Why Online Training?
"Online Training" is one of the fastest growing areas of vocational training in the world. The internet and the resultant communications revolution has torn apart problems of distance and time, so that one can literally study when and how you like. There are other benefits also:

• You are able to work where you choose - at work or at home or both
• You are not bound by set days and hours - work when you want and for as long as you like
• You belong to part of an online community - the internet version of a classroom
• You do not have to wait until a course starts, as you can start at any time
• In the process of studying you gain an increased mastery of the internet and its various tools

Who can do Online Training?
If you are able to use a computer, have access to the internet, and preferably a printer and an interest in the subject being taught you could be pleasantly surprised at how much you can learn online. You are not dependant on a fixed location and can learn at your own pace. You can communicate with other course members who may be located all around Australia. Support is provided to participants who have technical difficulties.

Accessing course notes and assessments
Courses are run by making available to you only the notes and assignments relating to your current module. When module assignments have been completed and returned, material for the following module is available immediately, so you can work at your own pace.
You can revisit notes issued in earlier modules at any time.

The Online Course Community
In a class room you can ask questions, mix with other students and generally get a feel for how you are progressing compared with others. You can also make friends. At its best this a learning community. On the net these factors are present and we turn to other methods involving you as a class or group of trainers or participants.. The WEA has given much thought to how this Learning Community can be created, and will be adding techniques as they become available and are suitable for your course. 

Immediately you commence your course you will be able to:

• email comments and questions to your tutor
• Through our discussion board make comments, ask questions and get views of other participants. 

If it will add to the feeling of the community and foster learning we may add ICQ and/or chat rooms. Advice as to how to use these resources will be provided. See:

ICQ - www.icq.com
Yahoo Groups - groups.yahoo.com

Access to the online site will be available only to the course participants and the tutor via the use of a password.