GATEGaining Access to Employment

http://socialelearning.flexiblelearning.net.au/social_elearning/lo/blogs_cases/blogs_cases_02.htm

ORGANISATIONAL BARRIERS TO SOCIAL E-LEARNING

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Michelle Dodd, Coordinator programs for People With DisabilitiesChallenger TAFE, Perth

•Intellectual Disabilities

•Multiple Disabilities including;

•Physical

•Mental Illness

Program Aim:

Exploring computer technologies to enhance opportunities and learning experiences for students with disabilities

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Employability Course at Certificate 1 level

Developing literacy and numeracy skills

Career planning

Work experience

Some project-based learning

Funding Australian Flexible Learning Framework

To experiment with a range of different

technologies

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Teachers found email assisted with

• Literacy skills

• Communication when absent

Began with email then tried blogging purely as a fun exercise

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Blogging

• Online journal• Using text with spell-check• Pictures and videos• Stories without text

• Video and audio for self expression • Profiling themselves• Avatar• Individual career plans & goal setting

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Connecting to others with similar learning needs & social needs

Safe learning environment

A space to Achieve competency

Skills to share with family & friends

Improved Self esteem

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Tasks reflect Elements and Performance criteria

Activities which Engaged students

reflecting the Curriculum

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Outreach

Access to Education

educational opportunities

disadvantaged and

marginalised groups9

Students must have regular access to participate in and out of class

Without access Outreach will contribute to further disadvantage

rather than the organisational goal of addressing

educational inequities

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Challenge to ensure issues of the digital divide are reduced not increased

Closing the gap between those with ‘physical accessto information and communication technologies and those without’

Atkinson, Black and Curtis, Charles Sturt University, Australian 2008

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Exploring the digital divide in the Regional Cit of Albury

Research findings:

the ‘digital divide’ created issues of social justice and social inequity within the community

1. Provide training and technical support to identified disadvantages groups

2. Collaborate with Community organisations and local council to improve access

3. Ensure ongoing support outside of the classroom

4. Ensure regular review of facilities

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Strategies to address organisational barrier

to Social E-learning

Social e-learning can create new opportunities

for learning & connection breaking

isolation on multiple levels for

disadvantaged & marginalised students in TAFE Outreach13

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