2004

October 2004

National Audit of Flexible Learning Toolboxes

In 2004 an audit of all TAFE Institutes as well as private training providers who purchased Toolboxes was conducted to ascertain modes of delivery, satisfaction with the products and intentions for future use of Toolboxes across Australia.

A full version describing the findings of the audit is now available. View the National Audit of Toolboxes (Word - 2.16MB.)

September 2004

Bringing the Great Outdoors into the World of Cyber: Horticulture TAFE students Get into e-Learning

For most gardeners there’s nothing quite like the great outdoors, but "Flexible Learning Toolboxes" technology from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (AFL Framework) is giving horticulture students the chance to get study online, anytime, for an interactive learning experience. Ride on lawnmower

While there’s no denying it’s difficult to sit inside at a computer and prune a tree, the benefit of the Horticulture Toolbox is that students can work through activities online at times that suit them and from remote locations, giving many people the opportunity to gain a qualification that is normally only available by attending a recognised training organisation such as a TAFE Institute or a private provider.

Two years ago, horticulture student Kerry Whittaker had never heard of e-learning, but today the full-time gardener, grandmother, horticulture student and self-confessed "computer illiterate" studies online for her Certificate II in Horticulture through the Horticulture Department of Challenger TAFE in Western Australia.

In Kerry’s case, studying online means she can juggle study with shiftwork. "I do shift work and the night classes don’t finish until 9pm and I’m pretty tired after work, so being able to study online is a better option for me," she said.

"I also find online learning more personalised and it gives me a feeling of being in charge of what I am doing. It is sometimes intimidating to ask a question in front of all the other students in a classroom, whereas there is no shame in saying 'I don’t understand this' in an email to your lecturer."

Red carnation Although Kerry describes herself as "virtually computer illiterate" she says using the Horticulture Toolbox has been 'easy'.

"You just need to get on the Internet and then follow the prompts. There is a technical help facility available if you get into trouble. I never would have imagined that I would be studying through the Internet and using things like online chat and discussion boards."

Kerry’s employer, the national retail 'Do It Yourself', Home and Garden and Building Supplies chain, Bunnings Warehouse, has been right behind her e-learning training.

"I worked in nurseries for many years and never had the opportunity to get formal qualifications, but now that my kids are well and truly grown up, I feel like this is my time. And it’s great because I received credit towards my course because Challenger TAFE recognised by prior learning from the knowledge and skills I had gained during my everyday work," Kerry said.

"As far as training for horticulture professionals goes, e-learning using the Horticulture Toolbox really does work," Kerry concluded. "It’s a convenient and a really great way to learn."

Find out more about the Horticulture Toolbox.

August 2004

Draft Report on Toolbox Survey

An online survey of all TAFE Institutes and RTOs who have purchased Toolboxes was conducted over a three-week period (March 22 to April 9) in order to estimate the usage of Toolboxes across Australia.

The major aims of the survey were to understand:

the use of Toolboxes across the VET sector nationally (excluding ACE)
the extent of uptake across different segments of the VET sector
levels of access to Toolboxes via different delivery modes
the delivery methods employed by teachers
an estimate of numbers of teachers/learners using Toolboxes
the uptake of specific Toolboxes
the impact of Toolboxes on the uptake of flexible delivery.

There were some very exciting findings, which include:

At least three quarters (78%) of all TAFE Institutes in Australia have used Toolboxes in 2003 and/or will be using Toolboxes in 2004
TAFEs who are using Toolboxes are experiencing a significant uptake from 2003 to 2004 with a (57% usage increase) by TAFE teachers
Well over three quarters (87%) of all survey participants either agreed or strongly agreed with the idea of recommending Toolbox resources to other teachers/trainers
Over three quarters (83%) of all survey participants either agreed or strongly agreed that Toolboxes have had a positive impact on learning
Close to three quarters (72%) of all survey participants agreed or strongly agreed that the availability of Toolboxes contributes to the uptake of e-learning within their organisation.

For a comprehensive report on the survey view the National Audit of Toolboxes (Word - 2.16MB.)

June 2004

New Toolbox tackles youth issues

A new Toolbox from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) – 'Where’s the Loungeroom from 'Where's the Party At?' Toolbox Party At?'– aims to encourage 15-19 year olds to explore a range of personal issues while at the same time developing their reading, writing, numeracy and computer skills.

The 'Where’s the Party At' Toolbox supports the delivery of the Certificate of General Education for Adults.

Learners go to a virtual 'house party' where each room engages them in a range of graphically rich, interactive activities allowing them to access information about different issues, explore their feelings and test their knowledge.

In the lounge room for example, learners find out the facts about alcohol, smoking and drugs, and real life scenarios illustrate the different life choices people make about substance use. Here learners can undertake activities such as calculating blood alcohol content, writing stories (eg autobiographies, biographies and narratives) and take part in a discussion board to talk with their peers. bathroom from 'Where's the Party At?" Toolbox

Mental and physical health issues are also explored through a range of activities including a quiz that reveals common fears. Emma, a virtual character, talks to her friend Nick about her 'big butt' as an online discussion starter about body image.

'Where’s the Party At?' is also a valuable resource which can be used to help young people find out more about relationships, sexuality and nutrition.

To find out more about this Toolbox visit the Where’s the Party At? preview page, or contact the Toolbox Champion in your State or Territory for more information.

From July 12-23 there was an online discussion where you could meet the developers and creative team behind this innovative new Equity Toolbox and find out how 'Where’s the party at' offers a range of innovative teaching and learning strategies to support young learners.

This new and exciting Toolbox has now been launched. Congratulations to the winner of our competition, Kay Freeth from Whyalla, SA.

How are Hungry Jacks and Hayman Island Resort implementing Flexible Learning Toolboxes?

This question will be answered in trials that investigate how enterprises are using Toolboxes within their organisation. The trials will explore implementation and delivery issues, such as:

technical and organisational support
motivations
expectations
levels of satisfaction
trainer and learner needs
access and equity issues
barriers
success factors.

The feedback achieved from these trials will be used towards improving the uptake of Toolboxes in enterprises and elsewhere in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. It will also inform future marketing strategies, professional development and product support to users.

Other Toolbox trials already underway across Australia include:

Interwork Ltd.
Master Plumbers & Mechanical Services Association of Australia
Maxima Training Services
Territory Insurance Office.

For further information regarding the trials contact Rose Shum on (02) 8713 4461.

May 2004

CALL FOR TENDERS - National Flexible Learning Toolboxes

Tender No.01/04-04

e-Works as managing agent, on behalf of the Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG) and the Australian Flexible Learning Framework called for tenders from Vocational Education and Training organisations suitably qualified to act as Lead Agent in the development of:

Toolbox Series 7: Development of suites of learning objects

A suite of Toolbox learning objects is defined as: a collection of web-based learning objects and other materials (including teaching guides and technical guides) developed to support online training in an Industry area.

*PLEASE NOTE: REQUEST FOR TENDERS CLOSED: 12 May 2004 at 2PM (AEST).

Development of "Suites of Learning Objects" in 2004

This year’s online learning resource development within the Australian Flexible Learning Framework will:

produce a new collection of high quality elearning resources for VET users, with development occurring within a shortened time-frame;
provide interoperability with learning object repositories through the use of IMS packaging standards, while retaining the educational qualities of Toolboxes; and
work with industry advisory bodies in setting priorities, particularly in niche and emerging skill areas.

Each product will be smaller than the Toolboxes produced in previous years and will feature a suite of self-contained and reusable learning objects that can be stored in and retrieved from repositories. We are also arranging for some existing Toolbox materials to be repackaged to the IMS Content Packaging specification.

March 2004

Enterprise Trials of Toolboxes - Researcher

Expressions of Interest for the Researcher for the Enterprise Trials of Toolboxes have now closed. The original tender document (Word - 117KB) is available for downloading.

Rework of Some Series 1 and 2 Toolboxes

Early in 2003 a review of all Toolbox Series 1 and 2 Toolboxes was undertaken. As a result of that review a number of Toolboxes were selected for rework. A list of those selected is shown below:

Toolbox	Comments
103. Aged and Disability Care.	Being incorporated into Series 6 Aged Care Toolbox.
110. Hospitality Tourism.	n/a.
112. Assessment and Workplace Training.	Being replaced by Series 6 Toolbox in Training & Assessment
201. Administration.	Replaced by Series 5 product (505. Admin. Toolbox 2)
202. Legal Administration.	Major rework underway.
203. Frontline Management.	Being replaced by Series 6 Toolbox.
204. Chemical and Oil Refining.	Minor rework with 2 new core units being added.
205. Alcohol and Other Drug Work.	Minor rework.
206. Home and Community Care.	Being incorporated into Series 6 Aged Care Toolbox.
207. Accounting.	Minor rework.
209. Hospitality.	Minor rework.
210. Programming.	Minor rework.
211. ICA99 Information Technology.	Minor rework.
212. Retail Operations.	Minor rework with 1 new elective unit being added.
213. Warehousing.	Minor rework.

February 2004

Regional training centre home to innovative flexible learning

The East Gippsland Aboriginal Community Development Employment Program (CDEP) Training
Centre in Bairnsdale is a hothouse of innovative vocational learning. CDEP is a program that helps Indigenous people make the transition from work experience to paid employment. The Centre uses Flexible Learning Toolboxes to motivate learners who have been let down by conventional teaching practices.

The graphics and interactive format of the Toolboxes stimulate these learners, who often have low literacy and numeracy skills, in a way that text-heavy books simply never did.

Sue Mullett, Student Support Officer and Trainer explains that in the classroom learners explore the Toolboxes at their own pace, without fear of judgment, “If they don’t know a word, they search the glossary and find it themselves. This is fully selfpaced learning where learners take their training into their own hands, and their skills grow in an easy, unforced way.”

“We get outcomes because we don’t rush things. We’re prepared to say ‘Stop. Hold on. This isn’t working. How can we change it to suit our students? ’We’re flexible. That’s how the Toolboxes work and that’s how we work” Sue Mullett, CDEP Training Centre, Victoria

This innovative model of flexible learning is broadening the learning opportunities of the entire community.

Download the full CDEP Press Release (Word - 31KB)

Toolbox assists refugee community

The Children’s Services Toolbox - Cybertots has provided a positive and rewarding experience for adult learner students from refugee communities who are part of the New Futures Training and Employment Program at the Victorian Cooperative on Children’s Services for Ethnic Groups (VICSEG).

Maree Raftis of VICSEG says, “It’s been fantastic to see the students work through Cybertots and realise the knowledge and skills they already have. It gives students who have experienced trauma and displacement great confidence, which is very exciting.”

Self-paced learning allowed VICSEG student Franca to respond to an employment opportunity that required qualification at the Certificate III level.

“I have a busy life but I could do Cybertots when it suited me. I was motivated, could move on quickly and got the job” Franca, VICSEG Student, Victoria

Students enjoy getting to know the Cybertots’ Virtual staff and appreciate their strengths and weaknesses. “You see some of the Cybertots’ workers not thinking things through - and you get to understand where they went wrong and why,” Franca said.

With the assistance of the Framework’s Victorian Toolbox Champion, who has provided advice and conducted professional development on implementation of Toolboxes, VICSEG plans to customise Cybertots to further meet its students’ needs.

Download the full VICSEG Press Release (Word - 29KB)

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