You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink. Likewise, you can lead students to computers, but you can’t offer them engaging courses – unless VET practitioners have developed and honed the skill sets required to effectively implement e-learning.

In this edition of The Knowledge Tree we expose the skill sets vital for VET practitioners to make lively, interesting, informative and educational e-learning. How do we support and acknowledge those who have these skills – and how do we ensure that otherwise effective classroom educators aren’t left behind?

Wikis, tagging, increased use of online social networking – so much has changed, even in the past five years. Through a range of contributions, we get to the heart of what it will take for VET practitioners to meet their students ever-changing needs.

Internationally recognized futurist Elliott Masie was credited with co-inventing the term ‘e-learning’. He offers a think-piece, Defining the ‘e’ in e-learning, in which he takes readers on a journey from e-learning’s humble beginnings to current global practices and future possibilities. He explores how both teachers and learners require new skill sets, roles and adaptations.

Annie Fergusson, Benchmarking and Research Business Manager of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, provides an overview of what must happen on a macro level if VET practitioners are to effectively update their skills to adapt to e-learning environments. She makes her points using recent VET research and the Framework’s annual Benchmarking survey, which reports on the uptake and use of e-learning by training organisations, students and VET practitioners.

Results of the 2009 Benchmarking survey will be available from 16 October. As part of the ‘e-Gems’ series of synchronous online sessions, The Knowledge Tree will on Monday 19 October at 12:30 – 1:30 AEDST present a web-conferencing session analysing the results. Ian Phillips will be the presenter, supported by Annie Fergusson. For more details visit: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/egems

Cathy Moore is an international e-learning instructional designer, soon to tour Australia. In an interview in this edition she explains how we can ‘dump the drone’ of e-learning design and instead create engaging, memorable and lively e-learning.

In addition, we offer several interviews with Australian e-learning practitioners as they consider, among other issues, the differences between skills needed for face-to-face teaching and e-learning, the effective use of Web 2.0 tools, and ‘the how’ in acknowledging new skill sets. The interviewees are:

• Michelle Potts (TAFE SA)
• Janice Calcei (WestOne Services and WA E-learning Coordinator)
• Terese Morgan (TAFE QLD and Qld E-learning Coordinator)
• Michael Gwyther (RTO Yum Productions, VIC)
• Ben Stokes (MD of SAPOT training organisation, SA); and
• Vivian Evans (TAFE NSW and consultant in synchronous online facilitation)

Edition 19 also sees Sue Lapham, Western Australia representative on the Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG), inviting VET practitioners to the new interactive Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) website. Here providers can develop e-learning skills sets and knowledge by finding resources and collaborating with others.

To help introduce readers to this new learning hub, we offer presentations based on Kim Edgar’s recent ‘e-Gems’ web-conferencing session. Kim, Manager for VET Projects at Education.au and Business Manager for the LORN business activity for the Framework, explores the exciting tools available at the site and explains how to join groups, connect with colleagues and collaborate online.

We hope you enjoy this edition of The Knowledge Tree and, as always, we look forward to your feedback.