Programs: Policy and Research 2003

The Policy and Research Program is one of six programs that will facilitate activities undertaken as part of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (the Framework), aiming to position Australia as a global leader in applying new technologies to vocational education and training products and services.

In achieving this aim, the Framework addresses five goal areas:
1. Creative, capable people
2. Supportive technological infrastructure
3. World-class online content development applications and services
4. Enabling policies
5. Problem-solving regulation
This Program will ensure that public policy on e-learning is informed by sound research and that Framework products, services, operations and future development are evidence-based.

The Framework in its second stage has identified the need to give priority to supporting the take-up of e-learning across a broad spectrum of VET clients and providers. This will require:

• providers to work with clients (learners, enterprises and communities) in new and diverse ways to develop their capacity for innovation and lifelong learning and to guide the development and application of e-learning products and services;
• strategies for identifying and removing systemic barriers to the incorporation of e-learning in VET delivery strategies; and
• stronger support for the core role that States and Territories play in stimulating the take-up of e-learning within their jurisdictions.

The Policy and Research Program focuses its efforts on supporting the dissemination of current and emerging relevant research and on commissioning research to support the progression of critical policy changes required to enable e-learning development. The dissemination of the findings from these projects informs the ongoing development of activities within the Framework. Activities undertaken to support and facilitate the linkages between the research elements of the Framework's projects contributes to the achievement of quality outcomes from those projects.

In 2003, the Policy and Research Program will focus its efforts on supporting the dissemination of current and emerging relevant research and commissioning research to support the progression of critical policy changes required to enable e-learning development. To achieve this goal, the program will focus on:

• improving linkages between research and policy on e-learning
• supporting and monitoring research related to national and international trends, emerging issues, needs and challenges likely to affect the future of e-learning in VET
• identifying policy barriers to e-learning and proposing ways those barriers can be removed.

There are two major projects within the Policy and Research Program:

• Applied Research
• Sharing Knowledge

For more information on past Policy and Research Program initiatives visit http://flexiblelearning.net.au/projects/sharingknowledge.htm and http://flexiblelearning.net.au/projects/research_projects.htm

The Policy and Research program will deliver the following outcomes:

• an increased body of knowledge available to VET practitioners and policy makers on the managerial aspects of flexible learning
• support to inform decision making at policy and practitioner levels
• advice on strategies to influence the desired changes to VET policy and funding models, to support to e-learning development and implementation.

Program activity will take into account the activities and outcomes achieved in the following 2002 projects.

1. VET Policy Advice 2000-2002
2. ‘Sharing Knowledge’ 2002 project
3. Legal Issues for Flexible Learning Project 2000-2002
4. Expert Advisory Group Project 2002

Download the report on the Evaluation of the 2003 Policy and Research Program in PDF (131 Kb) or Word (303 Kb) formats.

Nancye Stanelis
Policy and Research Program Director and SA FLAG Representative
Torrens Valley Institute of TAFE
100 Smart Road Modbury 5092
Telephone: 08 8207 8014
Fax: 08 8207 2727
Email: Nancye.Stanelis@tvi.tafe.sa.edu.au

Ros Gill
Policy and Research Program Leader
Torrens Valley TAFE
Gilles Plains Campus
Blacks Road, Gilles Plains, 5086
Telephone: (08) 8303 2661
Fax: (08) 8303 2667
email: rosgill@tafe.sa.edu.au

Kate Fannon
Engaging Industry Project Manager
Torrens Valley TAFE
Gilles Plains Campus
Blacks Road, Gilles Plains, 5086
Telephone: 08 8303 2616
Fax: 08 8303 2667
Email: katefann@tafe.sa.edu.au

Nancye Stanelis (Chair), SA FLAG Representative and Program Director, Policy & Research
Assistant Director, Educational Development Torrens Valley Institute of TAFE
100 Smart Road Modbury SA 5092
Email:nancye.stanelis@tvi.tafe.sa.edu.au

Ros Gill, Program Leader, Policy and Research
Onkaparinga Institute of TAFE
O'Halloran Hill SA 5158
Email:rosgill@tafe.sa.edu.au

Sarojni Choy, ANTA Representative
ANTA
GPO Box 3120 Brisbane QLD 4001
Email:choys@anta.gov.au

Julie Ahern, FLAG Secretariat Representative
Manager, National Liaison Program Development Branch OTTE
Department of Education and Training
GPO Box 266D Melbourne Vic 3001
Email:ahern.julie.l@edumail.vic.gov.au

Mike Brough, TAS FLAG Representative and NREC member
Director, Strategic Development Office of Post-Compulsory Education and Training
GPO Box 169B
Hobart Tas 7001
Email:michael.brough@education.tas.gov.au

Yoni Ryan, Consultant
Associate Professor Head,
Educational Design Group Monash University Department of Learning and Teaching Support Clayton Campus, Building 55 Vic 3800
Email:Yoni.Ryan@CeLTS.monash.edu.au

Andrew Smith, Consultant
Associate Professor,
School of Management Charles Sturt University
Locked Bag 588
Wagga Wagga NSW 2678
Email:asmith.@csu.edu.au