From Researching Virtual Initiatives in Education
The NETschool (NETschool Bendigo) is an annexe of Bendigo Senior Secondary College, a government blended learning school located in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia.
NETschool is a community-based project that works with young people (15-20 years) who are experiencing difficulties with mainstream schooling but who have a desire to get back into with learning: young mothers or those who are mentally and physically not ready for mainstream schooling. As stated in their 2010 report, until coming to NETschool 100% of our learners have been out of school or very close to exiting.
Learners learn face-to-face or online through the Bendigo Online Community.
Learners work around real-world projects that interest them, at a Centre or online.
In 2010 NETschool has worked with 87 learners, of which 16 learners attended all or part of their programme back in Bendigo Senior classrooms or by attending certificate courses.
Home-based learning has two strands:
- Young mums or mums-to-be who are wishing to continue or commence their VCE.
- Learners who at this point in time, cannot manage physically or emotionally the demands of Centre Based learning. Young people in this category complete Research Based Learning, are expected to attend NETschool at least once a week and are to gradually transfer into the Centre Based program when they are ready and when a place is available. In 2010 mental health as a reason for not succeeding in school has increased to 47 learners
from the total pool of 87.
The NETschool web site is at http://www.netschoolbendigo.vic.edu.au.
More Details
NETschool was founded in 2005 in order to re-engage young people in work or study. Its features online curriculum, personal interaction and mentorship.
NETschool was included in the OECD's CERI - Innovative Learning Environments: The Innovative Cases Strand as an Inventory Case Study.
NETschool enhances the concept of schools working with and within their school networks and communities to meet the learning needs of all young people; it promotes the concept of community responsibility for and ownership of the issue of youth retention and education.
It aims to work on two levels for learners:
- achieving successful education outcomes and/or skills to begin work.
- developing social and life skills.
Learners work with curriculum that meets their individual needs and interests with support from :
- a personal learning mentor
- appropriate community welfare agencies
- online learning
NETschool learners are able to learn through their interests and plan their work around real world projects through research based learning.
Learning happens online, through telephone chats and face-to-face sessions are also possible. The Personal Development programme, Motivational Outside Value Experience (MOVE) - the only compulsory programme at NETschool - also organises MOVE - Open Sessions once a week for home-based learners to attend at a centre. Home Based learners are sometimes required to attend sessions at the NETschool Centre.
NETschool Bendigo project has worked with LaTrobe University to evaluate how it works, see NETschool's report in 2010 and the research reports: http://www.netschoolbendigo.vic.edu.au/research.shtml.
References
> Australia
> Australasia