Your Starter Pack: Learndirect - Co.uk

Your starter
pack
0800 101 901

learndirect.co.uk
Contents
Welcome to learndirect 3
Your learning planner 4
Logging in 5
Setting up your computer 6
My first steps 7
Introduction to learndirect7
Your level checker 8
Your skills checkers 8
Call us to discuss your results 9
Submit your learning agreement 9
My learning 10
Starting your learning 10
Help and support 11
Keeping in touch 12
The learndirect community 13
Getting ready for your test 14
My next steps 16
How to contact us 17
2 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

Got computer problems while learning? Call 0800 101 901
Our helplines are open Monday to Friday 8am–9pm. Saturday 9am–6pm. Sunday 10am–6pm.
Welcome to learndirect
Thanks for choosing to learn online with learndirect.
Whether you want to get a job, get ahead at work or
achieve a qualification to boost your CV, we’re here to help.
Now that you’ve signed up with learndirect we can start finding out more
about you. This will help us work out which qualification is right for you and
which courses best match your learning needs.
Remember, online learning is fast paced. This is because we want to help you
achieve your qualification in as little as three months. The best way to do this
is for you to plan your learning around your life, so that you can learn at least
two and a half hours each week, at times that suit you.
Help is at hand
You’ll get help and support from us throughout your learning. In your learning
planner there are answers to frequently asked questions and helpful how to
guides. These show you how to carry out certain tasks, such as setting up your
computer for learning. You can also get support from other learners in the
learndirect community and as well as all this, you’ll get tutor support by email
and over the phone.
Using your starter pack

Your starter pack shows what you can expect from your learning and gives you
useful information to help you along the way.
This starter pack guides you through the three key areas of your learning:
My first steps
My learning
My next steps

Our helplines are open Monday to Friday 8am–9pm. Saturday 9am–6pm. Sunday 10am–6pm. Back to contents
Your learning planner

This is your own online space which you’ll come back to every time you log in.
Here you can find everything you need to learn including your courses and any
useful information we may send you. From your learning planner, you can keep in
touch with your tutor and us, and also use the learndirect community to chat to
other learners.
Your learning planner will help keep you on track so that you reach your goals and
achieve your qualification on your agreed date.
Use My messages to Unsure about what to do in

You can update your keep in touch with your your learning planner? Just
photo and personal Your personal goal tutor and us, and also click on the Show me how
details here if they reminds you why you’re find out about your button and we’ll suggest
change learning progress what to do next
From My first steps you can We’ll use this area The learndirect Find useful how to
access your level checker and to let you know community is where guides and answers
skills checkers and also the of any urgent you can see what other to frequently asked
introduction to learndirect messages. So keep learners are talking questions in the Help
an eye out for the about and join in the and support panel
My learning is where you’ll
yellow banner chat too – why not swap
find all your courses and lots
useful hints and tips
of useful resources
about your learning?
In My next steps take a look at
what other learners have gone
on to do and find out about the
real benefits of learning

Top tip
You might like to save or print off a copy of this starter pack
to help you as you learn and remind you where to find help
and support.
Logging in
Whenever you want to log into your learning planner, just click the Access
your learning button in the top right-hand corner of the learndirect website.
Forgotten your password? Don’t worry – just go to the Login page, as
usual and click on I’ve forgotten my password. Type in your email address
or username and click Reset my password. An email will be sent to you with
a link to reset your password.
If you have trouble logging in then please call 0800 101 901 and one
of our friendly advisers will help you.
Let’s get started!
Top tip
Unsure what to do in your learning planner? Just click on the
Show me how button in the top right corner and we’ll tell you
more about the section you’re in and suggest what to do next.

Setting up your computer

Before you begin learning with learndirect you need to make sure your
computer is set up in the right way. This helps our courses work properly for you
and lets you get the most from your learning.
We recommend that your computer uses anti-virus and firewall software when
it connects to the internet. Our courses work with most anti-virus and firewall
software, however we aren’t able to give technical support on specific packages.
Check your computer is set up to run our courses

You can do this by using Update My PC:
• If there’s anything that needs updating, it’ll do it for you with just a few clicks!
• It takes a few minutes to run Update My PC and then up to 15 minutes to
update your computer
You’ll find a link to Update My PC on the homepage

of your learning planner.
Jason Churchill:
“I felt a lot more relaxed at learndirect than I did at school because I
could work at my own pace and I didn’t feel under as much pressure.
I really enjoyed the courses and found them easy to understand.”

My first steps
In this section we’ll talk about:
• The introduction to learndirect
• Your level checker and skills checkers
• Discussing your level and skills checkers results
• Submitting your learning agreement
In My first steps you find out more about us and we find out more about you.
Because we all have different levels and skills, it’s important that we work out
what you’re good at, where you need a bit more help and which learndirect
courses are right for you.
Introduction to learndirect
In the My first steps section you will see the introduction to learndirect. This
shows you what it’s like to learn with us and includes modules on how to become
a successful learner, the help and support you’ll get, and what we expect from
you in return.
The introduction is a great start to your learning so try to watch it as soon as you
can – remember, you can watch it as many times as you like.
You’ll find the introduction to learndirect really useful, so plan some time to watch it.

My first steps
My first steps
1 Your level checker

This is just a series of questions to help us work out which qualification is right
for you and is also sometimes called an initial assessment. It only takes 15–30
minutes to do. It’s much easier to complete in one go and work through the
questions as quickly as you can.
2 Your skills checkers

The skills checkers are sometimes called a diagnostic and help us to work
out the courses you’ll need to do to get your qualification.
Each skills checker is a set of questions that take 30–90 minutes to do. It’s
much easier to work through each checker when you complete it in one go.
3 I mportant information to help you work

through your checkers
Don’t use a dictionary or calculator, or ask anyone to help you when you work
through your checkers. If you do, this will affect your results and will mean we
put you on the wrong course.
It’s much easier to complete each checker in one go and work through the
questions as quickly as you can.

My first steps
4 Call us to discuss your results

After you’ve completed all your level and skills checkers please
call us on 08000 925 101.
We’ll discuss your level and skills checkers results and also talk
to you about things like:
• The right courses and qualification for you
• Learning at least two and a half hours each week
• Setting a target date to achieve your qualification in as little as three months
We’ll make a note of what we discuss and some of these details
will be included in your learning agreement.
5 Submit your learning agreement

After we’ve discussed your results, we’ll create your learning agreement, which
you will find in your learning planner. It is an agreement between you and us
and includes things like which courses you’ll do, which qualification you’ll work
towards and the date by which you’ll achieve it.
To submit your learning agreement, log into your learning planner and you’ll
see a message reminding you to send us your learning agreement.
Click the link in that message and follow the on screen instructions.
If you’ve any problems finding your learning agreement please call us on
08000 925 101.
Top tip
With learndirect, you’re never alone. Other learners in the
community can suggest answers to your learning questions
and problems. Just ask!

My learning
In this section we’ll talk about:
• Starting your learning
• Help and support
• Keeping in touch
• The learndirect community
• Getting ready for your test
Starting your learning

From the My learning area you can access all your courses.
When you want to start your course or continue your learning, just click on the
course bar and your course will appear. When you finish your session, make sure
you save your work and leave by clicking the Log off button in the top right, so
you don’t lose all your hard work.
You can keep track of where you’re up to with your learning by checking the start
and finish times. If you don’t think you’ll finish your course on time, you’ll need to
contact your tutor who will keep you on track with your learning. You can send an
email through My messages or call us on 08000 925 101.
When you open up a course, you’ll see a Resource section. This is where you’ll find
useful hints and tips sheets, to help you with your learning. There’s also a More
practice section where your tutor will add worksheets if you’re finding any part of
your course difficult.

My learning
Help and support

To achieve your qualification, it’s important to stay on track and complete your
courses. Like everyone else, you’ll have times when you feel you need a helping
hand, but don’t worry. With learndirect, getting support for your learning couldn’t
be simpler. Have a look below to see the different ways to get help and support.
Help and support panel

Click on the online Help and support
panel on the right-hand side of your
learning planner. This panel shows useful
how to guides which are step-by-step
videos that take you through tasks such
as how to email attachments, and also
answers to frequently asked questions.
learndirect community
Got a question? Try asking the learndirect
community. Other learners may have the
answers you’re looking for.
Phone or email your tutor

If you can’t find the help you need then
you can phone or email your tutor.

My learning
Keeping in touch
Staying in regular contact with us and your tutor is important as it lets us know
how you’re doing and whether you need any help and support. Whether you want
to send work to your tutor or talk about your learning, My messages makes it
quick and easy. My messages works just like a normal email account, but it’s
only for use with your tutor and us.
To see how to send and reply to messages and how to attach your work,
click on the My messages green box at the top of your learning planner and
then click on the Show me how button in the top right corner.
Progress reviews
Your tutor will send you progress review messages to show you how you’re doing.
These will show up green in your inbox. To open them just click on the green strip.
Remember, it’s important that you’re happy with everything in your progress
review. After reading through, please tick the box at the bottom of the progress
review and then click Agree.
Top tips
• Plan to learn at least two and a half hours each week.
• Remember, you need to keep in touch with your tutor at least
every 3 weeks so they can support you with your learning.
• It’s also important to reply to messages your tutor sends
you so they know how you’re getting on.

My learning
The learndirect community

As a learndirect learner you can get in touch with lots of other people who are
doing the same thing as you. You can chat to other learners about your course, swap
handy learning tips and share all your challenges and successes. Use the community
whenever you need support, and to share useful information and news.
To use the community, click on the community links which appear on the right
of the learning planner and also in the My messages green box.
Top tips
• Don’t forget to visit the Learning Library.
• Here you’ll find lots of resources to help you with your learning.
• There’s a blog, videos and guides – all to help you with subjects
you might be finding difficult, like long division or grammar.

My learning
Getting ready for your test

Once you and your tutor are happy that you’ve completed your courses, you can
show how much you’ve learned by achieving a qualification.
You’ll need to take and pass a short test which you’ll do on a computer at a test
centre. Don’t worry – your tutor will let you know when you’re ready to take it and
they’ll give you advice and support leading up to your test.
We’ll contact you to get dates and times for your test. We always try to book your
test on your preferred date at your nearest test centre, so it’s really important to
keep these dates free. Your tutor will confirm when and where you’ll take your
test, and we’ll also send a reminder email with directions and a map.
Taking your test page

There’s lots of support to help you get ready for your test. Visit the Taking your
test page in your learning planner where you can:
atch the Taking your test video. You’ll get to see what different types of
• W
centres look like, and it’ll give you a good idea of what to expect on the day
• Have a go at some practice tests
• Find out when you and your tutor will get your results
Just follow this link to find out more – mylearning.learndirect.co.uk/planner/
content/testzone

My learning
What happens on the day of your test

On the day, staff at the test centre will welcome you and explain how to get
started. Test centres may seem very different from learning at home or work,
but don’t worry, you do your test online in just the same way. Your test will
have 40 multiple choice questions. English tests will last an hour, and maths
tests will last an hour and a quarter.
When you’ve finished the test, you’ll get your results there and then.
Please keep your pass slip in a safe place until you receive your certificate.
Certificates from awarding bodies can sometimes take three weeks to arrive.
We’ll make sure we post yours as soon as we receive it.
Shortly after your test, your tutor will arrange a time to talk to you about your
next steps.
Watch the test video to see what it’s like to take a test.
Top tips
• To help prepare for your test, visit the Taking your test page –
mylearning.learndirect.co.uk/planner/content/testzone
• Always let your tutor know if you can’t attend your test,
or you may be charged an admin fee.

My next steps
Whether you’re about to start learning or you’re well
on your way to gaining a qualification, you’ll find some
useful ideas and information in My next steps.
The My next steps section of your learning planner tells you about the real
benefits of learning. You can discover how learndirect courses have helped
other learners to improve their lives.
You’ll also find information, ideas and links to other useful websites that can
help you decide what to do next. Another qualification? A new or better job?
Not sure what to do? My next steps helps keep you motivated to achieve your
goals and move forward.
There’s lots of useful information in My next steps to help you decide what
to do next or keep you motivated throughout your learning.
When you pass your test, why not celebrate your success and share your good
news, tips and ideas with other learners in the learndirect community?
Top tip
Have a look at the My next steps section of your learning
planner as you progress through your learning. It’ll keep you
informed, inspire you with ideas and encourage you to keep
going when your goal seems a long way off!

How to contact us
Got a question about your course?

Call us on 08000 925 101 if you’ve got any questions about your learning,
or if you’re stuck on your course and need a hand.
Got computer problems while trying to do your learning?

Call us on 0800 101 901 if you’ve got a question about using your computer
for learning.
Our helplines are open:

Monday to Friday 8am–9pm. Saturday 9am–6pm. Sunday 10am–6pm.
Typetalk service is available for learners who are deaf, hard of hearing or
speech impaired.
Information available in different formats

• Information may be available in different formats on request.
• If you have a question or would like to request a different format please email
[email protected]
• Many internet users with disabilities find websites difficult to use simply
because of the way websites are designed. We have a responsibility under
the Disability Discrimination Act to ensure our pages are accessible to all and
we take this responsibility very seriously. The learndirect website is designed
to comply with the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Accessibility Initiative
(W3CWAI) Level 2 (AA) guidelines as a minimum, but where possible we
comply with the Higher Level 3 (AAA) guidelines.
Online survey
Don’t forget to give us your feedback
We want to make sure you always have a great experience learning with us.
We’ll send you regular emails throughout your learning so you can take part
in our surveys. This way you can let us know what’s good and what we may
need to do better. Each survey is very short (it only takes a few minutes),
anonymous and really helpful to us, so please give us your feedback.

0800 101 901
learndirect.co.uk
Ufi Ltd December 2011. All rights reserved. learndirect is a registered trademark of Ufi Ltd.
All information correct at time of going to press.
* Subject to minimum PC/Mac specification, see our website for up-to-date information on
learndirect minimum specifications.
Item code IH/467/V03

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Your starter

0800 101 901

How to contact us 17

2 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

Using your starter pack

3 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

Your learning planner

Use My messages to Unsure about what to do in

4 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

Let’s get started!

5 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

Setting up your computer

Check your computer is set up to run our courses

You’ll find a link to Update My PC on the homepage

6 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

7 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

1 Your level checker

2 Your skills checkers

3 I mportant information to help you work

8 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

4 Call us to discuss your results

5 Submit your learning agreement

9 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

Starting your learning

10 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

Help and support

Help and support panel

Phone or email your tutor

11 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

12 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

The learndirect community

13 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

Getting ready for your test

Taking your test page

14 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

What happens on the day of your test

15 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

16 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

Got a question about your course?

Got computer problems while trying to do your learning?

Our helplines are open:

Information available in different formats

17 Got a question about your course? Call 08000 925 101

You might also like

How to contact us 17

3 I mportant information to help you work