International Labour Organization Distance Education Programme for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV)

ACTRAV Distance Education Objectives –Long-term: Create national / international networks between unions and labour colleges. Develop integration between unions in International Trade Secretariats. Help unions understand the political and economic implications of information technology.

ACTRAV Distance Education Objectives –Immediate: Orient participants before courses Provide after-course support. Conduct courses completely online.

ACTRAV Distance Education Online Courses –Course on International Labour Standards March 1999 Used Lotus Notes Conferencing System Country reports entered into conferences Support material available via Web and CD-ROM CD-ROM –Included reference material to be printed –Overhead transparencies

ACTRAV Distance Education Online Courses –Course on Declaration Started February 24, 2000 Included Web-based online exercises Support material provided via the Web Lotus conference 20 participants

ACTRAV Distance Education Online Courses –Course on Safety and Health - Latin America Started December participants Lotus Notes conference Evaluation report prepared

ACTRAV Distance Education Online Courses –Course for H&S specialists - Latin America Course on how to teach online Course available on ACTRAV web site

ACTRAV Distance Education Online Course on the Declaration –Four week course completely online –15 participants –Resource material and exercises online –Course available on ACTRAV web site at:

ACTRAV Distance Education –Organization and Methodology Course participants chosen from workers’ organisations. Train facilitators in online management / training methods. Use online active training methods such as group work through electronic conferencing. Develop comparative approaches online between workers’ organizations.

ACTRAV Distance Education Evaluation –Participants surveyed before courses to determine technical competence, equipment available, and access to the Internet. –Definition of course objectives –Participants surveyed after courses to evaluate course structure, support material, facilitator, and to collect ideas for improving online courses. –Objectives achievements

ACTRAV Distance Education Traditional / Basic –The use of mail to conduct courses –Support provided by mail or telephone –Resource materials include: manuals, tapes and videos.

ACTRAV Distance Education Computer Based –The use of computer communications to conduct courses. –Support provided mainly by or computer conferencing. –Resource material includes: Web pages; manuals delivered by ; video; Web-audio; or CD-ROMs –Availability of training material online

ACTRAV Distance Education Types –Before a face-to-face course –After a face-to-face course –Training courses completely online –Ongoing forums on trade union issues

ACTRAV Distance Education Advantages: –Increases number of trained T.U. participants –Increases the quality and decrease duration of face-to-face courses –Allows support / evaluation after face-to-face courses. –Shares resources such as specialist instructors –Maintains contact between participants –Development of national/international networks

ACTRAV Distance Education Potential Problems –Access to appropriate technology by participants (platforms) –Curriculum development / Training Material –Training activity managers / facilitators –Training participants –Languages

ACTRAV Distance Education Internet CourseReader –Helps solve connectivity problems due to expensive telephone and Internet connections –Free of charge –Allows participants to work “offline” (not connected to the main computer) and then send their messages when they connect.