m-technology pilot programme Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID)

m-technology pilot programme Work Activity Profiling (WAP) – Required exposures to activities on-job aligned to unit standards – Supports on-job training – Weekly completion – Varying level of supervision – Training provider/WPA tool

m-technology pilot programme Issues – Lack of integrity checks – Bulk submissions – Time consuming & effect on productivity – Accuracy and currency of data – Qualification currency

m-technology pilot programme Australian Pilot – Collaborative venture: NSW Utilities & Electrotechnology ITAB (Industry Training Advisory Body) & Australian Rail Track Corporation – Key driver – 40,000 apprentices and trainees utilising manual WAP process – Pilot in remote locations ( network coverage issues)

m-technology pilot programme Purpose – To look at the possibility of recording and validating on-job activity through integrating RFID technology within an institutional and organisational setting to deliver learning/assessment materials via enabled mobile phones – Trial a just-in-time approach to learning

m-technology pilot programme What is RFID? – A set of automation technologies that allow relatively large amounts of data to be associated with objects by attaching a tag to them. – A TAG reading device is inserted into a standard Nokia mobile phone.

m-technology pilot programme Common users – Banking and Finance (ATM, Credit cards) – Transport and logistics (tracking, tolls) – Security access (identity management) – Health sector (patient tracking, pharmaceutical tracking) – Education (augmented classrooms, virtual campus)

m-technology pilot programme

How it works

m-technology pilot programme Trainee scans to login

m-technology pilot programme The data stream address is located

m-technology pilot programme Identify if they are entering or leaving the work site

m-technology pilot programme A list of required activities - Number completed - Level of supervision - Key learning points

m-technology pilot programme Scan TAG to identify work completed at site and transmit Information.

m-technology pilot programme Validation from Supervisor

m-technology pilot programme Data transmitted from supervisor and database updated

m-technology pilot programme Example of database

m-technology pilot programme Web2sms interface – Health and safety sign off – Safe entry – Identification management – Workplace updates – Literacy Language and Numeracy options

m-technology pilot programme Australian Pilot conclusions and recommendations – Time consumption – 1/3 of trainees found technology more time consuming. – Ease of profiling – 1/3 of trainees found technology did not assist in the ease of profiling. (this was impacted by the fact that trainees carried two phones, one for the pilot and one for personal use) – Recommendations to allow personal use on the profiling phone and increase training and practice time.

m-technology pilot programme New Zealand Pilot – 3 months commenced June 2008 – Two ESI companies – Line Mechanic Trainees – Rural/urban spread – Vodafone 3G broadband – Nokia 6131NFC – Web2sms interface

m-technology pilot programme Evaluation – Survey conducted to evaluate the trial – Trainees and supervisors evaluated – Data integrity check

m-technology pilot programme Trainee Survey Questions 1.The electronic WAP system is better than the paper based system 2.I had sufficient training in the electronic WAP system 3.Completing WAPs electronically is faster than paper based 4.Completing WAPs electronically was disruptive 5.Viewing my progress on the website was easy 6.I had no problems accessing the website 7.I had sufficient training in interpreting the website 8.My progress reports on the website were up to date 9.My progress reports on the website were accurate 10.Getting sign off electronically by my Supervisor was straight forward 11.Overall the system is easier to use than the paper based 12.The Electronic WAP system could be improved

m-technology pilot programme Evaluation findings

m-technology pilot programme Findings continued – Overall extremely positive response to the ease of use and simplicity of the Electronic WAPs – Sufficient training provided for use of WAPs – NO training provided for Website database access or use – Potential for improvements to system

m-technology pilot programme Supervisor Survey Questions 1.The electronic WAP system is better than the paper based system 2.I had sufficient training in the electronic WAP system 3.Administering the WAPs electronically is faster than paper based 4.Administering WAPs electronically was disruptive 5.Overall the system is easier to use than the paper based 6.The Electronic WAP system could be improved

m-technology pilot programme Evaluation findings

m-technology pilot programme Findings continued – Overall extremely positive response to the ease of use and simplicity of the Electronic WAPs – Sufficient training provided for use of WAPs – Potential for improvements to system

m-technology pilot programme Qualitative evaluation Trainees were questioned under the following categories: – Time – Convenience – Reliability – Training – Equipment use – Other

m-technology pilot programme Qualitative evaluation continued – Positive response – Convenience outweighed time issues – Simple learning process – Issues with access and font size of activities – Two phones an issue

m-technology pilot programme Qualitative evaluation continued Supervisors were questioned under the following categories: – Time – Convenience – Reliability – Training – Equipment use – Other

m-technology pilot programme Qualitative evaluation continued – Reasonably positive response – No time issues – Less convenient – Simple learning process – Issues with suitable training, use of equipment and technical issues. – Two phones an issue

m-technology pilot programme Questions? (unless its about the technology)