Theo Kavadias, Project Manager
This project demonstrates a fully immersive online learning environment that allows trainers and learners to exist in the same simulation environment and to use chat tools within the environment. Trainers are able to deliver problem-based scenarios completely in the virtual space. Trainers are also able to extend the simulation to suit their own delivery contexts through an XML-based backend. The simulation environment is based on the production nursery developed in the 2002 Innovations in Flexible Learning project, Nursery Live!.
The value of extending the simulation in this way:
- is a model for VET for the possible applications of shared learning spaces, particularly useful in contexts lacking physical resources and allow for true online collaboration in problem-solving strategies
- provides an alternate learning tool for learners who enjoy engaging with simulations, games or interactive media
- allows the resource to be customised through the editing of simple XML. This can allow trainers to create different simulations that focus on specific plants or conditions, in addition to increasing the usefulness of the simulation in different regions by allowing the simulation to be localised with regional fauna, weather and pests.
What is the ‘new practice’?
There are several ‘new practices’ taking place in Nursery Live! 2. These include:
- providing online activity space that has no content in itself but can be configured and localised. This activity can then be packaged with any other learning resources that a trainer may find useful in their delivery. In this way the activity space serves as a discreet tool that allows trainers to take ownership of its use in a training program, both by embedding it in their own intended learning sequence with their favoured resources and by allowing them to edit the contents of their simulation
- supporting online discussion, collaboration and problem solving that occurs as simulated events unfold. This allows learners to problem solve in groups in real time, and allows the trainer to guide the interactions of learners in an exploratory or experimental learning mode
- models game-like mechanics and interaction on the real-world workplace and activity, rather than interrupting the flow of the game-state with instruction.
Video footage
Hear two video clips about the project:
Download a video overview of the project – clip 1
Read a transcript of the video
Download a video overview of the project - clip 2
Read a transcript of the video
Who is it for?
There are multiple audiences for this ‘new practice’.
- Developers and managers who are interested in how context-specific rich media learning assets can be made extensible and customisable in ways that are interoperable and standards-conformant.
- Learners and trainers engaged with the Horticulture training, particularly in a production training environment.
- Learners and trainers engaged in exploring an elementary online business environment.
- Instructional designers who are exploring models of online resource development that employ or support exploratory, experimental or game-based learning behaviours.
- Instructional designers who are exploring how activity can be separated from learning content and still provide meaningful learning experiences.
Resources
Nursery Live! 2 is made up of the following elements:
- Nursery Live! 2 simulation engine with external XML for the following components: Configuration, Plants, Pests/Diseases, Weather, Scenarios and Plant images.
- Administration Utility that provides a front-end for the easy customisation of the XML data.
- Delivery guide to support trainers in the use of Nursery Live! 2.
Download resources
View Nursery Live! 2
 Download the Project report
Download the Delivery guide
 Download the Nursery Live! 2 program
Download the Administration Utility
New Practices in Flexible Learning CD-ROM
The project resources from the all the New Practices in Flexible Learning projects undertaken during 2003 and 2004, as well as additional video footage, sound and images, have been developed into two multimedia resources of 'new practices'. These CD-ROMs can be ordered through your local Framework communication officer by completing the online order form.
Order the 2003 collection of New Practices in Flexible Learning projects
NEW - Order the 2004 collection of New Practices in Flexible Learning projects
Update - October 2006
Workshops that explore this project are now available as professional development opportunities on a fee for service basis. We invite you to download the workshop resources relating to NurseryLive! 2 by going to our Workshop Resources page on the current Australian Flexible Learning Framework web site.
You can also download details of the professional development workshops for 2006
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