From the editor
Welcome to the second edition of the Knowledge Tree: a bumper edition. We have
focused this edition on elearning as an international business venture, including
consideration of the business improvement, partnerships, collaboration, web
services and human resource implications required to satisfy such markets.
Why not start with some open space? Hidden gems abound in the messages from
the branches of the Knowledge Tree. Try Greg Crowe's visual feast from the Red
Centre or link to Martha Goldman's IDesign website (instructional design training
for indigenous employees) from the wet tropics.
If you think we are almost heading in the right direction, currently, then
be challenged by Linda Smart's view from the future.
You mustn't miss an important interview with Julie Boyd of Multiversity Digital,
focussing on one innovative, small RTO's way of helping the sector to
market its educational products internationally. You will be pressed to
consider how a broker can help the VET sector to work together and collaborate
with other sectors, to service markets way too big for any single Australian
RTO/university/school provider.
Examine how to use elearning as a business improvement tool, through Lyn Ambrose's
summary of Kaye Schofield's research into elearning in four large Australian
companies.
Leura Cathcart's article raises some issues to consider in the use of web
services eg. XML to strengthen knowledge management and communication within
educational institutions, while improving services to internal and external clients.
Steve Hatch further outlines network security problems that currently face RTOs
trying to communicate and collaborate, with clients and partners.
Consider current barriers, that restrict business improvement through teaching
and learning online, in Elizabeth McPherson's article on measuring teacher time.
See if you agree with Frankie Forsyth, as she raises systemic, 'big
picture" implications in her critique of the AFL Framework research
into teaching and learning online.
Essential viewing/reading includes:
- Bernadette Harris' reflections on elearning in workplaces, from the perspective
of a small innovative RTO going it alone.
- collaboration in action, in the range of new online facilitation courses
being run by FLLs and joint projects to bring visitors here.
The Knowledge Tree was formally launched with the Wollemi Ringleaders (the
Alumni of the Flexible Learning Leaders and Fellows) at the Flexible Learning
Leaders sharing workshop in Adelaide. Fifty-odd Leaders and Fellows from 2000,
2001 and 2001 took the opportunity to reconnect.
Over three days we:
- held a Think Tank for the Wollemi Ringleaders (the Alumni of the Flexible
Learning Leaders and Fellows also launched formally).
- heard from Moira Scollay and each of the 2002 Learning Leaders and Fellows
- visioned the VET sector in 2010
- evaluated the program so far
- conducted site visits (including a winery tour).
The sharing workshop was a gold mine for the ejournal. We interviewed
as many leaders as we could! So catch up on a wealth of leaders' journeys
and current projects, (there's collaboration going on all over the place!)
through the digital stories and interviews.
Marlene Manto's excellent digital story, presenting her evolving manifesto for successful online communities, challenges online community members and facilitators alike to consider what part we each play in shaping our online communities.
Wollemi Ringleaders will find this story especially thought provoking. Let's shape our online community!
Would you believe, our first Wollemi Ringleaders journey took us to a Knowledge
Tree? Here we are!!
Have a safe and peaceful Christmas and enjoy your well deserved rest...until
next year.
Jo Murray (Editor)
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