Blended Learning @ Bankstown

BL@B is a Learnscope project that aims to establish a Community iof Practice at Bankstown TAFE College which will explore new and innovative ways of facilitating learning and managing learners in a flexible learning environment. The focus will be on encouraging and supporting teachers to blend Elearning stratgies within traditional modes of educational delivery.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Just an Update

BL@B has been very busy with lots of activities happening.

Firstly we are progressing through the OH&S module with three facilitators each week taking their turn at the role. A great learning opportunity to engage action learning. Members are developing skills in responding to learners using a review tool, facilitating forums, chats and tests and evaluations. It also gives people the opportunity to experience learning online first hand.

Secondly, visits have taken place to investigate the different ways Flexible Learning centres can be managed. This has included Illawarra, Sydney and Wagga. We have a Coffs Harbour trip planned for October. This will be really useful for making recommendations for the operational side of the centre.

Thirdly we are currently investigating Professional Development Opportunities and we hope to run this over the next few weeks.

We also appear in the NSW Learnscope September newsletter. Yeah!

Click Here

Friday, August 12, 2005

Here is the news...


BL@B now has a sub group who will research the different models for managing the Flexible Computer Learning Centre. Over the next few weeks BL@BBERS will investigate and report back what we should consider for our centre and help us to decide what model we will recommend. So watch this space for the reports.

At our meeting this week it was decided that we will learn about learning and facilitating online by participating as an online group. The topic chosen will be Occupational Health and Safety. Each week a different participant will take on the role as the facilitator to view online from the other side. The rest of the group will be able to have a taster for learning online.

We should be in for some fun times....

Friday, July 29, 2005

Guest Speaker


The group meeting today was highlighted by a guest speaker from Sydney Institute Dianna Kabbaz who was very experienced in the operation of flexible learning centres.
In 2004 Dianna as successful in obtaining a learnscope project similar to BL@B. It was great to get a fresh perspective on the challenges and the issues as well as some strategies that could be considered. There was lively debate and discussion on the direction of managing the centre. So much so we now have a sub-group looking at the operational side of the centre such as hours, procedures, room bookings, etc...

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To end the day Dianne and BL@B members went to try out the new centre!


Great work Bob!!!

What a week!


Our first week open and we have lots of interest in the Computer Flexible Learning Centre. The room was being used first thing Monday morning with a group of exchange students from Denmark.

The project was also showcased at SWSI Senior staff meeting this week. One of the Institute's 2005 priorities was: Delivering a dynamic and responsive education and training system. The FCLC was showcased as being a way to enhance and support efforts to meet this priority. It was a great opportunity to showcase the Leanscope project and the importance of funding to ensure that the centre is able to maximise its potential.

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Flexible Computer Learning Centre Now Open!



The Centre is due to begin operation Monday 25th July 2005. Our first group of learners will begin first thing on Monday morning.



The colour scheme chosen designates the individual learning pods and the latest computer technology has been included.




Individual learning areas provide an opportunity for group learning and discussion.

Monday, July 18, 2005

Welcome back from the Holiday Break


What's the News?

The Flexible Computer Learning Centre (FCLC) is soon to be opened. The work has been completed and we now await the software to be uploaded onto the computers.

What's happening?

If you are interested in being a part of a small working group for this project focusing on the Management of the FCLC, please contact me by the end of this week (ending 22nd July) This focus group will develop and make recommendations for the operational side of the FCLC. (eg. day to day running of the FCLC)

When is the next meeting?

Our next meeting will be Tuesday 26th July in the Meeting Room, Ground Floor, E Block at Bankstown. At this meeting we have a guest speaker from Sydney Institute who will talk about their experiences operating a FCLC. A few years ago SI had a similar Learnscope project and will hopefully give us some ideas on how we can use the FCLC to its full potential. Don't forget we will be having some yummy afternoon tea. Please RSVP by 22nd July so we can organise the catering.

What can I do?

By now you should have completed your Individual Action Plans through http://flexways.flexiblelearning.net.au/If you have any difficulties with this please contact me.

There are some more modules added to our BL@B site. On the left hand side of the message centre there is a section called Study groups. Click On BL@B and this will take you to the learning materials.

This week:
1. Preparing for Elearning: This is a module that can be attched to any course. It is a self paced course that can be used as an introduction to online learning. Have a look and think how it might be used in your area.

Thursday, June 30, 2005

Where to now?



You can log onto the BL@B group on the Janison Learning Managment System
http://swsionline.tafensw.edu.au
(your user name and password have been sent in an email)

There are some new resources to review:

1. Welcome to the Toolbox. A great introduction for Going Online.
2. Using the Communication Tools. This is for people interested in finding out more about chats, forums, etc and the way these tools can be used as teaching strategies.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Project Meeting 3


This meeting was an opportunity to experience online communication. All members were invited to the chat and instructions were given on how to enter the chatroom.

This site provides an opportunity to experience the online environment and self paced training sessions have been added for participants to become familiar with the Janison Learning Managment System.

The chat was organised as a brainstroming exercise to identify the main issues in managing a flexible learning centre. This was to establish what needed to be considered when establishing an operational model for the centre.

For those that could not attend the chat was emailed to enable vieiwng of the discussion.