"innovation
through initiative"
e-Learning
for the new millennium
Virtual
Campus Systems Virtual Campus systems should be designed to enhance
the flexibility and accessibility of the teaching and learning experience.
Despite the still prevalent misconception held by the broader community that
"computers will replace teachers", educators are beginning to mould e-learning
to provide the highest quality education and training programs in an environment
where "time" and "location" are largely irrelevant.
Students and trainees are able to access learning facilities anytime and
anywhere.
Critical
to successful and effective e-learning is the personal involvement of the
instructor or teacher. The Virtual Campus system does encourage and teach
participants to manage their own learning and, accordingly, places a greater
responsibility on the learner. This does not presume, however, that the
"human contact element" is therefore superfluous to the teaching and
learning experience. On the contrary, leading practice Virtual Campus system
models have at their core a "mentor" support facility. That is,
students and trainees will not only have access to a fully qualified and
experienced instructor or teacher, but will have their progress regularly
monitored by their mentor.
Online
e-Learning Vocational Pathways has been successfully deploying
Virtual Campus systems in schools since late 1999. Students, teachers and other
members of the school community are able to access education and training e-learning
courses 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The systems enable schools to deploy
over the internet. Users may then log on over the internet and undertake a
course whilst online. Alternatively, users may download the course to their
local PC or Notebook and undertake the course offline. Once these users
reconnect and log on, their progress and results will be automatically uploaded
to the system administration, and they may then download the next course.
Administration
of e-Learning Schools that deployed the training courseware using
the Web-based model are able to have program co-ordinators track and monitor
student progress from a PC using course administrators software. The course
administrators package allows a student's progress to be monitored in detail.
The course administrator is able to check on any students the time and date of
course access, unit completion, and unit test results.
Lessons
from experience Many schools are now exploring the potential to provide
open learning facilities to the broader community as part of a community
education initiative. This would enable schools to generate an income from
their facilities and, therefore would not only ensure the long-term financial
sustainability of their Virtual Campus but also provide for system upgrades and
enhancements.
Please
email us for further information on Virtual Campus systems. Vocational Pathways
is able to provide on-site briefings and / or demonstrations.
© Copyright 2008
Vocational Pathways Pty Ltd