learning for real

Carbon - the new gold

2011-10-27T13:32:00.001+11:00

Education Manager at CMI

A brand new world

2010-07-16T13:54:00.002+10:00

I have taken another plunge and left CPA Australia to assume a position with The Mint Group. As far as value propositions go Mint offer more than just the RTO service of my previous employer Performis. Not only embedding trainers into significant hospitality businesses but also we offer job ready staff. My new role offers me a chance to continue my management of people but also lead an entrepreneurial business into new markets. Let's see how it goes!

A thousand cuts

2010-04-29T14:23:00.004+10:00

Been a log time coming. Successes: Getting four accountants to do their Certificate IV in Training and Assessmnet. Meeting all budgets. Navigating AITD Conference in Sydney. Understaning the coding system of our products and data basese and how they connect. failures: Loosing Sam my best team memebr. Rushing latest tender response to the ATO.

Down the rabbit hole

2009-07-23T15:16:00.004+10:00

We are undergoing training in Hive CPA Australia's repository. The question I keep considering is technology serving or demanding??

A new way of working

2009-06-11T10:51:00.002+10:00

Our team has undergone its' first day of training to set the scene for them to take up a greater degree of business acumen in their work. The portfolios of resources that they are all responsible has been culled so as to open a bigger space for them to engage in business development. Essentially this means products will be developed that will have a greater popularity among CPA members.

2 weeks in

2009-05-08T16:49:00.001+10:00

The puzzle of CPA is assembling in my head as are the tasks that wil set my KPIs. My first real work has been putting together a submission - just like my first tasks at Holmesglen so many years ago.

CPA

2009-05-06T11:59:00.003+10:00

Another few months have flown past and I have left my role at Performis and now gaze out onto Melbourne form the 29th floor of the CPA offices in the role of Senior Product Developer Executive in the Member Knowledge Department. All very challenging and back to what I do best; elearning.

The never ending unpredicability of TAFEs

2008-11-25T16:18:00.001+11:00

Swinburne have just called off our meeting with Steve Connleey, the VC and lo and behold I get a call today from a guy who used to work at Swinburne who is interested in Performis - we meet this Friday for a chat.

This is it

2008-09-22T11:45:00.001+10:00

Making some real progress with relationships between my company, Performis and Swinburne University.

Fiirst need is delivering Cert III in IT to my client, Clive Peeters. Larger issue is preparing for the brave new world of contestibility that will shake foudations of the large public VET providers in Victoria.

At last something really relevant for private RTOs

2008-05-01T13:23:00.002+10:00

A great research paper out from AFLF - hit the link.

Anxious times

2008-04-21T12:01:00.002+10:00

Unfortunately, due to ill health, my General Manager, has had to take a substantial amount of leave. She was a wonderful mentor in my first 3 months at Performis. She was always available to help me navigate the complexities of my new role. I just hope she gets well soon and smells the roses. In the meantime I am just that much more reliant on my own resources to get through each day.

10 weeks in

2008-04-11T14:58:00.002+10:00

10 weeks in to the job of a Learning and Development Director and where have I been?

Ford
GSL
DESA
DHS
CMG
Thomas Warburton
BASF
Divers Metal
Bakers Delight
NOAC
Urban Burger.

All over the shop. Trying to convince people that Performis can meet their learning and development needs. This is not difficult to do with the quality of trainers that deliver our curriculum. Very impressed by back of house operations that Performis has invested in. So far so busy.

Performis

2008-02-07T09:52:00.000+11:00

SO this is it a new place and a new way of working, still into training but wihtout the hassles of a lumbering slow TAFE behid me. I feel nimble, adroit adn ready to serve the needs of real clients with real needs.

Out of here

2008-01-09T12:00:00.000+11:00

After 7 years at Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE I have resigned. I am taking the position of Learning and Development Director with Performis. It is an exciting challenge but full of new ways of working.

e Show and Tell

2007-10-31T12:39:00.001+11:00

Another online event is being held next week funded and promoted by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework

The rubber hits the road

2007-10-09T11:16:00.000+10:00

We have finally got a date to present to Toyota that we are ready to deliver manufacturing Solutions or Bridging the Gap or competitive Manufacturing which while all different titles amount to the same thing. Friday @ 9.30am th etroops will gather to demonstrate our capacity and the wonerful content we have developed - fingers crossed we get a few guniea pig companies fo rus to prove our worht to the great manufacturing master - Toyota.

Whats going on

2007-08-10T10:31:00.000+10:00

Bridging the Gap is reaching a critical milestone. The course has been developed, resources for four disciplines completed and validated and on August 21 we are meeting wiht Toyota to fomralise the ways in which our product can serve their needs. A whole new way of working and a real product that wil enrich the manufacturing capabilities of local organisations.

Etrends Online Conference is NOW On

2007-06-19T11:45:00.000+10:00

Nearly there

2007-05-30T12:27:00.000+10:00

The course I have been developing with John Hayter, from Design International is almost ready to be delivered - much is still unknown especially who will deliver. But that said its been a fulsome experience the joys of working with real live companies and real live industrial problems.

Auto toolbox finished

2007-02-12T13:10:00.000+11:00

The Auto toolbox that I helped put together along with some fantastic writers, editors and multimedia developers is complete - fingers crossed - check it out @ http://www.kangan.edu.au/lrd/auto_toolbox/toolbox_home.htm

Vivia Don Quixote

2007-02-09T10:16:00.000+11:00

Well well we got the CDU project - it looks like we wil be funded to develop a Guide for users of ICT in remote and very remote Indigenous communities. A fantastically interesting proejct. It wil be enough to keep me posting our work on this site so stay tuned.

Another quixotic submission

2006-10-12T09:55:00.000+10:00

Kangan Batman Institute is joining with Charles Darwin University to undertake a two stage project. One: research 12 remote and very remote schools using ICT to deliver learning outcomes to Indigenous students. Sythesise these results. Two: develop resources to support and advise teachers to better use ICT in their delivery to Indigenous learners. Absolutely great is we got the work. Learn so much from educational researchers at CDU and we can use our experience with the Teaching and Learning Strategies for teachers working with INdingeous learners Guide we did for ANTA.

Victorian Qualifications Framework

2006-09-18T09:47:00.000+10:00

Off tomorrow morning with Jennifer Dick from Victoria University's School of Transport and Logistics to hear from VQA how the wish to advance their idea of a Pathways Diploma in Logistics.

This Diploma is a way to add value to the increasingly popular alternatives to VCE. VCAL is proving to be very attractive to more and more students To give these students a meaningful pathway VQA is canvassing ideas for course from various RTOs around the State.

Motivation

2006-09-14T15:23:00.000+10:00

'tis a hard concept to be sure: anyway I will simply mention my current projects to demonstrate the magical diversity of some of the thingsd a modern TAFE gets itself into.

Indigenous Sporting Heroes
Automotive Toolbox
Pathways Diploma in Transport and Distribution and Supply Chain Management
Interpreting Australian Deserts
Caravan Industry self paced learning materials
.....and a submission to Department of Defence Housing to develop and deliver online learning to their staff - fingers crossed we get this one.

Pathways Diploma

2006-07-12T21:31:00.000+10:00

Currently scouting for employers who can give support to a VQA sponsored project to develop a Pathways Diploma in Supply Chain Management and Logistics - any takers???

Why educators blog

2006-04-20T14:00:00.000+10:00

Here is a fab discussion about why educators blog - for me its to reflect on the daily grind and seek self justification for what I do.

Indigenous Small Business Skills Development Project

2006-04-06T11:00:00.000+10:00

On Monday I attended the third Reference Group of the project to develop competencies to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and those keen to start up a small business. The project is being funded by indigenous Business Australia and Kim McIlveen attended as their representative.

Duane Vickery, Warwick Moore and Geoff Creek are the consultants undertaking the project work. They have come up with a few new competencies to address the internal and external motivations for starting up a small business.

The most interesting thing to come out of the meeting was a paer from John Mitchell looking at the changing nature of Australia's workforce and the startling fact that more than 30% of Australians are already small/micro businesses.

Just what this means for the Skills Council auspicing this project, IBSA is a change in the fundamentals of Training Package.

Caravans

2006-02-14T16:05:00.000+11:00

Spent Thursday and Friday last week in Surfers Paradise attending an industry get together for the caravan and motor home manufacturers, service providers and caravan park operators. My job was to present the CD resource we are developing to supoprt Cert III training in RV servicing.

It was great to get into an industry grappling with the realities of a new type of employee who is keen to have skils recognised.

Our CD and our excellent workplace trainer Vince Panuzzo will deliver what they need.

HECS - chickens coming home to roost

2006-01-20T09:33:00.000+11:00

As students start to get offers from unis and TAFEs the reality of increasing HECS, fee paying and decreasing government funding of education are starting to bite. Why do a uni course ? When you leave you have a dept of $25K - whats the point.

Education as the great leveller of society, affording all with an equal chance to succeed is long dead in this country.

Indigenous sporting heroes

2006-01-12T13:56:00.000+11:00

Just starting up a new project with Darebin and yarra Councils. We have to write up approximately 40 stories celebrating the sporting achievements of indigenous residents of these two cities.

email and interruption science

2005-12-09T09:08:00.000+11:00

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

Gold Coast

2005-12-01T11:20:00.000+11:00

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

2005-11-17T11:32:00.000+11:00

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

2005-10-31T11:13:00.000+11:00

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

2005-10-28T11:46:00.000+10:00

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

2005-10-18T11:19:00.000+10:00

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

2005-09-28T16:24:00.000+10:00

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

2005-09-12T13:56:00.000+10:00

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

2005-08-30T12:29:00.000+10:00

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

2005-08-16T09:02:00.000+10:00

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

2005-08-09T11:46:00.000+10:00

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

2005-08-08T20:36:00.000+10:00

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

2005-08-01T15:29:00.000+10:00

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

2005-07-18T11:35:00.000+10:00

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

2005-07-08T14:34:00.000+10:00

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

2005-06-30T15:19:00.000+10:00

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

2005-06-29T12:36:00.000+10:00

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

2005-06-29T12:12:00.000+10:00

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

2005-06-27T09:25:00.000+10:00

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

2005-06-14T12:00:00.000+10:00

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

2005-06-08T15:37:00.000+10:00

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

2005-06-07T09:34:00.000+10:00

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

2005-06-02T11:48:00.000+10:00

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

2005-05-30T13:03:00.000+10:00

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

2005-05-25T11:23:00.000+10:00

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

2005-05-19T10:51:00.000+10:00

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

2005-05-10T11:43:00.000+10:00

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

2005-05-04T09:52:00.000+10:00

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

2005-04-28T16:05:00.000+10:00

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

2005-04-27T11:15:00.000+10:00

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

2005-04-14T16:25:00.000+10:00

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

2005-04-13T15:48:00.000+10:00

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

2005-04-07T11:08:00.000+10:00

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

2005-03-31T16:15:00.000+10:00

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

2005-03-31T16:02:00.000+10:00

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

2005-03-18T11:43:00.000+11:00

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

2005-03-15T15:16:00.000+11:00

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

2005-03-11T10:28:00.000+11:00

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

2005-03-10T15:19:00.001+11:00

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.

2005-03-09T14:02:00.000+11:00

At the coalface

A project completed

2005-03-09T13:28:00.000+11:00

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.