E-learning - is it for you? Potentials of and barriers to e- learning in the voluntary sector.

e-learning - is it for you?

Potentials of and barriers to e-learning in the voluntary

sector

Aims of the project

• Explore potentials of and barriers to e-learning in the voluntary sector

• Identify stakeholders • Find examples of good practice• How can e-learning widen access to

lifelong learning?• Raise profile of e-learning

This presentation

• What is e-learning?• Potentials• Barriers• What could you do? Examples from

the voluntary sectorlearn – help others learn – create e-learning material - promote e-learning

• Discussion: What would you like to do?

What is e-learning?

• “the use of electronic technology to support, enhance or deliver learning.” (Welsh Assembly Government)

• Learning on-line, using CD-Roms, videos, tapes, PDAs, mobile phones

Where can you do it?

• At home• At work• At the college• At the library• Community centres• Internet cafés• Anywhere?

m-learning

Using mobile phones or PDAs (personal digital assistants)

Why would you do it?

• Multimedia: more interesting learning

• Flexible: learn in your own time

• Convenient: learn wherever suits you

• Choice: wealth of courses via internet

Who can do it?

• Everyone• Widen access to

learning: groups that have problems accessing conventional learning

Why shouldn't e-Learning be as easy as shopping in a supermarket?

The Learning Citizen

Barriers

• Lack of equipment• Lack of internet/

broadband connections

• Lack of knowledge and skills

• Fear of computers• Different learning

style

And what can you do?

learn

help others learn

create e-learning material

promote e-learning

Examples of e-learning in the voluntary sector

Learn - together or individually

• learndirect – wide range of courses – low cost• BBC - Learning – free• Learn Welsh – BBC, free• E-College Wales – free for Objective One

residents (Pembrokeshire and most of Wales)• Coleg Sir Gâr Virtual College – £30• Wales Digital College - free• University of the Third Age – low cost £15/£7.50• Jobsite: computer courses – free

Use of the internet for communication and information

sharing• PAVS Information

Hub

Help others learnPAVS hosts the City and Guilds course ‘Learning for living’ – a course for unpaid

carers

• Age Concern Pembrokeshire: IT Resource Desk – 1:1 support to use computers and the internet

• Offer learning to use IT equipment in community centres (learn in groups, ask in tutors to run courses – e.g. Pembrokeshire College Community Learning)

Create e-learning materials

• Milking It Oxfam e-learning material

• Community Care have produced an e-learning package which aims at helping staff communicate more effectively with people with learning disabilities. The package lasts 30 minutes and is free. It can be found at: www.communitycare.co.uk/elearning

• Ask Mencap launched www.askmencap.info - a new information website for people with learning disabilities. A range of information about learning disability issues for use by people with learning disabilities, parents and carers, professionals and the general public.

Be Me Wolverhampton

E-learning foundation

Promote e-learning

And what would you like to do?

• Let us know your views, experiences and wishes!

For more information:• E-learning at www.PAVS.org.uk • Email

Bettina.Becker@pavs.org.uk• Telephone 01437 769422

PAVS, 36-38 High Street, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 2DA