Registered training organisations (RTOs) in Tasmania can now apply for a share in $144,400 in E-learning Innovations funding and support to implement innovative e-learning solutions for businesses and individuals, tailored to local priorities.

E-learning Innovations funding timelines, information, guidelines and application processes vary in every state and territory.

Read the TAS 2011 E-learning Innovations Guidelines for Applicants for information on how to apply for funding in Tasmania.

Applications can be made from 24 August 2010 using the Expression of Interest application form.

Applications close on 5.00pm AEST on 20 September 2010

To assist you in applying for funding, a free online information session will be held:

Date: Thursday 9 September 2010
Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm
Location: http://tinyurl.com/egems-2011innovations OR https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=675&password=M.8831B0E4AD9F2C0338DBE968E80CB0

Registration is not required. Participants must have access to internet, headphones and a microphone and have installed and configured the Elluminate web conferencing software beforehand.

For more information contact the Tasmanian Innovations Coordinator, Fiona Huskinson:
Phone: (03) 6233 2140          
Email: fiona.huskinson [at] skills.tas.gov.au

so you want to put use that music in your powerpoint presentation?

Designed for VET practitioners, librarians, managers and resource developers with a basic understanding of copyright, this workshop will guide participants in creating and using digital resources, such as text, music and audiovisual material, in teaching and training.
Participants will gain an understanding of the limitations and obligations surrounding the use of digital resources and the range of free licences available, including Creative Commons, statutory licences and educational exceptions. The workshop will also cover compliance and management issues that training organisations should be aware of.

Presenter

As the Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s Copyright Officer, Vanessa uckfield provides expert policy advice on Copyright/IP for the VET sector and maintains the Copyright Kitchen online resource. She also works at the Canberra Institute of Technology managing the repository of digital learning resources, and teaches copyright to music, media and library students.

Date:            Thursday 2 September 2010

When:          12:30pm-1:30pm AEST

Where:         http://tinyurl.com/egems10-copyright

Benchmarking is the process of comparing your organisation’s processes and performance metrics to best practices with others. In this session Framework Project Officer Melanie Worrall, will explore this practice including its use in strategic and operational planning and the development of benchmarking tools such as questions and surveys. Participants will also learn how to use the Framework’s DIY E-learning Benchmarking Tool to compare individual results with state and national results.

Date:            Monday 16 August 2010         
When:          12:30pm-1:30pm AEST
Where:        http://tinyurl.com/2010egems-DIYBenchmarking

e-Gems: Eyes on a green horizon

Jason Patten and Michael Abulencia from RMIT University’s Optometry Department will discuss their lead article Eyes on a green horizon, from Edition 20 of The Knowledge Tree titled It’s e-asy being green. The article discusses the successful transition of RMIT’s Optical Training Program to an e-learning model and shows how the program implemented sustainable practices to benefit training organisations, learners and the community.

Presenters:

Jason Patten has more than fifteen years experience in the VET sector as an
educator, curriculum developer, program coordinator and project manager of dual
sector projects.

Michael Abulencia has more than six years experience in training and supporting
teachers to incorporate flexible delivery and design into their teaching practice.Presenters:

Participants are encouraged to read Eyes on a green horizon to prepare for the session.

Date:            Tuesday 3 August 2010          

When:          12:30pm-1:30pm AEST

Where:        http://tinyurl.com/2010egems-KTed20Live

Small RTO grows with e-learning

In 2009, the introduction of e-learning transformed little-known Island Health College (IHC), a small Tasmanian registered training organisation (RTO) providing natural therapy training to locals, into a nationally recognised training provider with more than 46% of learners enrolled in online modules.

With funding and support from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s (Framework) E-learning Innovations, IHC developed an online program for anatomy and physiology modules, which form part of a number of broader health qualifications. This provided geographically isolated learners in Tasmania with the opportunity to study natural therapies for the first time.   

An online presence helped IHC secure Australian Pilates Method Association (APMA) endorsement as a preferred training provider of modules included in the Advanced Diploma of The Pilates Method, leading to national exposure and recognition for their pilates training.

IHC Director, Diane Donovan said that the online modules provided learners with the opportunity to gain competency in a broad range of qualifications, regardless of their location in Tasmania or on the mainland.  

“Our learners include mature age learners working in the natural health industry and geographically isolated learners from around Tasmania and mainland Australia. The flexibility of online learning enables learning to take place with minimal disruption to day-to-day lives,” Diane said.

IHC uses the Moodle learning management system to deliver online training through forums, live classrooms, assessments and quizzes. Interaction through forums and live classrooms has proven successful in simulating a physical classroom environment and, as such, has become a mandatory requirement for learners participating in the course.

IHC Learning Program Coordinator, Angela Baker, said that it was essential that web conferencing software had the functionality and sophistication needed to provide the level of learner support and interaction associated with a physical classroom. For example, with IHC’s online course, teachers and trainers are able to drag and drop documents from their desktop into the live classroom session, enabling learners to access information on the spot.

With the delivery of online anatomy and physiology modules successfully bedded down, IHC has begun developing course content and delivery strategies for an online Advanced Diploma in Homeopathy, in partnership with trainers and assessors on mainland Australia.

In 2010, IHC plans to embed e-learning in the theoretical components of their entire catalogue of qualifications and expand even further into the national market.

The Framework’s E-learning Innovations business activity integrates and embeds e-learning into the national training system by supporting and enabling innovation in training design and delivery. In 2010, more than 140 projects have been awarded a share of $5.3 million to embed innovative e-learning solutions around Australia. 

This content provided by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s Branding Team

The Knowledge Tree Edition 20 out now!

The Knowledge Tree is an e-journal of learning innovation which aims to provide in-depth knowledge and promote debate about e-learning and innovative teaching and training practices.

 

Edition 20 explores how the vocational education and training (VET) system is responding to the Green Skills Agreement, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in December 2009. The Agreement aims to create national standards for sustainable practice in VET; to revise training packages to include sustainability principles and competencies; and to upskill VET practitioners on sustainability skill delivery.

 

With this in mind, Edition 20 examines how e-learning can provide a model of training delivery that uses sustainable practices, and helps to meet the demand for green skills training.

 

Key questions explored in this edition include:

 ·         How can e-learning help build the green skills needed by business and individuals to contribute to a sustainable, low-carbon economy?

 ·         What’s the implication of the current demand for skilling and reskilling workers to meet Australia’s sustainability targets?

 ·         What features of e-learning can foster sustainable practices in training delivery, eg flexibility, web-based meetings, file sharing and virtual classrooms?

 The following contributions are now available online:

Lead article: Eyes on a green horizon

Jason Patten and Michael Abulencia from RMIT University discuss how RMIT successfully transitioned its Optical Training Program to an e-learning model, and explain how the program implemented sustainable practices with benefits for training organisations, learners and the community.

 Jason and Michael will be available for a live online conversation on Tuesday 3 August from 12:30pm-1:30pm (AEST) as part of the Framework’s e-Gems series of web conferencing sessions.

Article: Virtual classroom, actual sustainability

Michele A Parker (Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Leadership, Watson School of Education, University of North Carolina) writes about how virtual classrooms can foster sustainable practices in education and training delivery. She argues that as technology advances it is increasingly important to use it less for convenience and more for systemic practices that will benefit learners and the environment.

Michele has research interest in the use of technology, including virtual classrooms, e-portfolios, virtual reality, and wikis in both higher education and K-12 settings.

Article: Garden of e-delights

Steve McVey, Director of Skills Strategies International in Western Australia, discusses the Great Gardens project, funded and supported by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s (Framework) E-learning Innovations business activity.

 Great Gardens is a not-for-profit organisation that provides free environmental sustainability workshops showing participants how they can create a sustainable home and garden which uses less water, energy and nutrients and produces less waste.

In partnership with Skills Strategies International, Great Gardens has successfully implemented e-learning strategies to:

·         enhance and expand the provision of environmental sustainability knowledge

·         encourage behavioural change among Western Australia’s urban and rural landowners.

 Interviews:

·         Helen Zwicker from Kiama Community College in New South Wales explains how the Business Sustainabilit-e project helped Business Treading Lightly (an environmental and sustainability consultancy) to adopt web 2.0 technologies and web conferencing. Business Treading Lightly used these technologies to network and communicate with their clients, and to reduce the ecological and financial expenses associated with travel.

 ·         Carole McCulloch, freelance e-learning consultant, and Penny Neudendorf, e-learning manager, Canberra Institute of Technology answer questions on how specific e-learning technologies are facilitating environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Carole examines virtual classrooms and Penny looks at virtual worlds.  

 Text providing by the Australian Flexible Learning’s Branding Team

A slightly quieter month this time - but once it does get underway there are useful online sessions to add to your skills.

 

20 July:   Elluminate – Getting Started          

online (elluminate)  -  WestOne  -  Free  -  1 hr @ 2 pm

http://westone.moodlesites.com/calendar/view.php?view=day&course=6&cal_d=20&cal_m=7&cal_y=2010

 

21 July:   Tips and tricks for developing e-assessment

online (elluminate)  -  e-works  -  Free  -  1 hr @ 12 pm

http://www.tafevc.com.au/tafevc3/workshops.asp#

 

26 July:   What is scenario based learning?

(elluminate) online  -  e-works  -  Free  -  1 hr @12 pm

http://www.tafevc.com.au/tafevc3/workshops.asp#

 

26 July:   E-asing into E-learning

online (elluminate)  -  WestOne   -  Free  -  1 hr @ 2 pm

http://westone.moodlesites.com/calendar/view.php?view=day&course=6&cal_d=26&cal_m=7&cal_y=2010

 

27July:   TFLN:  a practical guide to good online facilitation

face-2-face & online (elluminate)  -  Hobart & elluminate  -  Free  -  1 hr @ 4 pm

 http://emania.org/?p=191

27 July:   Elluminate – Next Steps and Advanced

online (elluminate)  -  WestOne  -  Free  -  1 hr @ 2 pm

http://westone.moodlesites.com/calendar/view.php?view=day&course=6&cal_d=27&cal_m=7&cal_y=2010

Looking for a FREE e-learning professional development opportunity that gives you access to a range of e-learning experts from the comfort of your own desk?

The ‘making e-technology work for you’ online conference taking place on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 June will provide insight into exciting ways to use social media and e-technologies, as well as strategies for embedding e-learning across a range of industry contexts.

The conference will feature a number of interactive web conferencing sessions over the two days, plus lunchtime opportunities to network and interact with some of the presenters and conference delegates.

Featured presentation by international social media guru Jane Hart will show some easy to use social media tools to get your social learning approaches up and running.

For more info about the conference including accessing the program, information flyer and registration details visit: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/content/communities-practice or contact the e-Events Team e-events@flexiblelearning.net.au on (02) 6207 4832 or (02) 6205 4139.

 

Time to start planning how you will be able to set aside some time to attend the e-gems online conference.

Some of the events will include:

• Industry sector projects featured: NSW Community Housing, Child and Family Welfare, EE-Oz  and the baking industry

• e-Standards and VET Teacher E-learning Toolkit by Kristena Gladman

• Social media and cool tools by Jane Hart (international)

• Open source LMS by Jo Kay

• Web 2 tools – exact topic to be confirmed by Sue Hicton

• iPhone apps (and possibly iPad) .

 Possible additional presentations – yet to be confirmed - include:

• e-Portfolios 2009 project of Stephan Ridgway

• embed Twitter into PPT by Tim Elliott (international).

All sessions will take place in Elluminate and generally will run for an hour. As soon as the full program is available I will post it.

Yesterday’s TLFN was well attended, with an excellent and thoughtful presentation from robin (petterd) and great discussion around the topic. Thanks to all who attended for their contributions. It was great to see many new faces around the table.

For those who couldn’t make the session in person or online, the ustream.tv was recorded and is available at  http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/6664492

And his presentation is at http://prezi.com/kflz0nbdf20y/brain-science-and-learning-design/.

Robin will do a follow up blog from the session soon …. he is in Sydney at the moment attending the Serious Games Bar Camp.

What were my immediate take aways:

fear is a great motivator for learning but not to stress people so much that they can’t learn;

stories and scenarios are great ways to engage learners and support their learning;

we remember by building on already existing networks in the brain;

a maximum of four ideas/issues at a time may be the most the ’stage’ of our brain can hold at once.

So I guess that’s it for me