The one-off funding, from the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), will support approximately three new industry sectors to integrate e-learning into workforce development between November 2010 and June 2011. This follows last week’s announcement that the Framework has received the go ahead for its activities until the end of June 2011*.

This funding is different to the current ten industry sectors receiving ongoing Framework support to embed e-learning over two to four years. Read more about the continuing industry sectors

Applications can be submitted by:

• employers in partnerships with other employers
• industry and professional associations that are representative of an industry sector with a named and committed employer/s.

Successful industry sectors must demonstrate strong employer engagement and have an established relationship with an RTO which will provide guidance on good e-learning design and ensure that training meets national standards and uses e-learning infrastructure.

Project teams incorporate RTOs to ensure growth of training provider and business partnerships in VET and alignment to the national training system.

In order to meet national priorities, preference will be given to applications which clearly demonstrate how the embedding activity is likely to lead to more people with qualifications at Certificate III level or above. 

For more information, including selection criteria, download the 2010-2011 Industry Guidelines from the E-learning for Industry website: http://industry.flexiblelearning.net.au

In deciding which level of funding to apply for, applicants should consider the relative complexity of the project, the size of the industry, and the ability to meet deadlines. Co-investment by industry is required.

E-learning Innovations funding is also available in each state and territory to support business-training provider partnerships. If you are an employer seeking an innovative e-learning solution to better meet the training needs of your business, then partnering with an RTO for this state/territory based funding is recommended. For more information contact your local Innovations Coordinator.

If you have any questions regarding the application process after reviewing the guidelines, please contact: Kerry Manikis, A/g Business Manager Industry Integration of E-learning, on (02) 6207 3267 or kerry.manikis@cit.act.edu.au.  

Business cases must be received by COB Monday 18 October 2010.

*The six month allocation, to end of June 2011, will bring the Framework funding cycle in line with other funding arrangements under the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), which are based on a financial calendar year.

Good instructional design can maximise the effectiveness, efficiency and appeal of teaching and training.

Broadly, instructional design is about designing effective learning experiences. And while some theories of instructional design incorporate the online environment, many were designed with other mediums in mind.

The Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s (Framework) Benchmarking and Research Project Officer, Melanie Worrall, will facilitate the CoP exploring:

• instructional design approaches
• how they can be applied in an online environment
• what tools are available
• how to appropriate theories for your learners.

Practitioners, both familiar with or new to instructional design, are encouraged to share information, tips and personal experiences around instructional design.

You will need to register in order to participate in the Instructional design and online environments CoP. Registration is free and only takes a few minutes.

For further instructions on how to join, visit the hub’s frequently asked questions.

View the list of Framework interest groups

Upcoming e-Gems session 16 September

Melanie Worrall will be available for a live chat on Thursday 16 September. The Know it, try it, do it? - Instructional design and the online environment session will explore the activity generated in the instructional design CoP.

Date:  Thursday 16 September 2010
Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm AEST
Location: http://tinyurl.com/egems-instructionaldesign

Find out more about e-Gems

Interest groups on flexiblelearning.net.au allow practitioners to engage with like-minded people and share information.

The popularity of iPods, MP3 players and smartphones means these devices are convenient tools for delivering course content to learners if they are unable to attend class – for example, due to geographical location or work commitments.

These tools provide an alternative to text books, allowing learners to access training in a format that suits their individual needs. The result is engaging and flexible content which is available to all learners, including those with low literacy levels, a hearing impairment or dyslexia.  

Stephan Ridgway from Sydney Institute of TAFE’s Workforce Development Unit has been involved in delivering this technology in vocational education and training for more than 10 years and has seen the benefits it provides.

“Podcasts and vblogs allow teachers and trainers to build a library of accessible and current resources. They can effectively provide their learners with up to date information to prepare for class or to support an in-class activity or lessons,” Mr Ridgway said.

Teachers and trainers can free up time in the classroom for practical learning activities by encouraging learners’ to listen to podcasts or watch vblogs before coming to class. The advantage here is that learners can then control the stream of information by rewinding and listening to segments again without taking up valuable class time.  

But how do you ensure your learners get the most out of the technology?

Despite the advantages of audiovisual technologies, Stephan does warn practitioners to be aware of the expectations behind the technology.

“Innovative technology is all about currency and availability. There is an expectation that podcasts and vblogs are episodic [serial] and will be updated frequently, so practitioners must be able to dedicate time to producing interesting recordings that will satisfy that need,” he said.

When considering the use of audiovisual technology for teaching and training, you need to take a strategic approach and plan your sessions based on a series of elements.

What you need to consider:

Technology - Do you have the technology to produce a podcast or vblog?
You will need recording equipment and a podcasting service to produce and deliver a podcast.

Find out what tools are available to help you

Appropriateness - Who is your audience?
Consider if a podcast or vblog will suit your content. For example, vblogs need to be visually stimulating – so someone standing at a lectern giving a speech would be better presented in a podcast.

It is important to find out how tech savvy your learners are. To be sure they will use podcasts, find out what portable devices they own and are comfortable with (eg iPods, MP3 players, smartphones).

Be aware that if you teach learners with a hearing impairment, you will need to provide a transcript of the recording to ensure accessibility.

Currency - Can you keep your resources current?
There is an expectation that podcasts will be on current issues and posted regularly. You must be able to invest the time into creating and uploading interesting content on at least a monthly basis. Create a schedule of topics and gauge their relevance to your learners.

Design elements - What form will your recordings take?
Do some research and find out who else in your industry is producing audiovisual resources.

A simple classroom recording may not be engaging for your learners. Instead, for a podcast you might like to record:   

• Q&A sessions with guest speakers 
• seminars, conferences or panel discussions 
• foreign language lessons (ie pronunciation guides).

A vblog is visual and therefore would be suited to more active lessons such as:

• storytelling and oral culture for Indigenous communities 
• movement, activities or drama 
• presentations or visual cues.

Visit Stephan’s website to learn more about podcasts and vblogs

Visit Media on the Move – a resource designed by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) to help practitioners use podcasts and vblogs in education.

A  Framework E-learning Innovations project in Tasmania is introducing podcasts into their four-week intensive Special Preparatory Program for newly arrived immigrants.

In 2010, learners at Tasmanian Polytechnic will develop and record podcasts in a range of languages to provide localised information to help new migrants and refugees settle into their communities. Having these resources in their native language on hand at any time will help new members of the community to settle successfully.

Find out more about this project

Search E-learning Innovations projects

Text provided by the Framework’s Branding Team.

Following on from the very successful May/June course, 23 Things for Educators and Trainers is being offered again.

Have you ever asked yourself this question? There are so many tools, websites and technologies ‘out there’ that it can be hard to tell which one(s) would work to engage your students…or solve your training problem…or make your job easier….or reach out to distant clients/students.

To  enrol in the course click here and click on the ‘Create new account’ button on the bottom right hand side. You will then need to fill in your details. After that a confirmation and verification email will be sent to you. Click on the link provided and this will finalise you enrolment in our emania Moodle site. There is just one more step, to enrol in the particular course. The course is shown on the bottom of the left hand column of the front page you are at. More detailed instructions with screen grabs are available here.

What is the aim of this course?

The aim of this 6 week online course (plus the pre-week) is to introduce you to 23+ tools, resources and sites that will allow you to begin e-learning, simply and quickly….or get it moving faster….or help you improve what you are already doing. The focus of this course will be on the learning and training enabled by the tools – not the tools themselves, although you’ll certainly be playing with them! J

Other benefits

As an added benefit, this course is being run in Moodle, so you’ll experience being an online student using Moodle and gain valuable knowledge and understanding of how it feels to be an online student, as well as gaining skills in online facilitation and delivery. The will also be weekly sessions in Elluminate so you will also have a live online experience.

What is the time commitment?

There are THREE levels of coursework (OK … homework) and it is up to you to decide which level is right for you:

Level 1:  This is basic but will offer some understanding & skills and will take you about 1-2 hours a week.

Level 2:  This will broaden your skills and capabilities, and will take 2-5 hours depending on how much time you want to spend.

Extra:  For those of you lucky enough to have more time, extra links, tools, documents and resources will stretch you further.

How much does it cost?

For Tasmanian VET practitioners this service is provided free of charge.

When does it start?

The first week (the getting set up week) begins on 20 September 2010. As soon as you register however, you can go to the Moodle site and start familiarising yourself with the space and doing the pre-course set up.

This course has been designed as a ‘blended course’. In other words, there is an opportunity to actually meet at least some of your facilitators and fellow ’students’ in a face to face situation. This will help you to become familiar with the course expectations, the online environments and to ask lots of questions. All the details will be sent to you via email.

The Hobart workshop will be held on Monday 20th September in the State Library Computer Lab, which is accessed from the car park. We have currently scheduled two sessions - from 9.30 - 11.30 am and from 2.30 - 4.30 pm.

The Launceston workshop will be held on Monday 27 September in the Launceston Library Computer Lab. It will run from 11 - 1 pm.

Click here to register for a workshop.

However…because it is understood that people may not be able to make it to a face-to-face session, a 1 hour ONLINE SESSION has been scheduled for 12:30 pm on Wednesday 22 September. Please note that the main purpose of this online session is as a ‘catch-up’ i.e. an introduction to the Moodle classroom, the course program and an opportunity to ask questions.

I encourage you to attend one of these sessions and it will make the rest of the course flow more smoothly and make that initial getting started hump much less bumpy.

Contact details for more information:

Jennifer Dunbabin  ph 03 6233 8487 jennifer.dunbabin@skills.tas.gov.au

Peter Shanks  ph 03 6233 4617 peter.shanks@skills.tas.gov.au

The Tasmanian Innovation Strategy document was released this week by Premier David Bartlett.

From an ICT perspective it includes the following, some of which you may notice makes significant use of the NBN.

Digital economy

• $5.85 million over two years for the sector to increase awareness of
the opportunities provided by the digital economy, including:
• a $1 million industry awareness initiative, NBN4Business, to educate
peak Tasmanian industry groups on the benefits and opportunities that
businesses will be able to gain and exploit in the digital economy as
a result of the National Broadband Network (NBN) roll-out.
• $600 000 on a number of strategies to grow awareness levels,
including establishing a hands-on digital coaching pilot and a digital
tool kit for small businesses
• $250 000 on research into the impact of the NBN deployment on
business engagement in the digital economy and the effectiveness of
government programs
• $400 000 to migrate key business websites to the Government 2.0
model for online information sharing and service delivery
• $3.6 million for a Digital Futures Capital Fund, to fund the
development and delivery of digital content, applications and services
that add value to businesses and the community engaging in the
Tasmanian digital economy
• a Digital Futures Advisory Council to bring together world-class
expertise to ensure Tasmania capitalises on its digital opportunities
• collaborating with industry and TasICT to develop a Digital Economy
Industry Strategy (DEIS).

In launching the strategy the Premier stated
“… promoting and encouraging innovation is a key focus of this
government, and will drive our next decade of growth. We also need
Government to innovate in how we do business. As part of the
Innovation Strategy, we’ll be using technology to provide better and
more efficient government services to business and the community. And
we’ll help close the gap between rural and urban areas with services
like eHealth and eEducation.”

on the horizon it sees:

1 year or less: mobile computing and open content

2 - 3 years: electronic books and simple augmented reality

4 - 5 years: gesture-based computing and visual data analysis.

it also provides a summary of key trends, critical challenges and technologies to watch.

click here to access a copy.

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

1 september:    Making your own interactive whiteboard

online (elluminate)   -   e-works   -   Free   -   1 hr @ 3 pm

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

2 september:    e-gems: copyright for content creators

online (elluminate)   -   Australian Flexible Learning Framework   -   Free   -   1 hr @ 12.30

http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/content/e-gems-series-webconferencing-session-details

6 september:    Toolboxes for indigenous education

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

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

6 september:    eXe - Quick and easy e-learning content

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

http://westone.moodlesites.com/calendar/view.php?view=day&course=6&cal_d=6&cal_m=9&cal_y=2010

7 september:    TFLN: Learning Tools Smackdown

face-2-face & online   -   Hobart & ustream.tv/tflg   -   Free   -   1 hr @4 pm

http://emania.org/?p=208

14 september:    How to set up a virtual classroom

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

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

20 september:    E Tools ‘n Tips - Free tools for RP L

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

http://westone.moodlesites.com/calendar/view.php?view=day&course=6&cal_d=20&cal_m=9&cal_y=2010

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