[LINK] Audit report on Learning Technologies is a lesson for all educators

[Tom Worthington]

The Victorian Government conducted an audit of Learning Technologies in 
Government Schools: 
http://www.audit.vic.gov.au/publications/20121212-Learning-Tech/20121212-Learning-Tech.html

It was found that the Victorian government's policy for ICT in schools, 
titled the "Digital Learning Statement", lacks a clear action plan and 
framework for investment in learning technology: 
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/archive/Pages/digitallearn.aspx

As a result there is "... little guidance on how future learning 
technology initiatives can be appropriately planned and integrated". 
More positively the planning for a fibre-optic network for schools was 
found to have a "robust needs and options analysis". However, the 
software project, called "Ultranet", was "...poorly planned and 
implemented". The system is 80 per cent over budget, late, has a low 
uptake rate and limited functionality. It would seem to me that the 
Victorian Government should retain the network and computer hardware, 
but replace the software with open source, including Moodle and Mahara.

The audit report is the equivalent of 53 pages of very clear analysis of 
a complex social and technical issue. The report would be of value for 
those interested in the issues of technology for education at all 
levels, not just schools. The Auditor-General has published the report 
as a well formatted and efficient HTML web page as well as the more 
usual (and harder to read) PDF.

More at: 
http://blog.tomw.net.au/2012/12/audit-of-learning-technologies-in.html


-- 
Tom Worthington FACS CP, TomW Communications Pty Ltd. t: 0419496150
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617, Australia  http://www.tomw.net.au
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards
Legislation

Adjunct Lecturer, Research School of Computer Science,
Australian National University http://cs.anu.edu.au/courses/COMP7310/