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

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

Each year the national E-learning Benchmarking Survey measures the uptake, use and impact of e-learning within VET. This year’s survey is underway now and we are hoping for a good response for Tasmania so we can have a true picture of what is happening here and would appreciate your support.Please encourage your colleagues, including those not yet working with technology, to respond as well.In addition there is an opportunity (albeit slim) to win a prize. All respondents go into draws to receive prizes with a value of $400 for RTOs and $150 for teachers/trainers. There are 5 prizes nationally for both survey groups.

To complete the RTOs survey online please follow this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2010_RTO_Survey

To complete the teacher survey online please follow this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2010_TchrTrnr_Survey

If you would a paper based version of the surveys or have any questions please contact me.

The surveys close on 31 July 2010.

Employers Australia-wide have confirmed that e-learning is now entrenched as a tool for employee training, according to the 2010 Employer E-learning Benchmarking Survey Draft Report released today.

This is important news for Registered Training Organisations and trainers, confirming that their moves to incoporate e-learning into training delivery is well placed and that they need to continue building capability in this area.

The survey, conducted by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), found that half (50%) of all Australian businesses are now using e-learning to provide flexible, timely and efficient employee training (up from 40% in 2009).

It also found that employers’ awareness, knowledge and use of e-learning is steadily increasing:

• 60% said that they expect their organisation’s use of e-learning for employee training to increase in the next two years (up from 49% in 2009)

• 42% rated their knowledge of e-learning as 4 or 5 out of 5 (compared to 37% in 2009)

• 85% of employers said they would encourage their employees to use e-learning if it was available (compared to 81% in 2009)

• employers who are engaged with the vocational education and training (VET) system said they’re now more aware of and satisfied with the e-learning services offered by training providers.

Employers’ attitudes towards e-learning were overwhelmingly positive, with the majority reporting that e-learning increases access to training (88%), is a flexible training option for employees (85%) and is an efficient way for employees to undertake training (75%).

Employers also said that e-learning is providing an engaging and cost-effective training solution for remote learners and learners whose jobs require shift work.

They said that using e-learning with these learner groups cuts travel costs and reduces the time employees spend off-the-job attending training. 

The 2010 Employer E-learning Benchmarking Survey was conducted with a sample of 800 employers across Australia. Detailed analysis of the survey results, including comparisons by state/territory, industry sector and employer size will be launched at the 2010 AUSTAFE National Conference to be held in Sydney from 13-15 October.

The launch will also include the results of the 2010 registered training organisation and VET teacher/trainer surveys which are currently underway around Australia.

Visit the E-learning Indicators webpage for more e-learning research conducted by the Framework.

Text for this article 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

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.

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

So you think your organisation is ready for e-learning? Before you start to design your e-learning strategy, it may be useful to conduct an e-learning readiness survey to help gauge how ready your staff, clients and customers are to embrace digital education and training.  The survey will help you to identify an e-learning strategy that aligns with your overall business priorities, ensuring your initiatives are supportable and sustainable, and add value your bottom line. 

Getting started – ask some general questions

To understand how your organisation is currently positioned in relation to e-learning, ask yourself:

What is the current state or positioning of e-learning in your organisation?…WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

What is your desired state or positioning?…WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE?

What strategies can help you prepare to adopt e-learning?…HOW WILL YOU GET THERE?

How will all stakeholders benefit?…WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES AND HOW WILL YOU MEASURE THEM?

 Conduct an in-depth analysis

You can break these questions down to conduct a deeper analysis of your organisation’s e-learning readiness. Consider key areas such as your cultural readiness, organisational readiness, financial readiness, learner readiness and technical readiness. 

Tools and resources

The Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s (Framework) Designing e-learning and Practical Guide to E-learning for Industry resources discuss the value of gaining a snapshot of your organisational readiness as part of your overall e-learning strategy.  These resources also provide a number of tools to help you carry out an initial survey of your e-learning readiness. Other resources you might find useful include:

• The e-learning readiness survey (Marc Rosenberg) 
• E-learning readiness assessment questions (Karl M Kapp) 
• Avoiding techno-lust: how to determine enterprise-wide e-learning readiness (Deborah Stone and Steve Villachica)  
• Learning evaluation and strategy: using an e-learning readiness survey (Michael Hanley)

Skills Tasmanias E-Team can provide you with localised support in using and implementing e-learning contact us on (03) 6233 8487 or email: elearning@skills.tas.gov.au

With 90% of vocational education and training (VET) students reporting they want at least ‘a little’ e-learning in their course*, ever wondered how well your registered training organisation (RTO) is meeting this demand for flexible training?

RTOs can now undertake their own e-learning benchmarking using the DIY E-learning Benchmarking Tool, developed by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework).

The tool allows you to develop and conduct a tailored survey to capture relevant local information on the uptake, use and impact of e-learning among your students, teachers and trainers. You have the option of capturing data at an RTO, faculty/department or training area level.

Where this information aligns with questions included in the Framework’s national E-learning Benchmarking Survey, you can compare your data to other VET organisations in your state or territory, nationally and against similar provider types.

The Framework’s Benchmarking and Research Business Manager, Annie Fergusson, said that the tool can help practitioners make better decisions about training options by gathering information about students’ preferred learning styles and assessing their satisfaction with their training.

“RTOs can use the tool to capture information about when, where and how students prefer to undertake training, and to identify opportunities and ways to improve their current training methods,” Ms Fergusson said.

“The survey can also provide current and relevant data which is a valuable aid in business decision making. For example, information gathered using the tool can be used to support business cases for the use of ICT in training, or to evaluate the impact of training programs.”

For more information about how to use the tool to benchmark your RTO’s e-learning capability, and to download the tool, go to: http://e-learningindicators.flexiblelearning.net.au/diy_benchmarking.htm

Benchmarking and Research is currently conducting a formal trial of the tool with three RTOs. Stay tuned to Flex e-News and the Benchmarking and Research website for updates: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/content/research

Visit the E-learning Indicators website for the complete results of the Framework’s annual national E-learning Benchmarking Surveys. The results are broken down and analysed by response group, demographic and industry area to help identify e-learning trends within VET.

* 2009 national E-learning Benchmarking Survey: http://e-learningindicators.flexiblelearning.net.au/survey_results_all.htm

A great opportunity for those of you fresh to e-learning, or just dipping your toe in the e-learning pool.

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.

What is the aim of this course?

The aim of this 6 week online course 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.

What is the time commitment?

There are THREE levels of coursework (OK…homework J) 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 begins on 17 May 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.

There will be a face-2-face workshop in Hobart on Friday 21 May, from 10 am - 1 pm, in the State Library Computer Lab - just off the car park (we’ll put up signs). Also, for those of you that can’t make the face-2-face session there will be an online (in Elluminate) session at  4 pm in the afternoon. This will be recorded so you can view it later.

 I really 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.auPeter Shanks  ph 03 6233 4617 peter.shanks@skills.tas.gov.au

Please complete the online form below to register to participate.

1. Your Name(required)
2. Organisation(required)
3. Position
4. Email(valid email required)
5. Contact Phone Number (preferably mobile)(required)
6. F-2-F session now fully subscribed
7. Please indicate if attending Elluminate session 21 May

 

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