Terms of Reference

Submitted by FLAG Secretariat on 6 February 2009 - 8:16am.

 

FLAG's role

The Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG) is an advisory group of the National Senior Officials Committee (NSOC). It was established in 1996 as the key policy advisory group on national issues related to the directions and priorities for the application of information and communication technology (ICT) in the vocational education and training system (VET) and Adult and Community Education (ACE).
 

Through collaboration, FLAG leads the development and ongoing provision of essential national ICT infrastructure; evaluates and provides advice on emerging technological opportunities; and facilitates access to e-learning products and practices that enable an innovative, flexible and responsive national training system.

Responsibilities

1. FLAG advises NSOC on matters related to the national ICT infrastructure, including:

  • Strategic policy advice on the use of ICT in teaching and learning in VET
  • E-Standards
  • Access to digital learning resources through LORN, a
        repository designed to be the major source of e-learning and assessment resources for the national
        training system.
  • Advice on strategic implementation of ICT, including provider and practitioner access to ICT products
        and services through the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework)
  • Implications of international innovation and trends in ICT and e-learning
  • Benchmarking and Research
  • Intellectual Property and Copyright
  • FLAG also addresses national issues referred to it by NSOC or individual CEOs.
     

2. FLAG advises and collaborates with the Australian ICT in Education Committee (AICTEC) on:

  • VET sector perspectives and responses to national policy issues related to the use of ICT in teaching
        and learning e.g. the Digital Education Revolution.
  • Progress by the VET sector against the Action Plan and priorities underpinning the national
        Joint Ministerial Statement on ICT in Australian Education and Training 2008-2011
  • Strategic development of EdNA Online in relation to the needs of the VET sector (EdNA Online is an
        online information service providing access to information and services which support teaching and
        learning across Australian education and training sectors).
     

3. FLAG leads and manages the implementation of The Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) including:

  • Identifying, through consultation and evidence-based research, priorities for national collaboration
  • Producing a strategic plan and annual business plans
  • Establishing, managing, monitoring and evaluating business activities to support annual national
        priorities, and
  • Reporting to NSOC twice annually on progress against the component areas identified in the
        Framework.

 

4. FLAG advises the education.au ltd Board on:

  • Strategic development of EdNA Online in relation to the needs of the VET sector.

 

Membership
 

  • Chairperson: Deputy-Director General, VET (or equivalent)
  • One senior nominee of the Chief Executive of each State/Territory VET Authority, with policy and
        strategy expertise in the use of ICT in teaching and learning
  • A nominee of the Deputy Secretary of the Australian Government’s Department of Education,
        Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) with policy and strategy expertise in the use of ICT
        in teaching and learning
  • A jurisdictional nominee of the ACE sector
  • Standing Observer: Chief Executive of education.au limited.

FLAG meets face-to-face approximately six times a year and also by teleconference on an ‘as needs’ basis.