Wednesday, 23 March 2011

We have a new Home!

4:27 pm | Posted by Service Industries Training Advisory Council
I just wanted to quickly post to let you all know that we have found a new home at Wordpress.

Please visit http://ntflexiblelearning.wordpress.com/ to subscribe to our new blog. Thank you for following! :)
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Monday, 21 June 2010

E-portfolios Update from Allison Miller - June 2010

10:45 am | Posted by Service Industries Training Advisory Council

I’m pleased to share the following E-portfolios Update about:

- Accessing VET Learner Attainment Data research - RTOs ability to support & Learners' views

- E-portfolios coming to a place near you

- Other stories and useful e-portfolio resources

Accessing VET Learner Attainment Data - RTOs ability to support & Learners' views

Following on from the research for the 'Verifying VET Learner Attainment Data' 2010 positioning paper, released last month discussing the different kinds of learner verification services available and their applicability to the VET sector and how electronic VET learner information can create efficiencies for 'information consumers', is further research about 'Accessing VET Learner Attainment Data'.

The 'Accessing VET Learner Attainment Data' research is investigating the ability and willingness of registered training organisations (RTOs) to offer electronic learner data as well as the attitude of learners to such services.

Key VET stakeholders, VET managers of learner information, learners, e-portfolio system implementers and developers as well as VET regulatory bodies are currently being surveyed to determine their attitudes about learner controlled, electronic access of their VET learner attainment data, either directly to the RTO or via a 'Learner Record System' (LRS).

This work aims to identify:

where business efficiencies can be realised by allowing learner controlled, electronic access to their VET learner attainment data;

whether this approach would enable RTOs to better meet the AQTF2010 Essential Standards for Continuing and Initial Registration, especially Condition 6: Certification and issuing of qualifications and statements of attainment

This latest work supports the VET E-portfolio Roadmap key goal - 'Verification - to enable verification of educational attainment data, membership of professional associations or trade/occupational licensing information'.

E-portfolios coming to a place near you:

We are usually busy getting out and about speaking with people about E-portfolios activities, but over the coming months we seem to even busier than normal.

We might be coming to a place near you:

Brisbane - 23 June - E-portfolios workshop - more info from Queensland Framework Unit

Perth - 6 July - E-portfolios workshop - A freshen look at RPL - more info from WA Framework Unit

Perth - 7 July - E-portfolios presesentation - Latest research from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework - more info from No Frills Conference

Northern Territory (Online) - 14 July - E-portfolios online session - Resuscitating your recognition with an e-portfolio - more info from NT Framework Unit

Sydney - 6 August - E-portfolios presentation - Investing in e-portfolios for business success - more info from VELG National Conference

Overseas - E-portfolios presentations - ePortfolios 2010 (London) & AAEEBL National Conference (Boston)

We hope to meet you at one of these events but if you can't make any of them you may like to view the recent E-portfolios e-Events recorded online session - Captured Alive - using technology to manage lifelong learning.

Other stories and useful e-portfolio resources

Skilling Solutions Queensland offers an e-portfolio to all customers to support RPL, training and life long career solutions
Skilling Solutions Queensland offers all of its customers access to an e-portfolio. The e-portfolio helps their customers compile their application for RPL (recognition of prior learning), by capturing information about their work experience and on the job development. It will also assist customers with job applications using the e-resume functionality. Formore information about this service click here.

Inaugural international ePortfolios Conference in Boston

The worldwide Association for Authentic, Experiential and Evidence-­Based Learning (www.aaeebl.org) is holding a major international ePortfolios conference in Boston, USA, on 19-22 July, 2010. The conference theme – ePortfolios and the Emergent Learning Ecology – brings together world renowned ePortfolio leaders from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Finland, and Australia, including the Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s E-portfolios Business Manager, Allison Miller as a ‘featured speaker’. To read the blog post adapted from an AAEEBL press release click here.

Additional resources can be found at the E-portfolios Resource Bank, including the VETSA E-portfolio service, which is an e-portfolio sandpit for you to develop your own e-portfolio for free. VET teachers/trainers are encouraged to trial the site with small groups of students. Here is an example of Allison Miller’s VETSA E-portfolio.

Thank you to those people who have shared their good news stories and information with us - if your information has not been published yet please be assured that we will certainly be sharing it in the coming months .......

We are very interested in helping to share good e-portfolio practice and resources via this newsletter, so if you have a case study/information of e-portfolio activity in your organisation or links to e-portfolio resources, please forward them to:

Allison Miller

E-portfolios Business Manager

Australian Flexible Learning Framework

Website: www.flexiblelearning.net.au/e-portfolios

Blog: www.flexiblelearning.net.au/e-portfoliosblog

T: 08 8348 4075

F: 08 8241 5680

M: 0400 732 270

SA Framework Unit

C/- 137 Days Road, Regency Park SA 5010

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READY MADE TOOLS TO SUPPORT TRAINING – PART 1 TOOLBOXES

9:51 am | Posted by Service Industries Training Advisory Council
A quick reminder about the up-coming ‘READY MADE TOOLS TO SUPPORT TRAINING – PART 1 TOOLBOXES’ free online session being held on Wednesday 23 June from 12pm – 1pm (NT time) via our 2010 NT Online Training Room.

To register for this online session please complete the registration survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3N8GYPN.

Please see flyer for the full workshop series.

The online classroom software being utilised is the Elluminate platform. To be able to participate, please ensure that you can run Elluminate on your system. For an easy set-up, please refer to the Elluminate Support Page to guide you through the process.

What you need to participate:
  • A headset with microphone
  • A laptop or computer
  • Elluminate configured on your computer
  • Stable Internet Connection
The session recording from the ‘Virtual Classrooms – orientation tour – the how and what for’ is available from http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/content/virtual-classrooms-online-tour-how-and-what.


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Thursday, 10 June 2010

New e-learning resource now available!

10:30 am | Posted by Service Industries Training Advisory Council
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 state and territory Innovations Coordinators as well as updates via RSS from 2010 E-learning Innovations projects.
  • Contact information – Find contact details for Innovations Coordinators, and links to groups and other activities in your local area.
  • 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.

For more information, visit: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations

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Wednesday, 9 June 2010

Inspiring Indigenous participation through e-learning

10:57 am | Posted by Service Industries Training Advisory Council
The national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), has announced its support for the Australian Government’s draft Indigenous Economic Development Strategy, released for public comment last week.

The draft strategy suggests five key action areas to increase the wellbeing and prosperity of Indigenous Australians:
  • increasing individual capacity to participate in the economy through education and motivation
  • creating and filling sustainable job opportunities
  • supporting Indigenous business and entrepreneurship
  • assisting individuals and communities to achieve financial security and economic independence by leveraging economic assets
  • creating the right environment and incentives for economic participation.

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NT e-PD Calendar 2010

8:57 am | Posted by Service Industries Training Advisory Council


Welcome to the first ever NT Online Professional Development Calendar being presented to you by the NT Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) team. We are really excited to be able to present these workshops to you via our 2010 NT Online Training Room.

The online classroom software being utilised is the Elluminate platform. To be able to participate, please ensure that you can run Elluminate on your system. For an easy set-up, please refer to the Elluminate Support Page to guide you through the process.



What you need to participate:
  • A headset with microphone
  • A laptop or computer
  • Elluminate configured on your computer
  • A stable Internet connection
Session information

Online Sessions:
All sessions marked with an * are being conducted in the NT Online Training Room.

Face to Face:
There are two full day face to face workshops being held on the 16 and 17 August around 'Designing e-learning'. These workshops will require registration once all details are formalised. We are taking Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for attendance at this stage. To submit your EOI please complete the short form at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SH3H3BV.

Social media protocol:
If you wish to Twitter, blog or talk about any of the above events in a social media forum please use the tag #ntepd on all communication.
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Friday, 14 May 2010

Choose your own adventure – a webventure through the jungle of e-learning

3:11 pm | Posted by Service Industries Training Advisory Council
Confused about e-learning? Not sure where to start? Not sure what is available from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework?

Try the webventure created by Sue McShane the ACT e-learning coordinator using ARED V2.1. Using this tool, participants are able to choose their own adventure through the jungles of e-learning. It enables them to discover how the products, tools, people and communities of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework can help them get started or embed e-learning in their organisations or classrooms.

This online webventure allows participants to ‘trek’ at their own pace through the areas applicable to them, and therefore caters for beginners to advanced e-learning explorers.


Article excerpt taken from The Loop 10/05/2010

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Help us to update your Teacher E-learning Toolkit!

3:07 pm | Posted by Service Industries Training Advisory Council
The VET Teacher E-learning Toolkit (Toolkit), sets out the minimum web and desktop functionality requirements that teachers need to support the effective use of e-learning strategies.

To ensure that the Toolkit remains an accurate and up-to-date resource, the Framework is calling for VET practitioners to respond to an online survey about their use of e-learning tools and applications. The survey takes only minutes to complete, containing seven questions about which web-based, desktop-support and virtual classroom tools and applications you use, and about your experiences using these tools.

The survey responses will form a vital part of the Framework’s 2010 review and update of the Toolkit. To complete the survey, go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FYSCFT7

E-standards for Training will also be revising other key e-learning resources, including the m-learning standards and VET tools for e-learning content throughout 2010.

Article Excerpt taken from The Loop 10/05/2010

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VET Capability Development

3:03 pm | Posted by Service Industries Training Advisory Council
The JMA Analytics Model of VET Capability Development, a recently released report from John Mitchell & Associates,** has found that the current skill levels of the average Australian VET trainer and assessor meet only 80% of professional work requirements and that by 2014 this will fall to 62%.

The nexus demonstrated between VET practitioner capability and national productivity, prompted the authors to undertake an independent, large scale quantitative investigation into the educational skill levels of Australian VET trainers and assessors: the National Survey of VET Practitioner Skills. The survey was undertaken in late 2009 and the report presents an analysis of the 2,230 responses received from practitioners in the VET sector.

The report summarises how VET practitioners rate and integrate their professional knowledge and skills.

In the report Mitchell categorises VET trainers and assessors according to their professional learning needs. The special interest for Frameworkers is the category of the Specialist VET Practitioner and the VET Learning and Assessment Specialist. Mitchell describes these practitioners as specialists in the facilitation, organisation and management of learning and assessment that goes beyond the context of either the classroom or the workplace. This includes e-learning and online assessment, as well as distance and off-shore learning.

The model shows that currently advanced practitioners are pre-occupied with e-learning, among a cluster of other challenging skills. Because technology keeps changing and because they are focused on the leading edge of VET practice, advanced practitioners are focused on how to improve those skills that have a technology component. The leading edge of VET practice requires deep understanding of e-learning, for example for the purposes of online assessment, and of flexible learning.

** Dr John Mitchell is a VET Strategist who is well respected for the work he has done both independently and on behalf of federal and state governments in the area of VET workforce development.

Article excerpt taken from The Loop 10/05/2010
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New research report into e-assessment practices

2:57 pm | Posted by Service Industries Training Advisory Council
According to the 2009 national E-learning Benchmarking Survey, 62 per cent of teachers and 46 per cent of registered training organisations (RTOs) are using online assessment activities due to the flexibility they provide.

E-assessment and the AQTF is a new report that examines key e-assessment issues for practitioners and auditors and includes recommendations to promote better understanding and improved practices in e-assessment, particularly in relation to Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) 2007 .

The research included targeted interviews, teleconferences and small group discussions with VET auditors, quality managers and practitioners. Some key observations include:

  • E-assessment is maintaining quality standards – auditors indicated the majority of audits employ quality assessment practices, and that standards were applied as rigorously or more rigorously to e-assessment than to traditional assessment methods.
  • Auditors and practitioners have confidence in e-assessment – but there is some tension and confusion between practitioners and auditors around various forms of e-assessment.
  • E-assessment is a popular type of formative assessment - e-assessment is primarily being used as a form of diagnostic and formative assessment. While e-assessment is not commonly used now for summative assessment this is envisaged to change in the future with the growth in e-examinations and other tools to test knowledge.
  • The potential of Toolboxes – practitioners are becoming more aware of the potential for Toolboxes around e-assessment, especially as Toolboxes involve projects that can be completed on line.

The research also reveals challenges around improving the overall quality of e-assessment tools; the provision of guidelines and good examples for e-portfolios; auditor consistency and training; and increasing the number of well trained and informed practitioners.

A specific feature of the research comprises three case studies of e-assessment practice which were developed to support the findings of the research, and that demonstrate how different organisations have implemented e-assessment.

In general, the research points to the need to build confidence around new and emerging forms of e-assessment, in order to maintain high quality training and assessment in the VET system.

Article excerpt from the The Loop 10/05/2010

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The Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) provides the vocational education and training (VET) system with essential e-learning infrastructure and expertise needed to respond to the challenges of a modern economy and the training needs of Australian businesses and workers. Through the Framework, the NT VET Community has access to:

NT E-learning Coordinator
NT E-learning Innovations Coordinator
NT Toolbox Champion

To find out more about these three great services available to RTOs, Industry and workers in the Northern Territory please contact Melanie Brenton on (08) 8942 1651 or email melb at sitac.com.au.

(Replace 'at' with @ to use this address)


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