Case Study - Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE and the Wimba Voice Tools:

Given the even spread of students across the two models of learning in use - blended and exclusively online learning - the college has identified some clear differences in the issues each category of students face:

Blended learners

They use the online learning technologies as a resource, for example to refer to a page of topic notes. Their use of online learning is generally resource driven, using it in a way which supplements the face-to-face learning activities.

Exclusively online learners

They require a LOT more online facilitation and interaction online. GippsTAFE believes that in order for learning to be successful, it is important that students feel that they are part of a community of learners. The college specifically works with teachers to help them develop skills for teaching online so that they can engage their students in an online environment - both synchronously and asynchronously. The college has a model where online learning is heavily facilitated so that the students are supported. This is to compensate for the fact that students don't have the luxury of calling into a campus and seeing their fellow students or their teacher whenever they want. The need for online environments which support the development and ongoing activity of communities of learners is therefore of high importance.