ICVET Update: September 2007
From Maret Staron, Manager, TAFE NSW ICVET
Reaching the end of the year tends to be a reflective time for me. I look back at all the things I wanted to achieve over the year, wonder how I went and notice some of the things that I really wanted to do, but didn’t. I will admit that I’m really proud of what we have achieved this year in ICVET (International Centre for VET Teaching and Learning).
The website and e-Zine have been going for just over 2 years and in that time we have quadrupled our readership. The website statistics show that:
- 566,200 total pages viewed over 2 years
- average per month, for past 3 months:
- 8,630 unique visitors
- 40,120 pages viewed
Patterns of website use:
- Months: generally August has greatest use, coinciding with Learning Powerhouse, although last year November was the most highly popular month
- Days: the website is predominantly visited Monday – Thursdays, with Wednesday most popular, averaging 25,200 hits or nearly 2,000 page visits. The site is also visited on weekends, with a current average of between 620 – 750 pages each weekend day
- Hours: While usage climbs during the day, peaking around 2pm at an average 3570 page viewings
Most popular recent page hits are the podcast feeds from RPL Colloquium and Learning, Learning Powerhouse Conference, article on AQTF changes, A-Z Resources index page, assessment resources and eZine articles from as far back as early 2006.
Key search phrases the website commonly hits are: assessment validation; Appreciative inquiry; Workplace assessment; Educational leadership; and AQTF 2007.
The top 10 pages viewed during October 2007 are:
- Discipline specific pedagogy August 06 eZine
- ICVET Podcast feed
- Powerhouse 2006 Podcast feed
- Classroom management, May 06 eZine
- Resources index page
- Adult learners resource page
- Assessment research area
- eZine RSS feed
- Assessment validation resource
- Life based learning July 2006
In our research areas, we have developed a sharper focus on the key priority areas of workplace learning, recognition of prior learning, partnerships and entrepreneurship, and workforce development. In consultation with Institutes we have reviewed and re-shaped the TAFE NSW Professional Framework, to ensure that professional development sits within a strong strategic context.
Over 1000 NSW VET (vocational education and training) practitioners have participated in Toolbox workshops (Shane Dowd), resource promotion and coordination sessions (Jeff Saul), in the LearnScope projects (Robyn Jay and Alex Hayes). We have coordinated LearnScope nationally and managed the Capability Building Program Manager for the Australian Flexible Learning Framework.
Our strategies during 2007 for disseminating and sharing emerging practice have been:
- Learning Powerhouse Conference
- RPL Colloquium
- E-learning showcase and conference
- a range of Institute workshops
- Head Teacher Forum, and of course
- this website and e-Zine.
We are increasingly being asked to facilitate workshops and meetings and to present on areas such as Appreciative Inquiry, Innovation, Strategic Conversations, RPL and of course on Life Based Learning. I was really pleased that this year I was able to take our research on Life Based Learning to New Zealand, Victoria and Queensland where it was extremely well received.
We are upgrading our website and Wendy Wyatt has written an article about this in the e-Zine.
As the year comes to a close I’d like to thank all of my staff for their incredible professionalism, dedication, creativity, leadership and integrity. I’d also like to thank all those people I have worked with throughout TAFE NSW for your support, your goodwill and your feedback.
I hope you all have a very safe, peaceful and happy festive season and New Year.