There’s no doubt that e-learning has opened an exciting range of possibilities and opportunities for learners around the globe. But have all learners had the chance to join in the revolution?

In this edition of The Knowledge Tree we tackle the question of whether e-learning fosters social inclusion and ask how it can foster amongst equity groups equal participation in training and workforce development.

Contributions include:

Lead article: Engaging Indigenous learners through mobile learning: more than adding a new gadget

In this lead article, Ruth Wallace, Senior VET Lecturer and researcher at Charles Darwin University, explores how socially inclusive m-learning pedagogy and technologies can engage Indigenous learners, drawing on two examples from the Northern Territory.

Creating inclusive e-learning

Psychologist Andrew Downie, who is currently working at the NSW Centre for Learning Innovation, considers the impact of the e-learning revolution on learners from various backgrounds, including learners with disabilities. Focusing on interactive, remotely delivered resources, Andrew recommends ways to accentuate e-learning’s benefits while minimising its potential disadvantages.

Are the digital natives restless?

Research specialists Victor Callan, Annie Fergusson and Melanie Worrall provide an overview of upcoming research into how young learners engage with new technologies, and how technology can act as an enabler for youth disengaged from traditional learning approaches.

 You can also read the articles Learning technology for all by Helen Lynch and

Looking @ 2.0 – A program to meet a community need by Linda Barron.

Interviews

·         Jean Johnson and Jonny Dyer from Inclusion Trust discuss how to foster social inclusion and empower marginalised members of society through innovative learning strategies.

·         Owen O’Neill from the Framework’s E-standards for Training team talks about the importance of technical standards and how they can be implemented to develop accessible and inclusive e-learning.

·         Lesley Cioccarelli from Canberra Institute of Technology discusses the innovative use of virtual classroom (web-conferencing) technology with migrant learners, and learners with low literacy and numeracy levels.

You can also view a video presentation by Peter Shanks on the future of e-learning!

We hope you enjoy Inclusivit-e Edition 21 of The Knowledge Tree!