flex-e-bility

Yes folks it's good news. $15 million has been allocated to continuation of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework in 2006. A decision about 2007 will be made during 2006.

For updates about funding availability and projects go to

http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au

Yes, it's a name change. Under the new DEST arrangements (nee ANTA) the previous Ministers for Vocational Education and Training (VET) has been replaced by the Ministerial Council for Vocational Training and Education (VTE). It appears that we have a new acronym!!

I wonder what the change in working means?
Vocational Education and Training TO Vocational Training and Education

Is the last brick in the wall for any consideration of liberal education in TAFE. Vocational education is no longer a primary concern, it has been replaced by Vocational training.

What do you think. Semantics or an important change in discourse emphasis?

Intersted in the idea of connectivism? Have a look at a live classroom presentation by George Siemens that was given at the Cool Connections Conference

Go to: http://home.learningtimes.net/lta?go=1045877

Cool Connections showcased the activities of Learnscope and New Practices projects across Australia. In total there were 54 presentations across 4 streams and two keynote addresses. Over two days, the conference contributed to learning in relation to both technological and pedagogic developments in e-learning.

Technological developments largely revolved around the increasing availability of often free and/or open source software that requires minimal technical skill in application. These include audio and visual software, blogs, wikis. As an extension of these spaces that converge a number of capabilities into a single space.

Mobile technologies also received some attention with the potential of Moblogging being explored along with assessment systems linked to hand held PDAs.

On the pedagogic front George Siemens keynote address opened conversation about the idea of connectivism as a pedagogic model.

If you would like to find out more then go to:

http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au

If you are interested in developments associated with communication and online technology then have a look at this terrific article written by James Farmer and presented at ASCITITE 2004.

James focuses on the place of discussion boards and argues that weblogs offer new opportunities in the development of social, cognitive and teacher presence online and should be considered in the development of or alongside established OLEs.

Go to http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/perth04/procs/farmer.html

Feedback on assessment is the topic of a 'guide' developed by the Kingston University London. It provides some useful ideas based on feedback from students.

http://www.kingston.ac.uk/adc/feedback.pdf

Thank you to Murielle who sourced this resource as part of an assignment.

The launch of Edition 7 of The Knowledge Tree, the journal of the 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework, by the Vocational Education and Training (VET) E-learning International project, positions this e-journal of learning innovation in the international arena. Contributions from e-learning practitioners the world over, offer readers the chance to share global research and practice in learning innovation.

Contents of Edition 7

Ulises Mejias: ‘A Nomad’s Guide to Learning and Social Software’.
Leigh Blackall: ‘Digital literacy: how it affects teaching practices and networked learning futures - a proposal for action research’.
Chris Brook and Ron Oliver: ‘A case study of community development in online settings’
Cecilie Murray: M-learning and New Students’ Thinking.
Mark Nichols ‘Tensions in the Convergence of Technology and Pedagogy’.
Diane Newton and Allan Ellis: ‘The influence of organisational culture on e-learning design in the Australian Army’
Margaret O’Connell and Ralph Hampson: ‘A meeting of minds: Blurring international boundaries in a postgraduate Social Work course’.

There are also non-peer-reviewed articles and interviews.

http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/knowledgetree/index.html