Electronic Authentication for Flexible Learning

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Electronic Authentication for Flexible Learning

• Workshop Presentation (5 August 2003)

Chris Connolly, CEO, Galexia Consulting
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Overview

• Introduction to flexible learning
• VET and electronic authentication
• Case studies
• Legal and regulatory issues
• Strategic issues
• Strategy document

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Flexible Learning

• Flexible learning expands choice on what, when,
  where and how people learn. It supports different
  styles of learning, including e-learning.
• Flexible learning is learner centred and client
  focused.
• The Flexible Learning Framework is built on five
  goals
• Creative, capable people
• Supportive technological infrastructure
• World-class online content
• Enabling policies and
• Problem-solving regulation

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Authentication

• A technical definition of authentication is the
  process of establishing whether someone or
  something is who or what its identifier states it
  is. An authentication process may be enabled by
• Something you know, like a PIN or password
• Something you have, as with smartcards,
  challenge-response mechanisms, or public-key
  certificates or
• Something you are, as with positive photo
  identification, fingerprints, and biometrics.
• The key benefit of electronic authentication is
  that it enables electronic transactions to take
  place in an environment of trust and confidence.
  The Internet, for example, is an open network
  where the community has a low level of trust.
  However, authentication tools can provide greater
  confidence in the identity, validity and
  authenticity of participants, sites and objects.

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Electronic Authentication and VET

• There are benefits for the VET sector in
  migrating to a strong, centrally managed,
  coordinated electronic authentication model.
  These include
• Reduction in cheating
• Improved user convenience
• Improved system integrity, operability and
  flexibility
• Improved cross recognition of assessment and
  qualifications
• The Australian VET sector has not yet advanced
  beyond ad hoc arrangements in its approach to
  electronic authentication.
• Different forms of electronic authentication are
  used in individual applications. The choice of
  electronic authentication tool may be based on
  availability, the level of understanding of
  participants, or in some cases on a risk and
  cost/benefit analysis.

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Electronic Authentication Opportunities

• Education materials
• access to content and learning objects
• Education providers
• institutions
• RTOs
• tutors
• Assessors
• Participants
• learners
• assessment
• skills passports

• Relying parties
• employers
• other education institutions (cross recognition)
• licensing bodies
• qualification authorities
• Transactions
• enrolment
• subscription
• payment

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A Whole of Sector Approach

• The whole of sector approach to authentication
  in the VET sector faces significant challenges
• Diverse range of organisations, from large TAFE
  Colleges to small Registered Training
  Organisations
• State and federal complexities
• Diverse range of technology available (hardware,
  software, Internet access, security)
• Multiple stakeholders
• Plethora of existing identification, enrolment
  and authentication platforms currently in use
• Sensitivity re personal information

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Case Studies

• University of Phoenix Online
• 50,000 students learning in an email environment,
  relying on high levels of interaction to
  supplement simple authentication system.
• WestOne
• State-wide blended learning clearing house with
  single sign on password and login authentication.
• JISC (UK)
• Joint Information Systems Committee of the UK
  Higher and Further Education Funding Councils
  ("the JISC").
• Athens is a single ID, single password service
  the same ID and password are used irrespective of
  which Athens-controlled resource the user wishes
  to access. The service is location-independent,
  i.e. the user may authenticate via Athens from
  home as easily as from the campus.
• Career Management Account (USA)
• Comprehensive skills passport pilot used Public
  Key Infrastructure allowing life long learning
  record and validation of results/qualifications
  for third parties.

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Legal and Regulatory Issues

• Numerous legislation and codes considered
• Electronic Transaction Act
• State and federal privacy legislation
• Cybercrime legislation
• VET legislation
• Gatekeeper requirements
• Privacy emerged as the most significant legal
  issue
• Compliance with privacy legislation
• Intruding into students personal affairs
• Function creep
• Potential for ongoing surveillance
• Restrictions on user choice

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Strategic Direction

• The primary conclusion of the Galexia Consulting
  paper was that electronic authentication (and
  hence flexible learning) is unlikely to advance
  further in the VET sector without implementation
  of a model that involves a central body making
  decisions about the adoption of electronic
  authentication across the whole VET sector,
  determining appropriate electronic authentication
  solutions, and liaising with other sectors.
• A strong national electronic authentication
  solution across the entire VET sector will not be
  achieved quickly. The recommendations contemplate
  a staged migration path.

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Recommendations

• Recommendation 1 Develop an electronic
  authentication strategy for the VET sector
• It is recommended that FLAG advise ANTA CEOs that
  it is important to develop an electronic
  authentication strategy for the VET sector and
  take a high level policy decision to pursue that
  strategy. ANTA CEOs should determine how such a
  strategy will be developed.
• Recommendation 4 Increase awareness of
  electronic authentication in the VET sector
• It is recommended that a coordinated program of
  general awareness raising and detailed
  professional development for key participants in
  the VET sector is undertaken by ANTA.

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Recommendations

• Recommendation 5 Coordinate with other
  education sectors
• We recommend the VET sector coordinate its
  electronic authentication activities with other
  education sectors, especially higher education
  considering their advanced state (through COLIS).
• Recommendation 8 Further research
• Further research may be required on a range of
  strategic issues in electronic authentication in
  the VET sector. Examples
• Cross recognition of qualifications
• International developments
• Jurisdiction issues
• Also
• Coordination and liaison with other ANTA
  projects, especially
• Unique Client Identifier
• Skills passport

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Strategy Document

• Development of a detailed strategy document -
  using todays workshop as a first opportunity to
  start filling in the details
• Awareness raising
• Coordination with other sectors
• Higher education
• Schools
• Coordination with other projects
• Skills passport
• Unique Client Identifier
• Establish an electronic authentication
  coordinating committee
• Further research
• International experience
• Emerging technology
• Needs of institutions and learners