The Knowledge Tree is an e-journal of learning innovation which aims to foster and share in-depth knowledge and provoke debate on e-learning issues and innovative practices.

Edition 18 looks at how web 2.0 technologies, particularly e-portfolios and point of view (POV) technologies, are allowing learners to ‘take the wheel’ in the learning process.

The following exclusive contributions are now available online: Putting the learner in the drivers seat

Lead article: The world of e-portfolios

Allison Miller, E-portfolios Business Manager at the Australian Flexible Learning Framework writes the lead article, advocating that as we move further into the digital age, e-portfolios are beginning to play a key role in RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning).

In this article Allison provides an international perspective on the use of e-portfolios for RPL. Allison will be available for a live online conversation on Monday 10 August from 12.30 – 1.30pm AEST as part of the Framework’s e-Gems 09 series of web conferencing sessions.

What is an e-portfolio? See here

Take the hassle out of learning design and create your own e-learning materials with the newly released Learning Design Tool, from the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework).

The Learning Design Tool is a FREE online resource which guides you step-by-step through the four essential stages to write high quality, learner-focused course content, and to create your own learning design template.

Created specifically for instructional designers, the Learning Design Tool allows you to save, review and modify your work; and includes a mapping feature, so you can easily see your progress through each of the four stages.

The four learning design stages are: 

• Create an overview – Develop an initial plan of what you would like your learning object to achieve, including qualifications it may feed in to, which industry it will support, and for which job roles it will deliver training.

• Describe your learners – Consider factors including age, special needs, educational background, and reasons for training.

• Choose your learning design – Prioritise factors such as level of guidance, engagement and learner freedom in order to identify the most appropriate design.

• Finalise learning design – Follow an 11-step process to finalise your learning design, including resources, assessment and activities.

Jo Jenson, from the Framework’s Flexible Learning Toolbox business activity, managed the development of the Learning Design Tool and describes it as easy to use and highly adaptable.

“If you’ve never developed online design before, the Learning Design Tool will help you to understand the components of good design by guiding you step-by-step though the process.

“The tool recognises that different learner groups have different needs, and is flexible enough to cater to a wide audience,” Ms Jenson said.

The Framework is currently trialling a beta version of the Learning Design Tool, which can be downloaded for FREE from the Framework’s website at: http://toolboxes.flexiblelearning.net.au/ldt/  

The Framework is inviting feedback from all users who trial the tool before 25 September. If you would like to provide feedback, please send any comments or suggestions to info@eworks.edu.au   

The Learning Design Tool was recently demonstrated at the Framework’s Getting Connected 09 online conference. The recording of the Elluminate!Live session, including screen shots showing how to use the tool, is now available.

For more information about the Framework, its products, resources and support networks, visit http://flexiblelearning.net.au

At this month’s TFLN meeting we will discuss Mahara - the eportfolio that integrates with Moodle. Our guest speakers are David Morgan and Sophie Edwards from the Work Lab.

Come and enjoy good company and conversation at this months get together. The one hour meeting is held at the Skills Tasmania boardroom 1/99 Bathurst Street, Hobart.  Tea and coffee will be provided.

There are limited spots available in the boardroom so if you are intending to come along to the meeting on the 6 August please e-mail gail.wilson@skills.tas.gov.au and for people intending to join us via uStream TV there are known problems for some due to firewall restrictions however all sessions will be recorded and available via a link on http://emania.org/

David and Sophie demonstrating the uses of e-portfolios using Mahara.  Follow the link http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tasmanian-flexible-learning-network to access via UStream TV.

Current and potential users of Moodle are invited to this event to share learning, teaching and training ideas and examples.

People from all sectors of education and training are invited to attend. The session will include examples from a cross section of sectors followed by opportunities for discussion and networking. This event may seed ongoing local connections and collaborations.

When: Wed 12 August 4:00 - 5:30
Location: Distance Education Tasmania, Lampton Avenue Derwent Park
Light refreshments will be available
Cost: NIL - this is a networking event facilitated by TASITE

RSVP to info@tasite.tas.edu.au by Friday 7 August

Contact: Cheryl Davis cheryl.davis@education.tas.gov.au (secretary, TASITE)

A new version of the ARED (Application for Rapid E-learning Development) resource development tool has been released, helping practitioners to easily build their own e-learning resources.

 With ARED version 2.1, practitioners can add their own content to one of ARED’s six e-learning templates and develop engaging e-learning resources for delivery via CD-ROM, website or learning management system.

 In addition to creating learning materials, the resource enables e-learning content to be packaged so that it may be easily uploaded into a learning management system.

 ARED can be used to create SCORM v.1.2 compliant content packages that meet the standards required for contribution to online portal LORN, as well as meeting Flexible Learning Toolbox standards.

 Through the updated ARED resource, practitioners can now:

·         produce files that meet the 2009 E-standards for Training which were developed by the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework)

·         create valid SCORM content packages

·         access new help material and instructions for developing their learning resource

·         create and modify valid metadata files using the integrated Vetadata Tool.

Practitioners currently using ARED should uninstall their old version and download the new version.

For trainers familiar with AREDv2, specific technical changes to AREDv2.1 include:

• recommended image dimensions are provided prior to adding media, and
users are warned of the impact if they add larger files
• the maximum dimensions of any image are 768×425
• users are given guidance about screen dimensions
• content is optimised for a screen resolution of 1024×768
• file and folder names are restricted to lowercase acceptable characters
• alternative text formats are restricted to txt, doc or rtf
• the acceptable image types now include GIF, PNG or JPG images
• the Framework Content Package Player is automatically included in SCORM
packages when a learning sequence is created
• the user guide has been updated – run index.html and select the AREDv2.1
Resource then select ‘User guide’
• HTML pages validate as XHTML 1.0 Transitional
• valid CSS 2.1 is used for styles
• files are encoded and characters are output as UTF-8
• improved metadata creation – the Vetadata Tool v1.4.0 has been integrated
for creating/modifying metadata

On the 24th July 2009 Skills Tasmania will be holding a mid-year Networking Day at Campbell Town for the 2009 e-learning innovation project teams.

The focus of this workshop is on sharing information with the other teams.  It will be a great opportunity for each team to give a ’show and tell’ presentation of where they are up to with their projects.

For further information about the e-learning innovation projects please contact Fiona Huskinson, Innovation Project Coordinator, Skills Tasmania on (03) 6233 2140 or fiona.huskinson@skills.tas.gov.au

Each person attending will need to register using the following form.

cforms contact form by delicious:days

Come along to a day long workshop to learn more about customising toolboxes, and creating learning objects for uploading into a learning management system (LMS) such as Moodle or WebCT.

By the end of the day you will be able to

•    Use the LORN site to search for and download learning materials
•    Edit and customise a learning object from a toolbox (or industry interest) of your choice
•    Create an IMS (learning object content package)
•    Deploy your package into an LMS.

What to bring

•    Your imagination
•    A pen drive
•    Note paper and pen
•    Some nibbles to share (optional, but in todays brave new GFC world there may be other folks there who need some nutritional supplements

Venue

Room 4
South Hobart Adult Education Centre
12 Weld St
South Hobart

Date

21st July (Tuesday)
10.00am  –  3.00pm

RSVP

Please rsvp peter.shanks@skills.tas.gov.au

The new flexiblelearning.net.au website is now live!

flexiblelearning.net.au is a central hub for people working in e-learning to share experiences, knowledge and resources with colleagues around Australia and internationally. The site is interactive and user driven – a place to explore, contribute, experiment with and discuss e-learning issues, technologies, resources and ideas.

Registering as a member of flexiblelearning.net.au is FREE and only takes a minute. Registered members benefit from access to all areas of flexiblelearning.net.au and are able to:

• join online groups and communities, to network and share e-learning experiences, knowledge and know-how
• access tools and resources to create e-learning content, including blogs, articles and wikis
• contribute their own e-learning content to the site, and view content contributed by others
• actively build their own site presence by bookmarking website content and commenting on and rating other users’ content.

To register, simply click on Login or join on the top right-hand side of the flexiblelearning.net.au home page, and fill out and submit the online form.

We encourage you to share this email with your networks to spread the word about the new flexiblelearning.net.au site for the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework.

Should you have any questions or require any further information, please phone (07) 3307 4700, email enquiries@flexiblelearning.net.au or visit http://flexiblelearning.net.au

Come along to a day long workshop to learn more about customising toolboxes, and creating learning objects for uploading into a learning management system such as Moodle or WebCT.

By the days end you will be able to

•    Use the LORN site to search and download learning materials
•    Edit and customise a learning object from a toolbox (or industry interest) of your choice
•    Create an IMS
•    Deploy package into an LMS.

What to bring

•    Your imagination
•    A pen drive
•    Note paper and pen
•    Some nibbles to share (optional)

Venue

Devonport Library
Training Room
21 Oldaker Street
DEVONPORT

Date

7th July (Tuesday)
10.30am  –  3.30pm

RSVP

We need a minimum of 6 confirmed people in order to make the trip from Hobart  please rsvp peter.shanks@skills.tas.gov.au by 6th July (Monday)

BTW
Another session is planned in the south – 21st July – more information to follow - watch this space.