Innovation and Trends

Submitted by FLAG Secretariat on 6 February 2009 - 8:54am.

In its strategic role within vocational education and training (VET), the Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG) considers the implications of international innovation and trends in information and communication technology (ICT) and e-learning such as those captured in the Horizon Report series produced by the New Media Consortium in the United States  and its Australian counterpart. In doing so, FLAG filters and aggregates essential information on innovations and trends, and communicates information to key bodies such as the Australian Information and Communications Technology in Education Committee (AICTEC) and the National Senior Officials Committee (NSOC) about future directions of e-learning and world’s best practice in the field. Monitoring trends allows FLAG to identify, analyse and advise these key bodies on the implications and potential benefits of national and international innovations as they occur.

In 2007, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework published an extensive report into embedding innovative practices in the VET sector by researcher Marie Jasinski. Innovate and Integrate: Embedding Innovative Practices outlined eight key findings, and came to the conclusion that, among other things, the criteria for deciding whether e-learning is a priority in a crowded VET working environment is, 'a work culture that embraces and supports innovation; a robust technology infrastructure; technology tools that are appropriate for teaching and learning purposes; a senior champion to drive the process; a willingness to consult and share; and supportive managers, peers and support professionals. This cluster of enablers that includes individual and organisational commitment provides a signal that e-learning is a desired and valued component of a teaching and learning repertoire and worth the time and effort.'
FLAG also considers research undertaken by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) in areas such as the integration of e-learning in industry, mobile e-learning (m-learning) and e-learning for youth and mature-age workers.
 (See also Benchmarking and Research)