E-standards supporting content development

flexiblelearning.net.au

get into flexible learning



Welcome to

E-standards for Training updateby Owen ONeill, e-Works

This session will start at 9:30am AEDST





Overview

1. What is the E-standards for training project?2. What are e-standards?3. Mobile learning4. E-portfolios5. Network and firewall access6. E-learning content standards





1. What is the E-standards for Training project?• Framework project• National focus• Collaboratively researches, develops,

recommends standards for e-learning in VET• National E-standards Expert Group





2. What are “e-standards”?

• Technical standards for e-learning content and systems

• Underpins key VET initiatives such as LORN and Toolboxes

• Supports e-learning developers and users





2. Why e-standards?

• Makes e-learning content and systems more reliable

• Minimises technical problems for e-learning systems and content

• Maximises return on investment





3. Mobile learning - standards

• Recommended standards released in April 2007• Aimed at content developers and cover the

following areas:• Mobile video• Mobile audio• Wireless data connectivity• Mobile content

• http://e-standards.flexiblelearning.net.au/topics/mlearn.htm





3. Mobile learning – guide

• Aimed at teachers and trainers• Step by step support and information:

• What’s possible with m-learning?• How can m-standards be used in practice?• Creating different types of content• Tools for m-learning• Case studies, references to other useful resources

• http://e-standards.flexiblelearning.net.au/topics/mlearn.htm





3. Mobile learning – future plans

• The domain is constantly changing!• Planning to update standards and guide in 2008• Interested in hearing from practitioners:

• What you found useful, what we should add, etc• What new/emerging technologies (such as RFID)

should we address?

• [email protected]





4. E-portfolios

• What are they?• How are they used?

• In Australia• Overseas

• VET e-portfolio report published June 2007• Relationship to RPL/RCC





4. E-portfolio issues

• How can we support life-long learning:• Across education sectors?• Into industry and employment?

• And keep personal information secure?• And allow owners to give people limited access

to different “views”?





4. E-portfolio activities in 2008

• Addressing these questions!• Develop a roadmap for e-portfolio usage in VET• Enable diversity, but also interoperability• Engage with other education sectors and

employers





5. Computer network and firewall access study• Access to computer networks and firewalls are

creating barriers for e-learning practitioners• Developing documentation on commonly used

e-learning applications• Opening dialogue between system

administrators and practitioners





5. Activities so far…

• Developed a list of commonly used e-learning applications in VET

• Ran a face to face workshop with system administrators, IT managers and e-learning practitioners in the same room (!)

• Following up with meetings with IT departments





5. Findings…

• Both sides are willing to listen• Policy is often not clearly defined and is

interpreted differently• Genuine security concerns need to be better

understood by e-learning practitioners also• Communication between IT departments and

practitioners is often fragmented





5. Outcomes…

• Documentation and report with recommendations for further action due to be discussed and agreed by the EEG in November and released by the end of the year

• Further work is required to keep this going and is tentatively planned for 2008





6. E-learning content standards





6. Recommended client platforms

• Describes minimum supported computer hardware and software for using e-learning content

• Used by Flexible Learning Toolboxes• Currently being reviewed for 2008





6. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)• WCAG were developed by W3C (World Wide

Web Consortium)• Currently WCAG 2 is in draft form• Many differences from the original…





More information

• http://e-standards.flexiblelearning.net.au • http://lorn.flexiblelearning.net.au • [email protected]

Where can you see standards working in the real world?

• http://lorn.flexiblelearning.net.au

Technology

E-standards supporting content development