Date:
5 September 2013
Subject:
Technology enhances teaching and learning
Trials of emerging technologies have successfully identified ways in which new technologies can be used to
enhance teaching and learning in the vocational education and training (VET) sector.
The 2012-13 Emerging Technology Trials were a joint Australian and State and Territory Government
initiative, co-invested by project proponents, to explore emerging technologies and identify areas where
future technical standards may be required.
The trials were managed by the New Generation Technologies for Learning business activity of the National
VET E-learning Strategy, and overseen by the E-standards Expert Group (EEG), the VET sector’s national
forum for collaboratively reviewing and recommending technical standards to support e-learning.
Trials were undertaken in partnership with five registered training organisations (RTOs) between October
2012 and June 2013:
Kangan Institute - Accessible modern video for all - Stage 2: Kangan’s team built on their stage 1 trial
undertaken in the first half of 2012 to expand the development of their HTML5 video player, built with the aim
of WCAG 2 AA (accessibility) compliance. The resulting source files and guide are an excellent resource for
teachers and trainers and the VET sector in general.
TAFE NSW North Coast Institute - Augmented Reality Stage 2 - NBN ready: Building on their stage 1
trial conducted in the first half of 2012, North Coast Institute investigated using a 360 degree panoramic
workshop or workplace populated with augmented reality objects accessible with mobile devices. The report
includes illustrations of the technology in the form of practical and real world uses for augmented reality in
vocational education and training.
Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE - V.O.I.C.E - Voice Opportunities in Contemporary Education:
This project tested the effectiveness of the native speech capabilities of mobile smart devices (including
smartphones, iPads and Android tablets) in increasing literacy fluency. The final report includes a useful
comparison of the functionality of the two main tablet platforms in the area of voice technologies.
Holmesglen Institute of TAFE - Beyond SCORM - New interoperability standards: Holmesglen Institute
of TAFE has investigated the capability of the Tin Can API (Experience API or xAPI) and IMS LTI to measure
student activity and communication with learning management systems. The report includes a case study
that compares how each of the three standards (SCORM, IMS LTI and xAPI) could be implemented to
support a teaching requirement.
TAFE SA Adelaide North Institute - Mobile video e-assessment: With the support of online lecturer
facilitation, hospitality students have uploaded video evidence via a smartphone app (developed for this
purpose) to Moodle using a plug-in. The interesting experiences of the teacher are documented in the final
report.
“The Emerging Technology Trials generated practical resources for the VET sector, assisting teachers and
trainers to stay informed of evolving technologies and how to implement them”, says EEG Chair, Rodney
Spark.
“Trial reports can be found on the E-standards for Training website, together with a range of other valuable
resources for the VET sector”, says Rodney.
For more information about these trials and those undertaken in previous years please visit the
website and follow us on Twitter.
ENDS
MEDIA RELEASE
Core statements for editorial use

The E-standards Expert Group (EEG) is the vocational education and training (VET) sector's national
forum for collaboratively reviewing and recommending technical standards to support e-learning. Estandards and related research reports and implementation guides/tools are published on the Estandards website.
Contacts
Specific
enquiries:
Kristena Gladman
Business Manager
New Generation Technologies for Learning (incorporating E-standards for Training)
National VET E-Learning Strategy
Tel: (03) 9661 8756
Email: e-standards@flexiblelearning.net.au
Website: e-standards.flexiblelearning.net.au/research/emerging_technology_trials:
General
enquiries:
For general enquiries about the National VET E-learning Strategy, please contact:
Secretariat of the Flexible Learning Advisory Group
Tel: (03) 9954 2700
Email: flag_enquiries@natese.gov.au
Website: flexiblelearning.net.au
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