In this week's episode, Tim Burnett chats with Dean Blewitt, Senior Innovation and Investments Manager at NCFE. They discuss:
- The findings from the Metaverse Learning feasibility project, exploring personalised VR simulations with adaptive questioning and AI chatbot integration
- How the maturity of AI in education has evolved, including the growing due diligence requirements from providers and colleges
- Two exciting new Assessment Innovation Fund pilots launching in 2026: Body Swaps (soft skills VR training for construction and motor vehicle) and 60 Second Learning (psychometric soft skills assessment)
Dean provides a comprehensive update on NCFE's Assessment Innovation Fund, which has now run seven funding windows with thirteen projects, over a thousand applications, and engagement with more than three thousand learners. He shares insights from the recently completed Metaverse Learning project, which tested VR scenarios with accessibility features like voice recognition and subtitles, alongside an embedded AI chatbot to support in-the-moment learning. Dean discusses the technical and ethical challenges encountered, particularly around implementing guardrails for AI use in educational settings.
Looking ahead, Dean introduces two new pilots set to launch in early 2026. Body Swaps will work with 500 learners across five colleges, focusing on soft skills development in construction and motor vehicle sectors. Meanwhile, 60 Second Learning will engage 1,000 learners across ten colleges and ITPs, using psychometric assessments to measure soft skills development. Dean highlights opportunities for training providers, colleges, and subject matter experts to get involved in these pilots, and discusses additional grant funding available through NCFE's partner, UFI.
Connect with Dean Blewitt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-blewitt/
Connect with Tim Burnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tburnett/
More about the innovation fund: https://www.ncfe.org.uk/help-shape-the-future-of-learning-and-assessment
Active Grant from the Ufi: https://testcommunity.network/content/voctech-activate-grant-fund
Metaverse Learning: https://www.ncfe.org.uk/help-shape-the-future-of-learning-and-assessment/aif-pilots/metaverse-learning/
Body Swaps: https://www.ncfe.org.uk/help-shape-the-future-of-learning-and-assessment/aif-pilots/bodyswaps/
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