Projects: E‑learning and Assessment Strategies

The aim of the E‑learning and Assessment Strategies Project was to expand vocational education and training (VET) professionals' understanding of the range of e‑learning strategies, course designs and learning approaches possible in the e‑learning environment.

The Project built directly on the 2003 Online Assessment Strategies and Models Project by extending the online gallery of sample e‑learning objects to include learning activities as well as assessment tasks and by enhancing the case studies through the use of illustrated interviews (or photostories) and detailed hyperlinked course maps. Although the focus of the Project was on ways of planning, presenting and managing an e‑learning program, the gallery and designs will also be useful for developers looking to expand their repertoire in preparing e‑learning materials.

The Project's objectives were to:

• clarify how teaching tasks can be supported or enriched by using e‑learning tools and resources
• showcase the full range of pedagogical strategies (such as role plays, quizzes and simulations) available in the e‑learning environment
• provide easily accessible samples of each strategy to view, operate and evaluate
• provide practical guidance for training professionals in selecting and implementing the various e‑learning strategies
• provide convenient links to key resources, including available software tools.
• provide detailed guidance to how e‑learning courses are designed
• summarise the key decisions and options involved in preparing and presenting courses using e‑learning materials and tools.

Project outputs included:

• an online gallery of sample e‑learning strategies for arranging content, providing activities, providing support and arranging assessment
• teaching guides for each strategy
• sample designs for e‑learning in VET presented as five case studies, each with a photostory and detailed course map
• a summary of the key decisions involved in planning e‑learning, and the main teaching approaches possible.

The product of this Project is Designing e‑learning, a web-based guide to planning and delivering courses using a range of e‑learning tools and resources.

Designing e‑learning can be viewed at http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/designing

The site also includes the Australian Flexible Learning Framework's popular Assessing Online guide, which was developed by the 2003 Online Assessment Strategies and Models (OASM) Project. Assessing Online is now at http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/designing/assessing/index.htm

Clint Smith
Senior e‑Learning Consultant
e-Works
Level 25 150 Lonsdale Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000

Ph: (03) 9661 8712
Fx: (03) 9661 8799
Mob: 0410 569 386
Email: clint.smith@eworks.edu.au