The VeM Voyage

Voyage to VeMVoyage to VeM

The VeM VoyageThe VeM VoyageJourney to a Statewide Learning Journey to a Statewide Learning

CommunityCommunity

Presented by Presented by Mark Jones and Simon BrownMark Jones and Simon Brown

TAFE QueenslandTAFE Queensland


Extending the networkIn 2006, Dianne successfully tendered for Learnscope funding, as part of the state VeLearning Network project, planning to set up a sustainable, collaborative network to

mentor staff in blended and distributed learning practice. Dianne asked the eChampions to brainstorm strategies. Originally, the focus centred on a few metropolitan TAFE institutes. However, with videoconferencing facilitating ‘virtual presence’ and avoiding excessive travel, it was easier to ‘think big.’ Because Videolinq connects TAFE Queensland, then so too could VeM.


The initial videoconferenceThe early committee pulled very strongly on eChampion connections. With the focus on teaching and learning, the ideal skipper was veteran WebCT teacher Dan Hodder.

VeM also had a teacher who had run mentoring programs - Bernadette Squire - and a teacher pushing web technologies boundaries in the trade skills classroom, Simon Brown. With Mark Jones the chief petty officer, having Toastmasters’ meeting and programming experience, and Dianne Brennan as pilot, VeM weighed anchor.


Initial face-to-face workshop November 2006The face-to-face workshop at Bracken Ridge provided an opportunity for a score of members to plan how to develop the network, and how members could

mentor each other. This meeting engaged remote participants via videoconferencing.

Action Learning Journey:Action Learning Journey:The Road to VeMThe Road to VeM


Filling group rolesSeveral videoconference meetings and discussion postings in EdNA followed the initial face-to-face workshop, scaffolding the

VeMentoring network. VeM members voluntarily filled committee roles.

The committee decided upon a 3-part educational platform. The first plank in the platform specified weekly videoconference presentations to build content knowledge, professional dialogue and connectedness. Secondly, the model specified weekly committee meetings held immediately after the presentations so that administrative detail did not disrupt the main videoconference, enabling committee members to segue into their business from the main event. Face-to-face workshops, building practical skills based on examples highlighted in the videoconferences, completed VeM’s educational model.

This model worked well, and the network continued to gather momentum.Nevertheless, had VeM really succeeded?



Second face-to-face workshop March 2007The second and third face-to-face workshops focused on developing technical skills showcased in the weekly videoconferences, as well as

building collaborative skills required to maintain the network.



Continuous Presence &Continuous Presence &Videostreams via VideolinqVideostreams via Videolinq

Used new Used new technology to be technology to be more interactivemore interactive

Streamed Streamed presentations using presentations using mediasitemediasite

And someone shouted "Back to basics“Discussion focused on the need for Learning within eLearningSue Todhunter, Manager Learning Technologies and Toni-Maree Pettigrew Consultant Learning Technologies

http://203.111.104.101/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=b74ebf27-06cd-4e47-a380-4e2be7eb37b3

Username: videolinq

Password: mediasite


The Digg Revolt : user power in actionFascinating case study into democratic share site named Digg, and its remarkable crash due to user behaviour.James Croft, Multimedia Developer BNIT

http://203.111.104.101/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=0d6e90b9-2745-4e2b-9432-bde0a7b1fe20

Username: videolinq

Password: mediasite


Blended/Distributed Delivery - feel the fear and do it anyway.Exemplary presentation on developing a blended and distributed delivery program.Kerry Russo, Community Services Teacher BRIT

http://203.111.104.101/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=857fd758-cfbe-4f03-a5da-716b056b8b75

Username: videolinq

Password: mediasite


Copyright Changes & BDLLooks at how the new copyright regulations relate to educational delivery. Includes some interesting questions and answersRobyn Austin, Copyright Officer &Ilona Baronayte, Principal Legal Officer Legal and Administrative Law Branch

http://203.111.104.101/mediasite/Viewer/?peid=d4d6c906-1414-4013-87c7-d2dfc9916d63

Username: videolinq

Password: mediasite


Third face-to-face workshop 2007The face-to-face workshops also provided VeM members with a chance to refresh their tangible presences after periods of ethereal contact via

videoconferences. At the Bremer TAFE workshop, Sandra Lawrence, Susan Todhunter and Wayne Knack formed the “The Panel’, addressed the lunchtime gathering and affirmed VeM as a leader in innovation, comprised of leaders in innovation.

Technical Skills Workshop September 2007



Establishing a presenceWhat made VeM successful? Good, personalised development in blended and

distributed learning remains a far from satisfied need. TAFE Qld staff wants personalized development opportunities, and VeM enables those that have the expertise, to share it. Weekly, presentation content varies, and always contains something for practitioners to take away with them. As examples, some outstanding productions included:

The interactive videoconference of the first face-to-face workshopGold Coast’s presentation showing how blended learning could work, and

work well, with impressive statistics and pie charts to back it upKerry Russo’s presentation on “Blended Learning : Feel the fear and do it

anyway” notable for its sheer professionalismAnnette Winch’s video presentation on teaching massage via Blended &

Distributed Learning, just to prove that anything is possible


VideolinqVeM’s major technology component has been Videolinq’s videoconferencing and subsequent videostreaming services.


SitesVeM is a collaborative work in progress reliant on a structure: a core supporting and mentoring team in

each TAFE Qld Institute, providing a blend of practitioners supporting the TAFE Qld team both locally and globally.


The Continuing VoyageThe Continuing Voyage

Discussion pointsDiscussion points

The VeM Voyage

Technology

Transcript of The VeM Voyage