Tertiary e-Learning Reference Group

The Tertiary e-Learning Reference Group acts as an expert group that provides advice on tertiary e-learning to the Ministry of Education and Ako Aotearoa. Its objectives are to:

1. To assess the current state of tertiary e-learning.
2. To assist with the development of New Zealand’s future tertiary e-learning priorities.
3. To provide advice for central agencies/organisations and the sector on relevant work programmes/initiatives.
4. To provide advice on current and potential funding streams to support e-learning.
5. To assist agencies and the sector to take a coordinated approach to priority projects and where appropriate, co-develop these with the relevant parties.

The TeLRG is not a decision-making body.

Current membership is –

• Dr Tom Prebble (co-sponsor of the TeLRG) - Interim Director - Strategy, Ako Aotearoa
• Roger Smyth (co-sponsor of the TeLRG) - Manager Tertiary Sector Performance Analysis, Ministry of Education
• Mino Cleverley - Pacific Training Institute. Nominated by the Ako Aotearoa Pacific Caucus
• Professor Niki Davis – Professor of E-Learning, University of Canterbury. Representing the Distance Education Association of New Zealand (DEANZ)
• Selena Fox - Chief Executive, NZ Tertiary College. Nominated by the New Zealand Association of Private Education Providers, NZAPEP
• Dr Stanley Frielick – Director of Learning and Teaching, AUT University. Representing the Higher Education Research and Development Society Inc (HERDSA)
• Dr Philippa Gerbic – Postgraduate Programme Leader, AUT University. Representing the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE)
• Peter Guiney (TeLRG Secretariat) - Advisor, Ministry of Education
• Fred Hardy - Strategic Business Manager, AgITO. Representing the industry training sector)
• Oriel Kelly – Manager Learning Technology Centre, Manukau Institute of Technology. Representing the Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE). NB - Oriel also provides an Institute of Technology/Polytechnic perspective for the group
• Justin Sampson - Knowledge Manager, Ako Aotearoa
• Ralph Springett - President, Massey University Extramural Community. Nominated by the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA)
• Gordon Suddaby – Massey University. Representing the Australasian Council of Open and Distance Learning (ACODE)

The TeLRG met for the first time in November 2010, and will develop a work plan for 2011. Updates on its associated activities will be provided in this space.