flexiblelearning.net.au

YMCA Perth

Hand-e-fitE-learning Innovations Project

WA 2008

Setting the Scene• In 2007 the Dept. of Sport and Recreation

(DSR) did some research into how the Cert. III in Fitness was being delivered in regional WA– They felt that outcomes for participants

could be improved– At the time the YMCA was working on a

delivery model for the regions

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Setting the Scene• DSR offered to partner with the Y to roll out

our model in regional WA– We commenced a trial with participants in

Exmouth and Carnarvon, in the Gascoyne– The program is delivered largely online

• via a Moodle platform

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Setting the Scene

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Exmouth• Approximately

1270km from Perth• Resident population

of approximately 2400

• 5 hours drive to the next major population centre - Carnarvon

What else could we do?• How else could we enhance the experience

for these learners– Could technology play a part in improving

the quality of the training they receive?

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The Idea

• By utilising a combination of hand-held computing power and video files we could provide;– Just-in-time instruction– Skills development through repetition– The benefit of having someone

demonstrate a piece of gym equipment

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Partnering

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

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Conducted research into what was possible– Previous Framework

projects– What others had

achieved– Overseas

trends/possibilities

Research partnerResearch partner

RTO and e-Learning Consultancy

Partnering

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

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Technology Partner

Information and Communication Technology Solution Provider

Expertise in the field– Technical skills– Previous successes– Solutions that could

be modified

The Technology

• Nokia 6131 NFC• RFID tags• Video files• Telstra Next G

network• TAG IT application

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The Technology

• Nokia 6131 NFC

• RFID tags

• Video files

• Telstra Next G network

• tagIT application

How it works

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

11

How it works• Participant uses the

phone to swipe a tag located on a piece of gym equipment

• Tag activates a request for a video and checks against a server in Tasmania

How it works

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

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How it works

• Participant views a video on how to operate that specific piece of equipment

• Central server records the action

How it works

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

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How it works

How it works

• Click to edit Master text styles– Second level

• Third level– Fourth level

» Fifth level

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How it works

Server checks current

version of video

Video downloaded to phone via Next G

Play requested

video

Participant swipes

RFID tag

Video request sent to server

Usage recorded by the server

NO

YES

Process Flowchart

Speed bumps…

• As with the implementation of anything new there have been technical difficulties– Small video size– Poor sound quality– Metal gym equipment interfering with RFID

operation

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Participant feedback

• The overwhelming response from participants is that the idea is a good one– Technical issues need

resolving– Hand-e-fit needs to be

part of a blended approach to learning

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Participant feedback• The overwhelming

response from participants is that the idea is a good one

− Technical issues need resolving− Hand-e-fit needs to be part of a

blended approach to learning

Possibilities• The technology allows just-in-time skills

training at the ‘coalface’ – wherever that might be

• The technology has practical application across many sectors

• The visual capture capability of the phones could be used for assessment purposes

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Questions??

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