The GBIF Secretariat seeks to reinforce GBIF's distant learning capacity with a new electronic learning (eLearning) facility called the GBIF Virtual Classroom and expects to collect the input of the GBIF Community by the creation of a Task Group on eLearning.

To test and select an Open Source eLearning platform for the Global GBIF Virtual Classroom, and provide recommendations and guidelines on the use and population of contents of such platform.

The task group was constituted in February 2010 with the following mandate:

• evaluate two Open Source eLearning platforms: Moodle and ATutor, using the test servers set up by the GBIF Secretariat for this purpose;
   
• test the two platforms using real training content in different formats and of different nature (text, multimedia, interactive, tests, etc) always in the topics defined in the GBIF Training Plans for 2009-2010;
  
  
• explore the GBIF Community interests and needs in regards to eLearning:
  • what are the existing eLearning initiatives (or plans) in the GBIF Community?
  • which are the topics that better adapt to this media?
  • what are the priorities among these topics?
  • what are the preferred formats for transmitting these contents?
  • what are the regional characteristics that need to be taken into consideration?
  • etc.
  This process can be implemented through online surveys or any other mechanism;
   
• as a result of the overall work of the Task Group, a report must be sent to the GBIF Executive Secretary on or before the end of July 2010, with the following contents:
• a summary of the results of the consultative process within the GBIF Community, including contents and prioritisation on future GBIF eLearning training plans;
• recommendations and best practices for creating, adapting and exchanging GBIF-related eLearning materials;

The Task Group submitted its final report to the GBIF Secretariat in December 2010:

• Download the full report clicking here.
• Annex II on the consultation with GBIF Nodes about training and electronic learning can be downloaded as a separate document clicking here.
• The response from the GBIF Secretariat on its plans for the implementation of such recommendations can be accessed clicking here.