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CANBERRA INSTITUTE OF
TECHNOLOGY (CIT)
Summary
CIT is a diverse Institute, but with an overriding commitment to flexible learning. Several of its faculties and business units feature highly innovative programs that capitalise on the potential of the emerging technologies.
Context
CIT has two Divisions, five faculties, two learning centres and an independent commercial arm called CIT Solutions. While there is a strong institution-wide commitment to flexible learning, decisions about online learning and adoption of the emerging technologies are made independently by each faculty.
In general, there is not a great deal of online learning offered by CIT at present. At the start of 2001, the ACT Government provided funding of $750,000 for a 'virtual campus', which is anticipated to result in CIT providing some online learning to all its students.
CIT do have flexible delivery centres that use online delivery to enhance other forms of flexible learning. However the commercial arm, CIT Solutions, has a business unit (Solutions onLine) that delivers to a significant number of students, mostly in partnership with a variety of commercial clients.
Key Features
CIT uses WebCT as a standard platform for the delivery of online programs. In 2001, there are over 200 classes using WebCT each semester involving over 1,500 students each semester. The major areas using WebCT are information technology, bookkeeping, office administration, small business and office technology. However, all Faculties will have programs using Web CT in 2002
CIT utilises the products of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework to assist it in implementing online learning. For example, CIT uses several of the toolboxes within its programs. The Systems Analysis and Design toolbox has been used with nearly 200 students in 2001 and has proved very effective in developing skills in this area. Learnscope projects are also conducted to build the skills of the staff in using technology and implementing online learning.
Learning Products
Solutions onLine are the major developer of online courseware at Canberra Institute of Technology. Underpinning their approach to materials development is the idea that learners should engage with the content and concepts of the courseware rather than the technology. They also recognise that the language of online learning is fundamentally different from conventional written and spoken language.
Solutions onLine materials are presented as short, highly interactive ‘chunks of learning’. A key approach is the concept of ‘metaphoric learning’ - the online equivalent to role-play and simulation. This has proved highly suitable for values education, and has been used very successfully in training about sexual harassment. CIT staff also found that the anonymity of online learning could encourage a higher degree of engagement and honesty than in a classroom. This is another feature that suits values-based education.
Student Support
The Department of Community Development, CIT, has developed its own online induction package. This is followed by a face-to-face interview to determine motivation and commitment, and to establish an individual learning plan and contract.
There is also an excellent website which provides rudimentary online learning capability for all the courses. Although the Department offers no online courses, students who cannot attend structured classes can use the website to access all the learning resources that are provided to face-to-face students.
The website includes chat and email facilities, as well as links to libraries and electronic databases. It also provides general assistance to students in the department. For example, each course has specific (lesson-level) information that is updated regularly by teachers. The website keeps statistics, not just on hits, but length of time spent on each page, the identity of students and teachers accessing, and the number of hits on each page. This allows tutors to identify when a page is useful or requires updating.
Professional Development
CIT provides its own teacher education. This ranges from formal teacher qualifications to professional development on specific issues. Both casual and permanent staff are eligible to participate. Part of the more recent teacher training has been delivered online, so that teachers can experience being online learners themselves. A short course in flexible delivery is also delivered online.
Future Plans
CIT hopes to capitalise on the laying of fibre optic cable throughout the ACT, a development that will bring broadband Internet access to most homes and business in the territory. Already there is an extremely high level of access to the Internet by people in the ACT. For example, dean of Business and Information Technology, Peter LeCornu, surveyed his students to find that 90% had PC access outside that provided by CIT.
Solutions onLine have developed the CIT Learning System that is a customised version of the Techworks (now TMP Worldwide Learning) learning system.
Key Messages
- While much online learning material still tends to duplicate conventional approaches, tracking systems such as the one used by the Department of Community Development powerfully illustrate the potential of new technology to take training delivery to new levels of client support and service.
- Contrary to some conventional wisdom that online learning will reduce collaboration and interaction among learners, the example of sexual harassment training through onLine Solutions shows that online learning can actually stimulate participation and interaction, particularly in sensitive educational areas.
Contact
Peter LeCornu
www.cit.act.edu.au
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