Bader as a VLE

Adult Staff
1

Hello

Having a lot of experience with VLEs (virtual learning environment), BaRder, is confusing me a tad.

So, I’m new to the RAFAC as a CFAV

I assume Bader is our VLE.

I have watched a couple of videos to see how it integrates with SMS…which I still don’t have access to…

So, I can see what we can upload stuff. So if we do PowerPoints etc, we can upload. Same with training plans (ie calender)

Is there anyway to ingrate it SharePoint in it? Ie so we can design the training programme on Excel which, when we update the source file on SharePoint, the cadets can access it through Bader?

So, can you directly access certain areas with a weblink. For example, I see that there is a feedback section that cadets complete? Does that come to the sqd? If so, can we create a QR code that they can scan that takes them directly to the form (even though they’ll have to log in first)?

Also, is Bader digital accessibility compliant??

2

Bader is the umbrella term but primarily it is the SMS component which is our volunteer management system.

Volunteer portal is like the my HR aspect

Learn is the ELearning platform.

Sharepoint is document hosting site

3

As an idea of what everything is:

  • Bader - All our online systems.
  • SMS/Units - For managing cadet, staff, and events data (Units is the new one we are gradually transitioning to).
  • SharePoint - File storage and workflow stuff.
  • Learn - Learning environment for mandatory training and such.
  • Volunteer Portal - Personal admin/HR stuff.
    There is more but these are the ones you’re most likely to come in contact with.

Cadets have:

  • Learn - As above.
  • Cadet Portal - View and sign up to events, see their own cadet record, access help materials, etc.
  • MyRAFAC - Digital ID, can view some of the things on Cadet Portal too.

You can get a Squadron SharePoint site where you can store stuff (i.e. training plans, risk assessments, etc.), training plans would need to be uploaded as a training programme on SMS/Units. Other things can be added to a downloads section on SMS/Units which cadets can access through Cadet Portal.

There is also the Corps SharePoint with key files etc., Regions and Wings also have their own SharePoint sites which vary in usefulness and usage.

4

Okay,

So, if I want to provide cadets with a copy of the PowerPoint I created… How would they access that?

From the vids Ive seen it kinda shows I can upload via SMS?!

5

In a couple of months (or more) you’ll just share it with the cadet via OneDrive.

Right now you upload it to Unit Downloads, via Units, for cadets to download via Cadet Portal.

6

So how do current sqds share their training programme online?!

Tis all confusing… And if it is for me…

7

There’s a section on Bader Units for uploading Training Programme’s, must upload as a pdf for that month.

8

Okay, so it’s possible…just very restrictive and not very dynamic…

Especially as most of these type of systems could do this at least 10 years ago!!

1 Like
9

Doesn’t have to be PDF afaik, unless that has changed, though PDF is typically the best format to upload in as every modern browser supports it (unlike a spreadsheet or a word document).

It hopefully won’t be all too confusing once you get access to it.

1 Like
10

No, it doesn’t have to be, but I think most use PDF.

1 Like
12

I am just bumping this thread

So I had an idea about trying to access a free Google classrooms account, splitting the first class logbook up into sections and having an assignment for each section.

This is because on squadron we have Chromebooks and it would seem to be more compatible than trying to convert to Microsoft

Also I would be able to add each cadet as a student and then have a record of when they have completed certain sections

Also the Google classroom would enable me to more easily share things such as the monthly training program or any other documents that they need to access such as a root planner, compared to trying to do it through Bader (for the monthly training program) or other mechanisms

13

Isn’t the log book defunct & more of a guide?

14

I don’t know?! Is it??

15

Take a look at the last Town Hall. There was an announcement for 3 free managed Chrome OS Flex licenses that give access to a RAFAC Classrooms environment. Additional licenses available for £30.

1 Like
16

Kind of, but no, not ATM. The log book is there for the BTEC in Aviation Studies, hense having pass merit and distinction questions. The BTEC went away a couple years ago so in theory there’s certainly no benefit to doing the merit and distinction sections.

Cadets can login to Chromebooks using their Cadet Portal login to connect to the RAFAC Google Classroom environment. I need to investigate a bit further if Staff can login with their Volunteer Portal login and then actually manage their cadets etc
Another way to achieve this would be using Microsoft teams when cadets are given Microsoft accounts.

17

Does that work without a RAFAC OS Flex? Is it not locked to our licences OS’s?

18

Any old Chromebook.
Login itself is not limited to 'RAFAC Chrome OS Flex" devices.

But as I said, haven’t tested much beyond cadets and staff being able to login and use the internet. Should investigate the Google classroom side of things.

19

I don’t see the advantages in running 2 platforms. I’m always open to non Microsoft
& open source solutions but pragmatically having one IT platform and using it to the full must be better than trying to figure out another.

20

Using Teams to its full as a teaching tool is about 10% of what Classrooms is at max utilisation.

21

I agree with that

When I was teaching in a college we have Google classroom as the virtual learning environment… Yet the college decided that staff would communicate (this was during lockdown) via Teams, with all documentation from the managers being in Microsoft formats.

So you have to work using both formats depending on who you were targeting

Great fun