Jo Murray reports from Tasmania.

In August, Stephen Downes presented via videoconference to the Tasmanian ICT Showcase elearning conference on drivers of change in the school system. Click to view his presentation slide show.

The Tasmanian Flexible Learning Network has been meeting every 6 weeks since April, hosted by our Framework Communications Officer Carol Bond. Thanks to Carol flexible learning now has a greater profile with RTOs and the Office of Post Compulsory Education and Training (OPCET), where she has established a Framework web presence. So far this year the network members have also participated in a number of video and web conferences on Virtual Teaming (John Gundry), Online Facilitation and Communities of Practice (Nancy White and Etienne Wenger) and Learning Objects (New Media Consortium).

Two Tasmanian e-Learning Hub members have recently been awarded further contracts with the Learning Federation. Roar Education Multimedia won Literacy for Students at Risk 2 and Crank Media won Innovation, Enterprise and Creativity 2. The Tasmanian e-Learning Hub, a cluster of ICT and elearning companies, has now developed into a strong network, with the support of the Department of Economic Development and Intelligent Island. Some of the benefits include collaborative partnerships and network marketing. Check out the range of presentations by hub members at the ICT conference website. Geoff Ellwood's presentation on the experience of the E-Tech group in Europe and Asia is particularly interesting! If you need service, view the ICT Industry Directory for a full choice of providers.

Since being assured of recurrent funding, Tasmanian Communities Online are booming ahead. Just one of their successful partnerships with an RTO, provides online learning to disdavantaged people in regional/rural Tasmania. Click to read about it.

Telstra has announced a Broadband-eLab services Trial with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd to evaluate the use of a smart service gateway as a multi-purpose platform for the delivery of value-added broadband services to customers.

Speaking at the Telstra Research Laboratories’ (TRL) 80th birthday celebration held at its Launceston Broadband eLab (B-eLab), TRL’s Managing Director and Telstra Chief Technology Officer, Dr Hugh Bradlow said the 12 month trial would help to define the deployment of future broadband applications via a smart service gateway.

Click to view further details on the B-eLab services Trial and the Telstra Research Laboratories or contact Bruce Free for additional information on Bruce.A.Free@team.telstra.com or 03 6223 9803

Public education providers are major beneficiaries of the $7 million Federal government investment in the Tasmanian Research and Education Network (TREN), a collaborative project involving the University of Tasmania, CSIRO, the Australian Antarctic Division, the Australian Maritime College and AARNet!! Tasmanian treasurer Dr Crean said, “Not only will this initiative provide genuine improvements for researchers but it also has the potential to provide lower cost access to high bandwidth for other sectors in Tasmania including schools, vocational education and training and health institutions”. Click to read the full details.

In Edition 02 we reported on the Tasmanian Health and Education Communications Initiative. Now called Broadband for Rural Tasmania (BRT), this nationally funded project is focused on improving telecommunications infrastructure to support education and health service delivery in regional and rural locations in Tasmania. The BRT tenders applications, for procurement and proposed broadband roll-out, are currently being considered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet. For further details contact Peter Fisher on peter.fisher@dpac.tas.gov.au

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LearnScope

There are 12 teams participating in LearnScope this year, seven from the Institute of TAFE Tasmania and five from private providers. There is a buzz of activity amongst teams with projects focusing on their project objectives. These include expanding knowledge of online delivery methods such as WebCT, developing skills in producing learning objects, setting strategies for implementing flexible learning in their organisation, establishing networks of mentors and for some, developing skills to use flexible learning tools. For details of project objectives and contacts go to: Tasmanian Project Summaries

Much progress has already been made so far and in August, Project Managers and Facilitators met to exchange experiences. The workshop demonstrated the increased collaboration between teams. There was much sharing and learning from each other. For an update of Tasmanian activities and teams stories go to the Tasmanian Home Page. Tasmanian teams also facilitated activities at the national online event LearnScope Online

The end of the year showcasing occurred on 2 December in Hobart. The event was an opportunity to demonstrate what teams have achieved this year. A kaleidoscope of presentations included 2003 Flexible Learning Leader Graeme Kirkwood, Robert Mallet on an Applied Research Project ‘Barriers in e-learning for trainees’ and Peter Higgs on a ‘Framework for Rights Enabled Learning Object Exchange Trial’. For background on this latter project read the critique by Rod Savoie from the National Research Council of Canada. See our Edition 04 interviews for more recent updates.