Tanya - Flexible Learning

Australian Indigenous Community Provider of the Year Award!

2005-12-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

Adult Learning Australia is pleased to announce that the winner of its Australian Indigenous Community Provider of the Year Award for 2005 is the Central Australian Remote Health Development Services!

Tanya Wooley will represent CARHDS to accept the trophy at the ALA Conference Dinner in Canberra on 27th November 2005.

Special thanks must be extended to the team at CARHDS for providing training to Aboriginal people and health professionals to improve community health outcomes and to increase effective Aboriginal control over PHC service delivery.

Well done and Congratulations!

Here is my acceptance speech delivered at the Canberra National Museum:

CARHDS is an Aboriginal community controlled education provider - based in Alice Springs - covering Central Australia.

This regional delivery model covers an area similar in size to Great Britain and Ireland combined!

We have a team of creative and innovative educators with specialist skills in the areas of:

• Remote Area Nursing
• Accident & Emergency
• Chronic Disease
• Wound Management
• Immunization
• Management & Governance
• Quality Improvement
• Workplace Language & Literacy
• Orientation of new Health Services staff

In 2003 - the CARHDS Board identified the need for more flexible learning opportunities.

This formed the basis for 18 months of strategic development that has enabled CARHDS to integrate interactive multimedia into our delivery methodology.

This model has provided capacity building and self determination that directly relates to local issues in the workplace and the local community.

We understand the importance of the Adult Learning Principles and they are incorporated into our program delivery.

We know:

Adults learn best by doing.

We provide opportunities for participants to practice what they are learning.

Participants are actively involved in their training program and understand the “big picture”.

We reinforce key messages and the point of the training session.

We endeavor to use a range of the 5 senses – sight, sound, taste, smell and touch in our programs

Our major focus for 2005 has been to ensure learning takes place in a self-paced environment - where participants learn more efficiently when they see, hear and interact with the program.

We would like to thank Adult Learning Australia and the Central Australian Aboriginal community for its support and engagement.

Our team is certainly thrilled to be presented this award that recognizes our achievements.

What is RSS?

2005-12-01T15:59:00.000-08:00

Stay up-to-date, by having the very latest information that you are interested in delivered directly to you rather than clicking from site to site.

That's exactly what RSS is. RSS stands for 'Really Simple Syndication'.
It allows you to nominate the content you like and have it delivered directly to you!
RSS feeds contain headlines and hyperlinks to longer articles or Web pages

First you need is something called a news reader. You read these files in a program called an aggregator, which collects news from various websites and provides it to you in a simple form.
They will download and display RSS feeds for you.

Once you have chosen a news reader, all you have to do is to decide what information you want to receive.
For example, if you would like the latest stories on Aboriginal culture, simply visit a site that has RSS enabled. You will notice an orange RSS button like this on the site:

Subscribe and you are away.......

RSS feeds received are text based links to information you have subscribed to. Here is an example of how the information is displayed:

?xml version="1.0"?>
rss version="2.0">
channel>
title>Arrernte Culture
link>http://language.com.au/
description>Dictionary.
language>en-us
pubDate>Fri, 9 Dec 2005 04:00:00 GMT

Personally I LIKE navigating the Internet - site by site - link by link to find information I am interested in.
Stumbling across additional information only adds to the experience and appeal of the Net.

I much prefer the graphic enriched - visually enticing webpages as opposed to text based hyperlinks delivered to my inbox.

At first I thought subscribing to RSS would save heaps of time" but in reality I get tto much information and overload.

What is a Wiki?

2005-11-28T16:30:00.000-08:00

Quite simply - A wiki is a website anyone can edit.

We can edit the text of pages. We can create new pages or link existing pages together.

We can add or change anything we like and the changes are instant.

Control of the site is based on community spirit. Any corrupted or vandalised pages will only stay that way until the next person comes and edits the content.

Wikipedia is one of the largest Wiki projects on the net

Meatball is a group active to teach each other how to organize people using online tools

Want to start your own wiki on a specific topic?

Usemod

2005-11-27T23:09:00.000-08:00

Hope you enjoy the content of my online journal :)
Posted by Picasa

Health education via satellite

2005-09-26T23:36:00.000-07:00

My application was successful!

Central Australian Remote Health Development Services (CARHDS) has been approved for the 'New Site Subsidy' funding offered by the Rural Health Education Foundation and the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing - to set up a satellite viewing site and install the satellite dish and all the specific infrastructure equipment.

Rural Health Education Foundation is Australia's pre-eminent provider of television-based health education for doctors, pharmacists, nurses and allied health professionals.

Satellite and Internet technology ensures these health professionals gain access to continuing education, without the need for them to find locum support or leave their communities.

Here is a link to their program schedule

So, why have cultural awareness training?

2005-09-26T23:28:00.000-07:00

For most of us, working with different cultures is an everyday experience.

Poor cultural awareness can have severe consequences on a workplace or community.

What starts as an embarrassing moment or religious opinion could lead to a loss of sale, tensions in the work place or even a court case for race discrimination.

By being more aware and sensitive, conflicts are less likely to arise, and if they do arise, we have the confidence to deal with them in the appropriate way.

An understanding of how and why cultures play a major part in peoples lives will enable a team to work better together.

Interactive Ochre embraces the Pitjantjatjara or Anangu way of Ngapartji-Ngapartji (nupartgee –nupartgee) which means “you give me something and I’ll give you something” – “giving and sharing for everyone's benefit" - working both ways.

Intercultural relationships are partnerships where we learn from each other.

In this way, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous users can use it and learn from Interactive Ochre – together.
People need to work more effectively in a cross cultural environment – particularly with Aboriginal people.

Interactive Ochre gives an opportunity to look at Indigenous ways of doing things.

Learning while being entertained is appealing.

This is a useful approach when exposing people to sensitive or cultural issues.

Great Sound Site

2004-12-23T17:12:00.000-08:00

Excellent resources to imbed into your presentaitons

CLICK HERE

Indigenous Keyboard & Mouse

2004-12-23T17:06:00.000-08:00

A dinky little program developed by Kangan Batman TAFE - that introduces how to use the keyboard and mouse

CLICK HERE

2004-12-16T22:42:00.000-08:00

December 2004
Posted by Hello

Adult Learning Australia - Bridging Cultures

2004-11-23T22:04:00.000-08:00

The recent Adult Learning Australia - national conference 'Bridging Cultures' provided opportunity to explore four interrelated cultural themes: Indigenous learning; cross-cultural communication; different workplace cultures and intergenerational learning.

Sessions I attended included:

CROSS-CULTURAL COMMUNICATION
World Cultures in Focus – Interactive learning program in cultural diversity
Sylvia Fisher, Jack Young Centre, SA
Pam Pindral, Aged and Disability Services, City of Salisbury SA

The Webheads – online community of adult teachers and students of English
Michael Coghlan, TAFE SA

INDIGENOUS LEARNING
Living Reconciliation: 10 years of teaching and learning in a TAFE program for women at Nowra NSW
(also Cross-cultural Communication)
Isobel Fitzpatrick and Debra Evelyn, Illawarra TAFE, NSW

INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING
Intergenerational literacy and ICT in a Multicultural Setting
Jane Gunn, Protea Training, Port Adelaide SA

DIFFERENT WORKPLACE CULTURES
Horses for broadband courses or horse and buggy? Developing the 'virtual ecology' for a networked learning community in the Adelaide Hills Region
Karen Plane, Centre for Research in Education, Equity and Work, University of South Australia

NON-THEMATIC
The highs and lows of ACE management
Jim Nicholls and Richard Vinycomb, ACE North Coast, NSW

Learning Communities Catalyst and Web services to enhance learning
Dan Nicholas and Margaret Grainger. EdNA VET Online SA

Video conference model to deliver ACE programs – interactive wine appreciation workshop in rural regions of SA
Leanne Isaacson, Murray Mallee Community Education Network, SA

SPECIAL INTEREST
Mark Bagshaw provided a very inspirational keynote speech regarding strategies to improve employment and career options for people with a disability. Very moving!

2004-11-22T23:14:00.001-08:00

The challenge of - Remote Education
Posted by Hello

2004-11-22T23:14:00.000-08:00

Visual - Get the point across
Posted by Hello

Why Use Multimedia??

2004-11-22T16:43:00.000-08:00

Why Use Multimedia in the Classroom?

Multimedia activities encourage students to work in groups, express their knowledge in multiple ways, solve problems, revise their own work, and construct knowledge. The advantages of integrating multimedia in the classroom are many. Through participation in multimedia activities, students can learn:

* Real-world skills related to technology
* The value of teamwork
* Effective collaboration techniques
* The impact and importance of different media
* The challenges of communicating to different audiences
* How to present information in compelling ways
* Techniques for synthesizing and analyzing complex content
* The importance of research, planning, and organization skills
* The significance of presentation and speaking skills
* How to accept and provide constructive feedback
* How to express their ideas creatively

There are, however, some constraints to using multimedia in the classroom, including:

* Technological resources, both hardware and software
* Technological skills, for both the students and teacher
* Time required to plan, design, develop, and evaluate multimedia activities

Educators have many teaching tools to use in the classroom -- books, videos, paper, pencils, maps, and multimedia technology.

Multimedia technology should simply be considered another tool in a teacher's toolbox, to be used whenever it can best serve to enhance the learning experience!

A good story keeps people listening or watching.

Check out these sites:
Catalogue of Multimedia Tips - Heaps of Hints and Tips
SciFi - Excellent Movie Files
Free Downloads- Loads of PowerPoint resources

Ultimate Multimedia Workstation
Posted by Hello

ANTA - Indigenous Resource Guide

2004-10-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

The ANTA guide - Gettin’ into it! – Working with Indigenous learners -
contains creative teaching and learning strategies that can be used in classroom, workplace and community settings. It also features professional development activities to familiarise teachers and trainers with applying the strategies.

View the Media Release

You will need to register. It's free!
Download from the Resource Generator

ANTA Logo
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Art & Culture

2004-10-20T21:57:00.000-07:00

ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA ART & CULTURE CENTRE - ALICE SPRINGS
100% Aboriginal owned & operated

Dreamtime Symbols = Iconography

Kinship = Family System/Skin Name

Dreamtime = Jukurrpa

Monitor Hazards - OH&S

2004-10-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

Computers have equaled the telephone is becoming the most indispensable piece of office equipment. Because computer use is such a high visually demanding task, vision problems and symptoms have become very common in today’s workplace.

If you experience any of the following symptoms:

Eyestrain
Headaches
Blurred vision
Dry and Irritated Eyes
Neck and/or Back Ache
Light Sensitivity
Double Vision

Take a ten-minute break every hour to minimize the development of eye focusing problems and eye irritation caused by improper blinking.

Consider shorter, more frequent breaks.

20/20/20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take 20 seconds and look 20 feet away.

Too much - looking @ a monitor (??)
Posted by Hello

Footprints Forward

2004-10-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

Footprints Forward

Footprints Forward Inc has been created to assist in building the partnership between the business and Indigenous community, to create a better future for all people in Alice Springs

Under the Indigenous Employment Challenge banner, employers, community organisations and key Indigenous people called for a central point of contact to access information and support to help them be more successful in employing young Indigenous people

A place where employers will know that there are plenty of young Aboriginal people who want a good job, and want to really make something of it.

A place where people who are keen to do something about Indigenous employment can get useful information.

Now open for business, on the Net and in person.

Posted by Hello

Basic Spellchecker

2004-10-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

A simpler way to simpler text?

In 2002 CARHDS signed an agreement to trial the Macquarie Dictionary Basic Spellchecker. The concept of the spellchecker was developed by Macquarie following a request from CARHDS Health Service Educator Brian Day, who had been looking for an easy way to produce plain English handouts and other training material.

Brian asked Macquarie to come up with a list of words that would be within the vocabulary of someone with about six years of mainstream schooling and to install them in a spellchecker in Microsoft Windows. The idea was that any words that the spellchecker indicated were an "error" would require the person typing the word to "reconsider" its suitability for the target learning group. Many of the learners in the CARHDS client group having English as a second, third or fourth language. Many do not have the advantage of having effectively completed more than the equivalent of about six years of mainstream English. The idea was to make text provided by CARHDS educators as user-friendly as possible to the widest group of readers.

Brian and a number of the other educators have been using the Basic Spellchecker for nearly two years. Brian in particular has found it a very useful tool. The spellchecker can be used in two main ways: in the "check-spelling-as-you-type" mode -where the author is "prompted" by error underlining as they write; or in the "spell-check-review" mode - where existing documents are re-spellchecked to assess their suitability for the client target group. The Basic Spellchecker can be turned on or off by clicking on an icon on the toolbar.

The next step is for CARHDS and Macquarie to attempt to form a relationship with Microsoft to overcome some of the technical installation issues still outstanding. It is hoped that there may be some monetary "spinoff" for CARHDS, but in any event the benefit for CARHDS authors has already been established.

Unfortunately, until the legal aspects are sorted out the software will not be available for others outside of CARHDS to use.

KIS = Keep It Simple!
Posted by Hello

Federation of Independent Aboriginal Education Providers (FIAEP)

2004-10-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

The Federation of Independent Aboriginal Education Providers (FIAEP)

The Federation is based on the fundamental right of indigenous peoples to control their own education.

They help ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy equity, choice and diversity in their opportunties for education and training, by providing Aboriginal education, which is something more than simply education for Aborigines.

Aboriginal Education - enjoy equity, choice and diversity in opportunties for education and training

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RSS Feeds & Wiki's - Steven Downes

2004-10-18T23:14:00.000-07:00

RSS - Really Simple Syndication, Rich Site Summary???

RSS can actually be explained in three words: list of items

Rather than visiting a series of web sites every day, ICT savvy individuals are installing news aggregators on their desktops and configuring it to pull RSS feeds from their favorite web sites.

News aggregators are dedicated programs which allow you to read RSS files.
It's being able to make your own “newspaper” of topics that interest you!
RSS is a text-based format.

In other words, the news comes to you, rather than you having to go to the news. This saves a tremendous amount of time.

faganfinder.com explains it all - in plain english!

Thanks for the introduction Steven Downes!

Steven Downes - Head Shot!
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WIKIS
A Wiki is a Web site with one distinguishing feature:
Anyone can edit any Web page on a Wiki. Every page has an "Edit" button.

Think of a Wiki as a collaborative website in which anyone can add or edit the content. Wikis provide a blank page, and leave the rest up to you.
Wikis are more like public spaces than blogs.

Most Wikis haven't had a problem with vandalism. When you think about it, this isn't so surprising. There's no challenge in breaking into a site with unlimited access.

Wikipedia is a free content encyclopedia written collaboratively by contributors from around the world.

Steven Downes - OLDaily Newsletter

OLDaily - short for Online Learning Daily - is Steven's contribution to the growing world of email newsletters. You might ask, does the world need another online newsletter, especially in the field of online learning? His answer - obviously - is yes.

What makes OLDaily different from other email newsletters, then? Three things: content selection, value-add, and website support

I featured in the International limelight on 20/10/04 !!

Tanya Wooley - Flexible Learning Leader 2004
Another educational technology blog that may be new to many readers, though the blog itself isn't that new. Based in Alice Springs, Tanya Wooley introduced me to the people in Alice's Aboriginal Development community (and also to the best Chinese tea-house in town). Readers will appreciate not only her insights into online learning - you may want to look at her PowerPoint game, A Town Like Alice - but also the clear connection she draws between this and a philosophy of diversity. By Tanya Wooley, October, 2004 [Refer][Research][Reflect]

Remember...
[Refer] - send an item to your friends
[Research] - find related items
[Reflect] - post a comment about this item

Comments on my Blog

2004-10-17T16:07:00.000-07:00

To post comments in Blogger you need to become a member.
If you would like to send me a comment without registering - please email me @ office@carhds.nt.edu.au

1.
Hi Tanya - what a great site - and such a diversity of things - I really enjoyed it -I was especially interested in your Town like Alice but couldn't get it to work - can you tell me how to do this - my only overall comment is that it would be great to tell people who each part of the site is directed to in particular - so that gives the context - and of course others wil also benefit - if you have any particular questions you want feedback on I owuld be happy to hear
Cheers from USA in the Fall
Barbara Pamphilon

Dear Tanya - aaah! now i understand - will definitlely contact you on my return - I was also thinking about your site and remembered another site I saw where the first page was the persons office and oyu clicked on things in her office to go firther into the site - it was great - eg photos of her kids, a book on her desk etc - is that a costly thing or not relevant? anyway - just sharing ideas
Best wishes with the project - so diverse and many faceted
Cheers Barbara

2.
Hey Tanya,
That is a fantastic game you made.....
Even Hailey (who is 12 years old) likes it.... Well done....Love Shazz

3.
Hi Tanya,
I was interested in the "net working" and your Alice game, but could get neither to work. You are breaching copyright with your diversity pictures. Many will know they came from Webshots!
Do you have the hand held? would be interested in looking at it work. Regards Jim

Thanks for your comments Jim. I have contacted the owner of the jpeg involved and rectified the posting to reflect - Used with permission from CNET Networks, Inc. Copyright 2004. All rights reserved." Thanks for your input - Tanya

4.
Hi Tanya
Just wanted to say how much I learned form reading your Blog and to acknowledge the wisdome of your advice re pictures -it certainly helps scan the page and draws the readers attention. I also particularly liked your post about thoughtful use of PowerPoint (link above) from the Vivid Image workshop - a matter I was discussing just the other day.
Thanks for sharing - Janine Bowes

5.
Hi Tanya,
Yes, I did check out your blog - it's great!! Good on you - I'm impressed.Haven't got back to you sooner because I've been off sick, just back today and there was the Deadly Jam Toolbox waiting for me!! I know you got one too.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE PEOPLE MAKING TOOLBOXES???!!! Do the Flexible Learning Leaders ever talk about this?
I cannot believe how boring it is. Who makes this crap? Are they living on some other planet? And still no audio for people who can't read. Not one visually interesting thing. I was very pissed off when I saw it. Haven't looked at all of it yet - too disgusted! Anonymous

6.
Hi Tanya
Really liked your powerpoint game. Did you learn this from Marcus Ragus? ... or your own exploring?... is it hard to do? Cathy

Hi Cathy

I have an interest in electronic games.
Probably because I have 2 x sons aged 10 and 12!
No, I have never heard of Markus Ragus. Who is he?
I have dabbled in PowerPoint before and have been alerted to it's capability using Action Settings and Slide Transitions so thought I would have a "play".
Yes, I am happy with the outcome of my first attempt. Of course it could be expanded further but time is an important factor......
I will continue to develop more games of this type for our organisation next year. Thanks to the Flexible Learning Leaders scholarship which allowed me to explore this avenue of delivery. Regards - Tanya

7.
Hi Tanya - the stufff is great and certainly usedful for the project MettYoung from CAT is working on - but when I look at blogs I cant help but think (and this goes for othe rdiscussion lists) of that quote from Alien - "in space no one can hear you scream" . Good luck - hope to convince the AFLF that the nexrt round og Toolboxes devoted to Indigneous learners can be developed for specific mobs rahter than the national approach so maybe an Arrente health resource??? Peter Robertson

Thanks for the comment/reply Peter
I would be happy for you to pass the link onto Metta – maybe we could meet and discuss a few ideas?
I think the intention of the Framework is for Toolboxes to be “customized” to suit specific clients.
I am still waiting for a workshop to learn how to do this.
Blogs – and no-one can hear you scream – depends how loud……….
I have taken the liberty of distributing my blog link to everyone…….Trying to get my voice across.
I do agree that it will take TIME for the change for people to get used to blogs and discussion forums and the like.
I certainly prefer blogs to text discussion boards. They are so boring…..
Keep me in loop for things happening down your way.
Cheers for now - Tanya

8.
Hi Tanya, the gorgeous !!
Enjoyed reading / viewing the blog. The inclusion of the photos made me quite homesick for the Centre again. Lovely to see old (= former, not ancient !) friends again.
I like the way you can mix & match in the text with the graphics, cartoons etc. It's so much more interesting that just text alone.
I like the combination of formal reports with informal 'chat' comments. That gives a real feel for the person you are.
I like the way your ever present enthusiasm shines through !!
Congratulations !
beth

9.
What a wonderful thing! However do you manage to do anything else though? I had a good look through and was very impressed with the professional layout as well as the information provided and can only imagine what great things are in store for you. You go girl! Cheers Karen

10.
Looked at your blog. Its all gobble de gook to me. I find all the jargon so alienating. You obviously have to be a computer head and in the know to make sense of all the references to different sites and programms. I don't use a computer like you, very obviously. But by the feedback it seems people are pretty impressed. Its an industry thing I guess so good on you. You always did have a smart noggin, depite your wild side. 'Chelle

11.
Hi Tanya,
I would really like to try out your PowerPoint Game. It sounds like it may be just what we need here at Massey University (NZ)to supplement our new staff induction training. I got your contact details from the following in today's oldaily from Stephen Downes: His is the only daily email that I never trash. You're lucky to have spent time with the online guru - maybe one day I'll get lucky!
I'll come pestering you in January.
Best regards, Darelle

12.
Hi,
I found your blog thru S. Downes' newsletter and am intrigued. I would love to find out how to make games using power point.
Thanks
Bernard Hobby
Al-Yamamah College
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

13.
Hello Tanya,
I found your blog via Oldaily and I am interested in the Orientation Game. Can you please email me a copy of it or supply a link where I could download it from. I would love to have a look at what you have done and would me more than pleased to give you some feedback.
Thank You - Trevor Clay

14.
Congratulations on your creative and original blog as your report - a great model for other Flexible Learning Leaders - and a rich resource!

Mobile Technology - iPAQ Pocket PC h2200

2004-10-14T23:25:00.000-07:00

The HP iPAQ(tm) Pocket PC h2200 series packs features, performance, and expandability into a sleek, elegant design that's surprising small and light. Powerful enough for solid work,

iPAQ h2200
Posted by Hello

This a great Pocket PC for individuals, mobile professionals and enterprise users.

You will find that its interface to Microsoft office tools allows you to synchronize with just about any document giving you all of your word, excel, PowerPoint, access and PDF documents at the tip of your fingers.

As well as a synchronization with all of your contacts and email, so you can write an email, or add a contact whilst out onsite, as opposed to having to write it on a piece of paper that you most possibly may lose, and when you arrive back into the office you can synchronize with your office pc and instantly have them in your contact list permanently. If you have a digital camera, you can store photos taken from your camera on to the pocket pc with ease to view them on a larger screen. This and many other features come standard with the pocket pc, and make them the ultimate in transportability in data!

PS. The iPAQ is also a great entertainment device for music, video or as a universal remote controller.

Networking 2004 - An Orientation to Central Australia

2004-10-14T21:09:00.000-07:00

NET*Working 2004 is a unique national online conference specifically designed to highlight how technology can be used to deliver education and training more flexibly.

Designed with busy training professionals in mind, at NET*Working 2004 you can step inside a virtual classroom, listen to presentations by national and international e-learning experts and participate in hands-on sessions using the latest learning technology, all without leaving your desk!

NET*Working 2004
Posted by Hello

TRY OUT MY POWERPOINT GAME!!!
It will be loaded onto the NET*Working interface!

In order to understand the situation here in Alice Springs it is necessary to know a little of the history of the Aboriginal people of Central Australia.
The traditional culture and economy of the desert Aboriginal people are probably as different as it is possible to be from the contemporary Australian culture and economy.

This is a "screen dump" of my game interface ONLY. If you would be interested in playing - please let me know. Thanks Tanya

An Orientation to Central Australia
Posted by Hello

This activity is designed to provide an introduction to Alice Springs and some of the Indigenous aspects of Central Australia.
The player steps through a series of topics that will expand their general knowledge without imposing any pressure of “testing”.
The game can be packaged on a CD, emailed or accessed in an online learning environment providing flexibility in delivery modes.
It can also be customised to cover a broad range of subjects other than simply orientation material.

I would appreciate any feedback - either via the NET*Working interface, this blog or you can email me directly on office@carhds.nt.edu.au

Embrace Diversity

2004-10-14T18:39:00.001-07:00

CARHDS provides inclusive programs and practices which assist all participants/educators to embrace diversity and to appreciate, relate to and learn from each other.

Working with diversity helps us achieve a dynamic approach to workplace change.

Embrace Diversity!
Posted by Hello
Image used with permission - UUAT Webmaster

Diversity!
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Used with permission from CNET Networks, Inc. Copyright 2004. All rights reserved."

Embrace Diversity - Black & White!
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Anthony Robbins - Self Directed Learning

2004-10-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

Proven Tools and Technologies
Anthony Robbins Coaches use a number of Tony’s proven tools and technologies, including the Rapid Planning Method, a proprietary system of thinking and planning that focuses on getting the results you want in the most efficient and effective way possible. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish simply by having a clear vision, a compelling purpose, and a clear massive action plan of how to get there.

UNLEASH THE POWER WITHIN is about creating breakthroughs, moving beyond fears and limiting beliefs, accomplishing goals and realizing true desires, turning dreams into reality, creating fulfilling relationships, and modeling the strategies of peak performers to produce a quantum difference in your life.

With the Anthony Robbins Coaching program, you will learn and put into action incredible strategies of focus, training and accountability that will put you on a path toward definitive fulfillment.

This coaching program is unlike any other program in the world. In addition to focusing on specialty areas of coaching, Anthony Robbins has assembled and trained the finest coaches in the world and designed a revolutionary program that impacts every aspect of your life. This network of highly trained coaches is what truly sets Anthony Robbins Coaching apart.

For more than a quarter of a century, Anthony Robbins has served as an advisor to leaders around the world. A recognized authority on the psychology of leadership, negotiations, organizational turnaround, and peak performance, he has been honored for his strategic intellect and humanitarian endeavors.

Posted by Hello

Multiskilling

2004-10-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

Initiating staff to infuse ICT into their learning and teaching in reflective and appropriate ways.

ICT MultiSkilling!
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Hit By @ Bus!

2004-09-15T21:18:00.000-07:00

You need to develop detailed session plans for each of your training sessions.
In developing these plans, you should bear in mind a few principles of effective training:

People learn by doing.
Your trainees need the opportunity to practice system tasks, not merely be "told" how the system will work.

Practice makes competence
Trainees need multiple opportunities to practice tasks and "play" with the system - firstly with supervision, and then by themselves.

Sequencing learning leads to better overall absorption
It's important that you don't put the cart before the horse in your training - you need to start with basics, and work through them in system use order, before moving on to more complex areas.

A well prepared + documented Session Plan will ensure another Educator can run your training session in the event of your absence
Posted by Hello

Training can take any one of a multiple of forms - suitable methods might include:

"Watch then do"
Sessions where each trainee has their own computer with the programs installed (this is a very popular and usually effective form of training)

Tutorials, which can be conducted in small groups, one-on-one or even remotely via the computer network (these sessions can be much more responsive to individual trainees' needs and difficulties)

Demonstrations, which are generally used to "show off" the capacity of a program and draw out a desire to learn more or "practice".

Culture Resources

2004-09-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

Heaps of stories of the dreaming – Video & Audio

How the Kangaroo got It’s Tail – online story

Magabala is an Indigenous Publishing House

Appropriate Cultural Resources
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Dictionary & Thesaurus

2004-09-15T18:50:00.000-07:00

Feel free to use these links"

Dictionary

Thesaurus

Why Warriors Lay Down & Die

2004-09-15T18:41:00.000-07:00

Recommended Reading
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Richard Trudgen is the author of Why Warriors Lay Down and Die.
He’s worked among people in Arnhem Land and has an extraordinary range of experience in this area.

One of his reasons for difficulties between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples was that there was a lack of understanding of each other's conceptual language.

He sees that problems of communication, particularly the lack of language speakers in the dominant culture, is the basic problem. This has lead to a lack of understanding of their cultural background by westerners, creating systems and organisations which conflict with Yolgnu law. High levels of stress, accompanied by the takeover of Indigenous jobs by Balanda (white people) on communities, is seen as causing many of the health problems.

PowerPoint Presentation Tip/s

2004-09-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

Defy Big Brother and brighten your presentation

By Cam Barber - Vivid Message

In the last few years some communication experts have attacked PowerPoint and other 'slideware' saying it creates boring, monotonous presentations. So how much value is PowerPoint adding to your business communication? Well, it depends on how it is used, but many people fail to do the simple things needed to get the most out of this tool.

For example, trillions of slides are created daily with slideware but the constant glow on the screen is typically dominated by a standard format. Even with unique slide formats, the overall outline creates a monotonous room design which lacks the variety we humans crave.

Living under the glare...

Unfortunately technology can overpower a speaker. It often appears that the person speaking has no value other than to keep up with the slides, and the constant glare of PowerPoint's projected light has been compared to Big Brother.

Now, before the idea of Big Brother became cool as a TV show, it represented a stifling totalitarian society, created by author George Orwell, that suppressed the individual. In the story, the wall-sized 'telescreen' in every home could not be turned off, and functioned like a 2-way mirror where Big Brother could also see you.

"You can turn it off!"

Winston Smith is the main character and he lives with the anxiety of this projected light constantly staring back at him; looking over his shoulder. In one scene he has a meeting in the office of a senior member of the ruling party, which, like all offices, has a big screen on the wall. Half way through the meeting, the party member hits a button and the screen goes blank. "Oh, you can turn it off!" came the relieved and amazed response from Winston. "Yes, we have that privilege."

When you next use PowerPoint, consider breaking the visual monotony using the 'B' key. Pressing 'B' on the keyboard blanks the screen or 'goes to black'. This can dramatically refresh your audience's attention and you can use it to:

Tell a story
Give an example
Direct your audience through a handout
Draw a diagram on a whiteboard or flip chart
Focus attention on a product or sample item
Control the room

Not only does this add much needed variation, it makes you look more in control of the environment, rather than appearing to be a passive slave to the technology. This assists in:

Changing the mood of the room
Drawing audience attention to the speaker instantly
Providing a set-up for an important point
Building rapport and a closer personal connection with your audience

How exactly?

When in 'slide show' mode in PowerPoint, simply hit the 'B' key on the keyboard. Both the laptop screen and the projected image will go black. Hit 'B' again to return to the slide. This only works in 'slide show' mode and will not work if you are just browsing through the PowerPoint program. Try it. Play with it. Incorporate this into your presentations.

Summary

Fortunately viewers of the modern Big Brother can turn off the TV if they want a break, yet presentation audiences don't have control of the switch. Have some consideration for your audience by giving them a rest from PowerPoint bombardment and you will add the variety that helps keep their attention.

Managers Network - CoP

2004-09-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

After attending a local Managers workshop it was suggested that the value of establishing a Manager's Network - for support, information exchange, and resource sharing would be extremly worthwhile within our community.

No immediate decisions were made on organizing a get together, but there was general agreement that there could be significant benefits to workplaces of having Manager’s involved in such a Community of Practice.

There was also interest expressed in seeing an email network established.

We talked about Manager’s being able to share their expertise in particular areas such as:
Staff performance reviews and appraisals, Procedure manual development, Staff recruitment, Information Technology, Flexible Learning Strategies, Internet Research or Email Applications.

Some Best Weblinks!

2004-08-31T02:41:00.000-07:00

Best description of the Internet
http://www.gyc.org.au/yob/shw_eng.swf

Making of Internet Cafe
http://www.deadlymob.org/documents/epostcard_new.swf

Microsoft Office Online Tips and Tricks Center
http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/assistance/HA010552321033.aspx

Webopedia
http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/I/Internet.html

Flash - Text Demonstrations
www.xdude.com/flashed-mar2001.htm

"Interactive Ochre" delivers an Aboriginal perspective on Cultural Awareness training to assist service professionals to work more effectively with Aboriginal people. The link takes you to the song animation Newsflash from Interactive Ochre a 2004 New Practices in Flexible Learning Project

ANTA Toolboxes - Multimedia Resources

2004-08-16T23:58:00.000-07:00

I intend to put the Flesch Readability test to the Toolbox resources developed for Indigenous participants.

Any guesses for the level they might be pitched be at?

Post a comment if you want to have a go. :-)

19/10/04

I applied the Flesch Readability to Deadly Jam -section Song Writing and found it to be 69.8 Ease of Reading and 7.4 Grade Level Score. The section Negotiating Deals came up at 62.7 and 8.5.

Ease of Reading is based on a 100 point scale - the higher the score the easier it is to understand. Standard documents should be pitched at 60-70. This is not considering Indigenous "standard".

Grade Level Score (although based on US schooling) reflects the years of schooling required to read the document.

Adult Indigenous participants in Central Australia DO NOT have Grade 8 reading skills!

Were the readability, National Reporting System (NRS) levels consulted when developing this product??

Toolbox Interface Cultural Resource Management
Posted by Hello

Toolbox Interface Deadly Jam
Posted by Hello

Collective Learning & Celebrate Success!

2004-08-16T23:50:00.000-07:00

Central Australia
Posted by Hello

Celebrate Success!
Posted by Hello

Collective Learning
Posted by Hello

Education has been at the heart of the struggle of Aboriginal peoples to regain control over their lives as communities and nations

Posted by Hello

2004-08-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

Indigenous Kids - Mass Enthusiasm
Posted by Hello

Readability of Documents

2004-08-16T20:57:00.000-07:00

KIS = Keep It Simple!
Posted by Hello

When developing text materials for Aboriginal participants is anyone utilising the readability scores option incorporated in the MS Word program?

When Microsoft Word finishes checking spelling and grammar, it can also display information about the reading level of the document.

Note: You have to have your reading statistics box ticked in the options of the spelling & grammar tag.

Flesch Reading Ease score:
Rates text on a 100-point scale; the higher the score, the easier it is to understand the document.

For most standard documents, aim for a score of approximately 60 to 70.

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score
Rates text on a U.S. grade-school level.

For example, a score of 8.0 means that an eighth grader can understand the document.

For most standard documents, aim for a score of approximately 7.0 to 8.0.

Flesch Readability Score
Posted by Hello

"I have a spelling checker
It came with my PC;
It plainly marks four my revue
Mistakes I cannot sea.
I've run this poem threw it,
I'm sure your pleased too no,
Its letter perfect in it's weigh,
My checker tolled me sew."
-Janet Minor

Flexible Learning POSTCARD

2004-07-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

POSTCARD

The Flexible learning Leaders program is all about TIME!
Time to investigate ideas, swap notes, share information and read...

I have had the opportunity to meet with an array of interesting, innovative people who are delivering quality education which incorporates flexible methodology.

My recent visit to Tauondi College and the Australian Computers in Education Conference in Adelaide stands out as a highlight.
Tauondi College has been successful in its vision to provide a rich learning environment which encompasses “both worlds”. From both an Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspective a “common ground” is found where both the educator and learner feel comfortable to teach and study.

The Australian Computers in Education Conference theme was “Research,… Reform,.. Realise the Potential!” It focused on: research about education and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) use; the change processes that result from ICT applications and access and the opportunities that are provided to students, teachers and organisations by current and emerging technologies.

In particular, Key Note and Invited Speakers Dale Spender, Simon Hackett and Barb Jenkins provided sessions which both challenged and provided inspiration to enable use of learning technologies within a multi-literacy framework.

Multimedia

I am taking the time to look at various multimedia applications and resources.

Text and hypertext
Images
Audio
Video
Combined media
Animation
Interactivity
PowerPoint/MovieMaker
Media on the web (Web Delivery)
Media on CD ROMs
Online discussion forums

These applications could provide unlimited functions for developing culturally appropriate educational materials.

Motivation is the key to engaging our learners. When people are having fun, they won't realise how much they're learning.

When thinking about how people remember and digest information:

10% we read
20% we hear
30% we see
50% we see & hear
80% we say
90% we say and do

As educators we need to think about the effectiveness of our delivery and provide real learning outcomes if developing resources via these methods.

Blogging

I have created a BLOG! What is a Blog? A weB LOG. Blogs have been around on the Web for years, but have only become popular in the past two years or so.

They take a multitude of forms, but most are personal or project-related websites that users update regularly, with tales of their doings, or commentary on things that interest them, often with hypertext links to relevant sites and the latest news.

My Blog is my little "niche" in cyberspace and is located at:
http://remoteindigenous.blogspot.com/

My intention is to use this forum as a model of a Community of Practice to communicate, produce information and feedback on the issues surrounding delivery to remote Indigenous communities.

Skype

Software that facilitates telephone conversation across the Internet.
6 million users have downloaded this peer to peer audio software.

Once downloaded we can make "free" (after paying for an internet connection) phone calls to each other when they're online, using headsets plugged into their computers. A huge communication potential to remote areas!

Overview

I intend to pass off my learning experience to my peers and colleagues to make the learning experience of our participant's valuable, stimulating and most importantly to enhance their life long leaning to improve their community outcomes!

30BC Lao-Tzu said:
"If you tell me I will listen.
If you show me I will see.
If you let me experience, I will learn."

Learning MUST be appropriate!
Posted by Hello

AMPS - BLOGS OVERLOADED!

2004-07-21T10:22:00.000-07:00

Has anyone had experience with Amps?

Amplify is a free toolbar that gives you the power to find, collect, save and share content (including pictures, text, video, animation, and audio) from multiple online sources in personalized pages called Amps.

At this time, only PC-users are able to create their own Amps BUT anyone and everyone with Internet access can view an Amp using either a PC or a Mac.

As a research tool: Amplify could enhance online research by enabling users to save and share information from multiple online sources. Everything you add to an Amp automatically includes a link back to its original online source so that you or anyone you share your Amp with can easily learn more.

Click HERE for a demonstration of the software.

Also an article from The Age 17/7/04

I am interested in using this program to collate and share information with my colleagues.

Amplify Interface
Posted by Hello

AMP UPDATE

Seriously - once I downloaded the program and had a quick peruse of the "how
to" documents - I was away!

Basic IT skills underpin use of this technology but the simple collation of
online resources I submitted as a test took - at the most - 1/2 hour.

I wanted to incorporate all the features available (text, audio, video) but had
to run to a meeting and ran out of time locating an appropriate video component.

I wish I knew about this software years ago!
My favourite bookmarks are overloaded with links to special interest sites
which I have to wade throught to find the specific information I want to
retreive.

With Amps I can collate information into the 1 x location - name and file
accordingly and simply access at the touch of a button.

If I choose to share the online resources I have collated and saved it is not a
requirement that the recipient has the Amp program installed on their PC.

In my industry - Indigenous health education - and as part of my FLL - looking
at the role of "Chief Information Officer" - I feel this application has the
potential to be utilised effectively to assemble specialised information to
share with colleagues to develop into participant learning materials.

Amp also addresses the important aspect of Copyright as the original hyperlink
is visable giving recognition to the source initial source.

I would love to assemble an Amp on culturally appropriate - relevant online
game sites!

If anyone has any great links - please send them to me at:
office@carhds.nt.edu.au

Regards and Happy Amp-ing - Tanya

My Test Amps

Collation of Skype Resources

I have had a quick play........Inserting various online sources including text, audio and graphics.

Please do not pay too much attention to the layout etc.

If you have Broadband - almost instantly you should hear the "Speaking Up" audio file.

Flexible Learning Leaders Collation of Resources

Skype & SkypeOut! VoIP - Online Communication

2004-07-04T18:58:00.000-07:00

I am investigating the new software online communication tool - Skype.

Skype Logo
Posted by Hello

Skype is free and simple software that will enable you to make free calls anywhere in the world.

Skype uses P2P (peer-to-peer) technology to connect you to other users - not to share files this time, but to talk with your peers. You can talk to up to 5 contacts at a time.

How do you think Telstra and Optus will respond to this?

Have a look at the download site - www.skype.com

Anyone interested in trialling its use with CARHDS? Please let me now.

I recently held a 3 way conference easily and effectively using the program within our offices.

Skype gets the thumbs up in Central Australia!!

We would be able to exchange documents via email, surf the Web and chat simultaneously!

Talk about multi-skilled!

In relation to our client group - remote Indigenous participants - this tool could be an appropriate communication method.

It doesn't rely on Literacy levels where people feel "shame" to type into forums where their poor literacy is there for all to see. AND - people would be able to speak in their own language!

IT skills are still a basic requirement but I was impressed that as an alternative to the text version - a visual step by step installation guide is provided on the Net.
I needed to tweak my microphone settings before the audio was loud and clear.

Motivation. If a sound rapport is established prior to implementation and clients are well orientated to the technology - I am confident they would see the benefits of using this program.

I have suggested to my Flexible learning Leaders Special Interest Group - Remote and Rural - to utilise this communication tool.

August 2004
Skype has had an upgrade to Version 1 and now offers a powerful file transfer facility that allows you to send file up to 2GB in size.

Skype Interface
Posted by Hello

SkypeOut! is a great feature that allows you to call almost any landline or mobile phone in the world via your PC.

You need to pre-pay (10, 25, 50 EU) and then you can immediately start dialing telephone numbers like you would do from your traditional phone.

SkypeOut! Is still in the development stage - tweaking and improving the service.

Skypes current focus is to make the best voice-application on the planet. But they will be adding many new and exciting features in the future and video-calling is high up on the wish list. I haven't had a chance (or $$) to test SkypeOut! BUT the file transfer function is great!

Ancient Voice Communications
Posted by Hello

Training Blind - Adult Learning Principles

2004-07-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

CARHDS ran an in-service Professional Development session to educators.

Those who attended will KNOW what: BTEOTTSTPWBAT - means!

We all need to rethink and reapply the RAMP 2 FAME and "Hit by a Bus" techniques.

* Primacy and Recency
Delivering information in small, manageable chunks

* Suitability and Relevance
It is important to let the learner know how the new information fits with their existing knowledge so that they understand why the new skill or concept is being discussed.

* Motivation and Support
Ensure the participant 1. Wants to learn 2. Is ready to learn and 3. Has a reason to learn

* Two Way Communication
Interaction between the educator and the participant.

* Feedback and Reinforcement
Provide information about the learning experience

* Active Learning
Allowing the participant to perform the task while observing

* Multi-sense Learning
Participant take in most information through sight, however a learning is more effective when the learner uses more than one of their five senses. Try feel, smell, audio.

'Many teachers plunge ahead from a starting point that many of their students have never reached and they then proceed to teach the unknown by means of the incomprehensible'.
Pressey, Robinson & Horrocks -
'Psychology in Education'

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF LEARNING

Knowing is not enough - You must do! Bruce Lee
Posted by Hello

Little Fish / Pangaea

2004-07-04T18:52:00.000-07:00

Little Fish Logo
Posted by Hello

Little Fish was started in Alice Springs in 1994.
The company was formed with the key purpose of commercialising financial management and presentation techniques.

I am liaising with Little Fish (formerly Pangaea) about a financial management CD ROM "Bridging Two Worlds" which they have developed for use in remote Aboriginal communities.

Little Fish is being recognized nationally as leaders in the business community, and also as leaders in cross-cultural communication techniques.

Apparently visually graphic and user-friendly - I look forward to evaluating the appropriateness for our client group.

The Money $tory Interface
Posted by Hello

Personal Time!

2004-07-04T18:51:00.000-07:00

Annual Leave

I had 10 days in "sunny" Warrnambool (SW Victoria) whilst Alice Springs received its annual rainfall in 2 days!

I came home to my dusty backyard all lush and green! Thanks Mother Nature!

Rain in the Red Centre
Posted by Hello

Desert Dwellers Love the Rain!
Posted by Hello

Oh! I also took the time to read the 5th book of the series - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Australian School Libraries Asociation - Online Conference

2004-07-04T18:48:00.000-07:00

For the first time I experienced an asynchronous online conference.
What is an asynchronous discussion?

This is where participants contribute to a conversation over a period of time, ie not at the same time.
For example web forums and message boards as opposed to synchronous where participants contribute to a conversation "live", - like chat programs and email.

I found the whole experience VERY text based. You were required to read huge amounts of text documents and then respond to questions posed against these papers.

The conference was to provide current thinking, practice and discussion in:

* Knowledge Management

* Information Literacy

* Information and Communication Technology

* Evidence-based Practice

I would be happy to distribute the summary of my experienceif anyone is interested.
just post a comment to this board and I will email to you.

Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi

2004-07-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

Waltja Logo
Posted by Hello

Kate Lawrence - Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation hosted a workplace orientation.
We spent the morning discussing appropriate methods for Indigenous participants.

They are integrating the PDL program (MASH, Lets Dance and Crazy Talk) into their methodology.
It is a great and fun way to pass on information especially in remote communities and break down the barriers such as language and culture. It can teach awareness, promote ideas and stories, keep culture strong and can be easily updated when needed.

It is a tool that can bring two different cultures together for the benefit of each other.

They have commissioned the development of a culturally appropriate "avatar" - Waltja Woman - to reinforce improving outcomes for families.

Waltja Woman Avatar
Posted by Hello

Other "flexible" strategies are used:
Flip Charts, video/DVD, brainstorming, graphical representations, appropriate & relevant scenarios and the good old - one 2 one (f2f) techniques.

Culturally Appropriate Resources
Posted by Hello

Culturally Appropriate Resources
Posted by Hello

LearnScope / New Practices

2004-07-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

Learnscope Participation

I have been participating in the Learnscope project - Working Both Ways - online forum.
The aim of the project is to connect practitioners in Aboriginal Education around the country to share ideas and learn from each other's good practice. Register and have a look at the forum!

New Practices Projects

I met with Grahame Sawyer - New Practices - Overcoming the Digital Divide project.
This project will build a set of flexible delivery techniques suitable for students in a remote indigenous community
with a training centre. This will support the identified community needs for training in relation to real employment outcomes in the community and develop the ability to deliver an appropriate blend of training including face-to-face, online technology and other standalone elements.

A financial management program has been developed for the Titjikala community and is being hailed as a success.

I have a copy of the Community Financial Management System CD ROM which I will look at in the next few weeks to evaluate its pro/cons from my own perspective.

Grahame was interested to share information regarding his current project and CARHDS's 2003 "Online Learning for Health Communities" project.

Adult Learning Australia - University of Canberra Student Placement

2004-07-04T18:35:00.000-07:00

ALA Student Placement

I have been in some thought provoking conversations with Karen Blake - University of Canberra.

Karen has a student placement sponsored by Adult Learning Australia at CARHDS to map the Adult Community Education (ACE)
provision in Central Australia.

ACE is a response to the lifelong learning needs of the community and looks as thought our region seriously lacks any provision of these services.

I particularly liked the idea/s of "Tool Buckets" when comparing the ANTA series of Toolboxes.

The collation information and resources in one "bucket" rather than a "box".

A Bucket can be tipped, poured, inverted (turned over), bits taken out and put back again - it has an open top and is accessible.

A Box is rigid and enclosed and difficult to get into or change its shape.

In relation to ICT being integrated into teaching practices - "is it the participant who is incompetent or is it the tool for learning that is inappropriate?"
Idealists will insist that obvious, simple, problems should be just fixed, rather than wasting time looking for the cause.

Why should there be a division between Indigenous and non-Indigenous learning?

Australian Computers in Education Conference - Adelaide

2004-07-04T18:30:00.000-07:00

Australian Computers in Education Conference
Posted by Hello
Adelaide 5-8 July 2004

This conference is aimed at educators with a passion for improving student learning outcomes through the use of Information and Communication Technologies.

Conference themes include:

leadership and change,
innovative pedagogical practices,
thinking skills,
life long learning,
ICT in learning areas,
Indigenous learners and technology,
access and equity,
e-learning,
virtual learning communities,
learning agents,
IT/computing studies,
information management,
networks and infrastructures.

Flexible Learning Leaders - Induction - Canberra - June 2004 & Workplace Visits

2004-06-13T20:36:00.000-07:00

As a late inclusion into the FLL program, I travelled to Canberra for an Induction to the program with the project team.

Many thanks to Marie, Jenny, Jyothi, Thea and Cathy for making me feel welcome and for a thorough induction to the program.

I had the opportunity to have dinner with previous FLL - Wanda Jackson and lunches with current leaders - Kerry Trabinger, Emma Deutrom and Ellie Thompson. This was a perfect environment to "swap notes", network and to get a general understanding of what other leaders had planned for their year.

WORKPLACE VISITS

Utilising my time efectively whilst in Canberra, I took the opportunity to arrange orientations of workplaces applicable to my program focus of Remote & Indigenous.
The following faculties, organsiations and services were visiting to exchange knowledge and to gain an overview of their current methods of delivery:

*** Canberra Institute of Technology - Faculty of Business & IT - James Hamilton

James gave me an orientation of the Electronic Business Simulator prototype.
No! It's NOT a Toolbox!
Earlier this year, I was involved in an NT trial of this flexible method of delivery which supports the certificate/s - CertII Business, and CertII Information Technology.

Quite a high level of tecnical experience is required to "tailor" the simulator to your own participants needs. Still in the "tweaking stage" the simulator is very text based........Not a prefered method of my client base.

*** Canberra Institute of Technology - Australian Network of Practice Firms - Kath Billing

A practice firm is a simulated business that is set up and run by students as part of their study program with support from an educator and staff from a real business. Practice firms conduct business with other practice firms in a simulated market economy on a local, national or international basis.

Participation in a practice firm gives students real business insights and an awareness of business sensitivities. They develop skills in decision making, problem solving and in working with clients towards a positive outcome. Students learn to work effectively in a team and prioritise their work; they learn about accountability and daily work routines.

A practice firm often resembles the business on which it models itself, for example in its form, organisation and functions. As employees of the practice firm, students undertake market research, advertise, buy and sell goods; they work out their pay rates and receive a virtual salary to spend in ANPF.

Although there is no actual transfer of goods or money, all the usual business transactions take place: orders are sent, invoices issued, financial records maintained, and a business plan and marketing strategy developed and monitored. Students learn about business, but they also learn how business really works and how decisions are made. They test their skills in IT, customer relations, interpersonal relationships, negotiation, and time management.

Apparently students become highly motivated and engaged. This is "their" business! Hence the energy and enthusiasm is totally different to the standard classroom operation.

Aboriginal Community Controlled Education
Posted by Hello
I was made aware that Tauondi College operates a Practice Firm in Adelaide - "Virtual First Aid" who I plan to visit in when in Adelaide in July.
I would be very interested to see this simulated/virtual training methodology in practice within an Indigenous context.

*** Winnunga Nummityjah
An Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service that provides a culturally safe holistic health service for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the ACT and surrounding areas. I had an opportunity to meet with Sharon Ingram who orientated me to her organisation. We discused flexible modes of delivery and the underlying health issues that are affecting the Indigenous people of the ACT.

Canberra Aboriginal Health Service Winnunga Nimmityjah
Posted by Hello

Health Training in the Red Centre

2004-06-10T03:34:00.000-07:00
Sue Stent and Tanya Wooley, serve up a slice of life from the Central Australian Remote Health Development Service in Alice Springs.

Check out the NTEU Website to download the article:

Wide Open Spaces - In the Red Centre!
Posted by Hello

Online Learning for Healthy Communities - 2003

2004-06-10T03:23:00.000-07:00
In 2003 - the Central Australian Remote Health Development Services was involved in the New Practice - Online Learning for Healthy Communities project.

The project looked at flexible learning practices in remote Aboriginal Primary Health Care Services; practices such as web and email, interactive multimedia, music and theatre, were used in order to address issues related to:
• remote areas
• Aboriginal communities
• language and literacy

Establishment and Implementation Guide
Building sustainable practice: engaging remote Aboriginal communities

Dorothy Lucardie, Stephanie Mouthaan and Tanya Wooley at the Netw*rking 2003 Conference - Online Learning for Health Communities presentation

Posted by Hello

LearnScope - Learning Both Ways

2004-06-10T03:08:00.000-07:00
As part of my Flexible Learning Leaders - Professional Development Plan, I have nominated to participate in the Learnscope 2004 project "Working Both Ways" online forum.

The aim of the project is to connect practitioners in Aboriginal Education around the country to share ideas and learn from each other’s good practice.

This project is about “extending networks through collaboration” and guest speakers will discuss learning solutions clarifying issues and gathering ideas that work for Indigenous people. The aim is to invite the sharing of good methodology to contribute and assist Australia’s Indigenous Community in the transition to the information economy.

I am looking forward to expanding my network of like minded practictioners to share good practice, flexible and culturally appropriate methods for use in Indigenous communities.

I'll keep you posted with my findings.........

Flexible - BLOGGING

2004-06-10T02:41:00.000-07:00
Apparently blogs have been on the Web for years, but since I operate on "Territory time" it is not unusual that this technological information has not filtered my way to Alice Springs - until now.......

Blogs can take a multitude of forms, but are mostly personal or project-related websites that users update regularly with anecdotes of their activities, things that interest them and often with links to sites and the latest news.

I intend to use this form of public communication to express my Flexible Learning Leaders "journey".

At this stage I don't have any web server space to load any digital images so my site will be mainly text based. Oh no!
But - I will explore my ISP account to see if I can access this facility.

I hope you enjoy and value the information contained within this site and any feedback would be appreciated.

BLOG Interface - You are Looking at it!
Posted by Hello

BLOG UPDATE

Hi All!

I have mastered the art of blog creation!
To those who are interested - it is quite simple to niche your own part of cyberspace.

I will document HOW I managed to create mine.....

Blogspot is just one (of many) site that provide FREE services to have a "voice" on the Web.

Just register to create an account, choose a template and off you go!

You don't have to make all your postings "public" straight away.
You have the option to save as drafts, add, amend and publish when happy with the content.

If you want to be able to post images to your blog you have to download additional software - Hello - which you use through your Windows Explorer.
This program is also FREE!
Don't get confused and purchase the Picasa as it is not required.

It took a bit of fiddling around to trick the program into inserting jpegs into the correct location but I finally mastered the technique.

www.blogspot.com
Posted by Hello

I still have to work out how to extend the margins to look balanced and not all squished in the centre (secret source code business!) I'll get an IT guru to look at the goobbledook and find out HOW to do this! (I have since spoken with an IT friend and rectified this problem).....

In essence, this form of weblogging (with the post comments option) could address the issue of maintaining "corporate knowledge" or as a record of the Communities of Practice models. What do you think?

Knowledge Management - Communities of Practice Model

2004-06-10T02:39:00.000-07:00
Communities of Practice – Core Ideas

• Potential to accelerate, intensify, enrich and enhance

• www.reframingthefuture.net

• establish new and enduring relationships with industry clients

• focus attention, build relationships, gain knowledge and understanding

• deliver concrete & practical output

• increase member knowledge and confidence to manage change

• bound together by common interests and a passion for a cause

• interact on an ongoing basis across many organisations

• informal, fluctuating membership

• build member capability and knowledge exchange

• add value to professional lives

• access to new knowledge

• continually evolving and changing

• facilitate inter-organisational and cross industry collaboration

• …………a group whose members regularly engage in sharing and learning, based on their common interests.
(Lesser & Storck, 2001, p.831)

CoP Water Fountain
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Sites of Interest - June 2004

2004-06-10T01:16:00.000-07:00
MY ORGANISATION
The Central Australian Remote Health Development Service has been established to develop the capacity of Aboriginal people and health professionals to improve community health outcomes.

CARHDS is a unique service as it is directly controlled by and accountable to the Primary Health Care industry to meet the in service training needs as determined by the employer.

ABORIGINAL HEALTH IN THE TERRITORY
AMSANT - Aboriginal Medical Service Alliance (NT)
Provides an overview of statistics about Aboriginal illness and illness patterns.

SUPERHERO MESSAGE
CUZ CONGRESS
The "superhero" role of Cuz Congress is intended to bring an entertaining and healthy lifestyle message.

Designed to educate people through entertainment seems to be what's really effective rather than going through the drill of 'now make sure you do this and don't do this'

Includes links to a range of primary health care (PHC)services and has heaps of information about different PHC issues and and links to websites that may have more information.

Introduction

2004-06-07T19:26:00.000-07:00
Hi All!

I'm Tanya Wooley - the Office Manager for the Central Australian Remote Health Development Services (CARHDS) in Alice Springs.

We are an Aboriginal organisation that provides in-service education to Aboriginal Health Workers and management in remote Central Australian communities.

I have just been offered a late inclusion into the 2004 Flexible Learning Leaders program!

CONSULTATION! With Participant, Employer, RTO and Community
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My aim is to promote and initiate change, share knowledge and develop networks which provide flexibility and innovative approaches to learning with the emphasis on ICT and remote delivery to Indigenous participants.

I am particularly interested to increase my understanding of appropriate methods of education for remote Indigenous communities and to explore the role of the Chief Information Officer in order to facilitate effective Knowledge Management systems.

Some of the "flexible" CARHDS team members
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Tanya Wooley - FLL 2004
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