Community discussion forum and online training

Two new features to introduce to the upcoming Homestay Network website are the community discussion forums and online training.

Homestay community discussion forums

The Homestay Network website features a community-driven discussion forum for all members of the site to participate in. Families, students and supervisors alike can communicate and interact with other members of similar type within the network. This ease and efficiency of communication will assist students in learning and interacting with other students from around the country, and also provide Homestay Hosts with a valuable community for asking questions and discussing matters amongst each other.

Online training

A major feature of the Homestay Network website is the online training and testing modules. We are currently working hard to develop a comprehensive training system into the site which will essentially provide Homestay Hosts with all the information they will ever need in regard to operating a Homestay within Australia. All training will be undertaken online and the system will provide users with self-assessment tests so they can actively judge their own knowledge in relation to Homestay.

Aside from providing training for Homestay Hosts, the system will also provide professional development for Supervisors and Managers alike, in order to improve the professionalism, efficiency and compliance of all homestay providers within Australia. I will post screen-shots shortly offering a more visual understanding of the new Homestay Network Training modules as the development continues.

Website features: Interactive mapping tools

Another fantastic feature that we are proud to announce is the interactive mapping that is built into the Homestay Network website system. By integrating Google Maps into the website, we have developed an extremely fast and useful system for allowing students to find the exact homestay that appeals to them.

By searching within the region that their institution is located, a student is automatically presented with a list of hosts that match their specific needs. We'll go into further detail of the search and matching criteria that the system relies upon in another post. For now, please have a look at the following two screen captures of the Homestay Network mapping system in action.

Homestay Network mapping tool

This page displays a map of Brisbane Australia with a number of 'placemarks' listed. The main placemark that is open is a brief introduction to a Host's profile. The student can click the link in this window to view the full profile of this Host.

Important placemarks and other local amenities

Other placemarks are listed on the map to give the student a better idea of the features and amenities that are located in the surrounding area. This will help the student in choosing which Homestay to stay with. These placemarks may include local shopping centres, public transport and sports/activity venues.

We're sure you'll agree that the introduction of interactive mapping will have huge benefits in the placement of students in Homestay throughout Australia, and also of giving the students a much clearer understanding of the homes they will be living in during their stay.

If you have any feedback or questions, please use the comments link below.

Website features and design

Hello,

My name is Ben Petro and I'm the lead system developer for the Australian Homestay Network website. Over the coming weeks, I will be introducing you to a selection of screen-captures and features of the system that we are developing. The purpose of these brief presentations will be to showcase the fruits of our labour and give you a chance to see the product in its development stage.

I would also like to encourage you to comment on the posts and give us your feedback and thoughts. The Australian Homestay Network is a revolutionary system aimed at improving and streamlining the access and delivery of all aspects of Homestay within Australia. The only way we will successfully reach this goal is by responding to the feedback of its users.

And now, on with the show....

Site Interface

This displays the homepage of the AHN website. From this screen, the main access points for entry are Guests, Students, Hosts, Supervisors and Managers. Each 'user-type' has control over different aspects and features of the system. Users access the site via a login screen (below) by entering a unique username and password. Each user of the site, whether they are a student, host, supervisor of any other, has their own personal login information which ensures only the correct person can access any confidential information in the system.

Student login

That's all for today's brief introduction to the Australian Homestay Network website system. I look forward to providing you with more insight into the development in the coming weeks. If you have any feedback or questions, please add a 'comment' to this post.

Disclaimer: Please remember that all content and images shown are in their development phase only and may include errors/omissions.