Reference+Group+Comments

=This page contains comments for the Toolbox Reference Group.=

The Reference group meets to select Toolboxes from the Tenders annually, and are actively and regularly engaged in providing feedback, support and advice to the Toolbox development teams and project team.

Again, as with the champions there was support for the learning object approach. It was felt that the learning objects required a lower level of technology than the Toolboxes. However, there was also concern that the learning object approach should not be used to undermine the richness of the Toolbox experience.

One asset to a Learning Object approach was the ability to release content quickly.

Again there was support for task based approaches, as opposed to content/unit based approaches to development.


 * ~ Toolboxes ||~ Learning Objects ||
 * Broad approach to competencies. || Reduced overheads for development. ||
 * Help create a 'big picture'. || Good providing they are learning objects not content objects, Need work on the development of definitions, and support for developers. ||
 * Result is greater than the sum of a single discreet item of content. || Easier and more accessible for those new to e-learning. ||
 * Tell a story, provide immersion to a learner. || Provide balance, but require more effort to develop a learning sequence. ||

Standardisation
Standardisation was important, particularly in these areas:


 * Navigation
 * Usabliity. There needs to be a way to allow teachers/trainers to quickly embed a link to the Toolbox or component of the same. The current practices a causing block to uptake.
 * Identifcation and replication of strong design elements/strong usability components. The RFG felt it important that some research was done into the most effective components of current design.
 * create standard design elements to reduce development hours for unique design per Toolbox.
 * Standardise key elements of the teacher's guide.
 * Standarise design elements to give development teams back more time to focus on quality learning design and interaction.

Customisation
Some suggestions included:
 * Providing placeholders to indicate that user generated content could be inserted. This would help clearly indicate the fact that Toolboxes were designed for a blended approach of teacher resources/expertise and quality e-learning design.
 * Placeholders would make customisation easier, providing spaces for users to insert content.
 * Clear ways of integrating user content into Toolbox content would also increase the sense of ownership.

Maintenance

 * Provide contexts for Toolbox information beyond that of competency alone. This will encourage the reuse of older material.
 * Map standardised elements.
 * All new training packages come with a mapping guide, provide this mapping guide each time a training package is updated - downloadable from the preview page.
 * Reduce reliance on training package codes as a way of classifying content.
 * Find new ways to utilise the wealth of resources available in Toolbox 'intranets'.
 * Find new ways to map content more clearly.

Future directions

 * Identify underpinning knowledge which is supported by Toolboxes and more clearly identify.
 * Package Teachers' guide with the learning objects.
 * Use teacher's guide to provide real examples of how teachers are using content.
 * Identify core material which can be adapted for industry variants, i.e. in OHS, core mathematical content etc.