Online Learning

Karen Jenkins & Giselle Elliott

As a learning centre, we are always interested in new developments in learning. There were mixed feelings about the responsibility of entering into the Shipley Online partnership including:

excitement at a new project
scepticism of the concept
siting of the equipment
apprehension at take-up
optimism at the opportunity to open up the centre to new learners
anxiety over responsible staff's IBM and Learning System
wariness of the ability to fulfil the ESF Objective 2 criteria

 

 

All these emotions were put together to build a pioneering attitude. Fears were allayed with the introduction of system training and as local residents heard about the project, the steady stream of prospective trainees began. As the project took hold we realised that there were people out there who could not , for one reason or another, access mainstream structured courses.

 

Local people were delighted with Shipley Online. The prospect of being able to start learning mid-term was ideal for those who had just become unemployed. Our admin department also contacted those in the area who had been successful in securing a place on a course, offering the opportunity to learn immediately instead of waiting until the next term. There was also the chance for people with childcare needs to study when there was creche availability.

 

This centre considers that Shipley Online has been a wonderful innovation for local people wanting to study and get to grips with the IT age. We at New Start feel privileged to have been involved.

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