NATA Update November 2013!

NATA Event and Network Sustainability

NATA continues to progress along with discussions turning towards the future and sustainability of the network into the new year. The NATA Event held on the 5th and 6th of November furthered this discussion with progress made around possible models, foci and value propositions a continuing NATA could offer key stakeholders.

For example, the benefits or value for network leaders in a continuing NATA included:

• Possibilities to learn about good practices from others
• Opportunities to discuss challenges
• Resource sharing and mutual support
• Mentorship for  new leaders

Whilst the potential benefits to partner associations listed included:

• Having a stronger voice and greater influence
• Help to avoid potential risks (financial, liability etc.)
• Learning about executive functioning and leadership
• Benchmarking between organisations
• Coordination and collaboration regarding event scheduling and possible sharing of presenters etc.

NATA Value Proposition (initial draft ideas)

Presentations 

ascilite 2013
The NATA symposium for ascilite titled "Understanding network leadership in Australasian Tertiary Associations: communication a key element of success" has been scheduled for December 4, 11:45 - 12:25pm (W4.6) and will be presented by Mike Keppell, Gordon Suddaby, Helen Carter and Caroline Steel. The ascilite conference, 'electric dreams' will be held between the 1-4 of December 2013 at Macquarie University, Sydney. Click here to view the complete program.

Lilly Conference 2014
The presentation submitted to the Lilly Conference in February 2014 titled "Sharing learning and teaching experiences: An Australian perspective on evidence-based practice" was also recently accepted.

Other OLT supported Networks (National, Discipline, Promoting Excellence)

On Wednesday the 20th of November, the SANTPEN, ACEN SA?NT and HERDSA SA will host 'Network your Networks: working together to maximise knowledge and opportunities in teaching and learning'. a collaborative, full day event to be held at Flinders University. Focused on advancing the teaching and learning agenda through collaboration across institutions, disciplines and networks, a range of guest speakers will present on the day. To register and for more information click here - please note that if you are unable to attend in-person, the opening panel and keynote sessions will be streamed live.

GPR eResources

Work has once again focused on the organisation of a launch for the Good Practice Report eResources which are being developed. The tentative date for the launch is December 10 at 12pm AEDT with Netspot hosting a 1 hour webinar for the occasion. Final details are being confirmed with an official announcement due early next week so watch this space. The webinar will showcase several of the completed eResources as well as provide a forum for the authors to provide greater context and highlight the key value of their work.

Research

12 principles for good practice in network leadership were presented at the NATA Event earlier this month which were informed by the NATA research. For example:

Principle #1
Network leaders need  to have strong personal networks to help inform / contextualise network practices and assist network dissemination.

NATA Partner Projects

The partner projects were presented at the NATA Event and drew considerable interest from all involved. All are underway however, are at different levels of completion. The Partner Project page here on the NATA blog has been updated and now provides greater detail of all the 5 projects.

Upcoming Key Dates:

• 20 November 2013 'Network your Networks: working together to maximise knowledge and opportunities in teaching and learning'.
• 4 December 2013 - NATA Symposium at ascilite

The NATA Event Update - Session 1: NATA activities and achievements

The NATA Event was held on Wednesday the 6th of November at the University of Queensland. The Event invited interested parties to come along, learn a bit more about NATA and contribute to discussions about sectoral issues and the future direction of the NATA. There was approximately 30 face-to-face attendees from a range of NATA stakeholder groups including ACODE, ascilite, CADAD, HERDSA, ODLAA, AARNet, Netspot and the Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT). Session 1 began with a recount of the development and journey of the NATA before highlighting some of the key activities it is undertaking. These different activities are touched upon below.

1. Firstly, the NATA's work in disseminating the OLT/ALTC Good Practice Reports (GPR) was discussed. The process of collaborating with the report authors to develop the eResorces which aim to encapsulate the essence of the GPRs in a shorter and more engaging video format was highlighted in particular. These eResources are to be launched in December and will be made available here on the NATA blog.

The full collection of ALTC/OLT Good Practice Reports can be found here on the OLT website.

2. The NATA research into Network Leadership was also profiled with the 12 Principles for good practice in Network Leadership showcased for the first time.

3. It was also the first time many people were able to witness the full scope of the NATA Partner Projects. Representatives from each of the 5 relevant partner associations provided a short presentation on their project which highlighted the intended value for the NATA and NATA partners. A selection of slides can be found below, however, more details about each of the projects can be found here on the NATA blog.

Presented by Ric Canale (ACODE) "Engaging Network Members: A NATA case study of a Contemporary Tertiary Sector Issue".

Presented by Liz Greener (ascilite) "Guide to support and advance network engagement for members of professional associations and networks in the digital age".

Presented by Trish McCluskey and Kylie Readman (CADAD) "Social media as a communication enhancement strategy".

Presented by Shelda Debowski (HERDSA) "Leading Academic Networks".

Presented by Som Naidu (ODLAA) "Ubiquity online".

This one hour session was streamed live online so that those unable to attend in-person could still be engaged with the event. The recording of the session is now available to view online at the following link: http://new.livestream.com/accounts/4931571/events/2522241

More details about the other sessions of the event as well as event outcomes will be published on the NATA blog in the coming days. If you have any specific questions please be in touch (nataonthenet@gmail.com).

NATA Project Event Coming Up on the 6th of November

NATA Project Event
The NATA Project Event is coming up on the 6th of November at the University of Queensland in Brisbane. Please note, that even if you are unable to make it to Brisbane to attend the event in person, the first 2 sessions will be streamed and available to remote participants via a weblink provided by AARNet. However, whether you intend to attend in-person or via online, please contact Natasha Hard (Natasha.Hard@usq.edu.au) to register your attendance if you have not already done so.

The day has three key objectives:

1. Improve the understanding of NATA and its possible relevance to the work and professional practice of attendees
2. Improve awareness of key challenges and success factors for effective network leadership
3. Stimulate discussions about sustainability and how NATA may be able to return future benefit to the sector

The day will be facilitated by the NATA project leaders, Professor Mike Keppell, Executive Director of the Australian Digital Futures Institute and Gordon Suddaby, Higher Education Consultant. Representatives from the NATA partner associations, including ACODE, ascilite, CADAD, HERDSA, ODLAA, AARNet and Netspot will attend and contribute to the days proceedings. We are also happy to announce that Suzi Hewlett the General Manager Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) and Lindy Baker from the OLT will also be present on the day.

The event will begin at 11:00am and conclude at around 3:45pm in the afternoon with lunch provided for those attending from 1:00pm - 2:00pm. The day will be broken down into three key sessions.:

Session 1 (11:00am - 12:00pm) - NATA Activities & Achievements
This session will focus on providing a brief overview of the development and journey of the NATA before exploring some of the Key Activities engaged in by NATA. These include the promotion of the Good Practice Reports, research in the area of Network Leadership and the development of Projects led by NATA Partner Associations.

Session 2 (12:10pm - 1:00pm) - Exploring Emerging Themes & Issues
In this session Suzi Hewlett will provide a short address before a range of key questions will be discussed centred on topics around dissemination, network leadership, network communication and member engagement. These discussions aim to further elucidate the experiences and findings of the NATA as well as drawing upon the experiences of those present.

Session 3 (2:00pm - 3:45pm) - Future Possibilities
This session will begin with an overview of the NATA project evaluation approach as well as some of the key findings that have emerged through that evaluative process. Some of the key benefits of participation by network partners will be highlighted before a facilitated discussion about the future and sustainability of the network commences. This discussion will explore the following questions:

1. How could your association (NATA Partner) potentially benefit from on-going collaboration?
2. What are the possible forms of on-going collaborations? Learning from what other successful models may have done.
3.  What would the members of NATA Partner associations like to see from further collaboration?
4. In what ways could a continuing NATA provide value back to the sector?

 We really hope that you can join us on the day and contribute to a successful and engaging event. Please be in touch if you have any questions (Natasha.Hard@usq.edu.au).

Please follow our blog and Twitter account to keep up to date (@NATAonthenet)

‘Current Learning and Teaching with Technology Issues – have your say’

Online learning: MOOCS offer a myriad of new opportunities

NATA recently published a short post regarding MOOCs which was developed by James Sankar from AARNet and aimed to engage the sector in discussion on this current issue (available here). Building on from this initial post we are now asking for your feedback and thoughts on the following question regarding the issue of quality.

Question 2: 

How can you ensure quality in the design and delivery of a MOOC and how do you measure this?

Place a comment below and let us know what your thoughts or experiences are on this issue.

ACODE Learning Technologies Leadership Institute: 2013

Directed by Associate Professor Gordon Suddaby

August 18th - 22nd, Twin Towns Resort, Coolangatta 

 

Sponsors:

• The Office of Learning and Teaching
• Desire 2 Learn
• AARNet

The ACODE Learning Technologies Leadership Institute 2013, was run at twin Towns resort in Coolangatta between August 18th and 22nd and was the 4th iteration of the Institute which was initiated in 2007. The Institute focused on the personal and professional development of faculty-based academic and professional tertiary education staff in, or aspiring to be in, leadership roles. The Institute programme involved intensive, four day, live-in, leadership training intended for staff in higher education with responsibilities for managing or supporting the use of learning technologies.  The programme covered the exploration, evaluation and implementation of new and innovative approaches to the use of technology in learning and teaching in tertiary education.  It included intensive interaction and group work designed to assist participants to exercise leadership in their current and future roles.  The Institute was delivered and supported by an invited faculty who are themselves leading academics in the field of technology enhanced learning and teaching.

The Institute programme was built around a ‘Making the Case Scenario’, which is both relevant and realistic.  The participants worked in team and their work was informed by a series of presentations by the faculty members.  These presentations are integral to the Institute programme.  The Faculty also had a wider overall role that is critical to the Institute’s success.  They were the guides and mentors to the groups, each faculty member fulfilling the role of a critical friend for a group, reflecting and challenging their group’s ideas and plans, helping their group become a cohesive and collaborative unit, providing support through the group formation process, and supporting the development of the Case.  The topics covered by the faculty included a full range of factors impacting on Learning Technologies Leadership.  The faculty members and the title of their presentations are listed below:

• Perspective on future directions in IT management, Peter Nikoletatos (CIO at the Australian National University)
• Leading and managing change, Professor Shirley Alexander, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Teaching, Learning and Equity), University of Technology, Sydney 
• Capacity building, Professor Belinda Tynan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Learning and Teaching at The Open University of UK 
• Building Quality eEnvironments, Professor Geoff Scott Professor (Emeritus Professor, University of Western Sydney)
• Engaging students, Professor Denise Kirkpatrick, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience) University of Adelaide 
• Establishing strategic priorities, Professor Tom Prebble, Emeritus Professor, Massey University 
• Digital futures and the ‘new normal, Professor Mike Keppell Executive Director, Australian Digital Futures Institute (ADFI)
• Quality Management, Evaluating and implementing innovations’ Associate Professor Michael Sankey, Director, Learning Environments and Media at the University of Southern Queensland) and Maree Gosper, Associate Professor, Manager Academic Development, Macquarie University

All the presentations were extremely relevant, focused and of high quality.  In addition, James Sankar and Ian Smissen representing the sponsors AARNet and Desire2Learn both delivered presentations reflective of leadership in their specific areas. The Institute was opened by Suzi Hewlett, Manager: The Office of Learning and Teaching

The presentations are available through the following url posted by a USP participant with the permission of the presenters (currently the Institute wiki is password protected).

http://cflvaka.blogspot.com/2013/09/acoce-2013-learning-technologies.html

The ‘Making the Case Scenario’, as earlier noted, was relevant and realistic.  The seriousness and the hard work put in by each group was reflected in the quality of the actual group presentations and the supporting executive summaries. 

It was clear from the group’s feedback session on the last morning that the Institute had been successful.  This is reinforced by comments from the groups including;

• Got an enormous amount out of the days;
• Heaps to take back to the Institution;
• Very rewarding experience which simulated real life experience;
• Entire experience has been wonderful;
• Great process;
• Enjoyed all the speakers;
• Great rewarding experience;
• Very real world experience, great programme;
• Will take many skills back on how to solve problems and present cases.

Further information about the Institute may be found on the ACODE website http://www.acode.edu.au and for information specifically about the Institute see: http://www.acode.edu.au/LTLI.php

The 5th ACODE Learning Technologies Leadership Institute is scheduled for August, 2015

Blog post by Gordon Suddaby, Institute Director.

‘Current Learning and Teaching with Technology Issues – have your say’

Online learning: MOOCS offer a myriad of new opportunities

 Online learning is a way for institutions to provide accessible and equitable learning experiences, as well as offering a student-centric choice of learning platforms and the ability to easily engage in transnational education. This applies to Australian students looking outward as well as International students looking towards the Australian education market.

Supporting online education to flourish requires institution-wide collaboration across divisional boundaries, including between Internet infrastructure operators, University IT Services departments, Teaching and Learning professionals and university contract and marketing staff. 

Massive Open Online Courseware (MOOC)s have grown in profile as one means of providing online education with more than 6.5 million students having enrolled in over 800 free classes produced by about 200 universities from around the globe in little over the year (Gallagher, 2013, p.1). On the 30th July 2013, two Australian universities (UNSW and UWS) formally joined Coursera and a new report titled Disruptive Education: Technology-Enabled Universities by Sean Gallagher, COO, United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney and Geoffrey Garrett, Dean, Australian School of Business, UNSW Australia was published (see http://ussc.e-newsletter.com.au/link/id/zzzz51f8457d9a37f759Pzzzz51f759cf9b4c3607/page.html)

There’s no denying it, the fascination with MOOCs is in full swing around the globe.

   

What are your views on the MOOC phenomenon?  A series of questions will be posed over coming week and the NATA team and I would value your thoughts and engagement. Responses to questions will be summarized, with the aim of providing our community with insights drawn from all respondents that we can share, learn and benefit from.

James Sankar works for AARNet (Australia’s Academic Research and Education Network), he is responsible for AARNet’s Enterprise Services consulting service assisting University IT Services teams to realize the value of timely services for learning and teaching and research.  James is also a member of The Network of Australasian Tertiary Associations (NATA) whose mission is to improve engagement and practice through network leadership.

Week 1 Question:      

MOOCs – Are you involved in the design and/or delivery of a MOOC and how do you feel about it as an effective “more than just content” learning tool?