VET goes virtual: Can web conferencing be an effective component of teaching and learning in the vocational education and training sector?

One of the research objectives of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) is to build the research capacity of the vocational education and training (VET) sector. To this end, NCVER made a number of new researcher awards to support the attendance of new researchers at NCVER's 2007 'No Frills' conference. One of these awards went to Toni-Maree Pettigrew, and this paper, of which she is a co-author, is based on her presentation at the conference.

New technology has revolutionised the delivery of distance education in recent years, as well as changed the educational experience of on-campus students. However, the educational benefits of personal interaction remain undiminished, and now the challenge is to harness technology to promote that interaction. One such technology is web conferencing, the subject of this paper. It chronicles the perceptions, expectations and practical experiences of 12 VET teachers and approximately 40 students across a range of vocational training areas in the use of web conferencing for learning and teaching.

Key messages:

• The motivation for web conferencing is to reduce costs (especially travel) and to enrich the educational experience of students.
• The experience was generally viewed very positively. Collaboration and interactivity enabled a greater sense of connection to the learning experience for both students and teachers. The technology promoted flexible options for group learning and provided an ability to return to recorded sessions at a later date.
• Students are unforgiving of technical glitches and they require appropriate broadband and technical equipment such as headsets.
• Opportunities for business development with industry were also apparent.
  
  

Tom Karmel
Managing Director, NCVER