Saturday 29 December 2012

Important developments in LLN within VET and TAE10

Well done IBSA and ASQA for dealing with Language and Literacy issues in VET and TAE10.

LLN (language, literacy and numeracy) is finally being recognised as an underpinning competency in VET training and there are moves to make LLN a core unit for the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

How and when this will become a compliance issue we do not know, but we are certainly glad that the importance of LLN has finally been realized and acted upon.

Australia is a multicultural country and a large percentage of our population speaks English as a second language.

We know that literacy also affects Australian-born workers.  Many employers and trainers alike are faced with the challenge of workers who, despite holding a school certificate, are unable to spell and even complete a simple application form.

It was therefore a surprise to us when LLN was introduced as an elective unit in the new TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification.

As you know we have been promoting the TAELLN401 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills as a "niche elective". 

When we added the unit to our scope we made sure that trainers delivering the TAELLN401 were competent not only from a qualification compliance point of view but also from a cultural point of view; so at least 50% of our trainers delivering the TAELLN401 actually are from a non-English speaking background.

If you are planning to enrol in a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or are upgrading from the TAA40104 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment we strongly urge you to only enrol with an RTO who offers the TAELLN401 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills.
 
If you do not, you are most likely going to be asked to complete this unit in the near future.  There is every indication that the TAELLN401 will become a core unit in a later version of the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

So why wait until the unit becomes a core unit in the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment?

Right now we are offering you the opportunity to enrol in our online Certificate IV in Training and Assessment for the ridiculous fee of $500.  You can start with a deposit of only $250 and pay $20 a month.

Our “Certificate IV in Training and Assessment” includes the “TAELLN401 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills”.  So there is nothing extra to pay.
 
If you are a returning Safecity student who has the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment you can complete the TAELLN401 for only $105! You can also write to us about our generous upgrade to TAELLN401.

If you want to read more about the recent developments in LLN within VET visit the following link
 
Wishin you all a happy, safe and prosperous 2013
 
Alex
 
 
 

Thursday 27 December 2012

Computers and Open Learning

Here is a delightful post from a School Principal who defines the use of computers and open learning in education in a delightful and compelling way.

The following points apply to adult education much in the same way.  Those who malign open learning education are destined to become extinct, in the same way dinosaurs disappeared on earth.

Ethical and responsible distance education, open learning and e-learning are destined to become the future of learning.

Enjoy!


There is a great excerpt from the Abilene, Kansas High School Dialogue Buzz Website that sums up what we will do for students when we create a 1:1 environment for our students.

Are you ready…?

•I will access up-to-date information - you have a textbook that is 5 years old.

•I will immediately know when I misspell a word – you have to wait until it’s graded.

•I will learn how to care for technology by using it – you will read about it.

•I will see maths problems in 3D – you will do the odd problems.

•I will create artwork and poetry and share it with the world – you will share yours with the class.

•I will have 24/7 access – you have the entire class period.

•I will access the most dynamic information – yours will be printed and photocopied.

•I will communicate with leaders and experts using email – you will wait for Friday’s speaker.

•I will select my learning style – you will use the teacher’s favorite learning style.

•I will collaborate with my peers from around the world – you will collaborate with peers in your classroom.

•I will take my learning as far as I want – you must wait for the rest of the class.

The cost of a laptop per year? - $250

The cost of teacher and student training? – Expensive

The cost of well educated US citizens and workforce? - Priceless

How important are the above bullets? By what criteria would you measure success in a 1:1 initiative?

I will be sharing the results of the student survey soon.

cross-posted at www.patrickmlarkin.com


How to improve your memory

I have just read a fascinating blog about memory retention.  There are lots of links to resources and tools.

Personally I found that I tend to remember what I enjoy :-) and what I teach. 
This is the link to the memory blog.




Tuesday 25 December 2012

The joys of public speaking

Are you interested in the topic of public speaking?

As a current (or future) VET Trainer, you already know the importance of presentation. 

After all, public speaking and the art of tap dancing before a bunch of highly critical and scrutinizing adult "pupils" are two vital assets in your professional career as a VET Trainer. 

If you are considering VET Training as a career, but the thought of speaking before a crowd (or even a small group) causes your mind to recoil in horror--then I suggest you visit this website and download the free booklet on public speaking.

Do know that there are countless professionals out there that also share the terror of public speaking. 

Indeed, I have read that the anxiety generated by the fear of public speaking can equal that of fear of death with some people. 

The site offers free tips, e-books and cheat sheets on this topic.  It is worth a visit even if you are a confident orator :-)

Monday 24 December 2012

How to keep adult students motivated



The greatest challenge for vocational trainers, especially those involved in on-line training, is to keep their adult students motivated and returning for more :-)

In my personal experience, "tangible results" is the greatest motivator possible for mature learners.  I suppose seeing real and tangible results will motivate adult and child alike, but with mature students "results" is a compelling factor in the success or failure of any training endeavour.

Child learners can be very forgiving.  They are not really sure about what they want or need to learn and they also understand that their role is to "go to school and learn" and the role of the teacher is to "teach".

Not so with the adult learner.  Adult learners KNOW exactly what they expect and they are also perfectly aware of their RIGHTS as a learner and consumer.

Moreover, many adult learners come into vocational classes because they are forced to do so by their employers or licensing bodies.  So they are not exactly thrilled to be there.

The equation: Forced Learning + Recalcitrant Student + Informed Consumer = Trainers’ nightmare.

Vocational Trainers therefore need to display their super powers in order to survive in the industry.

Most vocational students come into the classroom with a great deal of anxiety.  Fear of failure and ridicule, and traumatic memories of nasty maths teachers and exams are prominent in their minds on day one of their course. 

If you are a vocational trainer, you are by now well familiar with the icy cold stare that greets you on your first day at work.  After a few anxious moments, all trainers realize that the “dead-eye stare” is simply a symptom of fear—even terror, with some individuals.

So our first job is to reassure the “pupils”, to let them know that we are there to help them.  Most importantly it is essential that we respect them as individuals.

I too have been “forced” to undertake certain dubiously useful programs to retain some of my licenses in my industry.  On several occasions, the appointed “trainers” and “auditors” behaved, as if all of a sudden, my 25 years of experience, and that of my fellow “students”, had suddenly vanished.  You can imagine how motivated we felt about returning the following day.

So reassurance and respect are two powerful tools in winning the cooperation of recalcitrant students.

But reassurance and respect will not hold for long unless we are able to produce RESULTS.

Fortunately for us, “results” do not need to be spectacular.  They can be moderate, but they must make the students feel they have “discovered something about themselves” that they did not know, or thought possible, before attending your lesson.

Creative trainers can plan role-plays and activities that allow the learners to discover something new about themselves.  I use a few of these to “break the ice”.  The power of these role plays to enthuse and reward the desire for recognition of the participant is so strong.  It is strong enough to dissolve the ice and bring the “dead-eye look” back to life.

If you are interested in this topic, you may also want to read this blog.  It is jam packed with valuable information on how to keep adult learners motivated.

How to setup a new Google Blogger Account And Post Your First Blog


Free tools such as Google Blogger and Word Press enable professionals in all industries to keep in touch with their clients.

Blogging is not only a useful resource that you can use to promote your ideas.  It can also be a powerful link that will keep your customers and graduates returning to your classroom for more quality training.

Trainers are renowned for “letting go” of their students after graduation.  The students complete the course, and the connection between trainer and student is severed.  Blogging allows you to keep this connection alive.

The only rule you need to remember when blogging is to be “honest” with your readers.  Do not post a blog just for the sake of promoting your service or product.  All of your blogs must offer something of value to your readers.  Of course, your readers EXPECT you to slip in a promotional line here and there—and if what you are offering is of value to them, they will not object to the sales pitch.

But if the sole intent of the blog is to sell a product or a service, your readers will sense this, and they will abandon your blog.

I believe social media and the use of tools such as Blogger, Twitter and Facebook are going to be of paramount importance to all service professionals in the future—they are already becoming a driving force in many marketing strategies.  I believe that vocational trainers can greatly benefit from learning how to use these tools.


Our first blog of this series shows you how to set up a free Google Blogger Account and how to post your first blog.  We will post more videos and blogs on this topic in the future so make sure to subscribe to our feed.

Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all our visitors and readers




Alex

Sunday 23 December 2012

Free resources booklet for E-learning and on line training courses


Are you a trainer delivering on line training courses ?

Here is a a new booklet designed to help organisations incorporate technology as a key training tool has been released.

The booklet focuses on:
  • evidence for the uptake of e-learning in the delivery of training
  • benefits of e-learning for employees, employers and training organisations
  • practices that sustain the use of e-learning in training
  • guidelines around e-learning good practice.
The booklet was produced after an extensive research in on line training and e-learning models.  It is not specifically related to the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, but it contains vital information for trainers involved in the delivery of e-learning courses.

'The research identified seven key factors which are important to grow e-maturity and sustain and embed e-learning innovations. A tool within the booklet allows organisations to assess their own level of e-maturity, ranging from novice to innovator,' Ms Worrall said.

The seven practices important to grow e-maturity are:
  • be strategic
  • gain senior leadership support
  • build a business case
  • identify resourcing
  • identify and support champions
  • access people supports
  • allocate technical supports.
You can download this valuable on line training resource information for free at this link

Friday 21 December 2012

Young People and VET Study

Lots of worthy initiatives are taking place in an effort to attract young people in VET Training.  NCVER has just published a publication relating to young people aged 15 to 19 years who participated in an education and training activity during 2011. Information of participation is presented for school students, VET in Schools students, higher education students, apprentices and trainees, and other VET students. Data tables containing state and territory breakdowns of the report can be accessed from the data tab.

You can download this directly here.

Courtesy of NCVER

Also visit our hot links page for more resources and tools.  We update this page regularly for our students and visitors so it pays to visit the page on a regular basis.  If you wish to be notified when we add a new link on this blog or on the link page, follow our Tweets.  You can do so easily by visiting our training and assessment page.

Have a great day.

Alex

Wednesday 19 December 2012

ASQA to investigate inappropriate marketing by shonky RTOs

Well done ASQA!

ASQA has just released a paper about their intention of dealing with the rising number of  2-days and 4-days Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.  This kind of abuse of the fairness of the VET system has been rampant, up until now.   Well, it seems that it is about to come to a much welcome end.

ASQA has already proven its determination to clean up the industry of certificate merchants by deregistering a number of them.

We have full confidence that the future of the VET industry is very good indeed.  In this future, ethical RTOs will be able to compete by offering their students value for money and feature-rich courses—and not by selling certificates and conducting ‘easy” courses.

Well done ASQA--it was about time!
Read the paper released by ASQA by downloadingit here.

Monday 12 November 2012

Just a reminder that all Australian trainers delivering the nationally recognised training will have to upgrade their TAA40104 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to the new qualification, the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment before the 1st of July 2013.

We have created a dedicated (and fun) TAE upgrade site that will address most of the questions that busy trainers may have.

We have also created a directory of TAE10 acronyms, terms and references used in the new TAE10 Training Package.  This directory is a wonderful resource if you do not know what NVR and ASQA, DEEVR, COAG and NSSC mean.  


Most active trainers will be able to upgrade to the TAE10 by direct credit and recognition.  However there are some recognised gaps that must be addressed.  

Please make sure that your TAE upgrade process is conducted ethically and responsibly. 

If you are a professional trainer dedicated to the principles of continuous improvement, and to the best interest and success of your students--you have nothing to fear from the TAE10 upgrade process or any future upgrade.

Happy training to all

Alex




About the TAE10 upgrade to the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Model: TAE10 Training Package
Product ID: TAE Upgrade Certificate IV in Training and Assessment