VET Sector Projects

The Link Affiliates Team within ADFI at USQ has participated in three VET-sector projects for the FLAG E-Standards for Training Business in 2009 and 2010. Based on consultation with the sector and key stakeholders, the following activities were undertaken:


2010 Projects

M-Learning standards Review

In 2006, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework commissioned a research project to investigate standards for mobile learning (m-learning) – resulting in the development of a set of technical standards and a teacher’s guide to support the creation, storage, discovery, delivery and usage of mobile-enabled content within the VET sector.

In June 2010, Link Affiliates was contracted to review the VET mobile technology standards and client platform information for mobile devices published by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework. This review and update process aims to ensure that the current formats, specifications and equipment identified continue to reflect the needs of the VET e-learning practitioner. Mobile formats and devices that were identified in the 2008 and 2009 VET emerging technology trials will also be assessed and tested within an authentic VET teaching environment.

It is expected that updates to the current m-Learning technical standards will be released towards the end of 2010.


Review of the VET Teachers E-learning Toolkit

The VET Teachers' E-learning Toolkit, and its companion document, Commonly-used E-learning applications and tools in VET aim to support the adoption of desktop/web functionality that should be available to all practitioners in VET. Both documents were published in 2008, and Link Affiliates was commissioned in April 2010 to update the documents to ensure that the functionality and applications/tools identified continue to reflect the current needs of VET e-learning practitioners.

Two surveys were created to collect information from VET teachers and IT practitioners. The teachers’ survey was designed to collect data on e-learning applications and tools that teachers are currently using – based on the existing VET Teachers' toolkit, whilst also identifying common applications/tools that don’t currently sit within the toolkit. The IT practitioner survey collected information on the implementation, usage requirements and potential problems of e-learning applications/tools within an organisation.

Alongside the two surveys, the Link Affiliates team conducted a series of interviews across all the VET jurisdictions to collect further information on the implementation, functionality and usage of the current toolkit, as well as the identification of new technologies and tools.

After an interim review of both the survey and interview results, it has become apparent that not only are there a myriad of new tools and applications being utilised throughout the VET sector, but also new areas of functionality not currently defined within the VET Teacher Toolkit. The most noticeable shift is that of teachers creating their own learning content through the use of development tools and applications.

Based on the survey and interview process it is expected that updated versions of the toolkit will be published in the second half of 2010.


Learner Attainment Data

The purpose of this study – to commence in July 2010 – is to investigate the willingness and ability of registered training organisations (RTOs) to provide learner controlled, electronic access to their VET learner information, either directly or via a Learner Record System (LRS). Learners, VET e-portfolio system implementers and developers as well as VET regulatory bodies’ attitudes will also be investigated. This research is a follow up to work conducted in 2009 which identified the emerging needs of consumers of learner attainment data.


2009 Projects

Trust Federations

In September 2008, the discussion paper Towards a trust federation for VET was published by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework). The purpose of the paper was to describe and examine the concept of a trust federation and discuss how one might be utilised in the Australian vocational education and training (VET) context.

The paper described two broad types of trust federations; a more open federation with lower barriers to entry (fewer policy and/or technical requirements) for participating organisations, and a more closed federation where membership is controlled more tightly with stricter conformance, maintenance and auditing requirements placed on participating organisations.

The paper recommended that FLAG approve the exploitation of trust federation approaches as a key development objective for the VET sector, and that further investigation be done into benefits for jurisdictions. The paper recommended that a collection of use-cases should be compiled through consultation with stakeholders, including any VET engagement in related developments undertaken by AICTEC or other education sectors. These recommendations were subsequently endorsed by FLAG.

Work was undertaken to examine where a 'single sign-on' would simplify current processes and benefit users, and to look at specific applications that could benefit from 'single sign-on'.


Verification of Learner Information (Attainment Data)

To support the emergence of e-portfolios, the national training system's e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework has produced the VET E-portfolio Roadmap. The Roadmap is a national strategic plan designed to support the diverse requirements for e-portfolios in VET and aims to assist in the development of a standards-based framework.

The work was undertaken to address one of the Roadmap's key goals of Verification, to enable electronic verification of educational qualifications, membership of professional associations or trade/occupational licensing information. The work will inform the development and implementation of e-portfolio systems in the national training system.

The work investigated existing qualification verification services and systems to determine their benefits for the vocational education and training (VET) sector, together with identifying key stakeholders’ verification needs. It made recommendations for further work to exploit digital opportunities which are now being considered by FLAG.


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