051

eNABLE ESOL learners



 * Manager:** Kerry AShcroft – kerry.ashcroft [at] tafensw.edu.au
 * Facilitator:** Padmini Sampathkumar – padmini.sampathkumar[at] tafensw.edu.au


 * Sponsoring RTO:** Northern Beaches TAFE – Nth Sydney Institute


 * Target client groups:** youth; disengaged; ESL

instructional design and web development skills with the goal of producing a wide range of e-learning resources (including digital media) that support self-access and self-paced learning.
 * Project summary:**


 * Online presence:** (blogs, wikis, EdNA Group, websites, flickr tag, del.icio.us tag etc)


 * Blog** - http://enableesol.blogspot.com
 * Team** - [|Protopage]
 * Flickr** - nswlearnscope06\enableesol
 * Flickr:** http://www.flickr.com/photos/nightowl


 * Postcard from the Field due date:** 26 September


 * Proposed LearnScope visit/s:** Robyn (workshop) – July 26, ¦ Alex Hayes 22 Sep. ¦


 * Team Events**


 * FURTHER DETAILS:**

This project is aimed at developing the skills of teachers to integrate eLearning into a number of key modules and units in several ESOL courses. Offering students the facility of learning using a range of self-access online resources will provide them with a more flexible learning environment. The targeted client groups of our teaching sections are specifically youth (15-19yrs), disengaged learners, and those seeking to move into skill shortage trade areas. By offering units using online resources students will in turn have their ICT skills enhanced as well as their skills in literacy, oracy and numeracy. The availability of self-access online resources and flexible enrolment options allow these students to continue with their learning after they enter the workforce. Increasing the number of teaching staff with eLearning capability will increase the participation of the section to utilise both existing and newly developed e learning resources and to confidently incorporate increased flexible delivery options.
 * Background to the project:**

· Develop a range of audio and video resources to support a more flexible range of learning opportunities for students with low literacy and numeracy skills. · To introduce language teachers to the concept of digital stories and their use in the educational context · To improve the expertise of teachers in online communication tools such as VOIP, virtual class rooms and their educational applications. · To introduce teachers to the educational uses of social software such as blogs, wikis and to the concept of shared online learning
 * Proposed project outcomes:**

Our target client group consists of learners from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds who have a low level of literacy, numeracy and ICT skills. Many of them are from a low socio economic background and are disengaged learners. Our aim is to engage these learners by developing motivating and flexible e-learning resources that are customized to their needs. By involving the students in the making of our digital stories, and by encouraging them to actively document their learning via the use of blogs, we hope to achieve several things (a) develop a bank of resources that are customized and relevant to the student’s needs and interests (b) provide an opportunity for students to communicate and improve their communication and social networking skills which are crucial to improving their employability skills (b) improve their ICT skills and become more independent learners.
 * Benefits to client group:**

The impact will be decided based on surveys of student satisfaction with the new resources and mode of delivery, improvement in meeting the learning outcomes of modules taught, increase in retention rates of previously disengaged students, increased confidence on the part of students with accessing technology and improvement in study/employment options for these students.
 * Evaluation strategies:**

Pre-project Survey Reporting on progress at team meetings Contribution to team wiki Postings to blogs Online meeting logs and recordings Team digital stories Anecdotes and quotes from team members Participation in EdNA groups Input to network groups Contribution/participation at e-learning conferences End of project evaluations
 * We are capturing our learning via:**

Invite interested staff to Institute based workshop presentations Upload developed resources to Institute online server Presentations at Institute’s staff learning and development forums Participation in LearnScope Showcase events, TAFE NSW Quality showcase Presentations at ACCESS Literacy Conference Active participation in the LearnScope EdNA network group
 * We hope to share our learning :**

Faculty staff meetings Institute Show case Participate in network groups Presentation at e-learning conferences
 * We’ll connect with others via:**

Digital stories about the learning journey Learning Resources to be showcased on the Flexible learning centre website A team pod cast linked to the team blog
 * Proposed project products/outputs:**