This report summarises the main findings of a research project on how e-learning can help to improve adults’ literacy, language and numeracy skills.
Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce has released the Briefings to the Incoming Minister from the Ministry of Education, the Tertiary Education Commission and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
These documents are available here in pdf format.
Speech to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce
9 March 2010
Good morning – it’s a real pleasure to be here.
This is my first speech as Minister of Tertiary Education – I’m going to give you an overview of where we’re coming from, and focus in on one or two areas of particular interest right now.
First I’ll take [...]
The report provides a framework of the diverse e-Learner profiles found throughout the tertiary sector, taking into account: Demographics. Learning orientations (learning styles). Readiness for e-Learning, and Experience of and attitudes to e-Learning.
This report was commissioned by the Ministry and undertaken by Massey University in collaboration with the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand and Otago Polytechnic.
Graphic showing the 5 D’s of e-learning in industry. See Figure 1.1
http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/ict/58148
In the current evolving economic environment, it is important for organisations to effectively implement and utilise e-learning applications, strategies and techniques to up-skill their workforce so that they are more productive, higher performing and competitive in regional, national and global contexts.
Now, more than ever, industry has an opportunity to develop the people they already have in a way that is cost effective, and highly customised. E-learning provides an ideal means of addressing specific skill shortages. Employers who are serious about taking charge of their own future, and proactively addressing the barriers which are preventing profitability and growth without waiting for others to act, should be grabbing e-learning with both hands.
Recommended reading, this webpage from the Ministry of Education (New Zealand) summarises key issues and findings from the full report (also available for download). The content is succinct and includes some excellent graphics clearly depicting the process of elearning industry, elearning as it occurs in large companies, and in small or medium businesses, and a model for examining elearning effectiveness. This is an excellent summary of key e-learning issues in the New Zealand workplace, but many of these factors have wider relevance. It also glances towards the future…
Recommendation 11 from the 2025 Taskforce chaired by Don Brash deals specifically with education including market interest rates for student loans and rationalisation of the non-university sector, whatever that might mean.
Elearning provides a cost effective solution to some key issues affecting many not-for-profit organisations. One example is how to successfully manage volunteers. Many community based organisations rely heavily on volunteers at some level. This might be people on the ground delivering service, or at governance level providing oversight as committee members or trustees.
Challenges can arise from the fact that volunteers typically come from diverse backgrounds and present with a range of skills and experience. In these circumstance elearning can assist.
