$118,500 funding for e-learning innovation in the northern territory
National Monday Update Issue:
Registered training organisations (RTOs) in the Northern Territory can apply for a share of $118,500 in funding and support to develop innovative e-learning solutions for businesses and individuals in line with key NT training priorities.
E-learning Innovations funding and support, provided by the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), will be awarded to RTOs based on their ability to:
- support business-training provider partnerships that can drive the integration of e-learning into business and training
- develop innovative e-learning practices that target the needs of a more diverse range of learners.
NT’s funding is part of the $2.65 million allocated for 2011 E-learning Innovations projects nationwide, provided to each state and territory on a pro-rata basis. This follows last week’s announcement that the Framework has received the go ahead for its activities until the end of June 2011*, opening up new opportunities for Australian RTOs, business and industry to embed e-learning as a key aspect of their business strategy and tailor training to meet learners’ needs.
Projects will ideally align with key NT training priorities including:
- improving vocational education and training (VET) participation and outcomes for Indigenous learners
- improving VET access for people in regional and remote areas of NT
- providing e-learning solutions for vocational skills shortage industries/industry sectors.
A full list of NT’s training priorities can be found in the 2011 E-learning Innovations Guidelines for Northern Territory Applicants.
Applicants are encouraged to build on existing Framework e-learning infrastructure when developing e-learning solutions, such as Flexible Learning Toolbox (Toolbox) learning objects, e-standards, resources, guidelines and professional networks.
Since 2008, the Framework has helped 19 NT projects embed innovative e-learning solutions. A case example is detailed below:
NT based training organisation, Waltja Tjutangku Palyapai, is using E-learning Innovations funding and support to develop an online training space to help remote Indigenous learners earn a livelihood in the community services industry.
The project aims to address specific challenges in delivering consistent, engaging training to remote Indigenous learners, resulting from a lack of funding for on-site, face-to-face training.
The online space allows Certificate II in Community Services Work learners, who can be based up to 600km from Alice Springs, to download course material, access online resources (including video tutorials and training demonstrations) and develop e-learning portfolios and submit assessment (including documents, audio, film footage and photos).
The outcome for remote Indigenous learners is not just a qualification, but a unique opportunity to exercise self directed learning, which boosts their confidence and employment prospects.
Refer to the E-learning Innovations Team Profiles to access information on all past projects.
Applications opened on Monday 30 August 2010.
Read the 2011 E-learning Innovations Guidelines for Northern Territory Applicants for more information on how to apply for funding in NT.
Download an application form
Applications close at 5pm on Friday 1 October 2010 and the successful applicants will be notified on Friday 15 October.
To assist you in applying for funding, a free online information session will be held:
Date: Thursday 9 September 2010
Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm CST (12:30pm-1:30pm AEST)
Location: http://tinyurl.com/egems-2011innovations OR https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=675&password=M.8831B0E4AD9F2C0338DBE968E80CB0
Registration is not required. Participants must have access to internet, headphones and a microphone and have installed and configured the Elluminate web conferencing software beforehand.
*The six month allocation, to end of June 2011, will bring the Framework funding cycle in line with other funding arrangements under the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), which are based on a financial calendar year.