Digital Futures Project

The Australian National University (ANU) , University of Southern Queensland (USQ), and the University of South Australia (UniSA) are collaborating on a $9M Digital Futures Project. The project aims to research social and policy challenges in boosting participation in higher education through technology rich learning environments. This part of the federal Government's Collaborative Research Networks (CRN) program, which aims to boost research at small regional universities by teaming them with large city ones. This project will research Mobility, Openness and Digital Communities. ANUand USQ previously collaborated on an Engineering Hubs and Spokes Project for teaching undergraduates using blended learning. ANU and USQ have an alliance for teaching and research. Currently I am studying Research-Led Education via a program at ANU, including courses provided by USQ.

Kotter Process Applied to Learning

Dr Kim Blackmore is talking on "Findings from the Engineering Hubs and Spokes Project" at the ANU Educational Research Conference. Most interesting was the application of business change theory to education. Kim described adapting Kotter's eight steps to organizational change to the process of introducing blended learning:

1. Create a sense of urgency
2. Develop a guiding coalition
3. Develop a vision for change
4. Communicate the vision
5. Empower broad-based action
6. Generate short-term wins
7. Don't let up
8. Make it stick in the organizational culture

From: John Kotter, Wikipdia, 2011

Architecture Education in South Australia

Yesterday I stepped into the City West Library of the Unviersity of South Australia, where I found the staff setting up the display for "Louis Laybourne Smith and Gavin Walkley : Architecture Educators", as part of the SA History Festival. Louis Laybourne Smith was an architect and on display are his drawing instruments, blueprints and notebooks. The note books were most interesting with meticulously rendered technical sketches. It would be useful if the Library could scan some of these and put them online for scholarly research. The outstanding example of this being done for an architect is the scanning of the whole of Marion Mahony Griffin's "The Magic of America", by the Art Institute of Chicago, 2007.

Learning in the Adelaide North Terrace Cultural Precinct

Dr Diana Quinn, from the University of South Australia Learning and Teaching Unit (LTU) gave me a quick tour of their City West Campus, at the western end of the Adelaide North Terrace Cultural Precinct. This nicely bookends the terrace, which has the state library, museum and art gallery in the middle and the Unviersity of Adelaide a the other end. I sat in on a presentation about the UniSA new $95 million City West student learning centre. The exterior design of the building has been largely finalised, but I discussed some of the options for design of the teaching rooms with Professor Margaret Hicks, Director of Learning and Teaching.

Educational Technologist Job Available at ANU

The Educational Development Group of the Australian National University (ANU), College of Engineering and Computer Science has advertised for an "Educational Technologist":

Educational Technologist (G157-11MY)

Research School of Engineering, ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science

Come join the education team in Engineering and Computer Science in redeveloping College courses to realise the rich educational potential of the opportunities offered by educational technology.

Location: Canberra/ACT

Term of Contract: Fixed Term of 12 Months

Grade: ANU Officer Grade 5/6 (Information Technology)

Salary Package: $54,959 - $65,086 pa plus 17% superannuation

Closing Date: 10 April 2011

Position Overview: The ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science is involved in the Engineering Hubs and Spokes project with the University of South Australia.

You will work closely with the Educational Developer and other members of the Hubs and Spokes team to achieve the course development and delivery objectives of the Hubs and Spokes project. A demonstrated technical expertise with educational technologies is essential, as is software development experience.

Effective communication and collaboration skills are necessary, as well as a demonstrated ability to influence people.

Enquiries: Dr Kim Blackmore, T: 02 6125 0411, E: Kim.Blackmore@anu.edu.au

Additional Information: ...

Position description:

Responsible to: Kim Blackmore, Sub Project Leader, Engineering Hubs and Spokes Project

Role statement:

PURPOSE STATEMENT:
This position will contribute to Blended Course development and delivery as part of the Engineering Hubs and Spokes project by demonstrating and facilitating the uptake of accessible technologies, particularly in the areas of Wattle (the ANU's Learning Management System), Web 2.0 and rich media.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITY AREAS:
Position Dimension & Relationships:
The Educational Technologist will work with the Engineering Hubs and Spokes team to provide technical expertise and advice to support the goals and objectives of the Engineering Hubs and Spokes project. The Educational Technologist will assist academic staff to develop flexible approaches to their teaching. In addition to this primary relationship, the Educational Technologist will also liaise with administrative and other professional staff in the College and across the ANU campus.

Role Statement:
1. Provide support and advice on technologies and software for education.
2. Assist Academic staff to design and develop their course presence in the ANU's Learning Management System.
3. Investigate and implement technological, digital and web-based tools used in flexible learning and teaching.
4. Contribute to the design and creation of technology enhanced staff development and teaching and learning spaces (including establishment of a new Education Technology Studio).
5. Take a significant role in developing, managing and maintaining the web presence of the CECS Education Development (and Research) Group.
6. Liaise with technological support staff within the College, the Division of Information, across campus and at the University of South Australia.
7. Create and maintain a learning objects repository for Hubs and Spokes courses, and work with lecturers to ensure that developed material is suitable for inclusion in the repository.
8. Other duties consistent with the classification of this position.

Selection criteria:

: 1. Degree OR relevant experience in an institution of higher education, preferably in a discipline or disciplines relevant to the Engineering or Computer Science.
2. Demonstrated and substantial experience in web-based and digital environments with the demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality training to a wide range of staff. This includes a breadth of specific skills, including working with the following:
* PC and Macintosh operating systems,
* Web and standalone formats and files,
* html and a range of browsers
* basic web, graphics, video, sound and interactive software,
* Learning Management Systems, in particular Moodle, and
* Web 2.0 applications
* Technology enhanced teaching and learning spaces.
3. Highly developed communication skills, both oral and written.
4. Demonstrated ability to take responsibility for work outcomes individually and as a member of a team, and to be resourceful, adaptable and forward-thinking.
5. Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills with inventive approaches to resourcing.
6. Demonstrated organisational skills, including the ability to plan workloads, prioritise tasks and respond effectively to changing circumstances.
7. A demonstrated understanding of equal opportunity principles and policies and a commitment to their application in a University context.

ANU Officer Levels 5 and 6 are broadbanded in this stream. It is expected that at the higher levels within the broadband occupants, through experience, will have developed skills and expertise enabling them to more independently perform the full range of duties at a higher level, and that more time will be spent on the more complex functions of the position. ...

From: "Educational Technologist", ANU, 2011