Sydney Institute Report May 2009
image by sridgway
It’s hard to belive 6 month has passed since the Feb 2009 update, the year is flying along.
Personnel changes in the Workforce Development Unit
As most of you all know Julie Collareda has moved to SWSI to take up the position of Manager, Innovation & Technology Based Learning. Julie has been a driving force behind innovation and directions @ Sydney Institute and she will leave a hole, howver she is not far away and given the increasing willingness to share and collaboration in recent times we will no doubt be working with her closely.
Paula Willimas has also moved on to a position outside TAFE NSW in the Higher Education sector. Her energy, innovation and inspiration will be greatly missed @ SI, WI and the wider elearning networks within TAFE NSW. All the best Paula and we look froward to cross sectoral collaboration in the future.
Learning Technology Mentor Program
Our 2009 Learning Technology Mentor Programs kicked off with 13 new mentors being selected and participation in a 3 day induction program. They have commenced their mentoring this week and will continue for 10 weeks.
We modified the program based upon feedback from the 2008 program.
- induction program was reduced from 5 to 3 days
- technologies scaled back to 5 core SI elearning platforms
for more information see the 2009 induction program
AFLF elearning innovations projects
Sydney Institute was successful in receiving funding for 2 elearning innovations submissions.
- Petersham College – Child studies partnership with Lady Gowrie- RPL elearning solution with Adobe Connect. Debbie Zappia and Jackie Goodyear (West St)
- St George College – Architectural Technology – Lou Martini at Kogarah for Online CAD tutorials called ‘Revit’ access remote learning
Equella Pilot Project
Sydney Institute in conjunction with TAFE eLearning Systems (TeLS) have been involved with a trial of the repository platform Equella and Moodle.
The main objectives of the formal trial are as follows:
- To configure and demonstrate seamless, simple interaction between LMSs in selected representative TAFE Institutes and the EQUELLA LCMS for storing, sharing, finding and using learning content.
- To configure EQUELLA to support the workflow and business requirements for content development and publication in OTEN, the Distance Education arm of TAFE NSW.
- To demonstrate support for business models with complex permissions and sharing requirements (e.g. with my institute, with all institutes, with specific institutes, with some external groups, with some internal groups, etc).
- To prove that existing content can be effectively migrated into EQUELLA and determine the benefits of the LCMS/LOR for ongoing content management compared to existing systems (i.e. the proliferation of existing content in locations such as local hard drives, shared server drives, USB keys, SharePoint sites and miscellaneous databases, etc).
- To demonstrate that EQUELLA can operate as an effective repository for curricula and related knowledge objects extending beyond standard, student- facing learning content (e.g. extend to manage curricula materials, etc).
For more information on the prject and the upcoming outcomes see the Equilla Project page
NSW DET (COAG) RPL Promotion Projects – Assessor Networks – Recognising elearning Skill Set
Most of you were involved in the consultation and collaboration surrounding the elearning skill sets earlier in the year.
This COAG funded project will develop a model and set of assessment / recognition tools to be used to enable the recognition of three elearning skills sets with a group of 12 practitioners at Sydney Institute. The tools and processes will then be available to TAFE NSW and other VET providers.
For more information see the project page
Hot Topics and Sunrise@SI webinar programs
Both the Hot Topic Conversations and the SunRise@SI weninar programs have continued with a new programs outlined for the rest of the semester. We experimented with SunRise@SI @ 7:30am but have moved it back to 8:00am.
Wireless Networking Roll out
The Sydney Region lead roll out of wireless access points continues throughout the institute. The long term goal is to have coverage in all covered areas in college campuses wirelessly enabled. We are in the process of developing a communication and PD program across the institute as demand increases.
Connected Classrooms
Arising from a SI regional initiative over the past 12 months connected classrooms and Video Conferencing facilities have been progressively installed across institute campuses. Workforce development has been developing a PD program to support the rool out.
SWSI Update
We are well under way with our Moodle Trial and have four faculties and 5 sections involved. A training session kicked started this group and there is much activity as they familiarise themselves and set up in preparation for either trialling with a small number of current students and/or ready for Semester 1, 2009.
Smartboards (ANT Project) have slowed due to a problem with installers – this is being ironed out by ICT and management, however it is intended still to get all completed by the end of this year. Staff have embraced this technology and have been utilising slates, lumens and senteo’s in the classroom. I have been receiving some very positive email from teachers on the enthusiasm shown by students.
Sharepoint for teachers/units is currently being rolled out with various methods of training. This will take a larger focus now the Quality Awards will be finished.
Planning for the maintenance and preparation of wikispaces, podcast server and Janison is also on the agenda as we streamline the requests.
New England Rockets into the 21st Century
New England Institute has ventured into new territory, setting up its three Moodle LMS servers. Since then we’ve been busy testing modules, playing with very nifty plug-ins (eg. Audio recorder, podcast manager, menu block, flash media player, video conferenicng by Moodle, SMS via Moodle), and transfers from Janison.
David Gilchrist (astronaut extraordinaire) and Dianne Van Berlo attended Moodle Moot 08 which confirmed we were heading in the right direction in our Institute travels and only excited us more about Moodle’s potential. We’re also about to start f2f training after developing a self paced course for Moodle course creators.
Course Creator's Guide
Audio recorder topic
CLI have been travelling with us as we link to the LRR, after we consulted with our Institute passengers – through user and technical forums.
We’ve also been providing some in house entertainment and learning opportunities to our 21st Century Institute travellers including a Virtual Worlds presentation to demonstrate innovative use of learning technologies, appearing “live” at AgQuip for three days, spreading the vision for the Institute through vodcast, our Learning Technologies Road show online, and Toolbox customisation and ARED workshops.
Throughout our journey we’ve also chatted to students, the community and industry, with many wanting to join us in our journey.
Like any good trip we’ve enjoyed the opportunities as well as the challenges that we’ve encountered.
To make the trip as smooth as possible for our travellers, our EDU Learning and Assessment team tour guides have:
-
needed a team wide EDU approach to change management, supported by the establishment of strong cross functional relationships
-
needed to influence in different ways with different approaches- up down across
-
many and regular conversations with ICT, Institute Executive and visible presence across Institute
-
spreading use of learning technologies to other functional unit’s daily activities
-
overcome resistance to change.
EDU Learning and Assessment Team- Sphere of Influence
So here’s to sharing the excitement as more and more people join in our travels through the 21st Century.
Update from Western Institute: Nov 5th 2008
The ANT2 and Workforce Guarantee funds: mentoring network focusing on six key technologies:
-
Video Conferencing
-
Interactive White Boards
-
Web Conferencing (Connect)
-
Wikis (Private Label Wikispace)
-
iPods
-
Digital Stories
… and various add-ons along the way
The last four have been hugely successful and popular.
The mentoring has a two-way approach: Faculty-based and location-based. Feedback indicates that this has been very successful and enjoyable for participants. We are currently exploring ways that this can be approach can be continued beyond the project.
Priorities for Semester 2 have been:
-
Development of ‘New Learning Technologies’ SharePoint site as repository of resources for teachers
-
Skinning of wiki, currently being finalised as I type: http://www.wit.wikispaces.net
-
Implementation of Moodle install to be ready for use Semester 1, 2009
-
Implementation of LRR Western Institute installation
-
‘Doing Business with Technology” workshop for Managers
-
Staff development
AGENDA: November 5th 2008
09.30 – 10.10 Jenny Manetas Telstra presentation – product demos
10.10 – 11.10 Simon Paine (TeLs) Update on VLE
11.10 – 11.30 Morning tea
11.30 – 12.30 Julie McAllister ActivStudio Demonstration
12.30 – 01.15 Grant Casey Learning Design: resources and training
01.15 – 01.45 Lunch
01.45 – 02.15 Robyn Jay eLearning08, AFLF
02.15 – 03.45 Paula Williams FLN Blog: Institute developments
03.45 – 04-00 Afternoon Tea
04.00 – 04.45 Paula Williams Continued from previous session
Illawarra Institute’s Update for 5 Nov 2008
Virtual Learning Environment – integration of Moodle/LRR project with CLI/TeLS (see diagram)http://www.gliffy.com/pubdoc/1515058/M.jpg
VLE incorporates:
- Moodle for delivery, interaction, collaboration
- MEdiawiki for resource development and content management (unit/topic page templates, categories)
- WordPress blogs and Private wikispace for interaction/collaboration
- LRR for learning resource storage/search/sharing
- Hosted Moodle for Commercial programs
- Trials re integration of Moodle with Institute SAM/OLS and with LRR
Flexible Learning @ Illawarra Project – pilot of 4 cross-Institute programs; utilising VLE for resource development and delivery; FL@IP website being developed, including an elearning orientation program; capability development plan includes resource development, facilitate elearning, SAM/OLS training, awareness/website for campus administration staff.
iiMediawikiInterviews with Team Leaders of pilot teams:
eLearning Mentors (ANT2) – blogs, Adobe Presenter, Photostory, Moviemaker, ARED/LAWS are proving most popular. View Adobe Connect Time2Share presentation from one of our team, Painting and Decorating teacher, Fiona Shewring: http://webconf.det.nsw.edu.au/p86001304/
Facilitate eLearning – current group of participants from IIT/NCI/SWSI, approx 35. Changes have been made to the program activities on the fly - participant presentations in Connect & new eTools activity using http://voicethread.com . The collaboration and creativity has been outstanding. We will be starting a new group with a workshop in non-teaching weeks at start of 2009 – any takers for collaboration? We have 8 new teachers who do the unit as part of their Cert IV TAA and our FL@IP team as starters already.
UOW/IIT eLearning & Pedagogy Conversations – six weekly informal meetings over coffee. At our last meeting, Wendy Meyer shared her experience of the Moodle Moot in October – http://www.moodlemootau.org Next meeting we plan to look at eRolePlays. Collaboration around 2009 Emerging Technologies Conference – is there interest from other Institutes? Some emerging themes: staff development, mobile technologies, pedagogy…
Video Conferencing: Equipment installed in each campus in staff meeting room spaces. Aim is to use for Institute meetings before using for teaching. TLI is supporting the capability development through a train the trainer process. A POV camera is being used to create resources to assist campus staff to go through the steps to turn on the equipment. Video conference sessions will be conducted for campus mentors, including CAMs and eLearning Mentors.
I.M.A.G.E. – Innovate-Motivate-Achieve-Grow-Excite. Institute Innovation Showcase planned for December to be conducted via Video Conference. eLearning Mentors will participate, guest speaker on innovation in business and customer service.
-
Subscribe
· 
