Executive+Summary+082

All agencies including Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC), National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Catchment Management Authorities (CMA), Forests NSW, energy suppliers, Telstra, mining companies, Roads and Traffic Authority, land developers and the gas pipeline industry are required to identify natural resource management (NRM) features, and record and manage cultural sites when working on the land. Currently there is a shortage of young people with the necessary skills to undertake this work. This project will provide an opportunity for more people to complete training and better meet the need of the agencies identified above. The graduates will be more employable, confident and have a better grasp of emerging technologies and the use of these tools in their workplace and community. TAFE NSW – Western Institute’s Natural Resource Management (Environment) program area delivers blended training, involving intensive workshops and field trips for participants in Certificate II and III Indigenous Land Management (ILM) from the RTD02 Conservation and Land Management Training Package. This training is offered to indigenous employees and contractors of agencies including those identified above. Although field trips are already incorporated into training, lack of access to mobile technology tools limits how much information can be effectively delivered away from the classroom environment. This project will greatly expand the options available for trainers and learners in the field. It will address a number of challenges that impact on the effectiveness of this cultural site recognition, assessment and management training, including: · Engaging learners in active learning experiences; · Maximising outdoor learning activities to reflect the real workplace; · Catering to primarily auditory/visual/kinaesthetic learners; · Avoiding text-based learning resources as literacy levels are often low; · Introducing mobile technology tools learners will need to use in the workplace, including PDAs and GPS; · Offering improved employability skills through competence with technological advances; and · Providing access to non-text-based, self–paced learning activities. The project will use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags, RFID sensors, Ultra mobile personal computers (UMPC) and GPS-capable PDAs. The PDAs/UMPCs will contain media-rich learning objects initiated by GPS locations and RFID tags placed on sites and objects in the landscape. It will offer learners an interesting, stimulating educational experience outdoors, using mobile technology tools and obtaining the knowledge needed in a form that addresses the challenges identified above. This project will focus on integrating mobile learning into the range of strategies used in ILM courses and mainstream Conservation & Land Management training courses for the benefit of indigenous and non-indigenous students.
 * Background **
 * The Project **