E-learning in the Western Australian schools sector: lessons learnt

Both the [vocational education and training] VET and schools sectors are currently investing significant resources to promote more flexible approaches to teaching and learning. [Australian National Training Authority] ANTA Flexible Learning Toolboxes and the emergence of the Learning Federation are evidence that national initiatives are now seeking to use electronic and online mediums to promote flexibility. Yet for all the resources being channelled into the development of e-learning resources and learning objects, the uptake has been slow. This may be because there is limited understanding of how to implement e-learning solutions in both the VET and schools sectors. This paper reports on two innovative e-learning and assessment projects undertaken in the Western Australia VET in Schools arena in 2002. Both projects focused on retail training. The first ran at Forrestfield Senior High School between April and June; the second at Sevenoaks Senior College in August and September 2002. These projects have been identified nationally as best practice exemplars in the Practitioner Guide to Online Assessment that was commissioned by TAFE frontiers in Victoria. This paper shares the results of these implementation projects in perhaps one of the most difficult but rewarding educational arenas: VET in Schools.

Published abstract. Show less