All things e-learning, e-portfolios, training

Hi you have reached the launch page for my research blog. Each post on this page provides a link to the various aspects of my research. For example if you want to know about the methodology used, scroll down to that post and follow the link. Alternatively find the HOME PAGE link to explore the blog pages associated with my research.

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Update on my research

Hi there, so many have asked where am I up to.  Well I know I have been quiet but I have been incredibly busy.  My draft document has more 30,000 words (yes I know, no one would think differently... yes I can talk under water and apparently type underwater too LOL, probably all at the same time).

So where am I up to.... Stage one - complete, stage two - case studies one more interview to do.  So what does this mean...

Not much really.  I have a new supervisor and well a new broom sweeps clean and you know that's totally awesome... because I have been doing this for a while I felt like I was floundering for a moment.

Now that I have renewed enthusiasm and direction I have declared this weekend a total study weekend.  So what have I been doing?  Researching belief systems of teachers, perception, perspective and research frameworks.

I had never heard of TAM - technology acceptance model ... sorry if that disappoints you but what I can say is... I seemed to be on the right track anyway.  TAM considers usefulness, ease of use, self efficacy, attitude and intent to use... all things I had looked at but used 'Gail' language LOL with lots of variables thrown in.  Could I be on the verge of a new model... well only time will tell.  I need heaps more research and academic studies to back it up. I might disappear for a while but promise to share when its done.

Thanks to all who have participated so far.

Gail

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E-Learning Survey now open

I need your help!

I am currently completing my Masters in Education through UTS as a research student. I also work as an e-learning advisor for the National VET E-Learning Strategy.

I need your help with a very important piece of research as it will explore the perceived beliefs about e-learning by both teachers and students and highlight where the gaps are.

At the conclusion of the major stages of my research I will prepare a paper and make the findings freely available. 

My research comes from the position that successful e-learning must be done well and within sound pedagogical frameworks. It will combine mixed methods of data collection that includes surveys, small-scale case studies and interviews. The tools used allow you to exit at any stage of the research with anonymity and total confidentiality.

There are three stages in my research:

Stage 1: VET Practitioners complete the Practitioner Survey

Stage 2: A small number of case studies will participate in an online survey. Interested parties may be required to participate in a 30-minute interview to expand on their answers in the case study survey.

Stage 3: Data analysis and reporting

The first stage is open now. If you would like to participate, all you need to do is answer some questions in an online survey. The survey should take no more than 20-30 minutes to complete as all questions are multiple choice and can be completed quite quickly. Many of the questions provide you with a comment field if you would like to provide additional information. All answers are completely confidential and completely anonymous.

Please use the following definitions when completing the survey:

e-learning: learning that includes the use of technology to deliver an educational program. For example, web 2.0 technologies, mobile technologies, virtual worlds and completely online programs

transfer of learning: the ability for learning completed in a classroom, using mixed mode delivery or completely online to be transferred to other contexts such as the workplace, in our communities and our own lives

VET pedagogy: theory and practice relating to teaching adults in a vocational context

Ready to get started? Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TMHST5Y

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Where is this research up to?

Hey there, thanks for stopping by.

I must first apologise my progress with this blog has been a little slow.  I have been busy with my literature review, mid-point presentation and more recently the submission of an ethics application.  This application is reviewed by the ethics committee and permission (or not) to conduct the research is granted based on a number of important factors.

The Ethics Process

An ethics application is not a small or insignificant activity.  It takes considerable time and I would suggest some solid planning.  Having never done this before I was totally unprepared for the process.  Lucky for me, I put together a clear workplan each year and I am pleased to say I had investigated many of the areas expected. 

But..... yes there is always a but

I didn't realise I would need to submit my survey instruments, facebook and linkedin ads and other documentation prior to approval.  If you are reading this post because you have stumbled on my blog while looking for tips on the ethics process.... this is an important step and if not planned for could delay you considerably.

Allow yourself plenty of time to complete the application.  Have someone read it and check for their level of understanding.  I think it is really helpful to have someone who knows absolutely nothing about your research, read through your application.

Don't assume your readers know what you are talking about.  I was really lucky to have a supportive supervisor and ethics advisor who questioned what I said and encouraged me to make it plain, clear and without jargon. Even things I thought were common (such as what a registered training provider was) needed to be made clear.

So what things are in the ethics application?

You will need to consider how you will recruit your participants, what type of communication you will have with them, how long this will take and how they might feel during the process.

Have a really clear idea about the purpose of your research and why you are doing it?

Make sure you have done a risk analysis on the study and the participants and have identified any potential or assumed conflicts of interest.

Consider if your participants may experience any harm or discomfort and discuss in your application how you will minimise, avoid or respond to this.

Will your research involve testing on humans, dealing with minority groups, interviews or site visits? Each of these scenarios have their own set of guidelines around what can and can't be done.  Be prepared, find out prior to developing your application as it will require careful planning and in some circumstances additional ethical clearances from the participants workplace or place of study.

Your university will have guidelines and support structures to assist you put together a solid application.  Make good use of them.  I did and I am so pleased to say, that my ethics application has been approved (with no changes or comments.... yay!!!) and I will be soon ready to commence the research phase of my masters.

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Why this research?

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the perceived effects e-learning has on learning and the transfer of learning to the workplace within a Vocational Education and Training (VET) context.

As an educator in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector for more than 20 years I have seen and experienced considerable changes that have had a major impact on educational delivery and teaching practices. Consequently my own teaching practices have dramatically been influenced in the course of these changes.

At the same time, there has been considerable interest in the quality and professionalism of VET practitioners and the VET workforce. This is not surprising given that the characteristics and diversity of a teacher's role is constantly changing.  VET practitioners must increasingly build and acquire skills that will enable them to respond to the needs of individuals, enterprises and communities. A very important driver of change for VET practitioners has been the ubiquitous nature of technology in our everyday lives and the ever increasing demands for more flexible approaches to training by both learners and employers.

This research comes from the position that successful e-learning must be done well and within sound pedagogical frameworks.  It will also draw on contemporary theories of adult learning that support the theory that adult learners want to learn, they are self-directed and capable. 

This study combines mixed methods of data collection, with a large focus on small scale case studies and in-depth analysis that will enable the exploration of the case studies in detail.  The methodology involves three key stages.  Stage1 involves a survey of my own personal network of practitioners and will attempt to identify the perceived strengths and weaknesses of using technology in education.  The second stage will test these findings on a small, discrete group of case studies.  Stage 3 will explore trends, patterns and exceptions in the data. Case studies will be selected for their links with industry, use of e-learning and the sector of VET they represent to ensure a good mix of representation.

It is anticipated that the data will uncover detailed information about the context of e-learning for each case study and the design of the e-learning experience as well as and highlighting other relational factors such as points of difference, shared meanings and cultural assumptions.

If you are interested in my research metholodology this will be blogged on Tumblr. 

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Welcome to all things e-learning........

You have reached the landing page for my current research into the relationship between technology and student, staff learning in the VET sector. 

Hi my name is Gail Smith and welcome to all things e-learning. 

My areas of research are broken into several key areas:

technology and student/staff learning in Vocational Education and Training (VET)

technology and workforce capabilty

technology and the transfer of training in the workplace

The posts on this landing page will direct you to the key areas I am researching (my goal is to avoid the continual scroll of death you seem to find when you are trawling through someone's blog).

Please explore the posts below and click on the links contained within the post to access the relevant information.  Feel free to make comments, share your knowledge and recommend published papers and champions in the given subject areas.

I would really appreciate it if this site was not used for self promotion or the promotion of goods and services.  You are however very welcome to point us in the direction of sound solutions that point to your product especially if they appear in conference papers and other forms of endorsement.

Please note: this is a new site and still very much under construction.

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Does the use of technology hinder or enhance learning for Vocational Students and Teachers

The transfer of learning is an important consideration in any training context but I am sure you will all agree that e-learning itself as a key learning strategy has raised a multitude of questions in the VET practitioners mind relating to teacher quality and the effects e-learning has on student learning.

My research aims to explore the following question:

"Does e-learning have an impact on learning and if so, how can this be capitalised on when attempting to apply it to some of the issues currently affecting the Australian VET sector?"

Broadly, my research will explore the advantages and disadvantages of e-learning for students of VET, staff employed in VET and VET students employed in Australian workplaces.

If you are interested in this research please visit my blog The relationship between technology and learning on a regular basis.  New information will be uploaded as it is available.

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Does technology have a role to play in improving workforce capability?

I am currently reading research papers that discuss VET issues, its role and purpose.  At the same time I am considering the answer to the question “Does technology have a role to play in improving workforce capability?”

Please visit my blog for more information about the role of technology in workforce capability.  Posts will be updated as new research and literature comes to light.

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Can technology assist with the transfer of training in the workplace.

Learning transfer involves an exploration on how we can take learning opportunities such as training and attendances at seminars, conferences etc and assist people to convert this learning experience into skills and attitudes that can enhance performance and productivity in their workplace. Part of my research will consider what has been written by well known authors on this subject as well as testing some of my own theories. 

If you are interested in this topic please visit my blog Transfer of training to the workplace on a regular basis for updates on my findings.

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Want to know more about all things e-learning, social media, e-portfolios?

Why not check out the Gail Daily http://paper.li/Gail_VET_tchr/1317939999

This is my collection of twitter posts and articles dealing with all things e-learning, social media and e-portfolios.  It comes out each day and is a really useful source of information.

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You can find me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/Gail_VET_tchr.  Please remember if you send me messages to use @Gail_VET_tchr

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Follow the link to find me on Facebook.  While you are there please like my page http://www.facebook.com/UsingTechnologyInVet and join the group All things e-learning, e-portfolios and transfer of training http://www.facebook.com/gailvettchr#!/groups/319844448094366/

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This is a blog I used in a past life.... there are still some interesting posts and comments if you are interested in e-learning.  It is still in use but no longer contains posts to support e-learning innovations project teams but instead contains topical posts for e-learning.