Want to find out how selected registered training organisations (RTOs) around Australia are using e-learning to deliver more flexible and engaging teaching and training?

A new online blog contains the latest information, resources and news on E-learning Innovations projects funded and supported in all states and territories by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework).

E-learning Innovations projects develop innovative solutions which drive the integration of e-learning into Australian workplaces and RTOs.

Visit the blog to find:

·         An interactive map – See who’s doing what in e-learning in your local area. This feature allows you to search the profiles of the 2010 Framework E-learning Innovations projects by location around Australia.

·         Project outputs – Browse resources contributed by previously funded E-learning Innovations projects, including learning objects and case studies.

·         Latest news and mailing list – Read the latest E-learning Innovations news online, or sign up to our mailing list to receive a monthly summary of the latest news.

·         Dedicated state and territory pages – Catch up on the latest developments and news from Tasmania as well as other states and territories plus updates via RSS from 2010 E-learning Innovations projects.

·         Project login – Projects funded in 2010 can manage their profiles and submit progress reports in a central online location.

Check out the E-learning Innovations blog at: http://innovationblog.flexiblelearning.net.au 

Want more E-learning Innovations?

Check out the 2010 E-learning Innovations project profiles, which set out each project’s current directions and aims, and include a link to their project site where you can follow their progress throughout the year.

Using the E-learning Innovations project profiles search tool, you can access up-to-date information on all projects by key word, year of funding, state/territory, industry area, type of RTO and project category.

Janna Quitney Anderson, Elon University andLee Rainie, Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project recently reported that technology experts and stakeholders say they expect they will ‘live mostly in the cloud’ in 2020 and not on the desktop, working mostly through cyberspace-based applications accessed through networked devices.

This will substantially advance mobile connectivity through smartphones and other internet appliances. Many say there will be a cloud-desktop hybrid. Still, cloud computing has many difficult hurdles to overcome, including concerns tied to the availability of broadband spectrum, the ability of diverse systems to work together, security, privacy, and quality of service.

Among the most popular cloud services now are social networking sites (the 500 million people using Facebook are being social in the cloud), webmail services like Hotmail and Yahoo mail, microblogging and blogging services such as Twitter and WordPress, video-sharing sites like YouTube, picture-sharing sites such as Flickr, document and applications sites like Google Docs, social-bookmarking sites like Delicious, business sites like eBay, and ranking, rating and commenting sites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor.

read the full report at

http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/The-future-of-cloud-computing.aspx

thank you to everyone who attended peter’s session on creating online resources. as promised, here are the links he used:

http://trainingo2.net/to2.2/index.php

http://lorn.flexiblelearning.net.au/search

http://learnonline.cc

http://search.creativecommons.org/

http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/index.php

catch up on the latest news and views from around Australia in the VET sector.

it is available here http://flexenews.flexiblelearning.net.au/

Surfing the e-learning wave

E-learning is a wave that’s gathering strength. Some of us are swimming calmly through the wave, some of us are surfing, and some of us are getting wiped out!

When learning a new skill such as surfing, you shouldn’t just give it a try and hope you’re successful the first time. You need to learn the fundamental skills first; otherwise, the surfboard will crash down on your head, leaving you wondering, “what was I thinking?!”

Similarly, to successfully create and/or deliver e-learning you first need to acquire some essential knowledge and skills. But how can you increase your e-learning skills when you don’t have time to attend face-to-face workshops? Online of course!

A new online e-learning development course, e-ready, set, GO! has been designed by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s (Framework) ACT team and is available now to help you develop, implement and embed your e-learning strategy from start to finish.

Available now are four self-paced online workshops that take you from pre-planning to the start of developing your e-learning resource:

·         Is my subject suitable for online learning?
Learn the basics of e-learning and discover a range of e-learning delivery tools and ways to design your own e-resources.

·         A webventure through the jungle of e-learning
‘Choose your own adventure’ through the many resources on the Framework website.

·         Storyboarding for online learning
Find out how to develop storyboards to convert your face-to-face course into an online course.

·         Dreamweaver for the creation of learning objects
      Get started using the Dreamweaver web development tool to create your own learning objects.

 More sessions will be added throughout 2010, including sessions on:

·         ARED version 2.1, which helps teachers and trainers with basic computer skills to build their own e-learning resources by adding content to one of six e-learning templates

·         online activities

·         customisation of online RPL (recognition of prior learning) tools

·         adding activities

·         piloting your e-learning.

 In short, this new FREE online course can help you catch the e-learning wave without fear of a wipe out!

e-ready, set, GO! is currently in the development and pilot phase and will be continually updated following face-to-face workshops with pilot groups in 2010. A user-tested version will be available at the end of 2010.

 Your feedback will help us to continually improve e-ready, set, GO! Please send your comments to Sue McShane, ACT E-learning Coordinator, at: susan.mcshane@cit.act.edu.au or call (02) 6207 3604.

So have a go, ride the wave, and get e-ready, set, GO!

Copy provided by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework Branding Team

Navigate the maze of e-learning

The next e-Gems session focusses on how to get started in e-learning.

Do you want to use e-learning in your teaching and training? Are you confused about where to start and where to find help? Join Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) Western Australian e-learning gurus, Cheryl Galloway and Janice Calcei, for a guided tour of online e-learning tools and resources that you can use with your learners.

Presenters:

Cheryl Galloway is the Framework’s Western Australian Toolbox Champion, and the Training Innovations Leader at Durack Institute of Technology in Geraldton. She has 14 years experience in the VET sector and a passion for e-learning and the benefits it provides.  

Janice Calcei is the Framework’s E-learning Coordinator in Western Australia. She provides support, advice and professional development to managers and lecturers in both public and private training organisations across Western Australia.

Date:       Thursday 24 June 2010

When:     12:30pm-1:30pm AEST

Where:    http://tinyurl.com/egems-elearningmaze

Full URL for session (copy the complete link): https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=675&password=M.9384BA227ED03AFBB9121BDC31810A

for those of you working with Moodle, or just getting underway, the MoodleMootAU conference would be a great opportunity to boost your knowledge and provide you with lots of ideas about how to use Moodle for training. The projects outlined below will also give you some good ideas.

Moodle projects deliver e-learning without limits

Two E-learning Innovations projects funded and supported by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) will feature at MoodleMoot AU 2010, one of Australasia’s largest education and training conferences.

MoodleMoot AU 2010 will be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre from 11-14 July. Themed Without limits, the conference will explore how the Moodle learning management system (LMS) is helping to deliver more flexible and engaging teaching and training across all education sectors including school, university, vocational education and training (VET), and for learners in the workplace.

Delegates will hear from e-learning and education experts about how Moodle-produced online courses and websites can enhance learner experiences in a range of ways. The conference will feature workshops, discussion panels and master classes highlighting the latest Moodle case studies, research and technology developments. 

Framework E-learning Innovations projects are leading the way in exploring new ways to use Moodle. Projects selected to present at the conference are:

Diving into mobile learning
Presenters: Bronwen Campbell and Melanie Doriean

Date: Tuesday 13 July, 3:00pm-3:25pm (AEST)

This presentation will show how the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS) is using Moodle as both a mobile learning tool and an information portal for learners.

Bronwen and Melanie will discuss how Moodle can be used in conjunction with mobile technology to provide learners with information while in the field, and explain how ADAS is using Moodle to provide mobile training beyond the classroom using technologies including netbooks, smartphones and iPod devices.

They will also discuss how ADAS is using an offline version of Moodle (Poodle) to provide information, resources and training materials to current and past ADAS learners.

Moodle and Mahara in new applications and E-learning Innovations

Presenters: Howard Errey and Nicole Ralph

Date: Tuesday 13 July, 4:00pm-4:25pm (AEST)

This presentation will showcase the different ways that Moodle and the Mahara e-portfolio system are being adopted by Victorian VET providers.

Howard and Nicole will discuss how this uptake is being driven by the availability of Moodle through Victoria’s Training Virtual Campus (TVC) e-learning platform; and explain how a number of Victorian E-learning Innovations projects have taken advantage of the flexibility of Moodle to enhance training delivery.

The session will also demonstrate how the Framework’s E-portfolios initiative is supporting Victorian training providers to use Mahara.

Want more?

The Framework’s Victorian Toolbox Champion, Ken Gooding, will present on Integrating Moodle into the Training Virtual Campus on Monday 12 July, from 2:30pm-2:55pm (AEST).

His session will demonstrate how TVC has integrated Moodle with existing products including:

 ·         an integrated content management system

·         Mahara

·         Blackboard (learning management system)

·         Elluminate (virtual classroom)

·         MessageMedia Web SMS system (mobile).

 A number of the Framework’s 2010 E-learning Innovations projects are also exploring Moodle:

 ·         Animal care online – This project will enhance the design and delivery of the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing by developing new media-rich resources for delivery through Moodle.

·         CommC@re online – Two units of the Community Services certificate will be developed and administered online using the full functionality of Moodle (asynchronous forums, chat, rich media, and web 2.0 technologies) to provide an engaging mix of course materials and assessment options.

·         Embedding an e-learning framework strategy – This project will embed Moodle as a means to provide a one-stop learning space and communication tool for remote learners and facilitators.

Visit http://flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations/teamprofiles to browse all E-learning Innovations projects since 2008.

 Register now

There are limited registrations remaining for MoodleMoot AU 2010 so register now to avoid missing out.  

 copy provided by the Branding Team

what matters: E-assessment research at a glance

 The Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) has released a snapshot of the key findings from its recent research report E-assessment and the AQTF: Bridging the divide between practitioners and auditors.

what matters: E-assessment challenges and solutions provides vocational education and training (VET) practitioners with an overview of the research including:

 ·         the key e-assessment issues for practitioners and auditors

·         the key recommendations for advancing understanding and improved practices in e-assessment  

·         case studies highlighting the ways in which training organisations are implementing e-assessment practice.

In this research, e-assessment covers the wide range of activities where digital technologies are used to design, deliver and assess learner competence.

According to Framework’s Benchmarking and Research Business Manager, Annie Fergusson, the research was particularly timely given the growing number of teachers and trainers and registered training organisations (RTOs) embracing online assessment activities due to the flexibility they provide.

However, despite the obvious benefits, Ms Fergusson said that tension exists between practitioners and auditors around the use of emerging technologies in assessment and the need to maintain reliability, validity and confidence in the assessment system.

She said that the research, which involved 48 targeted interviews with VET auditors, quality managers and practitioners, would help build understanding between auditors and practitioners about the value of each other’s work in ensuring quality e-assessment practices.

 what matters pamphlets are produced to highlight the key points of each piece of research produced by the Framework’s Benchmarking and Research activity. They can be accessed from: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/content/benchmarking-and-research-publications

To read the report or the accompanying case studies, go to: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/research

For further information about the what matters series email Annie Fergusson, Benchmarking and Research Business Manager at fergusson.annie@saugov.sa.gov.au or phone (08) 8348 4071.

copy provided by the Branding Team

for those of you who live in the hobart area, or are visiting, did you know that there is free wireless available at the hobart waterfront around salamanca?follow this link for more information: http://www.wirelesstasmania.com.au/

I invite you to join Kirsty Sharp as she shares her knowledge and experience in using evaluation to inform learning design.

Evaluating and reflecting on what we have done  is an essential life skill: in the rush of content creation and course preparation the final stage, evaluation and reflection, is often loses out to the next job on the list

Kirsty, who is Resource Development Manager at the Tasmanian Polytechnic, will show us how to avoid this trap and suggest ways to make evaluation purposeful and constructive.  As always, there will be time set aside for discussion and sharing of ideas.

when: 4 pm - 5 pm, Tuesday 22 June, 2010

where: Boardroom, Skills Tasmania, Level 1, 99 Bathurst Street, Hobart

online: at ustream.tv/tflg