Outreach Inclusive E-Learning Project “ TRAINING IS FOR EVERYONE”

E-Learning for People with Psychiatric Disabilities Project Title

Project Snapshot Key Features  Who – students with psychiatric disabilities (range of socio- demographic barriers eg youth at risk, geographically isolated, NESB, mature aged etc)  Where – provided class based attendance, blended and/or fully online learning opportunities  What – provided access to learning for people isolated by their disability

Project Snapshot  A two stage program –Stage 1 preparing the students for online learning –Stage 2 experiencing online study in chosen elective areas using Janison tools, Breeze software and telephone technology directing students to interactive websites especially ones to do with mental health

What we’ve learnt – so far What’s critical  Providing successful experiences based on adult learning principles  Teacher contact to assist the students to maintain the momentum, guide their learning and provide feedback and direction (review, reinforce, feedback)

What we’ve learnt – so far continued…. What’s been unexpected  How much the students love the interaction with the computers  This mode of learning provided better outcomes for people who have had difficulties in completing their studies in the traditional classroom  One student who began the course reluctantly seeing it as an additional burden, now sees it as supporting him in achieving his long term educational goals

What we’ve learnt – so far continued…. Any issues?  Students need to devote time to their learning outside the classroom  Level of technical skills made it difficult for some students to manage this mode of learning  The fact that a lot of online learning is heavily text based – many students prefer interactive multimedia online resources  Offering choices can be a positive but can overwhelm some students

What next? For remainder of the project  Focusing on each student successfully completing at least one vocational elective  Thinking about and exploring pathways  Introducing further technology eg podcasting, video conferencing

Post Project EOI by teachers for Institute Breeze Software Trial project Have begun the development of an Outreach blog to introduce our students to new technologies Continue to encourage the uptake of online learning by disadvantaged learners Outreach staff to further their skills in using eLearning tools Project learning to be shared with other staff from Sydney Institute by conducting workshops