Designing Professional Development for the Knowledge Era

National Research Project by TAFE NSW ICVET in partnership with the Department of Education, Science and Technology (DEST)

This project investigated business frameworks for professional development for vocational and technical education staff working and learning in the knowledge era. The outcomes of the research, together with the companion document will assist and guide workforce planning and development practices for the future.

The principal researchers were Maret Staron (Project Manager), Marie Jasinski and Robby Weatherley. The project was informed by a working group of national and international learning, systems, knowledge management, educational and organisational change experts. A National Reference Group advised on and endorsed the work undertaken. National Forums were conducted in NSW, WA and VIC and the outcomes of these forums informed the research concepts and findings.

Outputs

1 Life Based Learning: A strength based approach to capability development Research Report

This document is a rich resource for understanding a life based learning model. The findings propose that this model builds on existing strategies of expert centred and work based learning models previously used as professional development models. With a focus on strength based orientation a range of strategies such as appreciative enquiry, positive deviance, and conversation are examples of new strategies for individual, team and organisational planning.

2 A Business Approach to Capability Development: Considerations and suggestions for customising and applying life based learning in the workplace – Companion Document

This Companion Document accompanies the research to assist individuals, teams and organisations to get started. Five case studies are included which exemplify some of the findings and concepts. These are:

1. Using Appreciative Enquiry for strategic planning
2. Capability development from a work motivation framework
3. The Central Coast Community Congress: using a strength based approach in regional community development
4. Deniliquin: learning ecology in action
5. Community Building in San Remo: a local strength based project

3 Five ‘think pieces’ by leading specialists and authors provided input to the key concepts of the research:

4 Life Based Learning: A strength based approach to capability development | A-Z Resources for related information, papers, readings and downloadable resources

5 A wiki has been established and will provide ongoing dialogue with reference to material quoted from the research and discussion around case studies, and point to additional resources as they become available.

See also

Project Plan Summary - Aims, Outputs and Management (79 KB)

Key concepts for designing professional development for the knowledge era (109 KB)

ANTA & ICVET 2004, Working and Learning in Vocational Education and Training (VET) in the Knowledge Era –Summary, TAFE NSW ICVET Sydney Australia

JASINSKI, Marie, Learning Models – Looking back, looking forward, looking around AUSTAFE 2005
(Duration: 12 mins, File size: 5.55 MB)

WEATHERLEY, Robby, Learning Models – Looking back, looking forward, looking around AUSTAFE 2005
(Duration: 6 mins, File size: 2.75 MB)

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