What changes you would like to see in how your ICT is supported, and what benefit would this be to you?

This is my response to the 4th question asked by Roxanne Cooley re ICT support.

I, too, am reasonably satisfied with the current ICT support by Unisys.
I do know teachers who are frustrated by some of the inflexibilities re changing computer set-ups for their students.
The biggest change I would like to see is better bandwidth.
With better bandwidth we could have the downloadable tutorials on demand, have the web conferencing with full video of all participants (if they chose).

Describe what good ICT Support looks like

This is my response to Roxanne Cooley's rd question re ICT support.

Seamless is the word that comes to mind.
I have an issue/requirement, I look up help; or I get an instant online tutorial, or I get to to talk to someone about it and am helped that way, or I can book in for the next live training course on this area/software. (The same should apply for our clients:-). No visible bureaucracy, no 15 hoops, just good help to get my job done.

How can changes to ICT help you better deliver training outcomes?

This is my response to Roxanne's Cooley 2nd question re ICT support:

 I favour the "3 leg theory" espoused by Toni-Maree Pettigrew that you have business systems, education and technology all working well and working well together to make an educational enterprise successful. Without ICT the whole thing just doesn't work.
Without good, supported ICT (e.g. Word, DreamWeaver, PowerPoint) we can't create good learning resources for our multiple modes of delivery. Without good, supported ICT (e.g. LMS, web conferencing, office and classroom PCs and technology) we expand »can't deliver effectively in the modes that reach the market required. Without good, supported ICT (e.g. LMS, web conferencing, CRMS) we can't support that delivery to the students.
Unfortunately the world doesn't stand still so changes to the ICT are required to keep current, and keep up-to-date with customer demand (and organisational and legal requirements).
For instance, the latest DreamWeaver enables us to create in HTML5 so we can create video content that will work well on iDevices. The adoption of web conferencing by TAFE Queensland has enabled teachers to connect to students out of the physical classroom (and share documents, applications etc), plus it has enabled one-on-one tutorial help/support of students, teachers and other staff.

ICT Support: Technology Trends

This is the reply to Roxanne Cooley's question "Would you please share what technology trends you see becoming mainstream in the delivery of training across TAFE Queensland?" as part of her investigation into ICT support.

I suspect the next few years will somewhat chaotic with the standard systems and sfotware we provide just not meeting teacher and student apparent needs. Some trends I see:
1. Use of apps and mobile devices. Since people have them, they will be used. There is reasonably good sharing culture with apps and table use.
2. Cloud tools. Despite privacy concerns, teachers and students will use the tools that they're familiar with - YouTube, SkyDrive, Google Docs etc
3. Standard tools - PowerPoint, Word, PDF, eMail - teachers are getting more comfortable using and will continue so.
4. Enterprise systems - my.TAFE and iConnect. While not the wildfire uptake one would hope, the economic realities of reaching greater markets and increasing student-to-teacher ratio will force more managers to to get their teachers to embrace blended learning and use the standard tools. A number of Institute may choose their own enterprise systems including Moodle and Mahara.
5. Creation tools. As easy-to-use multimedia tools such as Articulate (and EQ's creation tools) become cheaper and more widespread, teachers will jump in.

 · July 27 at 8:45am