Innovative Textile Education and Training

1. Innovative Textile Education and Training S.C.Harlock B.Sc. Ph.D., The University of Leeds - Media Innovations Ltd IFC Textile Industry Seminar

2. Introduction This presentation will: • consider the changes taking place within textile and apparel education and training particularly within the U.K to explain the background to multimedia developments in textile and apparel education and training • describe developments in multimedia, computer based learning and proposals for new delivery mechanisms • present an overview of other global education and training initiatives in textiles an apparel IFC Textile Industry Seminar

3. Current situation in UK Higher Education • Within the U.K. there has been a decline in student enrolment on science and technology based education in textiles IFC Textile Industry Seminar

4. Why the decline? Four factors have exacerbated this: IFC Textile Industry Seminar

5. Why the decline? • The decline in the textile manufacturing base and consequently perceived lack of career prospects IFC Textile Industry Seminar

6. Changes in U.K. Textile and Apparel Manufacture IFC Textile Industry Seminar

7. Changes in U.K. Textile and Apparel Manufacture IFC Textile Industry Seminar

8. Why the decline? • Unpopularity of science and technology based courses generally • Unpopularity of manufacturing generally • Fee paying students are preferring to study textile related courses in which they believe they will excel, find interesting and may be seen as more "glamorous” IFC Textile Industry Seminar

9. Changes in demand for textile and apparel education • “Techno-management” courses offering a combination of management/ business studies with textile/apparel technology have been popular • Difficult to sustain, because costly to support, maintain and update specialist machines and equipment, unless underpinned by substantial research funding • Research funding focusing on areas, notably technical textiles, where higher added value can be realised and specialist knowledge can provide a competitive advantage IFC Textile Industry Seminar

10. Changes in demand for textile and apparel education • The principle issues with technology based programmes would appear to be “image” of the industry and employment prospects IFC Textile Industry Seminar

11. Changes in demand for textile and apparel education And yet…… • Fashion design, textile design, fashion management and marketing, fashion retailing are verypopular programmes: • “Glamorous” and generate good income for Universities/colleges BUT • Many provide only limited technological and production knowledge relevant to textile and apparel industry • Career opportunities limited – considerable over supply of fashion designers entering the market IFC Textile Industry Seminar

12. Educational provision • Entry to further and higher education programmes of study is through the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) http://www.ucas.com/ • UCAS website cites approximately 92 institutions offering 452 Textile and Fashion Design, Management and Technology Courses at HNC, HND and Degree levels. • Search for Textile Technology courses on UCAS website reveals 4 institutions offering FT/sandwich courses at HND and Degree levels IFC Textile Industry Seminar

13. Current situation in Higher Education in B.Sc./M.Sc. courses in Textiles University of Leeds • M.Sc. courses (FT)only (with conversion option) in: • Advanced Colouration and Finishing Technology • Colour Management Systems • Technical Textiles and Performance Clothing • Textile Management • Textile Manufacturing and TQM IFC Textile Industry Seminar

14. Current situation in Higher Education in B.Sc./M.Sc. courses in Textiles UMIST (http://www.umist.ac.uk/departments/textiles/) • Merging with University of Manchester on 01.10.2004 ( Professor Alan Gilbert, Vice Chancellor of Melbourne University will be new V.C.) • Departments of Textiles and Paper merged • B.Sc. courses (FT) (some with language and year abroad options) in: • Textile Science and Technology • Textile Technology and Management • Clothing Technology and Fashion Management ( with Manchester Metropolitan University • Management and Marketing of Textiles • Fashion and Textile Retailing • Design Management for Fashion Retailing • Textile Design and Design Management IFC Textile Industry Seminar

15. Current situation in Higher Education in B.Sc./M.Sc. courses in Textiles UMIST • M.Sc. courses (FT) in: -Textile technology - International fashion retailing • M.Ent course (FT) in - Textile design, technology and fashion IFC Textile Industry Seminar

16. Current situation in Higher Education in B.Sc./M.Sc. courses in Textiles Heriot Watt University (http://www.hw.ac.uk/sbc/SOTWeb/SOTCourses.html) • B.Sc. courses (FT) in: - Clothing Design and Manufacture - Textiles and Fashion Design Management - Combined studies • M.Sc./Diploma courses (FT) in: - Clothing Management - International Design Marketing ( Fashion and Textiles) IFC Textile Industry Seminar

17. Current situation in Higher Education in B.Sc./M.Sc. courses in Textiles Bolton Institute of Higher Education (http://www.bolton.ac.uk/courses/index) • Foundation degree in Textiles – work based learning and negotiated learning contracts • B.Sc. course (FT and PT) in: - Textile Technology • M.Sc./Diploma courses (FT and PT) in: - Textile Studies IFC Textile Industry Seminar

18. Current situation in Higher Education in B.Sc./M.Sc. courses in Textiles Manchester Metropolitan University (http://www.mmu.ac.uk/courses/) • B.Sc. / HND courses (FT) in: - Textile Technology for Fashion • M.Sc./ courses (FT) in: - Clothing Product Development - International Fashion Marketing IFC Textile Industry Seminar

19. Modern Apprenticeship National Vocational Qualifications Practical Training/Experience in Companies Educational Establishments Underpinning Knowledge Training Organisations Technician level education and training IFC Textile Industry Seminar

20. Technician level education and training • Technical certificate and other education for those in full time employment provided on day release or evening classes at local further education colleges or some institutions of higher education. • Competition from service sector and decline in industry has discouraged school leavers from entering industry. • Insufficient trainees within a given geographical area to justify provision of courses and companies reluctant to release trainees • Consequently courses not financially viable IFC Textile Industry Seminar

21. Changes in demand for textile and apparel education BUT • Within the U.K. • Textile manufacturing*: 127000 employed in 5456 business units • Apparel*: 84000 employed in 5631 business units * Statistics from survey conducted by Skillfast-UK December 2002 • So, despite the decline in the manufacturing base, there continues to be the demand for employees at all levels and hence the demand for them to be educated and trained. IFC Textile Industry Seminar

22. Changes in demand for textile and apparel education However • Conventional delivery of technological education and training not cost effective because of insufficient student numbers Therefore • To offer cost effective training requires a change in the mode of provision, tailored to the needs of industry and commerce, offered at a convenient time and place, to suit the individual needs of both the employee and the employer. IFC Textile Industry Seminar

23. How can we meet this provision? Need to recognise that • Students/employees prefer to learn at different times • Employers cannot afford to allow employees to study away from workplace • Emphasis now is on "learning for life" and wider access to learning. • The ultimate goal must be education on-demand - access and opportunity to learn at any time and any place together with the development of skills and experience. IFC Textile Industry Seminar

24. How can we meet this provision? Use alternative forms of delivery • E-learning • Video delivery • Synchronous and asynchronous communication e.g. Internet chat rooms, email • Classroom • Books • In-company practical training • “Blended learning” IFC Textile Industry Seminar

25. What experience do we have in the use of e-learning in textiles? • In 1994 development of a computer based learning system at the University of Leeds for textiles and apparel was started • A team comprising academic subject specialists, media production and computer based learning staff spent 18 months writing text and producing videos, animations, graphics IFC Textile Industry Seminar

26. Experiences in the use of computer based learning for Textiles and Apparel • Collaboration between academic staff in the Department of Textile Industries, Audio-visual services and the Computer Based Learning unit • Content was compiled and authored using an interactive document compiler to create Assymetrix TOOLBOOK multimedia files. • "Introduction to Textiles" launched in September 1995. IFC Textile Industry Seminar

27. Experiences in the use of computer based learning for Textiles and Apparel Features of the system are: • It has dual functionality: It provides a structured learning environment and a reference resource browser • It assumes no prior knowledge of Textiles or Apparel • It assumes no prior knowledge of computers • It is simple to use with interactive features • It has quick response - a minimum download time IFC Textile Industry Seminar

28. Experiences in the use of computer based learning for Textiles and Apparel It contains: • ~ 800 screens ( pages) • ~ 430 colour photographs • ~ 200 graphics • ~ 23 animations • ~ 225 video sequences • ~ 200 glossary items • ~ 110 bibliography references • ~ 600 self assessment exercises (MCQ’s) • Audio commentaries • Hypertext links • A tutorialon the use of the system • Glossary of terms IFC Textile Industry Seminar

29. ITT – Introduction to Textiles Subjects IFC Textile Industry Seminar

30. ITT – Introduction to Textiles Topics IFC Textile Industry Seminar

31. ITT – Introduction to TextilesLearning IFC Textile Industry Seminar

32. ITT – Introduction to Textiles Evaluation IFC Textile Industry Seminar

33. Experiences in the use of computer based learning for Textiles and Apparel • Content delivered in 2 modules • Students typically spent 30-40 hours studying content of each module in computer based learning laboratory using work book • Tutorials/practical demonstrations support learning IFC Textile Industry Seminar

34. Experiences in the use of computer based learning for Textiles and Apparel • This significantly changed the mode of delivery of content • For the first time students could study at their own pace in their own learning environment. • Since 1995, an estimated 40,000 student hours of learning have been delivered using the system IFC Textile Industry Seminar

35. Further Developments Working on our own and in collaboration with training organisations including KLITRA and CBWT, 9 more modules have been developed: • Fashion technology • Clothing technology 2.0 • Knitwear technology 1.0 • Weaving technology 2.0 • Textile testing 2.0 • Nonwoven technology 2.0 • Weft knitted fabric analysis • Woven fabric analysis • Fibre identification IFC Textile Industry Seminar

36. Further DevelopmentsClothing Technology 2.0 IFC Textile Industry Seminar

37. Further DevelopmentsTextile Testing 2.0 IFC Textile Industry Seminar

38. Further Developments_ Fibre Identification IFC Textile Industry Seminar

39. Commercial Usage • System now marketed worldwide in response to commercial demand • Approximately 80 copies of the system both in the U.K. and overseas, national and international commercial manufacturing and retail organisations. • Now used in secondary schools as well IFC Textile Industry Seminar

40. How suitable is e-learning for training in companies? • Training organisations also recognising the potential that this mode of delivery offers. • Employees may study within allotted periods in the factory in dedicated training facilities or during slacker production times. IFC Textile Industry Seminar

41. The use of computer based learning to support training in textiles and apparel • The Knitting and Lace Industries Training Association in the U.K piloted Introduction to Textiles within knitwear companies • They also collaborated in the development of a Knitwear Technology module specifically for knitwear manufacturers in the Scottish borders companies. • In 2002, the Confederation of British Wool Textiles conducted a pilot study of Introduction to Textiles for training purposes. • The new Weaving Technology module was also developed and piloted. IFC Textile Industry Seminar

42. Evaluation of suitability of Introduction to Textiles and Weaving Technology for training purposes • Copies of Introduction to Textiles and Weaving Technology supplied to colleges delivering further education courses to trainees from manufacturers and some textile manufacturers themselves (including a fine worsted suiting manufacturer, a dyeing and finishing company and a carpet manufacturing company). IFC Textile Industry Seminar

43. Introduction to Textiles Weaving Technology Employee response IFC Textile Industry Seminar

44. Introduction to Textiles Weaving Technology Employee response IFC Textile Industry Seminar

45. Introduction to Textiles Weaving Technology Employee response IFC Textile Industry Seminar

46. Employee response Comments made by the evaluators of Weaving Technology “Very helpful, wish I had it sooner” • “The package was good but needs to be supported by lectures” • “Easy to follow and fun to use, makes learning enjoyable” • “ A very comprehensive programme. ….all in all an informative package also very well presented. IFC Textile Industry Seminar

47. Latest developments Currently working on a pan European (Leonardo da Vinci mobility funding) collaborative project involving: • Euratex – Belgium • University of Kaunas – Lithuania • University of Liberec – Czech Republic • Manufacturers in Poland and Estonia • KLITRA – UK • CBWT – UK to develop 2 multimedia training modules on carpet and hosiery technology respectively. IFC Textile Industry Seminar

48. Conclusions from studies Several clear messages emerge from the experience of use to date. • Motivation is a key factor - it is not sufficient to offer such systems and expect all learners to accept it. • Support is needed in the form of learning facilitators, to co-ordinate, motivate and explain difficult concepts. • It needs to be integrated into programmes of study as one of a variety of modes of learning - “Blended Learning” IFC Textile Industry Seminar

49. Qualifications Framework TEXTILE and APPAREL LEARNING INSTITUTE Blended / e-Learning CD/W W W Qualifications Framework Qualifications Framework W W W / email Tutorial Support IN-COMPANY TRAINING Qualifications Framework Model for a Vocational Learning Centre for pre-degree textile education and training Local Training Centres Colleges/Universities IFC Textile Industry Seminar

50. E-learning can be delivered from anywhere IFC Textile Industry Seminar