The document describes the National Networking Initiative (NNI), which aims to improve engagement and practice in higher education through network leadership. The NNI brings together several higher education associations as collaborative partners. Its vision is to facilitate a sustainable collaborative network to foster best practices in engaging members with learning and teaching. The mission is to improve engagement and practice through network leadership. Objectives include improving communication, encouraging collaboration, reviewing technologies, and promoting outcomes of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. The described principles for the NNI focus on collaborative advantage, strategic alignment, integrity, and sustainability.

1. Engaging Academics in Learning and
Teaching: The National Networking
Initiative
Professor Mike Keppell,
Charles Sturt University
Associate Professor Gordon Suddaby,
Massey University
1
Thursday, 19 April 12

2. OVERVIEW
What is the NNI?
Name
Vision
Mission
Objectives
Principles
2
Thursday, 19 April 12

3. WHAT IS THE NNI?
The mission of the NNI is to improve engagement
and practice through network leadership.
A range of stakeholders have been engaged in the
project, including the following collaborative partners
Australasian Council on Open and Distance Education
(ACODE),
Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in
Tertiary Education (ascilite),
Council of Australian Directors of Academic
Development (CADAD),
3
Thursday, 19 April 12

4. WHAT IS THE NNI?
Higher Education Research and Development Society of
Australasia (HERDSA)
Open and Distance Learning Association of Australia
(ODLAA).
Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARnet),
Netspot and
Office of Learning and Teaching (OLT)
4
Thursday, 19 April 12

5. WHAT IS THE NNI?
Lead Collaborative
Enabling
Organizations Organizations
Organizations
ACODE ACODE
AARNET
ascilite ascilite
Netspot
HERDSA
OLT
CADAD
ODLAA
5
Thursday, 19 April 12

6. WHAT IS AN APPROPRIATE
NAME FOR THE NETWORK?
6
Thursday, 19 April 12

7. NAME OF THE NETWORK
‘Australasian’ focus is more appropriate due to range of
organisations.
Australasian Higher Education Network (AHEN)
Network of Australasian Tertiary Associations
(NATA)
Network of Australasian Higher Education Associations
(NAHEA)
7
Thursday, 19 April 12

8. NATIONAL NETWORKING
INITIATIVE - VISION
The overarching vision for the National Networking
Initiative (NNI) is to facilitate a sustainable
collaborative network between established higher
education associations with the intent of fostering
best practice in networks to engage members
more strongly with Australasian higher education
learning and teaching.
8
Thursday, 19 April 12

9. NATIONAL NETWORKING
INITIATIVE - MISSION
The mission of the NNI is to improve
engagement and practice through
network leadership.
9
Thursday, 19 April 12

10. NATIONAL NETWORKING
INITIATIVE - OBJECTIVES
Improve the effectiveness of communication and
engagement with NNI members at large
Enable and support network leaders of
collaborative partners to encourage collaboration and
increase membership engagement
Review the utilisation of technologies to
support best practice in network engagement
Foster, encourage and support further network-based
collaborative initiatives
10
Thursday, 19 April 12

11. NATIONAL NETWORKING
INITIATIVE
Promote, disseminate and enhance the outcomes of
Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC), OLT
and selected Good Practice Reports.
Conduct research into the NNI
Manage the project in an effective and efficient way
11
Thursday, 19 April 12

12. ALTC GOOD PRACTICE
REPORTS
ALTC awarded 264 projects, 52 fellowships (1st
December, 2010)
Commissioned 11 GPRs
Assuring graduate outcomes
Blended learning
Curriculum renewal
Supporting students’ transition into higher education
12
Thursday, 19 April 12

13. ALTC GOOD PRACTICE
REPORTS
Work-integrated learning
Assessment of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics
Innovative Indigenous learning and teaching
Revitalising the academic workforce
Technology-enhanced learning and teaching
Clinical teaching
Support for international students
.
13
Thursday, 19 April 12

14. WHAT PRINCIPLES SHOULD
THE NNI EMBODY?
14
Thursday, 19 April 12

15. PRINCIPLES
The NNI principles aim to provide collaborative and
enabling partners with guiding principles as they engage
in the project.
•
Collaborative Advantage: Partners create/co-
design new value together as opposed to mere
exchange through their involvement in the NNI
project. In addition, partners engage with each other
through their complementary assets and skills and
contribute some in-kind support for the NNI.
15
Thursday, 19 April 12

16. PRINCIPLES
•
Strategic Alignment & Communication:
There is alignment between the NNI vision, mission
and objectives with the activities of the collaborative
and enabling partners. In addition, partners share ideas
in the spirit of collaboration through open,
constructive, and critical dialogue in relation to higher
education learning and teaching.
16
Thursday, 19 April 12

17. PRINCIPLES
•
Integrity: Partners work with each other in the
spirit of mutual trust and respect which includes
having a clear understanding of the management,
decision-making and financial allocation of the project.
•
S ustainability: The NNI will contribute to
integrated, generative and future-focused strategies to
maintain and sustain effective leadership and best
practice in higher education learning and teaching.
17
Thursday, 19 April 12

18. QUESTIONS
What do members value in particular
networks?
What are the characteristics of a
successful network?
Should the NNI expand to embrace other
networks?
18
Thursday, 19 April 12