The Virtual Forum of the Puente in the Caribbean Program

1. The Virtual Forum of the Puente in the Caribbean Program January 19-20, 2011 Julie Nurse, Department of Social Development and Employment

2. Evolution of Virtual Learning in Puente in the Caribbean An effort to facilitate ongoing learning and sharing of experiences

4. PUENTE Program Communication Setting STRENGHTS Program participants have already established face to face contact. There is rapport between participants and their respective tutors. Respect and trust has already been established. There are shared goals within the community WEAKNESSES Cultural and linguistic communication barriers. Participants involvement in the program is not a top priority in their daily activities. CHALLENGES Implement an adapted version of the PUENTE Program in the Caribbean. Create a communication strategy that is action oriented towards program implementation. Create a communication strategy that adds value rather than create overload. Create sense of ownership among stakeholders. Overcome the technical/infrastructural limitations

5. Virtual Support System to Implement PUENTE - Concepts

6. Virtual Support System to Implement PUENTE – Tools

7. Project Implementation Goals These goals become the communication framework Learning Goals Social Interaction Goals Setting Goals The success of this virtual community can be determined by examining three types of goals: Examples: • Participants will be able to complete the exploratory phase of the project . • Participants will gain a better understanding of more nuance issues (such as gender) in the implementation of PUENTE in the Caribbean. • The country teams will begin to problem solve and strategize together more often.

8. Administration of Virtual Support System

9. Monitoring Capabilities

10. Results to Date

11. Puente Virtual Forum http://www.educoas.org/RestrictedSites/admin.aspx?culture=en

12. Challenges • Variable access to Internet • Changing the perception of the internet : a tool that can promote productivity! • Language differences • Balancing program’s schedule with online discussions • Balancing regular work activities with online schedules • Promoting and maintaining commitment and participation

13. Lessons • The need for flexibility: topics, duration, membership • The forum serves as a community space which permits continuous contact and interaction, however there is need to explore mechanisms to facilitate regular interaction and maintain the community spirit without creating overload. • The importance of continuous or follow-up training on virtual tools • Services on the Forum represent another item on the program’s menu; countries select what is needed from the menu.

14. Online Course: Areas of Interest by Country

15. The Way Forward • How can we maximize the use of the Forum and the tools that it offers? • How can we promote increased participation? • What other activities and functions should be incorporated? • How can the lessons of the Puente Virtual Forum be used in promoting Virtual Learning in the IASPN?

16. Thank You!