Introduction
Leonie works as a Project Manager of Group Training Australia. Her 2002 Flexible Learning Project explored how best to use flexible learning strategies to engage disadvantaged job seekers in work preparation activities leading to increased access and ongoing participation in New Apprenticeships.

This article summarises the outcomes of Leonie's project. You can access the full resport by
selecting the link at the top of this article. To find out what Leonie is currently involved in,
select the link at the bottom of this article entitled - 'Leonie's 2003 Update'.

Professional Development Goals
• To develop an online community to expand the learning experience for
office administration trainees

Strategies
• Action research project

Outcomes
• Increased quality of learning for trainees
• Increased workplace effectiveness of trainees
• Increased pastoral support for trainees

Learning & implications
Summary of learning
Managers (surveyed) want:
- More interaction between trainees and with training supervisors
- More exposure to theory and different experiences
- More problem solving, ommunication and personal development skills

Trainees (surveyed) need:
- Better connections between work and learning

Learners can be helped to make connections between knowledge and
experience by:
- Finding ways to include reflection and critical thinking
- Using collaboration
- Matching learner environment with learning orientation, learning goals
and learning activities

For a successful online learning environment:
- Participants need a strong recruitment and preparation phase
- Time barriers to participation must be overcome so that both
individual participants and the group as a whole engage in a
level of activity that sustains momentum.
- The difficulties in forming relationships in an online environment should not be
underestimated
- The value of blended learning environments to facilitate stronger
ties should be recognised

Implications for SEMC
Communities in a broad range of forms can extend learning by creating
a structure in which people can learn from informal interactions

The future
The project is a first step in exploring potential opportunities to enhance the
quality of trainee learning, improve workplace effectiveness and better monitor
and support trainees through an online learning environment.

Leonie's 2003 Update
http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/leaders/fl_leaders/fll02/leonie_stanfield.htm