Edition 71, October 2009

E-learning increase in Australian VET

E-learning increase in Australian VETA new survey has confirmed that the vocational education and training (VET) sector is using e-learning to deliver more flexible, engaging and personalised training.

The results of the national E-learning Benchmarking Survey, now in its fifth year, shows that technology is providing learners in the VET sector with greater choice and control over where, when and how training is delivered. The results indicate that it is no longer a question of 'if' training involves e-learning, it is 'how' e-learning is used.

The survey also confirms that e-learning is being embedded in VET, with 45% of registered training organisations (RTOs) reporting that e-learning is now included in their overall organisational or team business strategy.

Conducted annually by the national training system's e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), the survey measures the uptake, use and demand for e-learning by employers, RTOs, VET students, and VET teachers and trainers.

Employers were a significant focus of this year's survey, with their sample size doubling to more than 800.

Their responses showed that business and industry are recognising the benefits of e-learning, with two-thirds saying that e-learning is a flexible and efficient training method.

The survey found that 35% of employers are already using e-learning for training. Employers reported that they are using e-learning to deliver customised training in the workplace - reducing employee 'down time', as well as the cost of delivering training offsite.

Other key findings included:

  • VET students and teachers/trainers responded positively to using e-learning - particularly when e-learning is delivered as part of a blended learning experience.
  • 90% of VET students would like at least 'a little' e-learning in their course, and 59% thought using e-learning had increased their confidence and improved their job prospects.
  • 87% of VET teachers and trainers said they now use e-learning, with more than half saying that e-learning has improved their teaching.
  • Nearly 60% of VET teachers and trainers said that e-learning has made learning more interesting and engaging for their students.
  • 56% of RTOs surveyed delivered some units involving e-learning. However, the uptake of e-learning by smaller private and industry-based RTOs is slower than the larger RTOs, with 55% of very small RTOs currently not using e-learning.

The full 2009 survey results are available from the E-learning Indicators website, including a final report which analyses the survey results, and a breakdown of survey results by employer, student, teacher/trainer, RTO, demographic and industry area.

The website also contains a range of tools that can assist RTOs to benchmark their own e-learning activity. Visit http://flexiblelearning.net.au/e-learningindicators to find out more.

This page was generated on 30 October, 2009

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