ACODE

Council

ACODE Constitution - (PDF Format , 46kb)

ACODE Strategic Plan

Vision

Excellence in teaching and learning in higher education.

Mission

As an organisation of Australasian universities, ACODE's mission is to enhance policy and practice in open, distance, flexible and e-learning in Australasian higher education by:

  • disseminating and sharing knowledge and expertise;
  • supporting professional development and providing networking opportunities;
  • investigating, developing and evaluating new approaches;
  • advising and influencing key bodies in higher education; and
  • promoting best practice.

ACODE seeks to influence policy and practice at institutional, national and international levels.

Guiding Principles

  • ACODE's activities and decisions are guided by a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.
  • ACODE plays a leadership role in promoting open, distance, flexible and e-learning in higher education.
  • ACODE encourages innovation in the appropriate use of technology in teaching and learning.
  • ACODE is responsive to the needs of member institutions and the higher education sector.
  • ACODE operates through and encourages collaboration and partnership.

Environment

The environment in which ACODE operates is characterised by:

  • significant changes in the roles and expectations of universities;
  • changes in the characteristics, needs and expectations of learners;
  • fundamental changes in technology and its impact on teaching and learning;
  • increased emphasis on quality assurance and accountability;
  • reduced public funding in real terms; and
  • increased competition in higher education.

Strategic Focus

The desired outcomes of ACODE activities in the period 2003-2005 are:

  • more informed and critically reflective policy and practice in open, distance, flexible and e-learning in higher education; and
  • greater recognition of ACODE as a key expert group in open, distance, flexible and e-learning.

Strategic Directions

To address the environmental conditions and achieve the desired outcomes, ACODE will concentrate on the following areas of activity:

1. Disseminating and sharing knowledge and expertise by:

  • refining and developing mechanisms to disseminate knowledge; and
  • consolidating and expanding links and two-way sharing with CAUL and CAUDIT and similar organisations.

2. Supporting professional development by:

  • continuing to develop a planned program of professional development activities reflecting issues of current and likely future interest; and
  • exploring new and different ways of promoting networking among nominees and alternates.

3. Investigating, developing and evaluating new approaches by:

  • developing an internal research capacity to identify research opportunities and disseminate information; and
  • supporting nominees and alternates undertaking collaborative research.

4. Advising and influencing key bodies in higher education by:

  • building up links with ALTC, DEEWR, Universities Australia and similar bodies nationally and internationally; and
  • demonstrating the value of ACODE to each of the member institutions.

5. Promoting best practice by:

  • developing effective communication mechanisms to share and distribute outcomes of research and experience; and
  • contributing to the development and implementation of standards and benchmarks.