Professional development to increase your e-learning skills and knowledge

Joining the Networks Community Forum will allow you to discuss and debate flexible learning and e-learning issues with other vocational education and training (VET) professionals.

You can find out what others are doing to improve the delivery of online learning and learn about the latest e-learning technologies.

The Networks Community Forum also holds regular online events throughout the year which include guest speakers and highlights of the latest ideas and developments in e-learning.

The Designing e-learning online resource offers teachers, multimedia developers and trainers in the vocational education and training (VET) system, fast-track access to the latest tips on developing and delivering e-learning programs.

The resource offers simple guidelines to develop e-learning courses. It includes stories of successful e-learning programs and provides a detailed guide to online assessment.

The online resource is set out in four easy-to-use sections to show how e-learning can be used to engage learners, provide flexibility and improve the quality of learning within the VET system:

1. Gallery of Strategies: an A-Z showcase and guide to the full range of e-learning activities.
2. Learning Design: 'show and tell' stories of successful e-learning, plus guidelines.
3. Assessing Online: a comprehensive 'step-by-step' guide for VET professionals.
4. Further Information: useful links and resources.

The Assessing Online section provides a detailed practical guide with useful tips, tools and resources to develop effective assessment strategies that meet Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) standards. The assessment section can also be downloaded as a 'take-away' for easy printing.

Online communities provide a rich source of information and content for members and others to learn from. The legacy of content, discussions and activities which took place in the Australian Flexible Learning Community between 2001 and 2004 is available online.

The 'Best of' the Australian Flexible Learning Community 2001-2004 draws together much of the content which was created and contributed by members. Resources are categorised into the following themes:

• Technologies for Learning
• Teachers, Trainers and Learners
• Professional Development
• Managing Flexible Delivery
• Global Perspectives

From 1997 to 2004 NET*Working Conferences were held to showcase flexible learning practice and the latest e-learning technologies through a range of activities and events.

National and international professionals from industry and vocational education and training (VET) organisations took part in the Conferences to share their expert knowledge and inspirational stories on the latest flexible learning practices.

Conference programs are now archived, with all session information, including audio and video transcripts, available.

"Staff at Elearn.WA have taken part in online and offline NET*Working conferences since 1997. The conferences have proven to be a catalyst for new ideas and extended networks." Frank Bate, Elearn.WA on NET*Working Conferences

The Building Communities - Managing Community Content online resource takes users through the process of managing or 'moderating' their own online communities in a safe and secure learning environment.

The resource is structured around a fictitious storyline. Users are asked to play the role of a new moderator who takes a job with the fictitious Fiveways Regional Council. This involves assisting the CEO and manager to prepare for the launch of the online community environment and then dealing with situations that arise during online community interaction.

The online resource is easy to use and includes a comprehensive background and glossary of terms and definitions.

Between 2000 and 2004 Flexible Learning Leaders provided funding and support for 194 professionals to develop knowledge, skills and leadership to expand flexible learning, or e-learning, in the vocational education and training (VET) system.

The role of the Flexible Learning Leaders was to expand choices on what, when, where and how people learn. They established a national network of experts in flexible learning, comprising managers, practitioners, specialists, and representatives from industry and business, public and private registered training organisations and advisory bodies.

The Flexible Learning Leaders continue to promote flexible learning and e-learning within their organisations and share their knowledge and skills at conferences, workshops, seminars and in communities of practice throughout Australia and overseas.

The Flexible Learning Leaders also initiated the e-Journal, The Knowledge Tree, which publishes e-learning innovations and research.

The Flexible Learning Leaders website contains a database of contacts who can provide advice and assistance on implementing e-learning into your organisation.

Flexways is a web-based professional development planning resource for people and teams working in the vocational education and training (VET) system. It helps VET staff to identify and develop their skills for a flexible learning, or e-learning, environment.

With Flexways you can create, save, print and edit a customised professional development plan. Use Flexways to:

• establish your goal in flexible learning
• identify the skills you need to achieve your goal
• plan learning strategies to acquire those skills
• find out about resources you can use.

"Flexways is excellent for developers. It provides a wide range of resources to draw from in all areas of flexible learning." Marty Ord, Yellow Cabs Pty Ltd, Queensland

LearnScope has been a professional development Project under the Australian Flexible Learning Framework since 2000.

It is aimed at increasing the capacity of VET professionals to use flexible and e-learning approaches along with new technologies in the delivery of education and training.

LearnScope focuses on enhancing the skills that underpin e-learning and e-business. Its activities support individual and team based development and there are projects running in every State and Territory across Australia .

LearnScope Managers are also located in each State and Territory and are available to advise you on current projects and how they might be able to benefit you. They can also help connect you with e-learning networks.

"Through LearnScope projects staff have become up-skilled and enthused about a whole range of Flexible Learning concepts and practices. The experiences they have had working on the projects have enhanced the creativity of the teachers." Adrian Marron, CEO Wodonga TAFE

Skills Assessment for Computer Based Learning is designed for learners to self-assess, check and confirm the skills and knowledge they have to assist them in successfully participating in computer based learning, or e-learning.

This product provides 25 interactive activities covering 11 skill areas including: using email and the Internet, identifying basic components of a computer, saving files and file management, software applications and 'netiquette'.

Skills Assessment for Computer Based Learning also provides education and training providers with a tool to assess a learner's computer based learning skill levels.

"This tool works well to direct students that don't have the skills they need to some basic training before they begin to use our resources." Claire Sinclair, Tutor Wide Bay Institute of TAFE, QLD