| 102 Room 520-A | Sexuality, Desire and Pleasure Sunday, July 10, 2005 Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM |
Sex-On-Line: Sexuality Education for the 21st Century.
Weerakoon, Patricia*,1, 1 School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Sydney, Lidcombe, BSW, Australia
ABSTRACT- Topic and Rationale:
The availability and ease of use of the internet has revolutionised the information highway of the global community. It is now possible to provide an interactive program for sexuality professionals internationally with updated information and opportunities for expert opinions and synchronous chats. The need for globally relevant sexuality education is accepted. It is timely that we consider how the internet tool could be utilised as a portal for the purpose.
Objectives:
The overall aim of the workshop is to develop guidelines for the use of internet based, on-line education for global sexuality education. The objectives of the workshop will be to:
1. Present tools currently available for on-line learning.
2. Explore the use of on-line learning for attitude assessment and value clarification.
3. Demonstrate expert consultation on-line.
4. Explore on-line counselling.
5. Set guidelines for the use of on-line sex-education in the global arena.
Session outline and Methodology:
Participants will be sent internet material (in the form of information and interactive sites) prior to the workshop. The workshop will be a hands-on interactive session. Participants will work (either individually or in twos) at computers linked to the internet. Short demonstrations by the leader will be followed by time for internet work and small group discussion. The demonstrations will include on-line quizzes, synchronous and asynchronous chats and expert consultation. A final report will be produced by the workshop leader and sent to all participants.
Relevance of the Issue:
The need for global sexuality education is recognised. The internet provides a tool for presentation of information and training to in parts of the world which may be unable to access mainline education. As sexologists we need to seize the opportunity to utilise this for sexuality education. This workshop will result in expert guidelines for this process.
Description of Audience: This workshop will be useful for all providers and consumers of sexuality information and education.
NOTE:
This workshop requires a room with computers connected to the internet. It is possible to develop a round table discussion of this presentation in the absence of such a facility. Thank you.
Key words: sex education, On-line learning, Internet, distance learning