Objectives to develop a successful e-learning support model, building on an existing e-delivery partnership between the Tasmanian Communities Online network of Online Access Centres and TAFE Tasmania. to enhance the future learning capacity and job opportunities for identified disadvantaged groups in rural Tasmanian communities. Online Access Centres

to develop a successful e-learning support model, building on an existing e-delivery partnership between the Tasmanian Communities Online network of Online Access Centres and TAFE Tasmania.

to enhance the future learning capacity and job opportunities for identified disadvantaged groups in rural Tasmanian communities.

The Support Model Study Circle - - - - - - - - - - - - - Online Course Interface including Support & Assessment Course Materials Communications - EdNA Group - Teleconferencing - Face to Face TAFE Enrolments, Communications, Use of facilities Mentoring, Coaching, Assessment Professional Development Centre Support Unit E-learning course or skills set Certificate 2 in Business Coordination Oversight Payment Local Support

Why E-Learning? Reasons people may choose or prefer this method of learning include: Personal circumstances (work, family & personal commitments, disability, financial considerations) Long distance to a campus Self-paced style Past unsatisfactory experience in institutions (schools) An alternative to the traditional classroom experience As a way back into formal education for adults.

Reasons people may choose or prefer this method of learning include:

Personal circumstances (work, family & personal commitments, disability, financial considerations)

Long distance to a campus

Self-paced style

Past unsatisfactory experience in institutions (schools)

An alternative to the traditional classroom experience

As a way back into formal education for adults.

E-Learning Potential Disadvantages Can be Solitary No collegiality and, consequently, lack of motivation Difficult to contact remote help from institution Lack of immediate feedback from teacher/assessor Impersonal – lack of human element in teaching

Can be Solitary

No collegiality and, consequently, lack of motivation

Difficult to contact remote help from institution

Lack of immediate feedback from teacher/assessor

Impersonal – lack of human element in teaching

What are Study Circles? A group of people meeting, comfortably seated in a circle with a facilitator. A collaborative, supportive environment. A surrogate classroom of peers. A facilitator establishes and initially guides the study circle the aim is for circles to develop the capacity to be self-directed – Facilitator takes an increasingly back seat role .

A group of people meeting, comfortably seated in a circle with a facilitator.

A collaborative, supportive environment.

A surrogate classroom of peers.

A facilitator establishes and initially guides the study circle

the aim is for circles to develop the capacity to be self-directed – Facilitator takes an increasingly back seat role .

What Happens in a Study Circle? Provide opportunities to reflect upon how we learn and what the learning involves. It teaches about goal setting and skills for being better learners and problem solvers. Pose questions/challenges, research, solve problems Course work

Provide opportunities to reflect upon how we learn and what the learning involves.

It teaches about goal setting and skills for being better learners and problem solvers.

Pose questions/challenges, research, solve problems

Course work

Who are they for? Anyone undertaking or interested in learning (distance, online or otherwise). Doesn’t have to be eLearning and doesn’t have to be accredited. Because Study Circles aim to be self-managing and it is local people involved in it, this encourages others to participate who perhaps previously were hesitant to be involved in education.

Anyone undertaking or interested in learning (distance, online or otherwise). Doesn’t have to be eLearning and doesn’t have to be accredited.

Because Study Circles aim to be self-managing and it is local people involved in it, this encourages others to participate who perhaps previously were hesitant to be involved in education.

Outcomes for Individuals Unemployed over 45’s and single parents. Self awareness and confidence as a learner; study skills. skills for e-Learning and business. Study Circle Leaders – Online Access Centre coordinators. Increased self awareness and skills as a lifelong learner Skills in e-Learning, training and assessment, coaching, mentoring and facilitating Study Circles.

Unemployed over 45’s and single parents.

Self awareness and confidence as a learner; study skills.

skills for e-Learning and business.

Study Circle Leaders – Online Access Centre coordinators.

Increased self awareness and skills as a lifelong learner

Skills in e-Learning, training and assessment, coaching, mentoring and facilitating Study Circles.

Outcomes for Communities For eight Communities New job skills, Avenue to further education, Forum for community issues, particularly in relation to adult education, and Leadership, facilitation and meeting skills. For all Communities – A model to build educational capacity and citizenship.

For eight Communities

New job skills,

Avenue to further education,

Forum for community issues, particularly in relation to adult education, and

Leadership, facilitation and meeting skills.

For all Communities – A model to build educational capacity and citizenship.