Learning without borders

PRACTICE OF WORKPLACE LEARNING 2
Minutes: 13  September 2006
All present : Cecilia, Kathy C, Kathy G, Beth, Tonette, Ian, Artemio, Arlyn, Bianca, Laraine, Louise
Highlights of the meeting
o        Review of minutes of  last meeting 
o        Kathy G. gave her reflection from last week’s meeting
o        Larraine discussed arrangements for the planned meeting during the break. In order for the group to gain access to the building, she gave the website (http://www.education.uts.edu.au/fstudents/pin.html) on how to get individual pin access to the building.
o        Larraine distributed hand-outs, one of which is ‘Birthing a workshop’, a model of the reflection on the process of developing a workshop made by a previous PWL2 class’.
o        Workshop Topic / Key Presentor
·         Beth reported the result of the initial talk with Steven Parker from Wollongong  TAFE. He provided Beth with a sample handout  on RSS (Really Simple Syndication) and he signified his willingness to be involved in our workshop as a key presenter. Beth has arranged to meet with him next Wednesday, 20 September at Wollongong to discuss in detail the objective of our proposed workshop and get inputs/suggestions/ recommendations on how to go about the workshop. Beth has extended the invitation to the rest of the group who would like to join in the meeting.
·         Laraine suggested to outline what the group wants to discuss and give this to the speaker. The group agreed to email Beth whatever they might want  discussed during the meeting
·         There was a concern from a group member that the presenter  might just give straight talk. Laraine suggested to incorporate in the workshop arrangements where people will work in group, i.e. group them to work with different gadgets
·         Louise gave the number of contact person to World Skills for the World trivia
·         Some of the issues raised pertaining to the relevance of our topic:
Ø      Only 15% of world population has internet access
Ø      How about the Philippines? Art will report on the challenges of network learning in the Philippine setting
Ø      The younger generation easily adapts to any new technology – Why not address this for the older ones
Ø      Use of technology for the younger ones is for entertainment only. How about train them to use new technology for learning
Ø      Do we need to forecast learning situation?
o        Venue
·         OTEN as venue is still tentative. Beth has booked 2 rooms for the workshop, though one room is booked till 5 p.m. which will leave us limited time to prepare the room for the workshop, unless this will be used later in the workshop as a break-up room. Will also need to inquire about available parking before 5 p.m. if the workshop will be from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. for participants requiring parking  
·          Beth reported that OTEN has multiple techno-gadgets available for groups e.g. mobile phones with cameras and voice recording, PDAs, Tie-clip microphones, head-phones with  microphones, etc. Will ask Steve what gadgets he will need  to be able to book them
o        Catering
·         Kathy G. gave price list from OTEN for hot or cold menu.
·         Kathy C said price range for UTS catering from last semester’s workshop is from $15 to $20 per person for buffet dinner. If we decide UTS as our venue, we need to finalize arrangements with the caterer at least 4 working days before the event
o        Finance
·         Laraine gave a  Preliminary Budget outline  which lists several expense items that needs to be considered in computing per capita cost
·         On money collection, the question on who will keep the money cropped up. Opening an account just for the workshop is not practical. The group agreed to leave money matters to the accountant, thus Cecilia will be the one to keep the money. Together with Ian, they will compose the Finance committee
o        Others
·         Laraine to explore accommodation for visiting lecturer in UTS
·         The Marketing committee will initially take care of designing the ticket. Members include Louise, Bianca and Art
·         According to Steve, we could also consider the UTS faculty as participants for the workshop
·         Beth offered to set up a blog on Learning without Borders as the living documentation of the workshop, that will include the minutes and project plans and other requirements of the Task section of the Group Assignment.
·         With the workshop topic and arrangements becoming  clearer and Beth   meeting with Steve Parker next Wednesday, the group decided not to meet during the break.
o        Actions for next meeting
·         Beth to report result of meeting with Steve Parker
·         Artemio will give the reflection