The major objective for our Learnscope team was to allow Trainers and Assessors to modify and develop delivery and assessment using the Hospitality Toolbox without a Learner Management System (LMS) or web based platforms.  The costs for small RTO's makes the use of these forms of systems prohibitive.

The team spent a considerable amount of time, looking at alternatives, with the end result being too costly an option.

We then looked at using the Toolbox as an assistive learning tool and creating additional tools to compliment the learning and assessment processes.

One of the main projects was working through procedures to ensure authenticity.

All team members have identified a Unit of Competency from the Hospitality Training Package and developed a training and assessment matrix that ensured compliance with the AQTF.  We then gathered training resources and tools that could be used to compliment the Toolbox in much the same way as if the learner was using the toolbox with a LMS.

We now have an Evaluation process we can use with the assessment review for on-line delivery.  This template was based on a template from the Flexible Learning Framework web page.   Example below.

Modification of Assessment process for on-line delivery

This has been a lengthy process to work through the assessment procedures and tasks to ensure authenticity.  With combinations of telephone, email and face to face methods to establish a reliable blue print of the personality of the assessment responses from individuals.

The Learnscope project has been invaluable for all involved with an increased interaction both formally and informally between industry, trainers and RTO's. 

The project has allowed us all to take the time to look at alternative methods of delivery, mix and match and get feedback from the learner on what suits them.  We have had very positive feedback from not only learners but trainee employers who are pleased with the motivation of their staff to take on the learning.

We have found through this project that the KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid) rule applies.  The learner gets over the clever layout of a web page and realy only wants the facts all on the same page, the exercises and tasks set out clearly.  CROSSWORDS are good for exercises if they have time, but they'd rather do the exercises in the form of a task on the job and then get straight into assessments.  Portfolios are by far the most popular, because the learner has to take responsibility for proving competence and can mix the tasks and find the appropriate criteria to match.  This way they are way ahead of a classroom based learner because they show the key competencies in each unit of competency as well.

Cherry Jackson