Wow the crazy roller coaster ride has ended…this project has been a great experience both for our RTO and project team. Not only have we now taken the first step into e-learning but we have an online learning platform called e-reach.
In our final blog I will be speaking on behalf of our team members past and present, which from a team of 4 is now only I. I don’t believe this project would have been possible without the support of e-works and the funding received from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework and would like to thank e-works for providing us with this opportunity.
For RTOs thinking of moving into the space of online learning GO FOR IT. I think that RTOs alike would be crazy not to get onto this moving train. This is the future and it's already here! RTOs need to be able to identify what a 21st century learner is and what their learning needs are.
I have captured a few screen dumps of our final product and to my surprise the pictures do not appear to be downloading in some spots. The fantastic site Moodle seems to be having a temperamental day.
Here are some screen dumps of our final product (apologies about the missing graphics).
So how do you go about replicating this; I highly regard obtaining funding to support a project and contacting the state representative for online toolboxes in your state or territory. They will point you in the right direction to commence your online journey.
I would also suggest that you go to the Australian Flexible Learning Framework website and download the e-learning opportunity analysis tool http://designing.flexiblelearning.net.au/tours/tour3_plan.htm
By completing this tool it will help identify the aim of your project but will also identify realistically what you can achieve.
The next step would be to ensure you have a team of staff to support this project a list suggested below. Depending on your resources will determine how many staff you will have, note that some staff may be able to take on more than one role.
· Project Manager
· Content expert
· Instructional designer
· Graphics/multi-media and audio developer
· Publisher of content/editor
Brainstorm and as our e-works consultant Debbie drilled into us PLAN, PLAN, PLAN. You need to plan as much as you can before creating the actually content, this will save time in the long run and ensure there is a logical sequence when creating your content.
A template for storyboarding is recommended that all staff use, this will ensure consistency and also help your publisher when developing the actual content. We used Powerpoint to design our storyboards which proved to be most effective.
Highly recommend checking out the example of toolboxes on the Australian Flexible Learning Framework website this provided us with the stepping stone to commence our designs. Istock is fantastic for purchasing images and jing to create videos a shame we ran out of time for jing L
Our triumph for this project is that we actually completed our toolbox of two units of competency. We have developed two units from TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment
· TAEDES402A Use training packages and accredited course to meet client needs and
· TAEDEL401A Plan, organise and deliver group-based learning.
We started this project with hopes and dreams of what it could be and have achieved the majority of what we hoped. We may not have used the most advanced software when developing our content however we got the job done and we are happy with the overall result.
During the phase of this project we did come across areas that we were unable to defeat. We had the intention of delivering a course in TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment which would incorporate the two units of competency partially online. Due to lack of interest and enrolments we were unable to commence a course in both February and March as it was not viable to do so. We hope to do so in the near future.
One of the most difficult challenges we faced was our technical expertise and skills within the team. With a team of 4 we were all computer literate however lacked the expertise in e-learning and programs to support content creation.
We also found the use of Moodle extremely overwhelming and difficult at first. We don't believe this program is the most user friendly system to produce learning content. The system is extremely temperamental which doesn’t make sense and the system appears to work only at certain times, requires constant repetition of tasks and is very slow.
Also the design stage and creating storyboards was difficult at first understanding the depth of detail required and the necessity of this. I think it is extremely important to effectively project mange this stage by ensuring all personnel within a team are aware of their role and responsibilities.
We had hoped to use software that created popups, interactive activities using hot potato and the creation of jing tutorials. However lack of resources and time prevailed and therefore these hopes have been left for after this project where we hope to improve upon our current content.
Where to from here
Our plans for the future are to build the e-reach team by employing further personnel with e-learning knowledge and skills.
We hope to continue to develop resources with the commencement of a new unit from TAE40110, TAELLN401A Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills and to also build upon our current two units by improving the technology and software that was used.
We hope to in the future create a role dedicated to e-learning and content development.
We will also continue our blog and hope that we gather more follower.
Thanks Lisa Urosevic and the e-reach team
