emergentformau

Content Objects

September 6, 2011 · by emergentformau

This project with the Baking staff at Polytechnic West established a number of objects for a digital content repository which was a significant step towards the generation of just-in-time training. The main objective was to establish a series of pieces of content that could be used to flesh out a story of the making of a white loaf.

These content objects, movies, text, audio and even powerpoint, formed the basic building blocks of making the white loaf. This was called a work task, something that happened in the real world of Baking in a commercial bakery which required the application of a number of competencies which mapped to the regular curriculum. The objects could be used in learning the existing curriculum or in the new work task.

However, instead of creating two sets of objects, one set was created which could be used in either context. These could build up to a content object repository which could then be used in multiple courses, in gap training or on-the-job refreshers.

Project: Content Object Repository

Year: 2010

Client: Polytechnic West

Focus: Capability

by: KT Studio

New Projects to Come

September 5, 2011 · by emergentformau

The content on this site will reflect where we have come from for a while. Much of what has been done in the past has relevance to today because in general, it was done as applied research – looking forward. There will now be some new applications of older stuff as well as some brand new projects that are taking shape right now. More of them later.

This will be the place to track the evolution of Emergent Form and as the name suggests we are not sure what it will turn into. One thing is for certain, it will be as terrific a ride as the last 10 years with KT Studio.

As far as new projects are concerned, there are some exciting possibilities becoming apparent. One of those will begin with the forthcoming visit to Perth by Stephen Heppell, one of the world’s most eminent educational technologists. Emergent Form will be working with partners to ensure this visit is well attended and recorded but is also the start of a range of strategic conversations that will enable us to bring Stephen back again next year.

qTracker

September 5, 2011 · by emergentformau

An online log book using web-based environments or views that are accessed by students, supervisors in industry, lecturers and administrators via a range of devices including smart phones was a way of solving the issue. In addition, the technology used was able to scale, remain responsive and be managed from anywhere by using cloud computing, in particular Google App Engine and Amazon EC2.

The work of the Studio in 2010 was entirely focussed on new learning models and the need for a learner-centric approach to Training which was quite different to the way VET and even K-12 education works. This meant using technology to create tools that complimented the way in which, in this case apprentices, learned. The primary drivers for this was the need to enable more on-the-job learning to occur so that there was increased capacity in the TAFE colleges and more productivity in the Construction industry.

Project: qTracker

Year: 2009-2010

Client: Polytechnic West

Focus: Capability

by: KT Studio

Modern Economy

September 2, 2011 · by emergentformau

An Interview with Paul Houghton for the Creative Cities Summit held in Florida, USA in 2005

This was quite an honour to be asked to be a part of the conference which included people like Charles Landry, Carole Colletta and many others. The downside of being in government was that such a trip had to run the gauntlet of minders, gatekeepers and ultimately receive the blessing of the Premier. I didn’t get to go but did this video as a starter for the discussion and got some good feedback on the thinking. This thinking then went into a series of talks I did in Perth called the Economy of Ideas – more on that later.

Greenhouse

August 23, 2011 · by emergentformau

The use of dynamic content, rich media and early social networks to establish communities of practice for teachers in the public education system was before Facebook and even user-generated content.

Greenhouse started with KT Studio in 2005 and evolved into a multi-dimensional program for the WA Department of Education. Early stages of Greenhouse centred on the Literacy teachers was hard work because of this steep learning curve. Those that persisted became well equipped to take advantage of the next round of technologies to be launched in the second half of that decade.

Project: Greenhouse

Year: 2005-2007

Client: WA Department of Education

Focus: Innovation, Capability

By: KT Studio

Knowledge Platform for Water

August 15, 2011 · by emergentformau

Large volumes of water going through channels around cane fields fed by the Burdekin River

This was a big project done in partnership with CSIRO through the Northern Australia Irrigation Futures in Queensland. The Lower Burdekin area is one of the biggest irrigated areas in Australia and, working with the Water Futures Group, a model was developed for understanding the complexity of the issues and how to better make decisions across multiple organisations.

This was supported by the development of three prototype knowledge environments using dynamic content assembly around emerging themes of interest. The first was used by the team to hone concepts and understand the dynamics of technology supported discourse. The second was a pilot used by the Water Futures Group and project leaders to understand the possibilities for using different media, thematic access and community curation of content.

A third release was developed to provide a project focus as this was perceived to be the key to the sustainable contribution of content. The project was sadly killed off before a project manager network was established but the potential was plain to see.

Project: Lower Burdekin Knowledge Platform

Year: 2004-2008

Client: CSIRO, Northern Queensland Dry Tropic NRM

Focus: Decisions, Innovation

By: KT Studio