Bringing learning to regional communities: Designing the new game - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Bringing learning to regional communities: Designing the new game

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Designing the game

Barbara Cram University of Canberra

barbara.cram@canberra.edu.au EDUCAUSE conference Sydney, 6 April 2011

Widening access and increasing participation

Drivers for regional engagement in education: “Australia needs a sustainable system of higher education provision in regional and remote areas. Provision needs to be flexible and innovative. It must anticipate and respond rapidly to local needs. Providers in regional and remote areas need to be encouraged and supported to build upon

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encouraged and supported to build upon partnerships with local communities, providers in

• ther sectors of education, businesses and

industry. (Bradley et al. 2008, p.111)

B Cram 2011

Inhibitors to regional access and participation

Regional communities report ... 1. Low aspirations and school completion rates 2. Limited educational pathways (school- VET-HE) 3. Social/cultural exclusion

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4. Limited access to technology, the internet and academic skills development

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Internet and broadband access by remoteness %

40 50 60 70

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10 20 30 Major cities Inner regional Outer regional Remote Very remote

Internet access 2001 Internet access 2006 Broadband access 2006

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Technology support for learning: Internet connection at home?

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B Cram 2011

Technology support for learning: Broadband connection at home?

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B Cram 2011

Enablers to regional access and participation

Research suggests ... 1. Institutional commitment and strategies to widen access and increase participation (e.g. Lefoe 2003) 2. Regional educational design 3. Specified educational pathways (cross- sectoral) from school-VET-HE

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sectoral) from school-VET-HE 4. Sharing of infrastructure and resources (educational providers, government bodies and industry) to enhance access to technology and academic support 5. Community leadership and engagement

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Elements of regional design framework

Enhanced

Technology support & design for learning Teaching,

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Enhanced student access and participation

Community leadership & engagement Student support & lecturer PD Teaching, learning & assessment practice

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Design of teaching, learning & assessment strategies

Design: Curriculum alignment, skills development; web-enabled; disruptive Design: Situated, problem-based

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Teaching, learning & assessment

problem-based Interactive, communicative, learner-led content Quality assured, cost-effective, sustainable

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Technology support for learning: Equal access?

Computers and video-conferencing: TAFE & schools?

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Technological equipment & infrastructure

Education Centres & libraries? Internet access & broadband: Maccas? Gloria Jeans?

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Community leadership & engagement

Community-led course design and implementation Student support: academic skills, personal support

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Community leadership and engagement

personal support Professional development for staff & community Mobile university Mobile health bus

B Cram 2011

Community leadership & engagement

Community-led course design and implementation Student support: academic skills, personal support

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Community leadership and involvement

personal support Professional development for staff & community Mobile Allied Health (bus) Mobile university

Regional clinical placement bays; b-to-b monitoring &

• supervision. Transport.

Community sport & rec. Mobile university.

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What strategies do you/ would you use to increase participation in regional communities?

Group discussion/ brainstorm:

• 1. Share experiences: How do you/

would you support learning for young and mature aged people living in regional areas?

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regional areas?

• 2. Summarise the three most useful

technology-based strategies.

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Conclusion: A new game (based on old rules)

• 1. Regional communities face

intergenerational disadvantage and reduced access to technology and the internet.

• 2. Enhancing participation in regional

education requires innovative,

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education requires innovative, integrated approaches to educational design, application of technologies and meaningful engagement with community members.

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