LearnScope Applications - closing date 16 March 2007
Here at ICVET the Australian Flexible Learning Framework team is gearing up for a busy final year under the current Framework.
Throughout February we’re on the road throughout the State running information sessions regarding funding opportunities, available resources, and changes and priorities for 2007.
The Framework provides the vocational and technical education (VTE) system with elearning skills, professional development opportunities, products, resources and support networks to meet today's increasingly technology-driven learning environment.
Often considered the ‘flagship’ project of the Framework, LearnScope holds a fond place in the hearts of many VET teachers.
LearnScope focuses on professional development to enhance the skills and understanding that underpin elearning. It provides funding for work-based professional development projects and encourages both individuals and teams to model sustainable practices in their own learning through a range of strategies including engagement with recent thinking about professional development in the 'knowledge era'.
2006 was exciting and challenging. We had 45 highly diverse teams and five individual projects state-wide across all sectors. We explored Web 2.0 and social software such as blogs, wikis, and podcasts, dabbled in online media sharing spaces such as FlickR (see pictures from 2006), YouTube, and BlipTV, connected via video and web conferencing, and tackled Breeze for the first time. Digital storytelling remained a strongly seductive medium for engaging learners and teachers alike with technology, and there was an increasing focus in moving from static computer-based options to the mobile devices familiar and accessible to learners and clients in all contexts.
Head into our blog and click on the ‘Postcards from the field’ category in the side menu to get a feel for the scope and activity of the 2006 teams.
In 2007 there will be a strong emphasis on capturing real client/learner outcomes. Projects will be required to involve learners, industry or community either in their team or in trialling and evaluating new strategies.
We’re also offering a slightly different selection of project types. Funding will be available for:
- RTO managed project teams
- Subsidies to enable individuals to engage in short term elearning activities
- Places in three types of state-wide centrally managed teams:
- Exploring elearning
- Managers in elearning
- Leadership in elearning
Successful projects will demonstrate:
- How their project focuses on a workbased staff capability development model. The beauty of LearnScope is that it enables participants to design what, where, when and how their learning will take place during the life of the project (6 months June - November). LearnScope moves beyond traditional expert-centred professional development models to focus on relevant, participant-driven opportunities.
- A strong emphasis on REAL client outcomes. We want to see how the project will impact to improve opportunities for learners in industry, the community and training rooms. Participants in our projects trial and evaluate new elearning strategies and approaches within their VTE programs.
- Moves to explore new and emerging trends and strategies in e-learning. Our focus is not on the tools themselves but on the pedagogical issues and implications for learners.
- The participation of relevant stakeholders in project teams: industry, community, support staff, clients etc
- Support for Framework target groups. In 2007 these include industry, Indigenous learners, learners with a disability, disengaged learners, and learners in rural and remote areas of NSW.
- A focus on collaboration, engagement and connections between and beyond project teams. In 2007 we expect to fund over 35 project teams across all VTE sectors in NSW who will share their learning and establish sustainable networks to support their ongoing capability development.
2007 applications for LearnScope close on 16 March
The application process isn’t onerous and we’re available to provide support to any RTO wishing to apply.
Guidelines and application forms are available on our public website.
For assistance and further information about LearnScope contact us at ICVET:
Robyn Jay – LearnScope Manager
Tel 02 9244 5733
Robyn.jay@det.nsw.edu.au
Alex Hayes – LearnScope Project Officer
Tel 02 9244 5784
Alexander.hayes@det.nsw.edu.au
For information on other Framework funding opportunities and resources contact:
Jeff Saul – NSW Co-ordinator
Tel 02 9244 5455
Jeffrey.saul@det.nsw.edu.au
Or for Toolbox information:
Shane Dowd – NSW Toolbox Champion
Tel 02 9244 5509
Shane.dowd@det.nsw.edu.au
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