What a project – what a team – over the past five months ...

The diverse Racing towards Flexible Delivery team came from all facets of the industry – Industry Training Department Manager and support staff, Apprentice Jockey Mentors, TAFE Horse Trainers and Stipendiary Steward.

We formed and EXPLORED the wonderful world of on-line learning tools and applications.

We ASSESSED our entry point capability levels.

We established our EXPECTATIONS for the key areas – NSW Thoroughbred Racing Board, the students, the trainer/facilitators and the resources.

We LEARNT so much .... words from Leanne, Apprentice Jockey Mentor ....

‘I realised how much more use a computer can be and made me much more aware of available resources. How interest can learning become? I feel the whole concept of flexible delivery can only contribute positively to the best learning outcome results for each individual who participates’.

We stormed into APPLYING our learning by becoming ‘the students’ in two modules of the Racing On-line Product.

We normed through REFLECTION on our learning ... words from Marg, Horse Industry Trainer ....

‘Increased knowledge and awareness of the diversity of on-line training currently available. Increased ability to judge ‘good’ and ‘bad’ features. Also awareness of the learner’s perspective is most important! Especially time management versus motivation and the desire to complete tasks.’

We established our list of Good Practice Pointers, Racing On-line Review Report with recommendations and developed our future ACTION PLAN.

Check out Garry’s succinct PowerPoint presentation ‘Good Practice Observations’ attached.

The critical factors that contributed to the success of our LearnScope Project identified by team members include:

The clear and precise Project Plan with specific objectives and time-line.

• The make-up of the team – incorporating geographically dispersed cross-disciplined members.
  
• An achievable, well spaced timeline that took into account other commitments of team members.
  
• Chunking the learning process into achievable ‘bites’.
  
• Establishing ‘expectations’ of team members at the first workshop – this assisted members in ‘knowing’ what they wanted to achieve.
  
• Conduction pre and post Skills Audits – provided an indicator of the increase in member capability levels.
  
• The role of the Learning Facilitator – demonstrating ‘good practice’ in keeping communication lines open, providing motivation and support for members.
  
• The opportunity for team members from all sections of the Racing Industry to get to know each other, to learn together, share their individual discoveries and establish a joint vision for moving “Racing towards Flexible Delivery’ forward.

Overall the project has provided team members with the opportunity to investigate and learn about current flexible delivery resources, tools and processes. The Skills Audit review showed that all members increased their knowledge and skills in the capability areas. All have a better understanding of the vast array of options available for on-line learning and flexible delivery as well as the hurdles that need to be overcome.

The Good Practice Pointers, Racing On-line Review and Action Plan will assist in moving forward and 'jumping these hurdles'.