099

[photo of team]**
 * Outback e-challenge**


 * Manager:** Corrie Taylor – corrie.taylor [at] tafensw.edu.au
 * Facilitator:** Merelyn Treanor – merelyn treanor [at] tafensw.edu.au


 * Sponsoring RTO:** Dubbo TAFE, Western Institute


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

The Access and General Education (A&GE) faculty targets students in rural and isolated locations, including indigenous communities in western and far western NSW. This project aims to build on the existing model of blended learning by increasing skill levels to provide target group and clients with a wider range of e-learning technologies. The target group will learn specific skills in videoconferencing, Janison toolbox, digital storytelling and social software skills. These skill areas will be explored and trialed as part of flexible delivery options.
 * Project summary:**

Postcard from the Field due date:** week starting 18 September Proposed LearnScope visit/s:** Alex - 24 / 25 August
 * Online presence:** (blogs, wikis, EdNA Group, websites, flickr tag, del.icio.us tag etc)


 * Team events** (focus, date, time, availability to other teams)


 * Team Discussion** **[|http://nswLearnScope.wikispaces.com/message/list/099]**


 * FURTHER DETAILS:**

The A&GE faculty delivers to multiple equity groups in over 16 sites and covers 48% of NSW. Many of the A&GE target group work in isolated centres and have limited technology skills. This project will provide them with the skills to access and apply new technologies to their teaching and learning practice. Students in isolated centres require access to courses that use specialist teachers. This project will promote the sustainability of educational provision within these communities. Video conferencing facilities have been established in 33 centres in the Western Institute. It is vital that Access practitioners possess the skills to utilize e-learning facilities, and thereby service delivery to students.
 * Background to the project:**

§ Increased participation, retention and positive completion rates for targeted groups in skill shortage areas of Certificate II in General and Vocational Education (CGVE), Certificate III in Aboriginal Education Assistant (AEAs) and Certificate III in Educational Assistant (EAs) – Special. § Improve service delivery in VTE for target group in rural and isolated communities through the use of e-learning technologies § Promote cultural change and work practices in A&GE in the Western Institute § Increase teacher and client engagement and success with e-learning
 * Proposed project outcomes:**

Teaching and learning experiences will be enriched by the introduction of new learning technologies. As a result of this project new technologies will provide a broader range of learning options for the target group. Videoconference link up and the Janison toolbox will support target groups in online and blended learning environments. They will also enable reflection, evaluation of the learning process and feedback on the impact of delivery during and after the project. The use of these technologies as an integral part of the training will support those in isolated centres and ensure involvement in the exploration and training of project learning. Evaluation strategies:** Trialing new e-learning skills with clients and gaining quantitative feedback from clients. Trialing digital storytelling with CGVE clients in the Western region. Pod casting Educational Assistants (EAs) video conferencing in Gilgandra, Lightning Ridge and Coonamble.
 * Benefits to client group:**

· Creation of individual learning plans · Initial and post project skills audit · Reflection times at all training sessions · Video conference meetings · Team digital stories · Anecdotes and quotes from team members · Outback e-challenge blog · Reflections of workplace applications using new e-technology We hope to share our learning via :**
 * We are capturing our learning via:**

Experts invited to run sessions - Denise Smyth – IDL and videoconferencing –Outreach - Trent Sydney - Electroboard

Active participation in NSW LearnScope EdNA Group Active participation national Framework events We’ll connect with others via:** § Regular reports to Head Teachers with staff involved in training § Presentations to Access faculty meetings using new technologies § Training reference material for each skill area

· Outback e-challenge blog running through the duration of the project · Digital story created by participants after training session · Comments, reflections and evaluations using Writeboard
 * Proposed project products/outputs:**

45 [|blog]
 * 9 [|blogging]
 * 8 [|bloglines]
 * 17 [|blogs]
 * 1 [|blooks]
 * 2 [|bookmark]
 * 3 [|bookmarks]
 * 2 [|browser]
 * 1 [|comicgenerator]
 * 4 [|comtheories]
 * 5 [|content]
 * 3 [|copyright]
 * 5 [|css]
 * 9 [|developer]
 * 4 [|development]
 * 10 [|digitalliteracies]
 * 8 [|digitalstory]
 * 7 [|e-learning]
 * 5 [|eassessment]
 * 1 [|ebooks]
 * 19 [|elearning]
 * 3 [|elgg]
 * 1 [|environments]
 * 2 [|eportfolio]
 * 2 [|flexiblelearning]
 * 2 [|ICT]
 * 8 [|opensource]
 * 1 [|openspace]
 * 9 [|rss]
 * 1 [|surveys]
 * 2 [|virtualreality]