NSW – What’s been happening?

Perhaps the most significant event that has happened in NSW recently is the release of the proposal Lifelong Learning – The Future of Public Education in NSW. The information pack released in June outlines a proposal to reshape public education in NSW to create a 'whole of life' education provider that is more responsive to community needs. It proposes the better sharing of expertise and resources across the school and TAFE sectors, and to achieve this, proposes changes to enable the organisation to focus its resources on supporting the delivery of quality education. Some of the key points from the proposal include:

• streamlining the organisation
• developing stronger links between schools and TAFE, without diminishing their strong separate identities
• creating eight regions across the state
• more effectively supporting teachers
• strengthening the focus on on-line learning.

It is perhaps this last point that will interest many within the Flexible Learning community. At this stage, details are unclear about how exactly this focus will be ‘strengthened’. Feelings at the ‘front line’ are mixed. After many restructures and changes to the NSW education system over the last decade, many employees within education are apprehensive or skeptical. Others are naturally concerned about their employment status and the implications for their roles and responsibilities. The provision of clearer information will address some of these concerns. What is clear is that this proposal does promote stronger links between schools and TAFE through a range of structural changes to bring the two sectors closer together. What we all know, is that it is people and their relationships that will truly bring about change. This proposal brings challenges for the NSW Flexible Learning Alumni and an opportunity to demonstrate the leadership skills we have nurtured together.

These leadership qualities have been displayed in the following stories from around the state. Thanks to all the contributors.
Compiled by Donna Hensley

Expo in Tamworth Enthusiasm made the day at the Flexible Learning Expo in Tamworth on 19 June. Melissa Mills and Margaret Cupitt of the New England Area Health Service LearnScope team hosted a fantastic Expo for LearnScope project teams.

The success of the day was based on drawing together a number of strengths that have been fostered through Australian Flexible Learning Framework projects and other co-operative ventures. Melissa Mills lay the foundations for the day. As a previous Flexible Learning Leader herself, she had both experience and access to the Flexible Learning Leaders' network. Ross Hartley, Sponsor of the NEAHS LearnScope project and Director of Learning Services at New England Area Health Service, played an energetic and stimulating role in the day. Ross Hartley's chairing of a panel discussion before lunch provoked wide ranging discussion and at times rowdy hysteria! Here is an example of the difference that a seriously contributing sponsor from senior management can make to a LearnScope project in having an impact on organisational change.

Previous and current Flexible Learning Leaders all provided wisdom and a sense of connection. Donna Hensley from Hunter Institute Teaching And Learning Innovation Centre (ITALIC) outlined the range of projects and activities ITALIC is engaged in to promote flexible delivery. There is much variety in the Hunter projects, and Donna explained the rationale behind them. Dr. Maggie Haertsch Teaching and Learning Fellow at the Hunter Institute in 2003, provided examples of her past work in flexible learning in the field of health. She played samples of an audio program she had made on Domestic Violence and described another audio on childbirth for health professionals. Damon Wallace 2003 Flexible Learning Leader from South West Area Health Service in WA was able to identify organisational and industry issues.

Participants from a range of LearnScope teams represented a variety of levels of experience in flexible learning, from beginner to advanced. The staff of NEAHS contributed generously. Berniece and John had provided a bag of prizes for the panel session and disputes over awarding prizes were rife. Other staff of the NEAHS brought their own perspectives to discussion including Joseph Agyare, Linen Services Manager, who had completed an online course himself.

The other teams present were from ACE Walcha, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service, New England Institute of TAFE and HGT. The range of experience seemed to make everyone comfortable to either seek or offer advice within the group as they felt the need. For example Jan Hatton from ACE Walcha, who had been part of a case study included in Blended Learning published this year, was able to reinforce the need for a blended approach. Andrew Pratt from New England Institute of TAFE gave a presentation on his organisation's model of flexible and online delivery, with a more in depth look at the contribution of LearnScope projects to the Access section's capability.

Australian Flexible Learning Framework project staff were also able to contribute by bringing to life the broader possibilities offered through some of the Framework products and services. Wendy Wyatt, NSW Communications Officer for the Australian Flexible Learning Framework outlined these and held a Framework display. Janet Burstall from the NSW LearnScope Management team introduced two websites, the Community, and Flexways.

The day was a terrific example of the fruitfulness of the LearnScope and Framework principles of extending learning through collaboration. Congratulations to NEAHS Learning Services for a great initiative, which may inspire further such events in future.
Janet Burstall
Project Officer, LearnScope

NSW Framework Reference Group
The NSW Australian Flexible Learning Framework Reference Group has been established with two key objectives in mind:

Primarily it is envisaged that the group will continue to provide expert strategic advice and input on the implementation of the LearnScope project in NSW, within the context of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (AFL Framework).

Secondly the group will be available to consider information, identify links and provide advice as appropriate on other Framework projects as they relate to the take-up of e-learning across NSW VET. Currents members include:

• Graeme Dobbs, A/Executive Director TAFE NSW – Chair (Member of FLAG)
• Matthew Hutchens, Manager, NSW LearnScope
• Robby Weatherley, Framework Professional Development Manager
• Maret Staron, Manager, Professional Development Network, TAFE NSW
• Wendy Wyatt, Framework Communication Officer
• Peter Ryan, Australian Council for Private Education and Training
• Donna Hensley, Program Manager, ITALIC, TAFE NSW, Hunter Institute
• Gary Pollock, TAFE NSW Institute Director, New England
• Margaret Sullivan, TAFE NSW Division Director, Community Services, Health, Tourism and Hospitality
• Christine Erskine, Board of Adult & Community Education.

Email Based Forum
Greg Webb reports that the NSW Wollemi Ringleaders (all former Flexible Learning Leaders) have established an email-based forum to network as a group. They also have secured funds for a workshop day to plan the group’s purpose and future activities.

TAFE NSW Connect
Greg also runs the professional development sub-project for the TAFE NSW Online Project (TAFE Connect). The five year multi-million dollar TAFE Online project is in its final year and is now planning for the devolvement of the project's products and services over the next 12 months.

Team Capability
Chrishna Dixon reports that the IT faculty in North Coast Institute of TAFE are building their team capability through a number of strategies, including LearnScope and research and development grants. A number of blended delivery courses have now concluded and it is time to review and reflect on both teacher and student comments. The teachers are keen to have more control over the tools they have to deliver courses to learners so that they can keep pace with the rapid pace of change in technology. They wish to use a variety of learner centred techniques that actively engage learners with different learning styles, as well as focus on the need for real world scenarios and team work.

Highland Fling Kerry Ashcroft from TAFE NSW North Sydney Institute (NSI) had a visit from Linda Creanor from Glasgow Caledonian University. Linda spent a week in Sydney in December and with Kerry visited a number of locations in NSW including: Northern Sydney Institute – North Sydney, Hunter Institute - Newcastle, Illawarra Institute – Wollongong, Wollongong University and Canberra Institute of Technology. Kerry says: Linda was very impressed with our colleges and the friendly and informative sessions she had at each location. She really appreciated the time that people gave to her on her visits. It was also a great opportunity for me to reciprocate for at least one of the many people who hosted my visits in 2001.

Sharing ideas
Kerry also reports that three groups of teachers undertook the Introduction to Teaching and Learning Online (ItTO) short course last year with many more expressing interest in the first two courses on offer in second semester this year. NSI also undertook a joint ItTO with New England Institute last semester with the main aim being to get teachers talking to their counterparts in another Institute. Teachers are now seeing this as an important step to their success in implementing online and blended learning in their sections. For the Institute it has proven to be a vital part of the successful implementation and uptake of flexible/online learning.

Objectivity?
Sam Meredith from New England Institute of TAFE is currently project managing a LearnScope team focusing on learning object implementation.
Two key educational staff from each of our six faculties will undergo training in learning resource development using a learning object approach. They will also learn about basic metadata and how to store and retrieve learning objects from our emerging media asset and learning object repository.
Sam is also continuing to project manage multimedia and online learning resource development, using a learning object approach, in projects such as veterinary nursing, multimedia, ecoguiding.

The Power of Many
Julie Collareda from Illawarra Institute Teaching and Learning Resource Unit sends news about their resource development model.
Developing online resources is often difficult because many content experts (teachers) lack the necessary skills and knowledge in using this form of technology. In fact, worldwide there are few experts in this field and so the process can be difficult.
The Illawarra Institute Teaching and Learning Resource Unit (TLRU) have sought to overcome this problem by using a team approach to the process of online resource development. The rationale behind this approach is to empower teachers to use their existing knowledge and experience as content experts, and then combine this with the knowledge and skill of web developers, graphic designers and instructional designers. In many cases, there is not an instructional designer available, so out of necessity this becomes a process that involves the team. This has shown to have some advantages by capturing the skills, knowledge and creativity of all the team. In addition, this process facilitates the development of educational design skills in all members of the team, in particular teachers. This further empowers teachers to take greater ownership of the end resource.

To further enhance this process the TLRU has developed a word template in which teachers can develop online and CD ROM based learning resources. Teachers need only have an understanding of using word to use the template. The template has instructional design components, standard instructions and icons that have been developed to improve navigation and the learning experience for students. Further, the template creates reusable learning objects with accepted file naming conventions.

The finished document is then converted into html by the learning management system (LMS). The LMS pages are also developed at the same time, for example, the information section, topics with overview and self-assessment activities, and the assessment events. The web developer completes the process by building the more complex online activities such as flash movies, drop and drag and so on.

We believe this process will develop quality resources, provide professional development opportunities and be cost and time effective. To establish this is the case we will be researching the process in depth with four projects from August to October 2003.

Practice Makes Perfect
Tim Hand (OTEN), Sam Meredith (New England Institute of TAFE) & Peter Higgs (TAFE Tasmania) continue their adventures in the realm of Learning Objects, having successfully received funding for a New Practices Project ‘A Framework for Rights Enabled Learning Object Exchange for VET’.

The consortium of partners in conjunction with AEShareNet and IPR Systems propose a phased trial to determine a framework and descriptions for Digital Rights Management (DRM) of Learning Objects (LOs). A second part of the project will then trial rights management within a Learning Object Exchange (LOX). The trial will involve analysis of current licensing agreements both overseas and in Australia to help develop a set of suitable license templates, which meet the business objectives of participating institutions, and are appropriate to the VET sector and their stakeholders. It is important to note the purpose of the LOX demonstrator is to trial some of the concepts behind our suggested DRM approach. The LOX demonstrator is not built as a pre-release application, but rather to demonstrate the principles underpinning the suggested approach to DRM.

The trial will establish possible conditions for the exchange and trade of learning object material, relevant to the needs of that market. It will build on the pioneering work of AEShareNet in enabling the online licensing of learning object material. It is proposed to investigate the embedding of similar license agreements into the Learning Object in digital form.

Ports in a Storm
Jock Grady reports on an interesting LearnScope project that lets learners become involved in designing their own learning experience and focuses on those Digital Natives rather than Digital Immigrants. This is a joint project with Marie Jasinski and her team at Douglas Mawson Institute (SA) and involves critical dialogue with Marc Prensky (of www.twitchspeed.com and Digital Game-Based Learning fame) acting as mentor and agent provocateur via the Collaboratory (virtual team space established for the project). The project is underway and will be completed at the end of 2003.

VET Pedagogy?
Hot off the presses (well almost!) – is our report of 24 Case Studies of Innovative and Excellent Practices and Ideas in Vocational Education, Training, Teaching and Learning.

The report is currently with the sponsors (TAFE NSW Educational Strategy Group) and ANTA, and we hope that we’ll be in a position to share it soon. In the meantime see an overview of the project at www.hunter.tafensw.edu.au/showcase/casestudies

Welcome mat
ITALIC is dusting-off the welcome mat this month with visits from several advocates of flexible learning and innovative practice, including:

• Lola and Richard Krogh from Canberra Institute of Technology recently visited to present an overview of their innovative program to our Juvenile Justice staff


• Val Evans (TAFE NSW Professional Development Network) – currently with us on a brief 'return to industry' stint


• Carol Ward (Institute of TAFE, Tasmania)


• Current Flexible Learning Leaders Graeme Kirkwood, Rita Bennink, Maureen Sullivan

Hunter also continues to work on new fronts in:

• Knowledge Management - implementation of the Knowledge Management Framework, based around enhanced network capacity, Microsoft SharePoint and the locally developed eResources Framework (which allows staff to upload files to the framework for web access from anywhere via a very simple metadata-based interface)
• CoP (Community of Practice) of web designers and disabilities consultants targeted toward the production of accessible media-rich learning objects
• Virtual Communities development - working with farming communities in the Upper Hunter to provide an accessible, media-rich, bandwidth miserly portal for sharing of ideas, opportunities and information
• Student orientation portal-virtual campus tours for potential students with disabilities - detailed information on all aspects of physical access to all sections on all 16 campuses (includes immersive images and comprehensive photos).

Jock Grady Hunter Institute, TAFE NSW

Blend it Like Beckham
Riverina Institute is running several Blended Learning Workshops this semester based on the recently distributed ANTA resource and locally developed game-like activities. The workshop is intended to develop awareness, strategies and skills in delivering blended learning. The blended learning material may be a combination of self paced learning materials, online, textbooks, workplace learning, etc. Marie Hunt, Jacqueline Bates and Jess Chalmers will be running the workshops.

Online Courses
Currently through the Online Department, the Riverina Institute is running Certificate IV in Workplace Safety, Certificate IV In Assessment and Workplace Training, Graduate Certificate in Facilitating and Managing E-learning (FAMe) and Introduction to Teaching Online (a short 8 week program). Demand for the two Certificate IV courses have been overwhelming, so Online is certainly a popular choice for a number of learners.

Management Communication Flexibly/Blended/Online
Fifteen Riverina Institute staff are currently exploring the flexible and blended delivery of the Graduate Certificate in Management Communication. The Change Management Module is going to be completed online commencing in August 2003, which will be new experience for most of the participants. RPL processes are also being explored.

Out of the Box
This project focuses on reviewing current ANTA Toolboxes and how they fit in with current curriculum. Twenty participants attended the first workshop for this LearnScope project. Some creative ways of getting the participants together have been established via a virtual community of practice. The Toolboxes and teams were selected on the basis of no previous involvement in online/blended learning technologies. They include Horticulture, Literacy/Numeracy, Laboratory Operations, Child Studies, Frontline Management and Call Centre (Level 3).

Quality Project
Vicki Marchant has also been undertaking a small Quality project looking at using Knowledge Management software (SharePoint) to manage Assessment Validation processes and document storage/retrieval for an Assessment Bank in Administration Services across the Riverina Institute.
Marie Hunt and Vicki Marchant, Riverina Institute, TAFE NSW