Learn to use the DofE Award online system
You’ll need
- Access to a computer or device with internet access
- Projector and screen (optional)
- Additional computers or electronic devices (optional)
Before you begin
- Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Additional help to carry out your risk assessment, including examples can be found here. Don’t forget to make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
- Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help if you’re short on helpers.
Before you begin
- If you’re using a projector and screen or television, set it up so that everyone can see it.
- This activity needs access into the eDofE system. This could be done through an accessor’s account or a young person’s account.
- There are a few places where you can access instructional videos to help learn more about the system. You could have a look at a video provided by the DofE National SASU team or have a look at the DofE’s videos. Make sure to check that you are watching to most up-to-date videos, so that you’ve all the correct information.
- There are some key videos to watch, such as ‘How to log in’, ‘How to complete a section’ and ‘How to change your activity’. Have a look through the available videos and open up any you would like to go through before the activity.
Running the activity
- Ask everyone to gather around the computer or the projector screen, depending on what you’re using.
- Explain that this activity will help people learn how to use some of the eDofE system.
- Show everyone a video, for example ‘How to use DofE’, and then repeat the process on the computer for everyone to see. If you’ve access to additional computers or electronic devices, everyone could split into groups and have a go at using the system at the same time as watching the video.
- When everyone is happy they know what they’re doing with the first video, choose another one to watch. You can go through as many videos as you may find helpful for you group.
- You could even help them to input any information or their activities after watching the videos to help them on their way to achieving their award.
Reflection
Getting to grips with the eDofE system takes a bit of practise, but once you have got the hang of it, it is very east to upload your information. This activity helped you learn about the different processes within the system and gave you the opportunity to have a go yourself.
How easy was it to use and understand the system? Were some parts easier than others? Think about whether you were adding in information or adding in an activity and whether one needed more information than the other. Was it helpful to go through the videos or did having a go yourself help more?
Safety
All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.
- Online safety
Supervise young people when they’re online and give them advice about staying safe. Take a look at our online safety or bullying guidance. The NSPCC offers more advice and guidance, too. If you want to know more about specific social networks and games, Childnet has information and safety tips for apps. You can also report anything that’s worried you online to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command. As always, if you’ve got concerns about a young person’s welfare, including their online experiences, follow the Yellow Card to make a report.
For anyone who needs support in looking at a computer screen or inputting any information, let them work closely with someone else who can help them.
All Scout activities should be inclusive and accessible.