Jim Mark, an Electronics teacher and software
developer, started writing Computer Managed Learning software
in 1982 well before Desk top computers were even invented. Jim
used this software to implement courses using flexible delivery
methods to students in the subject area of electronics whilst
in the Australian Army. Jim left the Army in 1985 and then began
implementing his ideas within the Victorian TAFE system. By
1993, he had set up a successful flexible delivery unit in the
Electronics department at Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE.
Jim took a teaching exchange to Canada in 95-96 to seek out
web based versions of what he required. Jim found nothing that
met his needs. Most of what was commercially available overseas
was University based and targetted. What was required was an
online system designed for the Vocational Education and Training
(VET) sector. The VET sector in Australia has poured
hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayers money into trying
to make these overseas University designed systems work in the
Australian VET sector. These systems work well within the University
sector but are like a "fish out of water" when applied
to the VET sector which has distinctly different requirements
for teaching and learning. The VET sector could have implemented
an Australian VET specific system that actually works with as
much content as needed for a fraction of the cost and in a fraction
of the time.
Whilst in Canada, Jim duplicated the Bendigo model at Seneca
College in Toronto. A third version of his requirements was
written during this exchange in partnership with Nathan Thiyaragarajah
in Toronto, Canada. This system had the same functionality and
was an Intranet version of Jim's requirements. When he returned
from Canada in July 96, preparations began for the 4th version
(a web based version) of Jim's requirements which eventually
became WebTrain.
During the 3 decade period this has taken, Jim developed
a number of electronic methods of content delivery, assessment,
tutoring and reporting that have achieved outstanding results.
Webtrain has now created over 2500 online lessons and assessment
programs being delivered to tens of thousands of students
around the world. Jim's main aim was to make Computer or Web
based training accountable and viable from all perspectives. Web-based training works if you supply what is actually required by the people who will use the system.
By gathering accurate data and building a series of feedback
loops into the development and delivery cycle, he was able
to ensure meaningful, effective content/assessment and provide
the means to develop WebTrain in a live education
and training situation. Out of this development came an online
development and delivery platform which gives learners, tutors,
developers and administrators some very powerful tools. Jim
has proven this model with 4 different software programs.
WebTrain is only the web based version.
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