email and interruption science

Back from 10 days leave - 372 emails - is this efficiency?

Gold Coast

A brief question has entered my mind while on leave up at the inlaws at Palm Beach; how on earht does anyone ever get to do any work when there are such beautifulbeaches everywhere?

Cool Connections

Off to Sydney on Monday 21 November to listen and learn at the presentations of the many wonderful learnings happening through the Australian Flexible Learning Framework.

I am presenting the story of the Issues in indigenous VET Online Forum - on behalf of Terry Kildea, the manager of Gunung William Ballak Centre.

This is the big hurrah for the Framework to show off what is being achieved and the value of the investment in the many programs.

At the end of the day, the professional development it has afforded me is invaluable. Also the great pepole who like me have got involved in Framework activities has been rewarding.

From letters to The Age Education supplement 31 October

Get It Right Minister

The article "Bellyache for TAFE" quotes the minister for Vocational Education and Training as stating that "80% of work done by TAFEs isn't about trade related training, which is what the Commonwealth funds, it's about recreational pursuits". These comments show an extraordinary failure on his part to understand his portfolio. TAFEs only use government funding for occupationally relevant programs for artisans, para-professionals and the disadvantaged.

Rather than denigrate the students in TAFE, the minister would better serve the Australian community if he sensibly informed himself about vocational education and began to address issues such apprenticeship attrition rates, the fiasco, confusion and camelback of the AQTF (Australian Qualification Framework), and curriculum reform.
Bruce McKenzie
Chief Executive Officer
Homesglen Institute of TAFE

November 15 - a claytons strike

Our illustrious union the AEU is calling on its members to march up and down Swanston Street on November 15 to protest the impending IR laws to be passed by the Federal Government. These laws could have serious implications fo rthe employment conditions for teachers and TAFEys like me - the greatedst fear I have is that there will be differentiations in working conditions and pay across teaching staff. I just dont see how this will mean better education. It certainly will not result in more harmonious working environments. To save us $$$ our nice HR dept has been issued with directives from Industrial Relations Victoria to allow staff to take the day as leave, NAPD (the great unkowable condition enjoyed by some exploited by others) so long as there is "no disruption". So if I march wil there be disruption? mmmmm

Reflections of Eureka

Spent last Thursday and Friday in gorgeous Ballarat attending the Eureka - evolutions in elearning conference. The best aspect of the conference without doubt where the good attendance of people form ACE and private providers. My fave session was the ACPET Learnscope presentation. Four diverse private RTOs. The Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade, organic Farmers from Bairnsdale, Conservation Volunteers Australia and a private provider from Ballarat presented. What it demonstrated to me was the immense goodwill that exists across the VET sector and how so many have assisted others in sharing their learnings.

Another interesting session was the use of digital story telling and how it has worked to engage the traditional trade teachers in working with new technologies.

ways the company of the wonderful people I have met through my involvement with elearning across the VET sector. It's always great to have a social function where the officious that some bring to their professional roles breaks down over a few drinks.

Eureka Conference

October 13 and 14. Off to Ballarat University for the Eureka Conference to present the Issues in Indigenous VET Online Network. Sounds like a mos tcomprehensive conference of over 150 participants looking at the successes of LearnScope and the Australian Flexible Learning Framework

Indigenous Small Business Skills Project

I have been invited to sit on a Reference Group for a DEWR funded project. A most august colection of individuals from whom I am sure I will learn much. Here are the terms of reference for the team.
1. To provide strategic advice and feedback to IBSA and IBA on the processes and initiatives needed to be put in place for the successful development and implementation of the Indigenous Small Business Skills Development Project (ISBSDP).
2.To maintain effective lines of communication and liaison between the project and stakeholders.
3. To provide input to the development of project reports, units of competencies and other to deliverables.
4. To promote the project and its outcomes to relevant Indigenous organisations and communities, government agencies, NGO’s, training providers and other stakeholders.
5. To provide a forum for exchange of ideas, identification of issues, gathering of information and the development of appropriate solutions.
6. To explore possibilities to access broader opportunities in order to further the objectives of the project.
7. To provide ‘grass-roots’ knowledge and experience of Indigenous vocational, education and training for small business.
8. The Project Advisory Committee will meet up to four times over the course of the project. It will comprise of 8-10 representatives with a strong background in Indigenous VET or business issues.
9. The Project Advisory Committee will be managed and facilitated by Innovation Business Skills Australia.

TAFE VC - the next system, VISTA

Spent last week navigating the next iteration of WEB CT (the LMS behind TAFE VC) that is to be rolled out across the Victorian VET sector by 2007. Mark Hallam, from WEB CT, facilitated the five day workshop of the pilot Institutes (Gippsland, Swinburne and Kangan).

Lots to do t oget the new system up and going, certainly not "just the click of a button", as one participant first thought of the task.

The great benefits of VISTA is that RTOs can brand their own learning resources and have greater control over the administration of the LMS.

Visit to Aboriginal Programs Unit - TAFE NSW

TAFE NSW always appears as an amporphous heap of bureaucracy to me when I am trying to make contacts. But when it comes to Aboriginal education, the bureaucracy is working towards some amazing goals that have the potential to fundamentally alter society.

As part of any national project on Indigenous education it is essential to engage with TAFE NSW, it is in this state that the bulk of Indigenous VET students interact with TAFE and private RTOs.

On Friday I met Danny Lester who let me know of an exciting initiative his unit is working on: they want to make compulsory the study of aboriginal Culture across all streams of learning and to develop a unit of competency that would be core across all Training Package quals.

Email down - no pants on

For the second day in a row Kangan Batman's server is down - no email. My fear is that when it comes back on I will have more than 100 emails to wade through. A few of my colleagues are finding it all rather difficult especially the TAFE VC Administrator whose entire work is centred around email. What today and yesterday has revealed is the dependency on electronic communication and how naked I feel when the technology fails.

NCVER Forum

Had two days in Adelaide attending NCVER Forum on research into Indigenous VET.

Good

• being in the same space as fellow professionals involved in Indigenous VET
• a great presentation from Metta Young and Emily from CAT about remote desert communities with a dose of reality
• meeting Anne Patel Gray, Director of Taoundi Colege

Bad

• many presentations stating the bleeding obvious - its the structures in which we operate that precludes equity of outcomes across VET in OZ
• the Indigneous client voice - AITAC - is no more and DEST is yet to work out how to accomodate that voice

Realisation

The Western paradigm in which we work is hung up big time on time, budgets and processes often at the expense of people.

PacBrands Kicks off

It's started. Our first real life consultants where we are advising and supporting a significant manufacturing organisation in establishing elearning as a core training tool.

we met today with Zari and Chris of the OHS area of PacBrands to kick off the development of learning content for delivery through the TAFE VC.

We will develop three training packages in the first stage of our relationship with the company:

• manual handling
• due diligence
• workplace inspections.

Paul moves onwards and upwards

The first person who explained to me the ins and outs of Kangan Batman TAFE in a way I understood, Paul Harrington is moving on. He submitted his letter of resignation today and is off to do something with refrigeration. Paul is always of good humour, sanguine about his role on the "system" that keeps us gainfully engaged and eternally friendly. His no nonsense approach to project management is something I would love to emulate. He managed the Teaching and Learning unit at our Richmond campus and was the Automotive Curiculum Maintenace Manager - a role I have never fully undestood, but I think it is important.

Just back from Darwin

Spent last four days interviewing representatives from NT Skills Councils to gather stories of how Training Packages are used in delivery to Indigenous learners. Main concern of the reps was the lack of consultation of National Skills councils when they develop or review Training Packages.
Ahh th epolitics o fthe VET system, evwer complex and ever a simple matter of personalities.

Rapid Response Bid Management

Up at Craigeburn today doing a professional development workshop on the use of software that will give me a greater degree of control and logic in the development of tenders - apparently I will be come a Document Architect

G8 Airvan for the Toolbox

We are getting formal permission today, from Gippsland aeronautical that manufacturers this wonderful aircraft, to use the G8 as part of the scenarios we are developing to impart learning through the Airworthiness administration Toolbox.

To the barricades

Tomorrow I am off to the protest against the changes in Industrial relations laws - fear the destruction of the minimum wage is my greatest motivator - not a big fan of unions anymore given their close links with ALP and how union officials always aspire to be ALP pollies. But Howard's IR laws will be a return to the industrial jungle for many unskilled service industry workers.

Another week without the teachers

It must be in the genes - the "holidays" are here and I am still at work - I prefer to call it the non teaching term, that way I could be kept company by a few teachers - I am never sure if these "holidays" are actually part of the conditions of work of teachers or just an ager old custom that Howard's industrial law changes will attack. Still its sunny, less 4WD circling the schools I ride past each morning so there is something good about it all.

Resubmit Toolbox

After some very useful feedback we have resubmitted our Airworthiness administration Toolbox - fingers crossed that all is OK - I include some feedback here to give you an idea of the style of Toolbox most desired by our Aviation teachers: (Allan is the content expert who has sought feedback from his teaching colleagues)


Allan I have had a look at the doc below. I think we should get away from silly names stick to single one word names if you need to at all.
I don't feel this should be a cuddly subject, it should be very serious and straight to the point, more toward a legal line !

Love the word "cuddly"

Koori Unit PD

Today I am delivering dsome PD to the wonderful staff at the Gunung Willam Ballak Learnig centre - pics to follow

International Networking for Educational Transformation

Involved in an online conference this week, facilitating on Thursday. It is hosted by a friend Debra Brydon. All very interesting about how schools are changing the way they work because of technology. The underlying fear is just how divided the world is becoming between those engaged and those not even in the same room.
If interested send an email to brydon@cybertext.net.au

Indigenous perspectives in Training Packages

After some significant research from Clair Andersen and Stephen Kemmis a guide to assist Skills Councils to include Indigenous perspectives in their TP development and review is to be developed - and we are the lucky people to do it. I have the joy of working with Jenni Oldfield from VETAssess and Linc Yow Yeh form our Koori Unit. It will be an important project - and the process will be as important as the end result. The system needs to be made aware of the issues.

New technologies Online Conference

I am facilitating an online conference discussion on Wednesday June 8, next week. Lots of interesting topics about the role of technology specifically in the secondary school sector. If interested go to the title which links off to International Networking for education Transformation (pretty impressive title, hey)

Indigenous perspectives in Training Packages

Wonderful news from Margaret Brown who carries the weighty title of
Senior Executive Officer Indigenous VET Delivery in Department of Education in Queensland but is as nice a chief bureaucrat as I have met or worked with.

She has awarded our little team the interesting task of writing a guide for Industry Skill Councils to assist them to include indigenous perspectives in the development of Training packages.

TRIC in Geraldton

Back from my jaunt to the West and the TAFE in Regional and Isolated Communities Conference. A great bunch of people, the bbq at the Bowls Club was the highlight, like a very polite B&S Ball. Very disappointing presentation by head of WA dept of Education, Geoff Bowley. A senior leader of education with lots of info on Private technical Colleges, new AWA issues in relation to pay and conditions for TAFE teachers and he kept referring questions ot the DEST website - as if he was afraid of not including us in his confidence.

TRIC tomorrow

Off to Perth tomorrow morn @ 6am for a three day conference in Geraldton - TAFE in Regional and Isolated Communities.

Presenting a workshop on the Gettin Into It Guide for delivery to Indigenous learners - getting a little anxious as I certainly am no expert in this area - but I managed the development, and did some writing of the ANTA Guide and know it would be a wonderful resource for assisting people in their work

Testing tomorrow

We are about to test our Toolbox with some real life students from Kangan Batman's Aviation Department - all a bit aflutter with nerves as what looks obvious to us on the screen, such as navigation may prove to be totally unclear tomorrow.

VACCHO

Had a stimulating visit to Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) this morning with manager of Koori Program Unit, Terry Kildea.

Glenda Thorpe and her colleagues were really interested in setting up a professional online network to support indigenous Health care workers across Victoria.

Lead them through options for elearning resources for the soon to be released national competencies for health care workers. They seemed very excited about the possibilities.

Technical V Learning - what teachers do everyday

Just how come there are all these assumptions about how teachers are going to use our Toolbox? The Aviation teachers I have met just don't do much on computers, there working conditions do not afford them the luxury of time that I and my ilk (educational functioanries)
have each day. I reckon that's it, so many of my ilk are ex teachers so they see the advantages of repositories an dinteroperability and all that jazz but i reckon they have forgotten the demands on an ordinary teacher and just how little exposure they have to new technologies.

G8 Airvan

Gippsland Aeronautics have given permission our Toolbox development team to use its aircraft, G8 Airvan, as the template for our scenarios. Fab news. An Australian regionally based company will benefit from this exposure.

a possible "real" client

Have written up a quote to develop a SCORM compliant elearning resource t osupport the delivery of manual handling training at PacBrands

It's always so exciting to get into the offices of a real life corporation and have the privlege of discussing the needs of a Training/HR department. The idea of us developing resources for a company as renowned as PacBrands is very exciting.

What we must put in the Toolbox

Had a robust reference Group teleconference yesterday morn with my 6 industry representatives. went in with a preferred position for the content (preferred because we thought the nuts and bolt competencies would be more engaging and interesting to develop). This was blown out of the water by the industry people and good on them - at the end of the day they are the masters of the project and know what is best for the industry. Rolled over like a meek pussycat and we now are ready to rock and roll with these competencies - must make them interesting:

• 
  MEA111A Perform administrative processes to prepare certification of aircraft maintenance
• 
  MEA112A Plan and implement aircraft maintenance activities
• 
  MEA113A Supervise maintenance activities and manage human resources in the workplace

Wish us luck!

Link to Emerging Technologies blog

This is the place where a few fellow professionals are trying to seduce other professionals to join - another online forum - I always wonder what teachers have the time to engage.

The Toolbox experience

Spent two days last week prior to Easter with the seven other teams developing Toolboxes in 2005. I am managing the development of an Aeroskills toolbox. Re-reading my last post I saw I was adamant that I NEVER wanted to see the technical impose itself on the learning. Unfortunately, after the two days, it is obvious that the requirements for interoperability, SCORM compliance do affect how learning is imparted over the internet. Is it a balancing act between the technical and the learning? Is their a fight to to be fought? Is it a quixotic hope that learning dictates to technology? Am busy assembling a reference group now of industry people to adivse us as to the content of the Toolbox

Technical Vs Pedagogy

As I prepare for the Toolbox developers workshop next week the question of how much the technical specifications impose themselves on the learning resources we develop creeps into my crowded mind. The specs for Toolboxes are very specific and are designed to make the resource disaggregateable (or pull apartable) and operating on a repository - this SCORM stuff seems quite complex but my two geeks have a handle on - just want to make sure in the debates about learning that technology NEVER dictates to the learning that we are trying to impart.

Emerging Technology Forum

A group of eight or nine TAFEs are coming together to try and establish a online network for VET professionals to discuss the emerging technologies and how they affect our work and students learning. A workshop tomorrow will use the very sexy and easy to use Elluminate package - how much for this thing that appeals big time....mmm will ask tomorrow.

Hooray - a toolbox

Wow - we are stoked at LRD - the Aviation Toolbox submission got up - I am whole again. great support from Mike Heffey the manager of Aviation and Allan Jones the aviation teacher who navigated me through the arcane language of the new Aviation training package and its relationship to CASA who licences engineers after they have successfully completed the competencies that wil make up our Toolbox - up up and away with .........

Irons in the fire

After a crazy two weeks where I cobbled together four Toolbox tenders I am now sitting back preparing a conference presentation for a TRIC Conference in Geraldton http://www.centralwest.wa.edu.au/tric/- and I have three learnScope projects to manage. 1. Repositories.2. Moving the Koori Unit teachers into elearing 3.Unpacking the new TAA course -ahh the best thing about this work is the variety.

At the coalface 

A project completed

My first musings on my profession.

We so often are not masters of our own destiny in the world of educational services. No matter how much we like to think we run on a business model (everything done to action plans, quality processes and meeting deadlines) we simply are often subject to the expectations and demands placed on our clients.