$129,600 funding for e-learning innovation in the act

Registered training organisations (RTOs) in the ACT can apply for a share of $129,600 in funding and support to develop innovative e-learning solutions for businesses and individuals in line with key ACT 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.

 
ACT’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. 

The 2011 ACT E-learning Innovations Guidelines for Applicants lists the ACT’s training priorities, guidance on project ideas and key project timelines.

Projects will ideally align with both COAG (Council of Australian Government) targets for vocational education and training (VET), and key ACT training priorities (detailed in the ACT Annual Vocational Education and Training (VET) Priorities 2010 publication).

Successful applicants will need to demonstrate that their learners will be involved during the project’s funded timeline – eg a project which develops an e-learning model/strategy must also implement the model/strategy during the duration of the project. 

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.

The ACT Guidelines also detail the application and selection process, which will comprise two stages: 

• Stage 1 – Expression of Interest – due 12:00 noon AEST, Thursday 23 September 2010
• Stage 2 – Business case – due 5:00pm AEDT, Tuesday 12 October 2010.

Applications opened on Monday 30 August 2010 and the successful applicants will be notified from Wednesday 20 October.

To assist you in applying for funding, two free information sessions will be held: 

Date:               Wednesday 8 September 2010

Time:               2:00pm-4:00pm AEST

Location:         Room E12 A/B, Building E, Ground Floor, CIT Reid Learning Centre (previously the library), Constitution Avenue, Reid.

Registration:   For catering reasons, please RSVP kerry [dot] manikis [at] cit [dot] act [dot] edu [dot] au (by email here) by 1:00pm Tuesday 7 September

OR

Date:               Thursday 9 September 2010

Time:               12.30pm-1.30pm AEST

Location:         https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=675&password=M.8831B0E4AD9F2C0338DBE968E80CB0

Registration:   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.

For enquiries in relation to projects that will support VET learners in the ACT community contact ACT E-learning Innovations Coordinator, Kerry Manikis. Any additional information will be posted to the ACT E-learning Innovations webpage http://flexiblelearning.net.au/content/acteli

*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.