e-Gems: Accessibility, sustainability and benchmarking

In July and August, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) is running three free e-Gems web conferencing sessions, providing professional developed opportunities for vocational education and training (VET) practitioners. 

What is accessibility and why does it matter?

This session will look at the fundamentals of web accessibility and answer a number of questions – what is accessibility, why does it matter and who benefits from it? Participants will discover how users with disabilities use the web, the intersection between accessibility and useability, and simple measures practitioners can take to improve the web experience for users.  

The session will briefly look at the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and will discuss the potential impact on the creation, maintenance, use and re-use of web content in the VET sector.

Presenters:     
Kristena Gladman and Owen O’Neill manage the Framework’s E-standards for Training business activity which facilitates collaborative adoption of technical standards for e-learning in VET.

Kristena specialises in content development, e-learning standards and interoperability initiatives in the Australian school and VET sectors. Owen has contributed to the development of e-learning standards and interoperability initiatives in Australia and Europe.

The Knowledge Tree e-Journal, Edition 20: live conversation
Eyes on a green horizon

Jason Patten and Michael Abulencia from RMIT University’s Optometry Department will discuss their lead article Eyes on a green horizon, from Edition 20 of The Knowledge Tree. The article discusses the successful transition of RMIT’s Optical Training Program to an e-learning model. Jason and Michael will show how the program implemented sustainable practices to benefit training organisations, learners and the community.

Participants are encouraged to read Eyes on a green horizon, to prepare for the session.

Presenters:     

Jason Patten has more than fifteen years experience in the VET sector as an educator, curriculum developer, program coordinator and project manager of dual sector projects.

Michael Abulencia has more than six years experience in training and supporting teachers to incorporate flexible delivery and design into their teaching practice.

How can you improve what you don’t measure?

Benchmarking is the process of comparing your organisation’s processes and performance metrics to best practices in other organisations. This session will explore the practice of benchmarking, including its use in strategic and operational planning and the development of benchmarking tools such as questions and surveys. Participants will also learn how to use the Framework’s DIY E-learning Benchmarking Tool to compare individual results with state and national results.

Presenter:

Melanie Worrall is the Project Officer for the Framework’s Benchmarking and Research business activity. 

Melanie has a passion for learning and the many forms that it takes and has experience in resource development, instructional design and lecturing.

About e-Gems

The e-Gems series of web conferencing sessions are unique learning and networking opportunities for people working in the VET and business sectors. Provided by the Framework, e-Gems web-conferences are free and require no registration.

To participate, you must have access to headphones and a microphone and have installed and configured the Elluminate web conferencing software beforehand. If you encounter any problems, please contact Jyothi Jayaram on (02) 6207 4832 or email: e-events [at] flexiblelearning.net.au (replace at with @ to use the email address). (Note: session access opens one hour before the scheduled time.)

To find out when the session starts in your time zone visit: http://www.timezoneconverter.com/cgi-bin/tzc.tzc

For further information and recordings of archived sessions visit: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/e-events OR contact: e-events [at] flexiblelearning.net.au (replace at with @ to use the email address).

The e-Gems series is part of the Framework’s Access to E-learning Knowledge and Know-How business activity. Regular e-Gems web conferencing sessions and asynchronous discussions will be held throughout 2009. Anyone in the VET and/or business sectors is invited to participate in these free learning and networking opportunities.

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Published on 22/07/2010