Newsletter March 2009

Organisation for the conference continues.
The call for papers has gone out and a last minute effort to make sure that we have somewhere to post submissions is being made. The web site for the conference is up and running and a big thank you to Richard Eltringham and the team at Unitec for being so responsive to our needs in getting the site established. I have sent letters to possible sponsors, however the tightening economic conditions suggest that money is not as freely available as last year. The conference committee and the editorial review team will meet in Napier in April to make final arrangements. As usual Alison has stepped in and has been helping find keynote speakers and getting us all organised. Thank you Alison.

DTEP
The DTEP has now met twice and another meeting is planned for next month. The first meeting focussed on the new School Curriculum discussion indicated that teachers are not happy with the current situation regarding the image and place of IT in the secondary schools. The second meeting discussed the definitions surrounding IT and computing and agreed of the need for a common glossary of technical terms. The meeting was informed that the revised unit standards were currently undergoing a quality assurance process and should be available mid year. Teachers at the meeting suggested that unit standards are not viewed as being the equivalent to achievement standards and thatachievement standards are the currency in secondary schools, particularly for those students who wish to gain access to university DTEP The meeting discussed where IT/computing should fit within the new curriculum. While most agreed that in the long term it should have its own subject area, it was felt that in the interim it should remain in the technology area. The final area of discussion for the second meeting revolved around the need for the development of new achievement standards that are specific for digital technologies/ICT to ensure that students have access to multiple assessment opportunities

AUT Withdrawal from NACCQ
Late October 2008 AUT informed NACCQ that it would no longer be participating as an Associate Member. AUT described the decision to withdraw as one that had not been taken lightly and one that was made to reflect the School’s and the University’s long term strategies. While the loss of AUT’s membership will affect the finances of NACCQ, it should be offset by a reported rise in the number of EFTs of the remaining member institutes. I wish to acknowledge the work that AUT staff have demonstrated in supporting NACCQ in the past and hope that they may continue to be involved on an individual basis

Collaborative Qualifications Framework
ITP New Zealand has still not indicated when funds for the project will be made available. Jan has promised to try and get the CEOs to discuss the collaborative opportunities and see if some momentum can be gained. The consortium that has been involved in the framework activities will meet in March to discuss how to progress the project

The 12^th Edition of the Bluebook has been published.
Thanks go to Michael Andrews as editor and Garry Roberton for all the work that he has put in to update the rules and regulations so that they meet with ITPQ requirements.

Another version of BACIT has been produced.
Thanks to Krassie Petrova and Michael Verhaart. Congratulations are also due to Michael Verhaart who has taken on the job as editor in chief and thanks to Krassie for all the excellent work that she has done as Editor in the past

Digital Development Council
The Ministry of Economic Development announced at the beginning of February that funding for the Digital Development Council was being withdrawn. To quote a press release on February 5 "Funding for the DDC has been withdrawn because it is the government’s intention instead to work directly through the relevant industry groups. Mr Joyce said the government remains committed to engaging with the groups represented by the DDC, but believes that direct interface is a more effective means of receiving input and advice from those organisations.” Garry was the NACCQ representative on the forum.

Alison Young
Alison Young has recently taken up a position as I Associate Professor at Unitec position. On behalf of NACCQ I know you will all join me in wishing Alison well with her future endeavours. The good news is that Alison will maintain her involvement with NACCQ and has ensured Viv that she will help with the Conference at Napier.