New funding available to expand e-learning in communities |
For the first time funding is available for community-based
or regional development initiatives to increase the use
of, and demand for, e-learning in communities.
E-learning Creative Community Partnerships is a new Project
under the 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework
(2005 Framework). The Project has AUD$220,000 available for at least eight
existing community or regional development initiatives.
The community projects aim to:
help community providers, educators and learners
to use e-learning and increase participation in formal
education
target disadvantaged groups and use a whole of community
approach to engage them in learning, through e-learning
support communities to be aware of and tap into existing
e-learning resources.
The selected communities will each have a supported community
leader and will develop a specific consultation and implementation
plan to meet local needs.
Project Manager Mary Hannan said:
"This Project will encourage local communities to
use the resources they already have in place, to engage
people in learning, through e-learning.
"It aims to encourage learning in local communities,
which will in turn, encourage economic and regional development
for the communities themselves.
"The experiences of the selected community projects
will be used to inform and engage other community and
regional development initiatives on a broader scale and
to strengthen partnerships at a local, State or Territory
and national level."
Selected community projects will receive funding from
a minimum of AUD$15,000 up to AUD$40,000 and the amount
requested will depend on the individual needs and goals
of the proposed project. Community organisations who receive
funding will also need to contribute at least 50% of the
amount of funding they request.
Applications close on Monday 11 April 2005.
Further information and application forms can be found
at: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/CommunityPartnerships
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