August+2013

Welcome to the August e-newsletter from the NSW National VET E-Learning Strategy team. You may be new to e-learning or one of thousands of teachers across the national training sector already using e-learning content developed through the National VET E-learning Strategy. Your access to thousands of freely available learning objects for use in your teaching has now been simplified through the creation of [|www.nationalvetcontent.edu.au]. This material brings together all of the learning objects from the following national collections: Flexible Learning Toolboxes, Generic Skills, E-learning Innovations, Industry Integration of E-learning, and National Digital Learning Resources Network. You will now find all of this ready-made VET e-learning content at this ‘one-stop’ site which will also provide you with a better experience through: “There are literally thousands of pieces of content, covering hundreds of topics from building to training and assessment itself, and focused on VET competencies and qualifications”, says Joanne Norbury, who manages the new site. “Whether you are a new or very experienced VET teacher or trainer, you will keep returning to this site to enhance your e-learning delivery”, says Joanne. In addition to direct access to the downloading of the learning objects, you can order Australian Flexible Learning Toolboxes via the site. These CD-ROMs contain all of the learning objects associated with a particular Industry Training Package qualification. There are more than 120 complete Toolboxes covering over 190 qualifications. To access this exciting new resource simply register with your name and email address on the [|National VET Content website] and follow us on [|Twitter].
 * What’s news? **
 * New one-stop shop for digital content in VET **
 * An easy to use interface
 * Straightforward search options
 * More meaningful search outcomes
 * Social software to like, favourite, comment.

An investigation of potential applications of the IMS Learning Tools Interoperability ([|IMS LTI]) specification has found that it provides a standardised way of integrating e-learning tools with Learning Management Systems. The investigation of the LTI (a practical technical specification for connecting tools, functionality and content with Learning Management Systems (LMS)) was undertaken by the former [|E-portfolios for Learner Pathways] business activity. Under the direction of the [|E-standards Expert Group (EEG)], the project considered how the specification could potentially be used in the VET sector for communication between systems and tools, and the tracking of learner interactions with e-learning content in the national collection. The EEG is the vocational education and training (VET) sector's national forum for collaboratively reviewing and recommending technical standards to support e-learning. The recently published [|LTI investigation report] includes: The report also makes key recommendations and suggests that LTI should be used as the functionality integration approach of choice for LMS administrators. “In practice the LTI provides a standardised way of integrating third party e-learning tools with Learning Management Systems (LMS),” says former E-portfolios for Learner Pathways business manager Kristena Gladman. “This makes integration of a range of different tools and functionality more straightforward and less time consuming,” says Kristena. The IMS LTI specification was developed by IMS Global to provide a standardised method for integrating e-learning applications and functionality with e-learning platforms. It has a reasonable level of adoption and is reaching a state of relative maturity with good levels of support from major LMSs such as Moodle, Blackboard and Sakai. For further information please visit [|the E-portfolios for Learner Pathways] website.
 * Applications of the IMS Learning Tools Interoperability specification. **
 * an overview of the LTI specification
 * a comparison of different versions of the specification
 * consideration of potential uses for the specification
 * a specific use-case for implementing LTI and tracking the use of learning objects hosted in the national collection.


 * New Generation Technologies business activity’s scope now includes Applied Research projects **

This means some potential new funding opportunities are on the horizon!
With the reprioritisation of the National VET E-learning Strategy’s funding for the 2013/2014 financial year the New Generation Technologies business activity’s scope now includes managing a program of Applied Research projects prioritised by the Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG) together with the research, maintenance and development of the VET E-standards for Training.

Up to five ‘Technology Innovations Applied Research’ projects will be funded in the financial year ending June 30 2014. Each of the projects will address one of the following **specific topics** on behalf of the Australian national VET sector, and the **outcomes and deliverables must be applicable nationally**, taking into consideration the needs of stakeholders from all states and territories: There will be two request for tender rounds; the first to invite researchers to tender for the “**Making industry grade technologies available for training**” project, which must be completed by 29 November, the second to request tenders for the remaining four topics with a more flexible time frame. The first Tender round will be announced shortly. I will keep you informed of new opportunities as information is released. If you have not subscribed to the NSW Newsletter you can do so by visiting the NSW Wikispace.
 * Making industry grade technologies available for training
 * Supporting effective delivery of foundation skills to Indigenous, remote and disadvantaged learners
 * Verification of e-assessment and authentication of user identity
 * Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) Guidelines for Registered Training Organisations
 * Capturing information to improve learner retention and completion of courses

A new six month e-capability program has been put together to support Registered Training Organisations and VET Practitioners in their uptake of e-learning. For more information please visit our NSW Calendar on a regular basis as new workshops and webinars will be added as they are confirmed. Details of [|National events] can be found on the Strategy website using the Events Calendar
 * The NSW six month e-capability program is out now! **


 * NSW Events **

Please visit the NSW Calendar for more information
 * **There are still vacancies in our upcoming e-capability webinars. Please register now to reserve your place. **|||| Session Name || Date || Registration ||
 * Outsourcing LMS infrastructure || 28 August 2013 || http://www.trybooking.com/55440 ||
 * E-Assessment || 30 August 2013 || http://www.trybooking.com/55432 ||
 * || Using social media with learners || 3 September 2013 || <span style="color: #000000; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 12px;">http://www.trybooking.com/51818 ||

If you missed the latest version of [|Flex e news] you can still view it online.

Visit our [|website] to see who the E-learning Advisors and Contact Services Advisor are for your state.
 * Contact us **