforts to explore Fetac as part of the provision for our students was initiated. Fetac offers a variety of assessment modes and encourages the learner to take ownership of their own learning.

Not all students have a positive leaving certificate experience and this hinders their progression routes. We ‘d like to see a more varied approach to support students achieve e.g. either/or LC and Fetac. Research comments from teachers “ Oral, Aural, Reading, Writing, Project work , and Folders are all used as assessment modes, much more learning”

Proposal

It is proposed to offer four Fetac modules to these students in addition to their leaving certificate. These modules are in Maths Application L4, French L4, Biology Anatomy and Physiology L5 and Web Design L5. Teachers feel that these modules chosen can compliment the traditional leaving certificate curriculum. Teachers feel that the LC syllabus can be used to fulfil the Fetac descriptors of the modules chosen and hence no new material is introduced to an already overloaded LC subject . All teachers have experience of teaching Fetac Modules previously and feel the Fetac model enhances motivation and ownership of the work.
In addition the Guidance Counsellor in delivering a Transition unit on guidance which helps students focus on their career choices and take more ownership of their learning.
It is proposed that students will receive credit for these Fetac modules as per the National Qualifications Frameworks document when they apply for the ITT.
Students have a weekly opportunity to review their Fetac progress to date and record their progression through these modules. This process is also helping students to take ownership of their learning and become the authors of their own destiny.




Target group

The senior cycle students (fifth year) are the target group. There are 10 students in this group. These students are currently studying for the Leaving Certificate. In addition these students have three class periods to update portfolios and complete assignments for their Fetac modules. Students have guidance timetabled to deliver the Transition Unit.


Progress to date

To date the senior cycle students are studying these four Fetac modules. Some teachers have completed elements of the modules and students are engaging much more productively than the traditional leaving certificate subjects.
Students are reflecting on their progress through the worksheets and transition unit on guidance. Some teachers feel that they will have completed the Fetac L4 by June others feel they need more time to complete the L5 Fetac modules