$240,600 funding for e-learning innovation in south australia
National Monday Update Issue:
South Australian registered training organisations (RTOs) can apply for a share of $240,600 in funding and support to develop innovative e-learning solutions for businesses and individuals in line with key SA 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.
SA’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 yesterday’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 SA training priorities including those addressing specific:
- learner groups – Indigenous, isolated or remote learners, learners with English as a second language and learners with a disability
- industries – including mining, defence and the arts
- training areas – skill shortages, sustainability skills, RPL (recognition of prior learning).
A full list of South Australia’s training priorities can be found in the 2011 SA E-learning Innovations Guidelines for 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 39 SA projects embed innovative e-learning solutions. Two case examples are detailed below:
DORA (Dangerous Occupations Risk Assessment)
In 2009 the Stokes Workplace Assessment Training Group (SWAT) began addressing the high number of workplace fatalities and injuries that occur each year within the civil, mining, forestry and transport industries.
Through e-learning delivery methods, regional learners and learners with low literacy levels are now learning skills to enable them to better assess the risks they face in dangerous occupations, without having to spend time off the job.
Hairdresser's Tool Pouch
In 2010, a partnership between TAFESA Adelaide North and Gauci Hairdressing is working toward using e-portfolios to help apprentices gather assessment evidence and assist with fast tracking.
Refer to the E-learning Innovations Team Profiles to access information on all past projects.
Applications open on Tuesday 24 August 2010.
Read the 2011 SA E-learning Innovations Guidelines for Applicants for more information on how to apply for funding in SA.
Applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 22 September 2010 and the successful applicants will be notified on Wednesday 6 October.
To assist you in applying for funding, a public information session will be held on Wednesday 8 September from 10:00am-12:00 noon at Sunnybrae Function Centre, Tikalara Street, Regency Park. For more information and/or to book a place for the information session, contact the Framework’s SA Innovations Coordinator, Douglas Purcell, by phone on 0438 824 583 or douglas [dot] purcell [at] sa [dot] gov [dot] au (email).
A national online information session will also be held:
Date: Thursday 9 September 2010
Time: 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.