SPOKE releases second project focusing on best practice approaches

The Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE), a cross-sector collaboration funded by the General Optical Council (GOC), led by The College of Optometrists, and managed by a steering group comprising of representatives from the College, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the Optometry Schools Council (OSC), has published the outputs of its second project.

The case studies produced from Project Two describe best practice approaches to teaching and learning for student optometrists and dispensing opticians. They have a particular focus on the new GOC outcomes and spiral curriculum, and include effective methods for scaffolding learning. Case studies and examples have been provided by individuals and course teams from across the UK and internationally.

Professor Lizzy Ostler, Director of Education at The College of Optometrists, says: “We’re thrilled to see the publication of the Project Two case studies, contributed from across the sector, providing great examples of teaching and learning methods and projects that will help inspire and inform the teams developing new courses. I would like to thank all who shared their innovative ideas and good practice. We have seen high levels of collaboration and engagement across the profession and this will benefit future optical students and patients.

“We are still accepting new case studies, so I would encourage anyone interested to share their examples of good practice with the SPOKE team.”

Steve Brooker, Director of Regulatory Strategy at the GOC, says: “We welcome this latest project from SPOKE providing a valuable evidence base to support providers adapting to our new education and training requirements for optometry and dispensing optics. We are delighted that Project Two has attracted significant interest across the sector and we encourage those interested to continue to share their information on innovation and best practice to raise the overall standard of optical education.”

Now that Project Two has been published, SPOKE is preparing to launch Project Three, which will focus on course admissions and recruitment, including value-based admissions and routes into the professions. If you would like to contribute to Project Three you can contact SPOKE via email spokehub@college-optometrists.org

ABDO adds to the conversation

The case studies produced from Project Two describe best practice approaches to teaching and learning for student optometrists and dispensing opticians. They have a particular focus on the new GOC outcomes and spiral curriculum, and include effective methods for scaffolding learning. Case studies and examples have been provided by individuals and course teams from across the UK and internationally.

Alistair Bridge, Head of Strategy for ABDO says, “‘Sharing case studies that highlight creative and innovative approaches to teaching and learning is a great way for SPOKE to support the rollout of the GOC’s new education and training requirements. Future student dispensing opticians can only benefit from this valuable cross-sector collaboration.”

The project is still accepting new case studies, so anyone interested to share their examples of good practice can send them to the SPOKE team.