flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations e-learning innovations australian flexible learning framework

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations

E-learning Innovations

Australian Flexible Learning Framework


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


YMCA Perth Training

Strategic intent –

We grow the capacity of individuals through the provision of flexible and innovative training and assessment


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


What makes innovation work?

Seven key drivers –

Callan & Bowman 2010


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


Innovations projectsYMCA projects have aimed at improving learning and overcoming disadvantage

– Geographic isolation– Lack of time– Literacy


Innovations projectsThe 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


Innovations projects

2008 – Hand-e-fit

2010 – Choose your own learning


Hand-e-fit technology• Nokia 6131 NFC• RFID tags• Video files• Telstra Next G network• tagIT application


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


Hand-e-fit• Participant views a

video on how to operate that specific piece of equipment

• Central server records the action


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


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


Choose your own learning technology• ARED• Existing LMS• PC/Internet


Choose your own learning• Learners access

computer based scenarios

• The scenarios are a rendering of a ‘decision tree’


Choose your own learning• By choosing their

own pathway (and receiving feedback) they are able to construct knowledge


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


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


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


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


Any questions?

Thank you

flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations e-learning innovations australian flexible learning framework

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