I presented some of my findings on lessons learned today – at last I’m beginning to contribute some thinking. The presentation came from a draft conference paper I have prepared entitled Lessons Learned from Corporate VLE Design Experience.
Abstract: Four purpose-built virtual learning environments were designed and developed by learning practitioners of an Australian consulting firm using the enterprise wiki Confluence 3.1 (Atlassian Pty Ltd). The intention of the asynchronous environments was to support and extend knowledge and skill development from the classroom into the workplace. Action research methodology was used to both facilitate the design approach and reflect upon the design process. Design decisions were biased by practitioner perceptions of learning, technology and professional practice. Lessons learned were synthesised into practitioner perceptions of VLE usefulness (content, learning tasks, facilitation approach) and ease of use (interface design, platform administration). Although vibrant asynchronous social learning activity was not achieved, learning practitioners from three programs considered the VLE a successful and worthwhile initiative. The design experience resulted in a refinement of workplace learning strategy, adjustment of expectations of learner commitment to a virtual environment, creation of a learning technology consultation framework and clarification of practitioner roles and responsibilities.
(VLE = Virtual Learning Environment)
