Online delivery: Making the rough road smooth

Australian Catholic University is a multi-campus university with campuses in Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, and learning centres spread Australia wide and abroad.

This paper reports on the implementation of two information technology based units which are offered online by the School of Education in New South Wales in the MEd program. They have allowed groups of widely dispersed students to become part of a virtual online learning community. A key objective of the instructional model is the development of a virtual learning environment in which participants are supported in their learning by instructional material, a user friendly interface, the presenters and other participants. A number of factors are identified which indicate the success of this initiative in meeting the individual needs of this particular group of life long learners. Evidence is presented that this mode of delivery raises barriers to engagement in learning. For some people these barriers prove insurmountable while for the majority these become only temporary hurdles to straddle in achieving success. Those who succeed are empowered by the acquisition of new knowledge, skills and an enhanced understanding of learning.