The journal of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, The Knowledge Tree: an e-Journal of Learning Innovation, enables the sharing of research and innovation in global e-learning practice.

The Framework is now calling for contributions relating to current research in learning innovation for Editions 17 ( releasing on Monday 27 October) focusing on apprenticeships, training pathways, recognition of skills issues and responding to VET learners age 15 – 19.  To submit an article – or have an idea for a theme or piece – please contact via email:  e-events@flexiblelearning.net.au.

Submissions close 8 September, 2008 for the October edition.

Goals

Through The Knowledge Tree e-journal the Framework aims to:

• provoke, foster and capture in-depth knowledge and debate on e-learning issues that stimulate innovation across international schools, vocational and technical education (VTE) and Higher Education systems
• provide research on, and illustrate examples of, client engagement, provider flexibility and innovation, and e-learning business models
• encourage explanation and critique of policy, regulatory and system issues
• keep leaders and practitioners up to date
• promote the practice of learning innovation
• facilitate international learning innovation networking.

The Knowledge Tree e-journal promotes professional development in e-learning. Knowledge shared within the various online networks and forums of the E-learning Networks Project will be ‘captured’, extended and further explored through The Knowledge Tree. The e-journal will promotes collaborative writing, publishing and conversation with writers, through the use of social networking software, live events and multi-channel formatting of contributions, for use on mobile devices.

How to contribute

Contributions can include:

• journal articles for peer review featuring and reporting on grounded research, (including work in progress, for example as part of postgraduate studies) or critiquing the impact of topical policy/regulations/global events/innovation/research on practical approaches to flexible learning leadership
• non-reviewed articles
• short case studies
• interviews, discussion and debate
• digital stories
• commentary.

Contributors need to focus on principles or practical implications for learning innovation, discuss why, how, when, where, who, raise and reflect on issues and resultant personal and professional learning, and agree to change their work, based on advice from the editor, peer reviewers or mentors.

New and first time contributors are particularly encouraged. A short piece (200-500 words) could be contributed to the editor, with the view to development of a fuller contribution through the mentoring process.

Requirements

Written contributions must contain:

• concise written/spoken plain English
• author-date referencing style as per the referencing guidelines
• Maximum of 3500 words for peer reviewed articles and 1500 words for other categories (including tables and figures).
• An abstract of 100-150 words
• Six keywords for inclusion in metadata fields/tags
• Contact information including full name, affiliation, email address, small .jpeg photo and brief, two line biographical note.

All contributions for peer review need to fit the following structure:

1. Title

2. Abstract and Keywords

3. Body of Article – eg. introduction, background, literature review, main argument or research question, research methodology, research results, discussion, conclusions and future work

4. Useful links

5. Acknowledgements

6. Reference List

7. Appendices

8. Biographical Notes of Authors

Those preferring blind review, must indicate as much to the editor at the commencement of writing, by email.

Written contributions should comply with the Framework Style Guide The Knowledge Tree special edition, available from the editor. Contributions are be typed (or copied) directly into The Knowledge Tree’s online space and supplied in doc/rtf/html/xhtml/swf/pdf/gif/jpg/mp3 formats, free of grammatical spelling and typographical errors. Contributors are encouraged to be creative and provide their work for multichannel distribution eg. multimedia/video/audio/text formats. Graphics need to be legible when optimised at 400 pixels wide (maximum).

NOTE: Writers are also requested to read written work, once approved for publishing, into Audacity (free download) for output as an mp3 for podcast. Please discuss this with the editor.

Contributions submitted should be original and not infringe any existing copyright. They will retain the copyright of the authors. The Knowledge Tree e-journal supports Contributions submitted should be original and not infringe any existing copyright. They will retain the copyright of the authors. e-journal supports Creative Commons licensing.

Footnotes and Endnotes:

Footnotes and endnotes should not be used. Relevant information, which might normally be placed in a footnote or endnote, should be included in the manuscript text.

Citations, References, and Equations:

The presentation of citations, references, equations and all other similar information should strictly conform to the University of New England guide ‘Author-Date Referencing’ available from UNE.

Author(s) are responsible for checking accuracy and ensuring that all in-text references appear in the Reference List at the end of the contribution.

If you wish to make your contributions eligible for DEST points, then you need to meet the HERDC specifications, but The Knowledge Tree doesn’t require that for publication. Click to view the HERDC Specifications.

Editorial Process

The editor will review all contributions and offer feedback to contributors. At the choice of authors, journal articles will undergo either an open peer commentary, or a double blind peer review process i.e. two review panel members assess the work based on the following criteria: significance, strengths and weaknesses, relevance, methodology, analysis, structure, evidence and quality of argument in the contribution. Reference to, and consistency with, previous work will also be noted. Relevance to international, industry, community, indigenous, disability, cross sectoral collaboration and learning innovation foci will also be assessed. Reviewers’ recommendations guide the editor’s decision to accept or reject the contribution, or the request writers revise it.

Contributors will be offered two paths to publication based on the quality of the submission: either direct to open commentary or blind peer review OR to either peer reviewed or non reviewed categories, through a collaborative mentored editorial process, where contributor, editor and reviewer (where appropriate) educate each other.

We encourage joint and multiple authoring, where inexperienced and experienced might work together and differences and disagreements are disclosed and debated, in an informed manner, within the contribution. If you have rich lived experience and wish to source its theoretical underpinning, we may offer joint authorship with an experienced collaborator to assist with the reflective phase of the contribution.

Peer review processes

Articles submitted for external peer review are often referred back to authors for revision. This is usually to request additional presentation and clarification of information or format to improve the structure for the reader. Major changes need to be given priority, as the e-journal requires quick turnaround. The review process must be completed within a maximum of 4 weeks. Areas where changes have been made must be highlighted to the editor. Detailed author responses to reviewers’ comments may be required. The editor will decide whether revisions have been made according to peer reviewers’ advice and on occasions it may be necessary for the editor to return the article to reviewers for further assessment, before accepting it for final editing. No manuscript will be reconsidered for publication if it has not been revised in accordance with the majority the peer reviewers’ comments.

Your contribution is accepted for publication on the understanding that the suggested changes be included in your final version (as a deal of time and effort goes into the peer review/mentoring process). If no attempt is made to incorporate the feedback, the editor reserves the right to withdraw the offer to publish.

Appeals

It is the policy of the e-journal to deal with appeals of decision in a fair and objective manner. If an appeal is made by an author to reconsider further review of a rejected article, the editor will assess the grounds on which the appeal has been made. The editor reserves the right to decide the outcome of appeal. In the event of a manuscript being resubmitted for peer review, the editor will select at least one of the original peer reviewers, and one or two peer reviewers who have not previously assessed the article. Our editorial staff will endeavour to provide authors and reviewers with advice or technical assistance that may be required to support successful publication.

Contact Cathy Baxter on 61 2 6207 4891 or email: e-events@flexiblelearning.net.au