E-learning thrives in adult learning


Commencing today, Adult Learners' Week 2009 will promote and celebrate the benefits of all forms of adult learning – in the home, at work and in the community – and will highlight the many delivery options available.


Last year's Australia-wide E-learning Benchmarking Survey – conducted by the national training system's e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) – highlighted some impressive results for adult and community education (ACE). The results suggested the sector is well on the way to adopting e-learning practices to meet the demands of learners and practitioners.


The survey found that the uptake of e-learning in ACE is on par with schools and ahead of private registered training organisations (RTOs). ACE practitioners were also extremely positive about the impact of e-learning on their teaching and training, and on learner experiences.


In fact, there are some exciting examples of e-learning being used within ACE which give learners control over the time, place and content of their learning.


Coonara Community House is a small, Melbourne-based RTO which has used wikis (an online tool for sharing information and collaborating with other learners) to deliver a Certificate III in Community Work to a learner group made up predominately of return-to-work mums.


Through their own private wiki, each learner creates an e-portfolio using technologies such as podcasts, blogs and digital storytelling to produce an electronic record of their skills and work experience. This benefits learners in a number of ways.


The use of technology builds their IT skills, making them more marketable to employers. The interactive nature of the wikis encourages a more engaging and beneficial type of learning, and enables learners to better engage with future employers. The e-portfolio also enables learners to apply for RPL (recognition of prior learning), using previous experience to qualify for AQTF (Australian Quality Training Framework) recognised units of training.


For mature age Australians, the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association (ASCCA), which has clubs in every state of Australia, is supporting members to learn through a number of technologies, with the aim of making technology accessible and fun.


Some of ASCCA's members are unable to travel to attend training, due to a lack of public transport or incapacitation. However, to allow them to actively participate in society, they require basic training to keep pace with new technologies. These skills help them to keep in touch with their families and community, improving their quality of life.


ASCCA is currently investigating the use of the web conferencing technology, Elluminate, to teach mature age learners computer basics in the comfort of their own home. Through Elluminate, trainers can train learners in skills such as sending an email, browsing the internet and using Skype, plus other popular computer subjects such as word processing, digital photography and genealogy.


Elluminate allows teachers and trainers to interact better with their learners, tailoring training to the skill level of each learner. Training can involve demonstrating the technologies on each individual's computer screen, and learners are able to practice in a non threatening environment.


Last year, the Byron Region Community College (BRCC) used e-learning to improve the Byron Shire Council's (BSC) environmental sustainability. They worked to move the organisation from paper-based to online communication by developing employees' skills in video, audio and the uploading and sharing of information in an online environment.


As a result, BSC staff used their new skills to create an interactive online induction kit for new employees, which encouraged greater interaction in the induction process, and reduced the organisation's carbon footprint.


In 2009, the BRCC has received further funding and support from the Framework to develop e-learning resources for three new units of the Business Services Training Package, designed to develop ‘green skills' within organisations.


The Framework also researched the ACE sector in its commissioned E-learning for the mature aged worker report, which produced three case studies of e-learning in practice. These can be found in the E-learning for the mature aged worker: Case studies document at flexiblelearning.net.au/research


With such a rich source of e-learning programs being investigated and implemented in ACE, there is a need for the sector to communicate their learnings to each other and more widely within education and training.


The Framework recently released an enhanced website, flexiblelearning.net.au, which allows practitioners to learn from each other, share ideas, and ensure they aren't continuing to reinvent the e-learning wheel.


Through the use of blogs, shared networks, communities of practice and the ability for anyone to upload relevant e-learning material to the site, the Framework aims to provide a one-stop hub for people working in e-learning.


Practitioners can also sign-up for the Framework's e-newsletter, Flex e-News, for a monthly update of news and trends in e-learning (flexiblelearning.net.au/flexenews). E-learning Coordinators are available in each state and territory to provide localised support in using and implementing e-learning.