About the Project
Introduction
This is a brief introduction to our project funded through the Australian National VET E-Learning Strategy (NVELS). We are one of a number of projects funded under the Partnerships for Participation initiative.
Project Summary
Participants will learn the skills for learning in the digital age. This will enable them to access future training more readily through digital media thus contributing to overcoming the disadvantages of geographical isolation with its limitations on availability of face-to-face training.
Learning activities will be mapped to Certificates in General Education for Adults units (and to ACSF level) in studying and engaging with/creating texts at Cert I/II (to meet differing student needs). Completion of these units will evidence literacy thus enabling participants to pathway into vocational courses or the full CGEA.
The model will be a short intensive course available on multiple occasions. It will be delivered online using virtual classroom (BlackboardCollaborate) as the main hub and support centre for action learning in the use of Web2.0 technologies and the development of simple media rich e-portfolios using blogs. Some supplementary resources will be available through our LMS.
Rationale
Importance for target learners
- WA has many geographically isolated learners who also fall into one of the following groups: socio-economic disadvantage; women; culturally and linguistically diverse. For these learners face-to-face training is often not a viable option.
- These target groups frequently lack the digital literacies and foundation skills both for the workplace of the future and to study successfully online and self paced to gain the qualifications needed to fit themselves for those workplaces.
- Disadvantaged groups often have negative experiences of face-to-face learning delivery. Online, using Web2.0 technologies has the potential to re-engage these learners.
- The structured, intensive nature of the course is designed to support the development of a study/work habit that will carry over into further online study that is self-paced.
Meeting strategic objectives
- The chosen units address literacy and study skills ie Foundation Skills
- Delivery will be entirely online and the immersive nature will facilitate enhancement of e-literacy skills
- The course will evidence levels of literacy thus facilitating pathwaying into vocational courses and/or the rest of the CGEA
- Increased e-literacy skill and confidence will widen opportunities for participation in both further training and work, particularly for these learners who cannot access face-to-face training
Intended Outcomes
1. A model for successful (entirely online) e-delivery of e-literacy skills and aspects of foundation skills mapped to units from the Certificates in General Education for Adults (CGEA) I and II.
2. Model disseminated via: Australian Flexible Learning Framework events; Adult Literacy Networks both formal and informal; online social networks and PLNs; submission of papers/presentations for forums/conferences.
3. Learner outcomes (achievement of some or all of)
- One, two or three units from either Cert I or Cert II of the CGEA
- Increased awareness of online/e-learning opportunities
- Literacy development
- E-literacy development including increased digital citizenship/ safety awareness
- Study skills/study habit development
- Increased confidence in own ability to learn effectively & use technology in this learning
- Further participation in training.
- Increased confidence in own e-literacy and capability
These outcomes will facilitate the participants in accessing and successfully utilising further training.
4. Measurement of success against the learner outcomes above using initial and final activities and attitudinal surveys, participation level (attendance and e-portfolio development) and unit completions.
5. Increased partner/agency satisfaction with training determined by feedback from partner(s)/agencies.
6. Final report for the Business Manager of Partnerships for Participation including program evaluation by team informed by 3, 4 and 5 above.
Conclusion
We are in for an exciting journey – we have a short timeframe and a lot to do! We hope to post regularly on progress and also to add more about our team, project structure and content with additional pages as we go.
