E-learning for the E-generation conference

When: 1-2 December 2005 at the Gold Coast International Hotel

Organised by:

• ACPET
• Australian Flexible Learning Framework

The conference aimed to shed some light on the activities of the flexible learning framework as well as raising important concerns about online learning in the Vocation Education and Training sector.  It was also great fun.

Of particular interest were the AQTF reporting requirements and how they link into online learning activities and also Chris Sutton's afternoon session on problems facing the trainers in undertaking and conducting online learning.

AQTF Reporting (Carol Hunter)

1. When testing practical skills, face to face is required. Comes down to suitable training and assessment methodology for the skill.
2. An online auditing process for the auditing department would be a significant cost saving benefit for the department
3. Quality assurance and accessibility when there is downtime of online learning system is an issue.
4. Ample technical support for learners.
5. Authenticity of the online assessment is still a major issue.
6. What limits are there on learner activity and inactivity.
7. Showing learner and tutor interaction is important.
8. What processes are in place for identifying plagiarism.
9. Online help desk to handle complaints.  Training organisation website issue.
   
10. Customisation of course content for different industries. e.g if same course delivered to different industries
11. Complaint resolution. If complaint is escalated to the department, then this becomes VERY expensive for the training organisation.

Many more points were made, as the speakers notes become available we will update this list.

Afternoon session (Chris Sutton)

Listening into the private education providers discussion, we were able to note the following points.

1. Need to train the trainers to be able to facilitate online learning.
   
2. Need to give a shared vision for the trainers.
3. Need to be shown a working (profitable?) example of an online learning system.
4. Provide incentives for trainers to learn more about online learning – e.g Work from home.
5. Very helpful for the trainer to see how a learner interacts with the system.
6. Pre-enrolment indicator tests to see if the learner is capable of doing the online learning. A skills gap analysis that could be as simple as a multiple choice questionnaire.
7. Trainers need to take ownership of the online material.