COMPLETING THE TRAINEESHIP PICTURE Using a learning community to put the pieces together. Reflection Content Activity Interaction Experts Community Project Description With the aim of facilitating reflection on their traineeship learning, 22 office administration trainees were invited to participate in a 4 week online community. The community activities designed were not complex or necessarily time consuming eg discussion forums, game, chat, partnered activity, and gave participants choice and flexibility to choose what to participate in. Varying levels of involvement were expected due to individual workplace situations. Trainees were asked to incorporate online participation into their existing day to day work. Will learning be enhanced by bringing geographically dispersed trainees together online to reflect on and share their learning experiences with others? In the pilot project outlined here the answer was YES and NO!

COMPLETING THE TRAINEESHIP PICTURE Using a learning community to put the pieces together. Features of the Pilot Online Community Aimed to integrate theory with practice Reflective activities to extract meaning from experience Learner centred & controlled environment Able to be matched to learner goals Content could be constructed to be personally meaningful for individual participants Social interaction Individual and collaborative activity Activities limited to meet realistic time demands Extrinsic rewards for participation Access to expert views Capacity to address real problems Connecting to others stories / views Sharing common experiences / beliefs Have fun Reflection Content Activity Interaction Experts Community

COMPLETING THE TRAINEESHIP PICTURE Using a learning community to put the pieces together. Overcoming Barriers: Learner preparation Give attention to the recruitment and learner preparation phase to identify and effectively deal with barriers. Learner motivation The importance of participation by a critical mass to sustain learner motivation. Learner time Without adequate time to participate, the learners best intentions and a good online environment can be wasted. Learner connections The limitations of an online environment for forming relationships should be recognised and strategic use of face to face interaction utilised where possible. Reflection Content Activity Interaction Experts Community