Emerging technology trials

Since 2008, the E-standards for Training business activity, through the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), has made funding available to registered training organisations (RTOs) for the trialling of emerging technologies.

The purpose of this annual funding opportunity is to explore emerging technologies and identify areas where future standards work may be required. The trials are also an important tool for identifying ways that the emerging technologies may be utilised in teaching and learning in the wider national training system.

2010 Successful Emerging technology trial applications

In 2010, the Framework via the E-standards for Training business activity will provide almost $100,000 to 6 RTOs to trial emerging technologies in their organisations:

NSW New England Institute of TAFE
This trial will use iPhones and virtual training rooms to deliver training and professional development to builders anywhere, anytime. Builders will access virtual training rooms on their iPhones, interacting directly with their trainers by text, voice and video. The project will also trial Mobilae and QTImPlayer software to capture and record evidence for assessment.

Sunshine Coast Institute of TAFE
This trial will pilot augmented reality technology on mobile phones (eg Wikitude) to deliver a range of media to enhance the geographical locations captured via the compass sensors and GPS systems in mobile devices. When the mobile device is pointed at a landmark or area of interest users are presented with information (for example, an explanation, history or name) directly on the camera screen of their phone. The trial will create specifications, standards and a developer’s guide to enable educators to use the technology in a way that engages learners, particularly youth.

TAFE SA Adelaide North Institute
This trial will explore whether electronic versions of printed books (e-books) can provide streamlined training that can be accessed at a time and place convenient to the learner, increasing time on the job for apprentices in the beauty industry. It will explore the opportunities and challenges of converting and adapting current print resources to e-books, including ensuring the e-books are compatible with different e-book readers.

Tasmanian Polytechnic
This trial will research current experiences and practices in virtual world projects to develop standards and guidelines to increase reliability, interoperability and reduce access issues for teachers, trainers and learners. Tasmanian Polytechnic will review both commercial and open source virtual worlds to explore issues around information management, security, age and technological restrictions.

Box Hill Institute, VIC
This trial will explore how iPods, smart phones and social learning tools can be used to enhance course engagement and retention for a group of disenfranchised learners. It will provide mobile access to services including social networking, blogs and data repositories, and identify available applications and web services for shared calendars, RSS feeds, capturing thoughts online and offline, and microblogging. It will focus on enabling learners to make contributions offline, by creating a library of templates and a mobile interface.

Wodonga Institute of TAFE, VIC
This trial will investigate streaming point of view (POV) digital footage into live classrooms, in order to bridge large distances when providing training to geographically dispersed commercial cookery apprentices. The project will explore possible solutions from a number of industries (including broadcast television and security) to determine whether the equipment used by these industries will transfer to an educational environment.

Previous trial outcomes

 

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