flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations E-learning Innovations Australian Flexible Learning Framework

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations YMCA Perth Community based not-for-profit Operating in Perth for more than 100 years Being an RTO is a small part of the Y Mission driven

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations YMCA Perth Training Strategic intent – We grow the capacity of individuals through the provision of flexible and innovative training and assessment

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Challenges Geographically dispersed learners –Many in rural/remote locations A focus on the individual rather than large cohorts Very limited resources Technology based learning is a natural fit

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations What makes innovation work? Seven key drivers – Strategy Senior leadership Business case Resourcing Champions People supports Technological support Callan & Bowman 2010

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Innovation requires a ‘safe space’ Framework funding can provide that ‘safe space’ YMCA Perth has innovation embedded in it’s strategic intent –Framework funding has provided a safety net for some risk taking innovation

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Innovations projects YMCA projects have aimed at improving learning and overcoming disadvantage –Geographic isolation –Lack of time –Literacy

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Innovations projects The use of technology has to be appropriate and has to add something –Often the old technologies are the best “After 400 years, print is still superior” Hsu & Mitchell 1997

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Innovations projects 2008 – Hand-e-fit 2010 – Choose your own learning

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Hand-e-fit technology Nokia 6131 NFC RFID tags Video files Telstra Next G network tagIT application

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Hand-e-fit Participant uses the phone to swipe a tag located on a piece of gym equipment Tag activates a request for a video and checks against a server in Tasmania

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Hand-e-fit Participant views a video on how to operate that specific piece of equipment Central server records the action

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Hand-e-fit Server checks current version of video Video downloaded to phone via Next G Play requested video Participant swipes RFID tag Video request sent to server Usage recorded by the server NO YES Process flowchart

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Hand-e-fit The idea and technology worked well –We proved the capability The application/context wasn’t right –Lots of environmental noise –Small screen size and bright environments –Some interference from the metal frames of the equipment

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Choose your own learning technology ARED Existing LMS PC/Internet

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Choose your own learning Learners access computer based scenarios The scenarios are a rendering of a ‘decision tree’

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Choose your own learning By choosing their own pathway (and receiving feedback) they are able to construct knowledge

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Choose your own learning The approach ‘worked’ Maybe ARED wasn’t the ideal tool –Required a bit of post production tweaking Feedback was positive –This mode of object creation and use will be more widely implemented

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Benefits of the projects Opportunity to test new ways that may not have been trialled otherwise Provided an alternative to heavy text based material which engaged learners Opened up avenues for better supporting distant learners

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Our learning The learning objects weren’t the major outputs – the professional learning was! The technology wasn’t the major challenge –The old fashioned job of developing the content was –Coupled with ‘how’ to best utilise it

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Looking forward Framework funding has enabled us to try a number of new things –Existing participants have benefited –Future participants will benefit even more Innovation is part of our strategic intent We hope to have more opportunities to learn as part of the framework

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations Any questions? Thank you