[LINK] Online University Access for Indigenous Communities

[Tom Worthington]

The Final Report of the "Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes 
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People" was released 14 April 
2012 by the Australian Government: 
http://www.innovation.gov.au/HigherEducation/Indigenous/ReviewOfIndigenousHigherEducation/FinalReport/

The report makes 35 recommendations, aimed at "Parity for Aboriginal and 
Torres Strait Islander students and staff in the higher education 
sector". The target set is 2.2%, being the proportion of Aboriginal and 
Torres Strait Islanders in the population.

Measures proposed to achieve this include revising the guidelines for 
the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) to 
emphasize academic skills in school. Also universities and the 
vocational education and training (VET) sectors should work with 
professional bodies and private and public sector employers on 
alternative pathways into higher education. It is suggested the 
MyUniversity website have information on scholarships. A new funding 
model is proposed with tutoring support for more students.

Of particular interest is Recommendation 15:

"... the use of virtual networks and other technology-based solutions to 
provide greater access to universities by remote and regional students ..."

The report discusses the use of telecommunications to improve access to 
education:

"Students from regional and remote areas require access to technology to 
support their distance learning. The consultations with HDR students 
indicated that the main forms of communication are often telephone and 
Skype (a voice-over-internet protocol service), but in many instances, 
telephone communications are considered unsatisfactory. ...

Virtual networks would help higher-degree students based in remote or 
regional areas to better access peers and academics. Suggested 
approaches during consultations included establishment of online forums 
and regionally based networks.

The National Broadband Network will play a critical role in increasing 
functionality of online support and the Academy of the Social Sciences 
in Australia has suggested that the needs of remote communities should 
be addressed in the rollout of the National Broadband Network 
(submission no. 65, ASSA, p. 6). ..."

More in my blog at: 
http://blog.tomw.net.au/2012/09/online-university-access-for-indigenous.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/