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Trends in VET and Vocational Elearning.
12/07/2007
Author :
Graeme Daniel
" ... learners are demanding continuous learning approaches, which reflect the demands of their work and lifestyle, as classroom learning becomes less appropriate and less relevant to their needs. They require learning that is flexible, adaptable, portable and interactive. Traditional institution-based education and training was developed to meet the requirements of learners characterised by stability rather than change" - M. Keough / Successful Models for Enterprise Vocational Education: Distributed Learning Strategies (Proceedings EdTech'98. Perth: Australian Society for Educational Technology)
Effective Vocational Education and Training is considered crucial to industrial efficiency and economic productivity. To prepare learners for employment in today's technically-charged working environment, elearning strategies are proving successful in supplementing face-to-face mentorship with rich high-quality content, a variety of online networking venues, and flexible access to a range of remote learning environments.
In this edition of WWWTools for Education, we consider vocational education and the role of modern ICTs in its delivery.
Introducing VET.
Vocational Education and Training has commonly existed in schools as Manual Training, Technical Drawing, Workshop Studies, Home Economics, Commercial Studies, and as endless variations on the technical studies associated with apprenticeships. In Australia, the complex demands of commerce and industry have more recently been met by the development of the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) systems in each State. Nationally, the overall Australian plan for VET is laid out by the Department of Education, Science and Training in Shaping our Future: Australia's National Strategy for VET 2004-2010 .
For a global perspective, see Wikipedia's article on Vocational Education , which notes variations in terminology including the American Career and Technical Education . (In the UK, Further Education covers the field, but appears to be in a state of flux following recent changes in government).
Wikipedia nominates as representative examples:
External Links are extensive, including a list of National and International Organisations and Agencies.
There are interesting notes on terminology on the Talk:Vocational Education
page. However, readers may discover that Australia is not at the top of the list for purely alphabetical reasons, and that VET deserves its standing as an acronym in this context.
See also these related Wikipedia articles:
Changing Demands, Flexible Responses.
What Is a Skill Shortage? (Sue Richardson / Australian Vocational Education and Training: Research Messages, 2006) - the meaning of supply of and demand for skills in the Australian labour market.
TAFE Failing on IT (Samantha Maiden / Australian IT: June 07, 2007) - need to address technical skills shortages.
Mining Industry Backs TAFE Changes (ABC News Online: June 04, 2007) - the Australian mining industry does 90 per cent of its training through the private sector.
Defence Force Revamp Falters (Brendan Nicholson / The Age: June 12, 2007) - a national shortage of engineers and skilled tradesmen.
Hands-on Units Serve Up Jobs (Anna Patty / Sydney Morning Herald: June 08, 2007) - the advantages of taking VET courses as part of the HSC.
NSW Budget Lists $5m for Trade Schools (Sydney Morning Herald: June 07, 2007) - good news for Penrith, Wyong, Tamworth, Nambucca Heads and Sutherland.
First Students at Training Centre (Sarah Dean / The Border Morning Mail: June 01, 2007) - the Wangaratta Technical Education Centre is a regional response to the national skills shortage.
Govt Wants Three New Technical Colleges (Sydney Morning Herald: June 20, 2007 - a move in the right direction.
Tech Upswing: Blue-Collar Jobs in Red-Hot Demand (Ellen Leyva /abc7.com: June 13, 2007) - career technical education in Southern California.
Strengthened Tech-Voc Education Program Pushed (PIA Daily News Reader: July 05, 2007) - a Philippines initiative.
Initiatives, Programs, Projects.
New Directions in VET (Kevin Rudd, Stephen Smith / ALP: May 10, 2007) - an election promise to build Trades Training Centres in Australia’s 2,650 secondary schools; expanding on the theme of enhancing productivity through comprehensive educational reform.
Media comment: Rudd's Skills Plan Clever by Design (Justine Ferrari / The Australian: May 12, 2007)
Government response: Howard Backs Technical Schools (Sydney Morning Herald: May 12, 2007)
SA e-Learning Strategy for Vocational Education and Training - promotes elearning as a key contributor to innovation and flexibility in teaching and learning.
Elearning for Vocational Education.
E-Learning and Sustainability (Graham Attwell / Lefo Learning Folders Project, University of Bremen) - problems and issues facing policy makers, institutions, researchers, developers and practitioners in e-learning.
Using E-Learning and Multimedia to Develop Technical Skills (George Siemens and Stephen Yurkiw / Red River College) is a useful PowerPoint presentation summarising:
- Goals of Vocational Education.
- Changes in "Teacher's" Role.
- How can Technology Meet Vocational Education Goals?
- Tools and Technologies.
- Student Experiences.
- What is Still Needed.
- and much more.
E-learning: Emerging Issues and Key Trends: A Discussion Paper (John Eklund, Margaret Kay, Helen M. Lynch / Australian National Training Authority, 2003) - 'a view of the state of e-learning, issues and implications for the use of technology mediated and delivered instruction in the vocational education and training (VET) sector.'
Implementing Elearning from the Corporate Perspective (Rita Benninck / Knowledge Tree e-journal) - success factors for enterprises wanting to use elearning; models, key drivers, barriers and recommendations for success.
An Integrated Architecture for Supporting Vocational Training (C. Bouras, E. Giannaka, Th. Tsiatsos / 2007) - implementing elearning technologies in vocational education; describes a platform for open and distance training.
Useful Websites.
Australian Flexible Learning Framework (EdNA VET Advisory Group) - latest news and developments regarding elearning skills, professional development opportunities, products, resources and support networks; a repository for flexible learning projects and activities developed within the AFL Framework.
Addresses key issues affecting access to and adoption of flexible learning, particularly online learning. Major objectives are to encourage added value through national collaboration, help VET providers to respond to client demand for flexible learning and to increase the number of learners developing vocational skills online.
Five broad goals: Creative Capable People; Online Content Development, Applications and Services; Supportive Technological Infrastructure; Enabling Policies; and Problem-Solving Regulation.
Elearning Europa - promotes innovation in lifelong learning in the diverse European context. Provides access to papers, articles, newsletter, forums.
e-Learning Centre - a UK-based collection of selected and reviewed links to elearning resources of interest to learning and development professionals, academics and staff developers; includes information on free software
American Society for Training & Development - news, reviews. See also many freely accessible articles at the associated Learning Circuits site.
e-learningGuru (Kevin Kruse) - to December 2006. Note the useful e-Learning Blogroll in the sidebar
Vocational Education and Training (edna) - information and resources for VET stakeholders: government, industry, students and VET practitioners. See especially the Recently Added Resources page.
E-Learning and Technology (Learning and Skills Network) - the LSN manages the elearning and technology staff development program aimed at the UK's post-16 sector. Includes online learning resources for students, classroom materials for teachers, and management studies.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) (Queensland Department of Education, Training and the Arts) - an example from one Australian State.
Vocational Education and Training in Schools / Careers (ACT Department of Education and Training)
Professional Development
Effective Practice with e-Learning (JISC, 2004) - 10 case studies illustrate practitioners’ solutions to common challenges; available both in print and on CD-ROM.
Vocational Education & Training Teachers (Victorian Department of Education) - links to TAFE institutes, and to the Training Support Network (Office of Training and Tertiary Education) - resources, purchasing guides, curriculum documents, CMM contacts, and networks for VET professionals.
The LearnScope Project (Australian Flexible Learning Framework) supports uptake of elearning for VET delivery in the classroom, workplace and online. This year's projects focus on professional development through engagement of students in elearning delivery.
South Australia e-Learning Strategy for Vocational and Technical Education - presented under Skilling: the Workforce; the Community; the VET Practitioner; and Developing the Capacity.
VETinfoNet (Western Australian Department of Education and Training) - information and services for the Western Australian VET sector.
Tools for Teachers.
Flexible Learning Toolboxes (Australian Flexible Learning Framework, 2006), and the 2007 Projects - current examples from the Flexible Learning Toolbox initiative.
See also the Toolbox Steering Group's commissioned evaluations , accessible at the Reports page.
Toolbox Learning Object Repository (Australian Flexible Learning Framework) - a database of SCORM conformant learning objects harvested from Flexible Learning Toolboxes; also a search facility, and an interface to enable you to download from the database to your own computer, server or learning management system.
Reference.
Directory of Learning Tools (Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies) - large categorised listing of free/open source and commercial tools suitable for people involved in designing, developing and delivering workplace learning, performance improvement solutions or post-16 education; and for learners generally.
See also Jane Hart's E-Learning Pick of the Day blog offering daily items of elearning interest.
The E-Learning Readiness Survey (Marc J. Rosenberg, 2000) - 20 key questions about the sustainability of your e-learning efforts.
TAFE VC 3 - link to Live Classroom, a web conferencing tool you can use to meet, present or teach online; find online courses; access courseware for delivery from the TAFE VC.
Glossary (Australian Department of Science, Technology and Training) - terms found in recent literature of Australian VET research and policy.
Global CV Standards and Initiatives (HR-XML Consortium: July 09, 2007 ) - tools / platforms to assist individuals in creating, maintaining, and distributing ePortfolios.
Resource Listings.
eLearning Papers (elearningeuropa)
e-Learning (UK Department for Education and Skills, Learning and Skills Network)
Australian Government Education Portal - searching on 'vocational'
Recently added to Vocational Education and Training (edna)
BOOKS.
New Approaches to Vocational Education in Europe: The Construction of Complex Learning-Teaching Arrangements (eds Regina H. Mulder, Peter F. E. Sloane / Symposium Books, 2004)
Paperback: $48.00
ISBN-10: 1873927843
ISBN-13: 978-1873927847
E-learning Tools and Technologies: A Consumer's Guide for Trainers, Teachers, Educators, and Instructional Designers (William Horton, Katherine Horton / Wiley, 2003)
Paperback: $26.40
ISBN-10: 0471444588
ISBN-13: 978-0471444589
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