Jeff Hunter, Project Manager
Interactive Ochre is an interactive CD delivering an Aboriginal perspective on cultural awareness training. The application was designed as an induction package to prepare service professionals to work more effectively with Aboriginal people. However, it has been recognised as an empowering resource for Aboriginal people to tell their stories and provides  an ideal opportunity for modelling equivalent intercultural partnerships. Using entertaining multimedia resources the ‘new practice’ demonstrates educational infotainment as a methodology.
Educational infotainment has potential for all workgroups. In this multimedia rich era educational processes that ignore contemporary media are potentially missing their XY generation audiences. Employing contemporary music and visually attractive imagery the exemplar is entertaining and stimulating. It provides a non-threatening way of accessing potentially sensitive information through flowing animation and subtle but powerful symbolism. The methodology is particularly useful for topics dealing with values and attitudes where ‘vision is caught not taught’ (Holt, 2004). (For details of the project references, refer to the project report.)
 The graphics and the songs capture attention and engage the learner. In the song animation Newsflash hotspots (pop up text boxes) can be viewed at any stage by clicking on the screen. The hotspots clarify and embellish the messages in the lyrics and link the learner to the content document. The activities challenge the learner’s knowledge and engage the learner in a layered process, interpreting the content from the lyrics and embedded resources. With engagement in the activities a learner is introduced to contemporary issues. The summative assessment requires the learner to apply the content concepts in their workplace context and to plan an event working with Aboriginal people. This requires application of the learning into workplace action.
In terms of technical innovation in educational animation Interactive Ochre includes the element of time so that at any place in the animation a hotspot can be navigated to. At the stopping point there are hot links that are based on key concepts that come from the song at that point in time. This feature gives the application versatility enabling an independent learner at their PC to pick their own path through the hotspot information or the presenter to pick and choose topics for more in depth discussion.
 The quality of the application is in its use of multimedia to engage learners and in its multipurpose and applicability around the country. The information provided is public knowledge and enables local Aboriginal people nationwide to give a local context for the information presented. Through storytelling the broad concepts can be used as an entry point into locally contextualised understandings of issues such as health, employment, land issues or the role of Elders. The multimedia tools of Interactive Ochre can lead to deeper cultural awareness in the local context.
The training plan is linked to the new Training & Assessment Training Package. The core competency ‘Foster and promote an inclusive learning culture’ underpins other competencies and addresses the responsibility of all persons in a training organisations to promote a positive and inclusive learning culture.
What is the ‘new practice’?
Interactive Ochre investigated, developed and trialed a new practice, called ‘Educational Infotainment’. The model will be of interest to project developers, practitioners, RTOs and community groups wishing to address potentially sensitive issues using this methodology.
The evaluation informs and provides insights to organisations and staff in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector who may undertake similar projects in the future and who wish to implement and utilise the Educational Infotainment model and resources developed by the project. The evaluation will discuss the effectiveness of the exemplar and the delivery plan. It aimed to identify factors that may facilitate the adoption and diffusion of the Interactive Ochre product and concept by primary user groups beyond the New Practices in Flexible Learning funding cycle.
The impact of Interactive Ochre
- Interactive Ochre was designed to present an Aboriginal perspective on the issues currently affecting Aboriginal people and present public knowledge concepts about cultural awareness.
- Interactive Ochre was designed to be an induction package to prepare service professionals to work more effectively with Aboriginal people. The resource will assist Cultural Awareness trainers and Aboriginal communities.
- Interactive Ochre will assist Aboriginal people to gain employment in the area of Cultural Awareness to be able to provide a local perspective on the content presented. Designed to assist both Indigenous and non–Indigenous cultural mentors and equal opportunity drivers, the ‘Infotainment’ methodology was planned to have urban, rural and remote applications.
Video footage
Hear two video clips about the project:
Download a video overview of the project – clip 1
Read a transcript of the video
Download a video overview of the project – clip 2
Read a transcript of the video
Who is it for?
There are multiple audiences for this ‘new practice’:
- Aboriginal communities
- Cultural Awareness trainers
- Developers
- Practitioners and trainers
- Public and private registered training organisations
- Public sector employees including Police, Health and Community workers
Resources
Interactive Ochre is made up of the following elements:
- Interactive Ochre resource which contains the interactive elements, training and delivery plan, assessment and learning materials. The Interactive Ochre resource is available through the New Practices in Flexible Learning CD. To order a copy of the CD, follow the instructions below.
- Project report outlining the concept, background and project development
- Evaluation report outlining the project impact and implementation.
Download resources
 Download the Project report
Download the Evaluation report
Download the Delivery and assessment guide which is also available through the Interactive Ochre resource.
New Practices in Flexible Learning CD-ROM
The project resources from the all the New Practices in Flexible Learning projects undertaken during 2003 and 2004, as well as additional video footage, sound and images, have been developed into two multimedia resources of 'new practices'. These CD-ROMs can be ordered through your local Framework communication officer by completing the online order form.
Order the 2003 collection of New Practices in Flexible Learning projects
NEW - Order the 2004 collection of New Practices in Flexible Learning projects
Update - October 2006
Workshops that explore this project are now available as professional development opportunities on a fee for service basis. We invite you to download the workshop resources relating to Interactive Ochre by going to our Workshop Resources page on the current Australian Flexible Learning Framework web site.
You can also download details of the professional development workshops for 2006. |
