So this is the e-Reach Project Leader's final reflection and I cannot overlook the huge contribution of our e-Works roadies. The journey was a long and hard one despite the laughs and manic joke telling. It is hard to summarise the personal journey that I have been on over the last few months as I lived and breathed Moodle and e-Reach. So much has changed!
Our team of four girls came together with hopes and dreams that we wanted to share with our learners-to-be. We came to e-Works passionate and committed but without much skill. (My idea of elearning was email.) Some of us were trepidatious, some excited, all were a little nervous. We were only a small RTO in the not for profit sector with no IT department to do fancy graphics for us or bail us out if we got stuck. Could we ever learn what we needed to? The best part was we weren't alone, there was always a friendly and encouraging voice an email, tweet or phone call away at e-Works, and as I told Bernadette the other day, we adopted them as part of our ATN team immediately.
From our first session at e-Works, what impressed and inspired us the most was the passion and commitment of the staff at e-Works. I was astounded (and a little lost) at the jargon which I knew one day would all make sense; and I am glad to say it did. I now can tweet and embed googledocs coding in my Moodle with the best of them (I even know what that means!!). In fact every time we learnt a new word we would use itto confuse and astound our colleagues as often as possible - it caused staff meeting minute chaos! (heheh)
We had seven days of intense training with e-Works, and each day we returned with a deeper understanding, not just using the technology, but using it in a way where learner's interests being our guide to design and content. We used androgogical (adult learning) methods, social learning and recognition of multiple learning styles and apply these in the e-learning model. For example we took social learning to the elearning environment by using online discussion boards to broaden learner's access to each other's ideas and develop their own. We focussed on what was current in industry and the importance of technology - not just as trainers, but also how technology will change their industry. How do we adapt the way we train others when change is happening so quickly? We learnt about 'web questing'. (I am itching to try that one again!) But also we talked about incorporating the learning journey into the online delivery. It's not the 'dump content and run model' that some describe. It changed the way I think about training and structure; it made me a better trainer.
Most importantly it was the fast response when IT trouble struck or we became unstuck. Their advice was always practical and we couldn't have reached this point without their constant support. Every time we feared we would come apart all the e-Works team were quick with an encouraging word or useful tip. They cared about our little team and overachieving goals as much as the project, and for that we all (past and present e-Reach team members) thank you!! :)
The best part of all is that this project will be uploaded onto LORN and available for everyone to use! Despite our struggles, we will succeed to make this e-Reach project a reality. I hope that everyone will enjoy using our units in the future and it achieves the goals we set out with. I will come back and use and improve it again.
And to my little e-Reach team; thanks. Thanks for making it a magical crazy journey.
To the last pea sitting in the pod: don't give up, you are almost there!
We're Julie's girls.
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glad to hear you had such a good eWorks experience!
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