Information for parents

If their school/college has signed up to the Virtual-Workspace, then your son or daughter will get their own private workspace - online in the Virtual-Workspace. Their unique workspace builds on their confidence, independence and motivation; it aims to transform their learning experience by offering them more choice and control in the way they learn.

For teen learners of the 21st century, the Virtual-Workspace marks a fresh step forward in education.

Key Features...

  • A bank of support: Your son or daughter will have full access to a bank of over 4000 interactive learning materials. Whatever pathway they're on, they can find materials to support their learning at school/college.
  • Online storage and management of work: A zone in their workspaces lets students create, store and manage all their classwork, coursework and homework. They can receive work from their teacher, send it back completed and receive it back again fully marked and graded.
  • Learning that suits: In the Virtual-Workspace, your son or daughter will have the opportunity to discover their preferred learning style. They'll then be able to get hold of information, advice and learning materials that suit their style - ultimately enhancing their learning.
  • Communication channels: A range of communication channels (ie messaging, community discussion forums and live chatrooms) gives your son or daughter the opportunity to debate and share views, ideas and information with other learners and teachers in the Virtual-Workspace community - bringing real educational value to all.
  • A dedicated mentoring service: If they ever have any issues in their life, learning or leisure, your son or daughter can request and receive help and support from a team of dedicated human mentors - live online from 8am to 8pm.
  • A strong incentive: Your son or daughter will earn points as they use their workspace for their learning and leisure. They can then spend these points on real rewards, eg CDs, DVDs, digital cameras, etc.
  • Support for the future: Students will be pointed in the right direction for making those big decisions about their education and future career. Your son or daughter will be able to access careers/further education advice from respectable organisations, such as Fast Tomato and Connexions.
  • 24-hour technical helpline: If they ever need help when using the Virtual-Workspace, students can call our 24-hour technical helpline.

Discussion forums and chatrooms are strictly monitored by Virtual-Workspace staff, and all students will have access to the emergency 'SpaceWatch' alert button. They can activate this button at any time to report any undesirable online activity directly to the Virtual-Workspace team.

We take your children's safety very seriously - it is of paramount importance. All activities within the Virtual-Workspace are backed by an approved Child Protection Policy.

The Local Authority Children's Services Child Protection Officer explains:

The Virtual-Workspace has been carefully designed to ensure that children are not put at risk by using the Service. However, schools, parents and pupils themselves are responsible for making sure that the system is used with appropriate supervision and in accordance with the 'Acceptable Use Policy'.

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