Abstract
Delivering a Smart Territory through Quality Education and Training’ is the tag line of the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training Strategic Plan 2011–2014. Specific outcomes of the ‘Quality People and Partnerships Strategy’ include the need to develop career pathways for Indigenous staff and increase the number of Indigenous staff with education qualifications. Throughout 2010 a team of researchers from Charles Darwin University with their technical partner, The Work Lab, developed and trialled ePIE (Electronic Portfolios for Indigenous Educators), a professional learning and career development framework for remote Indigenous Assistant Teachers. This solution was needed to meet the key recurring themes for Indigenous staff professional development identified in a 2009 survey : these were:
• any delivery needs to consider the specific training needs of a small,
geographically dispersed audience cost effectively; and
• there is a need to develop a workplace-based training model with enhanced
flexibility through the use of technology.
The ePIE project team was responsible for the design, development and delivery of training in the use of the electronic portfolio for workplace-based professional learning. And, although ePIE’s design was driven by the needs of Assistant Teachers, evidence
presented also had to be suitable for formal assessment by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and show progress
towards the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training (DET) Professional Standards for Assistant Teachers.
This paper describes the outcomes to date from a suite of projects and will demonstrate the potentially significant role that ePortfolios can play in the continuing education of remote education workforces. The discussion considers both the opportunities and challenges for remote learners/employees, VET providers and public agencies considering the adoption of ePortfolios for career and professional development.
• any delivery needs to consider the specific training needs of a small,
geographically dispersed audience cost effectively; and
• there is a need to develop a workplace-based training model with enhanced
flexibility through the use of technology.
The ePIE project team was responsible for the design, development and delivery of training in the use of the electronic portfolio for workplace-based professional learning. And, although ePIE’s design was driven by the needs of Assistant Teachers, evidence
presented also had to be suitable for formal assessment by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and show progress
towards the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training (DET) Professional Standards for Assistant Teachers.
This paper describes the outcomes to date from a suite of projects and will demonstrate the potentially significant role that ePortfolios can play in the continuing education of remote education workforces. The discussion considers both the opportunities and challenges for remote learners/employees, VET providers and public agencies considering the adoption of ePortfolios for career and professional development.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | ePortfolios Australia Conference 2011 |
| Subtitle of host publication | Making a difference - showing the difference Book of abstracts and papers |
| Place of Publication | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Publisher | Queensland University of Technology |
| Pages | 8-17 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Volume | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
| Event | ePortfolios Australia Conference 2011 - Perth, Australia Duration: 17 Oct 2011 → 18 Oct 2011 |
Conference
| Conference | ePortfolios Australia Conference 2011 |
|---|---|
| Period | 17/10/11 → 18/10/11 |