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Projects: Toolboxes (Quality e-learning
Resources) 2003
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The Toolbox project has been developing online content under
the Framework since 2000.
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Toolboxes are online training materials developed under the
Online Product Development, Evaluation and Uptake Project.
Each Toolbox contains learning activities, resources and user
guides to support program delivery for endorsed Training Package
qualifications.
The Toolboxes are web-based learning materials that can be
installed on a server by an RTO and used to deliver training
online. (Toolboxes can also be delivered in a modified way
from a CD-ROM when network or Internet access is not available.)
Toolboxes focus on effective teaching and learning activities
and the materials can be adapted to suit the audience being
taught. Each Toolbox includes a teaching guide and installation
information and is aligned to a particular Training Package.
The development of Toolboxes assists RTOs to make a cost-effective
move into online learning. High quality resources based on
recognised Training Packages are available at a fraction of
their development cost.
RTOs can provide training services to new clients and markets
and offer greater choice to new and existing learners.
The Equity Toolboxes are a new group of products under the
Toolbox banner. These pioneering online products support training
for the three target groups:
- learners with a disability
- indigenous learners, and
- learners with literacy and numeracy needs.
Visit the Toolbox project website.
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The 2003 project, Quality e-Learning Resources, developed
a new series of Toolbox online training materials to support
the learning needs of VET clients, including learners with
particular needs.
The project focused on the uptake of Toolboxes and
other national online products. The Toolbox Champions network
continued to conduct professional development services
in response to regional needs and in support of the initiatives
of State /Territory training authorities and agencies. Further
linkages with national ITABs and state industry training
structures
were pursued to strengthen their involvement in the promotion
of national online products.
An evaluation process reviewed existing Toolbox products,
with a view to updating the products where necessary, to
improve useability or respond to changing conditions.
The digital repository of Toolbox resources initiated in
2002 was completed and maintained by this project. The
help desk service, initiated in 2002, also continued
to support users of the Toolbox products.
The project's outputs included:
- Provision of guidelines for national online product development
for availability to the broader VET sector providing a strong
focus on:
- learning quality
- product utility
- access and accessibility.
- New
series of Toolbox online products to support training
for VET learners, including learners with particular needs
- Professional development services provided by a network
of Toolbox Champions
- A series of presentations and workshops targeted to the
national ITABs and state-based industry training personnel
- Marketing activities conducted with support from the Communication
and Leadership Program
- Toolbox digital repository hosted online
- A review of existing Toolboxes, and follow-on action to
update the products when necessary
- Maintenance of existing products and support to users.
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The Toolbox project website contains
descriptions of each of the 62 toolboxes currently available.
Information updates on the project are also available.
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Learning
Objects Quick Guide (Available in Word (368Kb)
and PDF (194Kb).)
This guide is for managers, practitioners, course developers and technical specialists
working in the Australian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. It
explains the concept of Learning Objects and summarises the technical and educational
issues. The guide also highlights how Learning Object technology is being implemented
in practice in the VET sector at the current time, specifically the Australian
Flexible Learning Framework’s (Framework) research and development in this
area. The aim of this guide is to give readers a broad overview and to highlight
references that can be followed up for more detail and technical information.
Online
Learning Products - The Next Wave: Final Evaluation
Report of the Management and Development of the Series
2 Toolboxes. (88 kb)
This evaluation report is highly relevant to anyone
managing or producing online product or content as it
critically examines project management strategies, and
key factors that contribute to the success of online
development projects. Experiences gained in these Toolbox
developments are transferable to other development contexts.
Evaluation
of the Usage of National Flexible Learning Toolboxes
- (Series 2) Final Report - Executive Summary and Recommendations
February, 2002. (44 kb)
This report explored the users' view of Series 2 Toolboxes.
The findings supported the level of flexibility exhibited
by the products. Other findings highlighted the need
for strategies to support uptake of these products and
more attention to user feedback. This report has provided
input to the specifications for the following series
of Toolboxes, and provided impetus for the Toolbox Champion
initiative which provides professional development for
Toolbox users in each state and territory.
Implications
of Toolbox Series 2 Usage Evaluation for 2002. (44
kb)
This response to the Series 2 usage evaluation by the
National Online Product Steering Group indicates the
future directions of the project to be adopted following
the report.
These documents are available in Microsoft
Word.
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"You can just put in a CD and off
you go.
Traditionally areas such as Accounting and Information
Technology are considered to have students with the
technological skills to study online. This theory has
been challenged by a group of Child Studies' students
participating in an online pilot Miller College, South
Western Sydney Institute of TAFE. The Child Care Toolbox
has provided our students with flexibility and the opportunity
to develop independent learning strategies. The Toolbox
enables students to put into practice discovery learning
by researching as far as they want to investigate. The
students were somewhat reluctant to use the Toolbox
but after a few tries realise that it is a very easy
resource to use."
"There's lots of games and fun
activities to do. The Child Care Toolbox provides a
simulated environment of a child care centre named Cybertots.
Workers within the centre take you through different
streams of the Certificate. The exercises actively engage
the students and video segments provide problem solving
opportunities for the students relevant to the work
of a Child Care Worker. The Intranet facility mirrors
the documents and resources of a child care centre.
This provides examples of forms, policies, procedures
and links to appropriate community groups and child
care related websites. The navigation of the Toolbox
is very simple and direct and the students have little
difficulty finding the information needed."
"I didn't realise you can use the
Toolbox as a teacher resource. The Child Care Toolbox
is certainly versatile and can be used in a variety
of formats. Some of us use the Toolbox in face-to-face
classes as a way to stimulate discussion and add variety
to this form of delivery. It can also be used in addition
to flexible packages for individual student pathways.
At the present time we are working to utilise the Toolbox
on a delivery platform and customise some of the features
to meet our local needs. The information has been useful
for providing information for planning classes by some
of our teachers. All in all a practical tool for delivering
Certificate 3."
Jo Fuller and Susan Wood, Child Studies teachers,
Miller TAFE, NSW on Child Care Toolbox Certificate 3
Community Services (Child Studies)
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"I now have students studying aquaculture
all over the state. I can work with them wherever I
am. I recently went Interstate for 3 weeks for work,
and this did not interrupt my online students as it
did my face-to-face students, because I could assist
them from Internet Cafe's."
"I love the fact that I can edit
and alter content, and add additional assessment and
information as need be. I use the Toolboxes as an initial
platform that I actually build my course around. The
students also enjoy getting the extra material to read
and work through."
"Using Toolboxes in the classroom
in a blended mode of delivery is an innovative learning
method at my college. The students enjoy the mix of
face-to-face work, online learning and follow-up with
practical skills. Mixing up the modes in short bursts
seems to assist them in concentrating and increases
the productivity of the session."
"The Aquaculture Toolboxes are
fun. They are not pages of text, and the interactions
actively engage the involvement of the student and the
students frequently repeat interactions which is reinforcing
the learning experience."
Sue Hickton, Aquaculture lecturer, Challenger
TAFE WA on Aquaculture Toolboxes (Cert II & Certs
III - Dip)
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Graeme Brownfield
Project Manager
eWorks
Level 3 / 620 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000
ph: (03) 9691 8617
fx: (03) 9691 8699
email: graeme.brownfield@eworks.edu.au
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Last updated:
January 31, 2006
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