Virtual Learning Environment for the Association of Scottish Community Councils

Site address: http://www.ascc-learning.org.uk (opens in a new window)

CMS: Moodle

Project Goals: Online learning, ability to provide a mix of “taster”, member-only, and accredited courses

The Association of Scottish Community Councils serves over 1,200 Community Councils across Scotland. The nation’s geographical nature makes in-person training of individual groups a difficult prospect. In 2011 we set up a virtual learning environment (VLE) – an online classroom, if you will – on the Moodle platform to provide training and development online in members’ own time.

Courses include basic lessons on the nature of Community Councils which are open to everyone, further courses on specific governance issues which are open to Community Councils only, and advanced accredited courses. Free toolkits are also available to help Community Councils work through practical issues such as running meetings and publicising activities.

The ASCC recently announced that it will be shutting down in 2012. It is envisaged that this VLE can act as a permanent resource for Community Councils after the organisation’s closure.