E-Learning Project

Summary

Red meat producers and advisors can develop new skills anytime, anywhere, with MLA's free eLearning platform The Toolbox. It's easy to access and offers a flexible way for users to expand their skills. The toolbox eLearning platform consists of a collection of digital resources for red meat producers, featuring training packages, tips, tools and calculators. It includes a range of packages designed to build skills across a range of topics such as animal health and welfare, genetics and feedbase management. The training packages include quizzes, images and videos, and suit a range of learning styles. All that is required to access the platform is a computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access. The toolbox is easy to navigate and training packages are self-guided so participants can work through them at their own pace.

Objectives

The core objectives of the project were:

Delivery of an eLearning education platform that enhances producers understanding of MLA research projects outputs,

A method to capture user login details and preferences for their future use and improved MLA reporting,

A method that increases producers understanding, knowledge and implementation of MLA RD&A across all levels of the market,

Ability to activate external content into the modules via linking MLA tools and calculators,

A feedback loop to allow continuous improvement of the system over time,

Enhanced engagement information through the analysis of learner analytics.

Benefits to industry

The eLearning ecosystem delivered in the project provides a comprehensive source of interactive learning and assessment tools available to the red meat industry in Australia. The structured content delivery caters to producers of all knowledge levels in a way that has not been previously provided. Finally, the ability to monitor user engagement and extract analytics affords valuable insight into industry trends and behaviors that were inaccessible beforehand.

MLA action

MLA is using the outcome of this project, the Toolbox, to create new pathways to adoption of R&D activities. Research project outputs, including tools, factsheets, case studies and videos are made more accessible to producers via the eLearning platform.

Future research

It is recommended to include training providers in the delivery of training packages where appropriate to increase user engagement, participation, understanding and implementation of research and development. It is suggested that this be achieved using a flipped or blended learning approach.