NSW LearnScope Blog & Podcast

Since June 2006 Connections and Conversations has been the primary communication channel for NSW LearnScope. It has encouraged and supported critical reflection and debate around e-learning matters, highlighted new resources and concepts, and provided exposure to a diverse and rich range of thinking and ideas.

In NSW we have actively pushed boundaries and buttons to support innovation and to move e-learning forward.

Our work has been based on the premise that:
- the needs, interests, lives and potential of learners is central
- every one of us is a small but important link in a dynamic, globally connected learning community
- we must continually critically analyze policy, practice, strategies, tools and philosophies and be mindful of how these position and exclude particular groups of learners
- risk-taking fuels innovation and passionate commitment gives it legs
- that what we give through a spirit of open collaboration comes back a hundred fold
- no one tool or approach will address all needs; choice and suite of options are essential

We work within a system that over the past 15 years has swung away from a focus on the rights and potential of individual learners towards an economic rationalist agenda and a focus on the needs of industry. 15 years ago I had the freedom and resources to negotiate learning plans with individuals who the education system had failed. Their self confidence, well-being and self-esteem were acknowledged; their interests and goals and needs were central.

They may laugh at me for saying it, but I have faith that the tide will again turn; that the skills and strengths of individuals will be not only acknowledged and celebrated, but USED; that the focus of educational policy will find a balance between the prosperity of the nation and the well-being of its population; that the rights of adults to acquire basic skills will extend beyond those with income earning capacity. The pendulum swings.

This week again I was ask to justify the use of a long list of web resources in VET; above all I am confident that one day systems will trust the judgment of professional teachers and support access to the spaces and tools that enrich teaching practice and improve outcomes for learners whoever and where ever they are located.

It is through projects like LearnScope that we can influence and enable change. LearnScope unashamedly has focused on developing the capability of teachers to facilitate effective educational opportunities and ensure positive outcomes for individual learners. It has provided teaching staff with time out to reflect, collaborate, explore, trial and engage with new and challenging ways of working. In 2007 over 600 students worked with our 35 project teams learning new skills and evaluating the potential of new technologies.

It is with sadness that we lay LearnScope to rest and with it this blog. It will remain accessible and archived but after this week no new posts will be added.

I would like to celebrate the achievements of a large number of individuals who have battled against all sorts of frustrations and odds to make huge gains in moving e-learning forward. These people have been championed in this blog and the consequences of their work live on.

Thank you too to those who have supported LearnScope in all sorts of ways; by giving time, trust, expertise, positive feedback. Thank you to Maret Staron, our manager here at ICVET, for allowing us the space to explore and permission to take the risks and journey we have.

And finally, a very special thank you to Alex Hayes for his passion and commitment, his creativity and his friendship, and for giving me courage through some challenging times. It’s been an exciting and challenging 18 months as a team.

So, with these words I close our conversation.
I hope 2008 brings you happiness and contentment across your life, and the strength to keep forging onward.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

 Happy Christmas!