Premier Sponsor

Ministry of Education Tertiary (e)Learning

The Ministry of Education (MoE) are proud to be sponsoring e-Fest once again. e-Fest 2005 - ‘Rising to the Challenge’ is aimed at highlighting and informing the tertiary education sector of issues, trends and developments in (e)learning. It is therefore pertinent for the MoE to be sponsoring such an event given the strategic focus on developing New Zealand’s (e)learning capabilities.

The MoE’s Tertiary (e)Learning team, in collaboration with the Schools and Early Childhood Education teams and representatives of the tertiary sector, are contributing to this development with a vision of providing accessible, relevant and high quality learning opportunities to all New Zealanders within a networked, flexible education system.

This vision is reflected in the projects and initiatives being undertaken by the Tertiary (e)Learning team. As well as continued involvement with the Tertiary (e)Learning Research Fund and (e)Learning Collaborative Development Fund, some other examples of projects and initiatives are outlined below. For more information, contact the Tertiary (e)Learning team: feedback.elearn@minedu.govt.nz.

Development of a New Zealand Education Sector (e)Learning Strategic Framework
An integrated Strategic Framework, encompassing early childhood, schools and tertiary, is being developed to provide a cohesive approach to (e)learning. The development of this Strategic Framework will support the sector as it moves to meet the greater diversity of student needs, increase the flexibility of provision and meet the demand for high quality resources and service provision across New Zealand’s education sector.

Implementation of the Interim Tertiary (e)Learning Framework
The Tertiary (e)Learning team, in partnership with members of the Tertiary (e)Learning Reference Group, other (e)learning stakeholders and government agencies, are developing an Action Plan for the Interim Tertiary (e)Learning Framework. This plan will include details on how the Interim Tertiary (e)Learning Framework is to be implemented and will include objectives, success measures, timeframes and responsibilities.

Connectivity and the Adoption of the e-Framework
An action area of the Interim Tertiary (e)Learning Framework is the “adoption of relevant technical and design standards for (e)learning developments”. A reference group is being established that will be concerned with connectivity of (e)learning and (e)administration systems and content. The connectivity group will comprise of (e)learning experts and representatives from across the tertiary, schools and early childhood sectors.

The e-Framework (www.e-framework.org) is an international initiative (involving agencies from UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Holland) to create a common framework for mapping the services, standards and specifications that are the basis for building effective, efficient and interoperable technical systems to support learning, administration and research in our educational organisations. In July 2005, the Ministry of Education reached an agreement with JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee, UK) and DEST (Department of Education, Science and Training, Australia) to enter into a formal partnership around the e-Framework. This agreement means committing to contribute work from New Zealand to the development of the framework.

The Virtual Learning Brokerage Service
The Virtual Learning Network (VLN) increases the opportunities available to distance learners by facilitating the establishment of online, networked learning environments through the use of video conferencing and other technologies. The VLN provides a video conferencing brokerage service for schools and tertiary education organisations across New Zealand and gives advice for building virtual connections in teaching and learning. Visit www.virtuallearning.school.nz for more information.

Effective Practice with (e)Learning Guidelines
Practical guidelines are being developed to support practitioners who are considering adopting or who have already adopted (e)learning as a means to enhance the quality of learning and teaching at their institutions. The guidelines will provide the current context of (e)learning in New Zealand, including examples or ‘case studies’ of how the effective practice of (e)learning is being achieved. These guidelines will also exhibit how, through the adoption of effective (e)learning practice, a transformation in the learning and teaching experience can occur.

Tertiary (e)Learning Research Fund
The Interim Tertiary (e)Learning Framework (2003/04) included among its recommendations the need for robust research on (e)learning in the tertiary education sector in New Zealand. The Tertiary (e)Learning Research Fund (TeLRF) was established in 2004 and is an on-going contestable fund for sector-based research into the current context and future impact of (e)learning in New Zealand. Research findings are also being used to inform a scenario planning exercise, to provide the New Zealand tertiary education sector with pictures of the future, against which they can measure their own (e)learning capability and decide the future direction of (e)learning for their institution.

This information is correct at 30 August 2005. For updates please visit www.elearn.govt.nz or email feedback.elearn@minedu.govt.nz.