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e-news on higher education[ background ] [ index ] [ previous issues ] [ subscribe ] Issue 13
e-learning in post-secondary educationOver 80 delegates from more than twenty countries attended the 7th OECD/Japan Seminar on E-Learning in Post-Secondary Education in Tokyo on 5-6 June. The conference was co-hosted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT, formerly MONBUSHO) and the National Institute of Multimedia Education (NIME). Australia was recognised at the conference as being in the forefront of e-learning developments, building on this country's strong base and tradition of distance education, as well as being a leading exporter of education. Recent reforms in Japan will allow Japanese students to study all 124 credits required for an undergraduate degree via the internet from the beginning of the 2001 financial year. Japanese universities are also now permitted to recognise credits from internet-based education courses offered by overseas institutions. This provides a great opportunity for Australian universities to explore the possibility of offering e-learning units to Japanese students. The OECD also promoted debate on trade in educational services and the moves by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in this area. The OECD identified Australia (based on 1999 data) as the most competitive exporter of educational services in the world. Debate on the growing trade in educational services raised a number of issues including:
Shortly before the conference the OECD launched a new paper called E-Learning: The Partnership Challenge, which is available from their website: www.oecd.org/cer/obj2/ict/about.htm
Further information on the conference, including conference papers, can be found at: www.oecd.org/cer/obj3/meetings.htm#1
Papers and a conference summary will be added to the site over the coming weeks. LawLearning outcomes and curriculum outcomesThe Australian Universities Teaching Committee (AUTC) contributes to the Government's commitment to promoting quality and excellence in university teaching and learning in Australia. E-news is progressively covering all of the projects currently receiving AUTC funding. This issue's article relates to "Learning outcomes and curriculum development in law". This project attempts to identify the extent to which innovations in teaching and learning and in curriculum development and review have responded to the needs of both students and employers. It also seeks to assess the impact of significant changes which have occurred over the last decade. These changes include:
The project is being undertaken by a consortium comprising seven deans of Australian law schools and the Managing Director of the College of Law Pty Ltd. It is chaired by Professor Paul Raymond (University of New South Wales). The first stage of this project is due for completion in December 2001. RDLO WorkshopThe Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA) hosted a workshop in Canberra for Regional Disability Liaison Officers (RDLOs) on 5-6 June. The workshop provided a useful opportunity for RDLOs to exchange information and to inform Government on their successes in supporting people with disabilities gain access to tertiary education and in promoting employment outcomes for graduates. More information on the expansion of the RDLO initiative and the grant of $80 000 to each of 10 universities to host RDLOs this year can be found in e-news 08. www.dest.gov.au/highered/enews RDLOs provide advice and support for people with disabilities in accessing tertiary education and helping them in their transition from education to employment. Improving participation for tertiary studies in Western AustraliaThe University of Western Australia has won a grant of $135 000 to facilitate tertiary studies in the Mid-West Region of Western Australia. The funding is provided by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA) to support infrastructure and the appointment of a Facilitator of Tertiary Studies for the mid-west region. E-news 08 included an article on access to tertiary studies in the Mid-West Region of Western Australia and how the high costs involved in sending prospective students to Perth have been a barrier to participation. This grant to the University of Western Australia is designed to help improve access and opportunities for students in the region. The Facilitator's primary role will be to: establish demand for courses; facilitate and publicise articulation arrangements between universities and the Central West College of TAFE in Geraldton; disseminate information to people in the region about university study opportunities; and negotiate with universities for regional access to university courses. A Mid-West Higher Education Community Advisory Group will be established to assist the Facilitator. The group will represent the major education entities in Geraldton, with representation from Indigenous interests and industry groups. GSA for DETYA recruitmentThe Graduate Skills Assessment (GSA) test is being used by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA) as part of a general selection process for staff at the middle management level. One of the uses envisaged for the GSA was to assist in recruitment processes by helping employers assess the skills of recent graduates. DETYA's use of the GSA in its recruitment process is the first full-scale application by an employer. So far the GSA has been used to test graduating students in October/November 2000 and commencing students early this year. Testing at both ends of a student's university study programme will allow the university to estimate the value of the university experience in developing skills in the four areas of problem solving, critical thinking, interpersonal skills and writing. More information on the GSA and how, why and by whom it was developed can be found in e-news 02. For further information on this project you can contact Peggy Spratt at: Publications & Websitesrecently releasedValidating Scholarship in University Teaching
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