Training

• Our aims
• How do we achieve this ?
• Why use iansyst’s trainers ?
• Some comments about our training
• Who do we provide training to ?
• Prices
• Contact us
• Meet the team
• Download our Training Guide

Our aims

• To provide the highest quality training
• To enable you to get the most out of your assistive technology so you can be independent in your learning

How do we achieve this?

We discuss your needs with you and tailor the training to suit you. The lessons are structured, but also flexible so we can adjust the training to your requirements. We give you as much hands-on practice as possible and try to integrate the software into the sort of tasks you would normally have to do. It is you, not us, who determines the pace of the training, and we make sure there are frequent breaks. We usually assess your progress through tasks and exercises.

When the training is finished, we:

• provide handouts to summarise the key points.
• provide various points of contact for continued support.

Why use iansyst’s trainers?

• Each trainer has or is working towards a teaching qualification – either
  a C&G 7302 Certificate in Delivery of Training or C&G 7407
  Teacher Training Certificate.
• Each trainer is or is working towards becoming an Associate members
  of the Institute of IT Training (an accreditation body for training
  professionals).
• We have an ongoing program of Continuing Professional Development
  including:
  • Dyslexia awareness and disability awareness training;
  • Accredited training direct from manufacturers including Texthelp
    and Nuance;
  • Regular internal product training and workshops.
• All our trainers have had disclosure checks through the Criminal
  Records Bureau.
• We cover many types of assistive technology including:
  • text-to-speech
  • speech recognition
  • mind mapping and concept mapping
  • scanning software
  • reading and writing programs
  • spell checkers
  • typing tutors
  • digital recording devices
  • PDAs
  • and many more…
• We cover the whole UK.

Some comments about our training

“The tutor was extremely helpful, tailoring his approach and pace to my needs. I feel I learned a lot and can contact him as necessary.”
Margaret, Heriot-Watt University

“The trainer gave me time to respond to his method of training. The training was well structured and the return visit was very helpful. I would like to thank the trainer and your company for your help and support with my slow learning ability.”
Andrew, Student

“The trainer was very helpful. He explained the programmes to me and checked I understood. He was very well prepared for our session and only moved on when I felt ready.”
Sarah, Student

“Approachable effective trainer – software looks as if it will help me focus by listening carefully to text that is read back to me. The coaching was invaluable for confirming issues or making me aware of them. Very confidence building.”
Scottish Museums Council

“I can now fully enjoy all the products you have supplied. We have been able to identify my weak areas and [ I.T.S.
] are keeping me informed on the availability of equipment.”
David, student

“I’ve gone from total ignorance and scared to touch anything to being quite confident with the new software as well as general use. The tutor was at all times patient, polite and professional thank you.”
John, OU Student

“The structure was clear and in a form appropriate to someone who thinks in whole pictures, not just bits. It was helpful to have a second day to develop my understanding.”
Estelle, public sector professional

“Training was very useful and augmented my understanding of Dragon brilliantly.”
Gail, student

“Without the technology I would never have done my own quotes or invoices for my business… It’s a great feeling. If you don’t get training on how to use the equipment, money will be wasted. It is one of the most important things going; it’s transformed my life.”
John, self-employed businessman

Who do we provide training to?

We run one-to one training, in particular to:

• HE/FE Students
• ATW employees
• Individual computer users, both children and adults

We also provide group sessions (or one-to-one training if required)
for:

• Schools
• Disability Officers
• Assessors
• LEA awards officers
• IT and SEN Advisors
• SENCOs and IT staff
• IT Trainers
• Personnel Officers

Our trainers are versatile with wide-ranging experience, so if there is some specific training you or your organisation requires, please contact us and we will do our best to provide it.

Prices *

Our prices include travel, but please note that where training is required at short notice, we may need to charge extra to cover travel (e.g. flights) and accommodation as the cost of these services tends to be greater for late bookings.

DSA customers: £225 per half day (3 hours).

Training in the workplace (Access to Work scheme): £225 for an individual 3-hour session.

Please contact us for prices and further information on sessions for Teachers (group training and INSET days) and corporate training.

* All prices are exclusive of VAT. We can normally supply training VAT-free to people with dyslexia or other disabilities when it is ordered in connection with a computer system or computer software
that is also zero-rated.

Contact us

Head Office: telephone 01223 420 101 email reception@iansyst.co.uk

Scottish Office: telephone 0141 249 6514 email scotland@iansyst.co.uk

Training Manager, Martin Kirkup: email
martink@iansyst.co.uk

Meet the team

• Martin Kirkup
• Michael Pitcher
• Lee Evans
• Christopher Wilson
• Tony Vella
• Anne-Marie Boyle
• Siobhain Wood

Martin Kirkup

Training Manager

“I am in a rewarding position where I get to see the students’ knowledge, understanding and confidence develop over time whilst also seeing first hand their satisfaction at being able to use the equipment to its full potential.”

I joined iansyst in April 2000 as the second member of staff to be appointed to the Training department and now have a client list of over 1500. I live in Cambridge, where I also gained my BSc in Geography. In addition I have a C&G 7302 Certificate in Delivery of Learning. My previous
employment includes working as an IT advisor for a Government agency that was involved with agricultural projects.

With the experience I have gained from this and previous roles, I am able to deliver tailored training to a wide range of individuals and groups, leaving my students with the confidence to use their computers more productively. I feel particularly confident training in Dragon – and
I enjoy the challenge of creating and solving Macros for our professional users.

I am very much a people’s person and enjoy the diversity of customers and their teaching environments. I see my role within iansyst as a very rewarding one; I am privileged to be in such a worthwhile position where I am able to help people whilst having a job that I get fulfilment and
gratification from.

Michael Pitcher

Assistive Technology Trainer (based in Cambridge)

“ I am passionate about the work that I do and I am driven by the desire to help people in whatever way I can. ”

I have been helping people to use computers since the early 1990s and have specialised in dyslexia and special needs since joining iansyst in 1997. I am an accredited trainer for Texthelp and Dragon software and I hold a City & Guilds 7302 Delivering Learning Certificate. I am also an Associate Member of the Institute of IT Training, an organisation whose aim is to “ continuously raise standards of professionalism within the training industry ”. I am always keen to learn about new technology and I regularly attend product training to keep up with the latest developments in this field.

Throughout my career, I have been fortunate enough to have met some remarkable people from all walks of life, many of whom have endured difficulties and frustrations throughout their lives. I see my role as a small, but important, part of the jigsaw in giving people the support that they deserve. My aim is to give individuals the confidence to use technology, to help them realise their potential and to encourage them to work independently. I have a good understanding of dyslexia and other disabilities and I believe I possess the necessary qualities to enable me to provide the highest standard of training.

Computers are part of our everyday lives. They have revolutionised communications throughout the world, opened up a vast array of resources, and through advances in specialist software and equipment have done a lot to help establish a level playing field for those with disabilities. Assistive technology has broken down the barriers faced by many and it has become an exciting and rapidly growing industry. Today, we have access to a wealth of technologies specifically designed to help people of all ages and abilities use computers. It is my belief that anyone can use a computer and with the right guidance and support the possibilities are endless.

Lee Evans

Assistive Technology Trainer (based in Bristol)

“I’m a big believer in making the training sessions as involving and as much fun as possible for the student.”

I joined iansyst in June 2001, having previously worked for an Internet company in Bristol, as well as doing some voluntary teaching assistant work for my local college, where I was helping students gain their European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). I have a degree in Electronic and Electrical
Engineering, which I obtained in July 1994 from Birmingham University, as well as gaining an ‘A’ Level in Psychology prior to that. I completed stage one of the Further and Adult Education Teacher’s certificate (FAETC) in August 2002 at Stroud College, Gloucestershire. Also, as part of iansyst’s commitment to ongoing training, I am a certified trainer for Dragon and TextHelp Read & Write. As I live in Gloucestershire, I mainly do training in the south – west, in Wales, and in some parts of the midlands and south.

As a kid growing up in the 1980s, I found it fascinating to play with computers and see what they were capable of. Being in my thirties now, I’ve always tried to get the most out of learning about IT and using computers in the work place. Being a trainer for iansyst is a great opportunity to help others do the same.

Christopher Wilson

Assistive Technology Trainer (based in the North East)

“I believe anyone can learn software and how to use a computer effectively. Some people may require more guidance than others, but we all have the capabilities to achieve and surpass all of our goals.”

I am currently the newest addition to iansyst’s training department, having joined in the summer of 2005. I have worked with computers for most of my professional career, providing training and support to individuals on a variety of software and hardware. iansyst Ltd stands out as being
truly customer-focused; it aims to deliver the very best support in training before, during and after appointments.

I am an open and honest person, and I like to reflect this by taking pride in my work and who I work for, by providing the best training to each individual within my capabilities.

With regards to computers in general, I think most people overlook the fact that computers are relatively new, and that they are constantly changing and adapting to new roles and tasks – and we must be prepared to adapt and change as well. Computers can seem very complex, but as
long as you remember that they are only tools like pen and paper to aid you in your everyday tasks, your attitude will help you learn how best to use them.

Tony Vella

Assistive Technology Trainer (based in East Anglia).

“If you have a job you love, you will never work a day in your life.”

I joined iANSYST in October 2006 coming from a position as a senior field service engineer for a computer maintenance firm. As part of my previous role, I attended a Pro Skills “train the trainer” course and was involved in writing and conducting in-house training for engineers. I successfully completed the City & Guilds 7302 ‘Certificate in Delivering Learning’ and am a certified trainer for TextHelp Read&Write 8-1.

There is a great sense of achievement in helping an individual to reach their potential. Although most days I am teaching on the main software programmes that we supply, I would not describe any two days as being the same. This is because every student is different, and so every training session is different, because every student must be taught at their pace. Most days, I am fortunate to say, I see a real sense of excitement in the faces of my students as the realisation of the technology that they now have at their disposal, will change their lives for ever.

Anne-Marie Boyle

Assistive Technology Trainer (based in Scotland).

I joined iANSYST in April 2007 as an Assistive Technology Trainer. Prior to this post I spent 5 years working for a national charity as an Assessor/Technical Trainer then Assessor/Consultant. Previously I had spent 13 years in a further education college as a Teaching Assistant/Learning Support Auxiliary.

I have always enjoyed training people especially those who have a greater challenge because of dyslexia or disability. In my current post I travel throughout Scotland and meet people from all walks of life using assistive technology for a variety of reasons. It is very rewarding to see assistive technology removing barriers to education, employment and leisure.

Siobhain Wood

Assistive Technology Trainer (based in the Manchester).

“I love to help people achieve what they think they can’t and assistive technology helped me achieve a great deal.”

I have recently joined the company in summer 2007 and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to do what I love best, help others to achieve and believe in themselves.

I have personal experience with being Dyslexic myself and was diagnosed in the early 90’s and received help with the use of assistive technology such as Inspiration, Dragon Naturally Speaking and Read & Write. Assistive technology helped me to gain a BA in Business Management and Information Technology (IT). Also more recently in September 2005 a Masters Degree which has been so far my most fulfilling achievement. I never would have thought that I could write 20,000 words for a dissertation, but I did!

I have a lengthy working history in customer facing roles, working with computers and have trained a number of people with different skills. My last role involved training IT software to groups and individuals for a Large Credit card company and yes I was one of those who went to India to do the training and I loved every minute of it. It is now my goal working for iANSYST Ltd to help others with a number of disabilities to achieve their best out of using assistive technology.