ICVET Update: February 2007
From Maret Staron, Manager, TAFE NSW ICVET
It’s always a challenge to settle into a new year, after a great break over January. However, I do have a good feeling for 2007 and hope that it will be a happy one for us all.
At ICVET we are currently completing our new business plan for 2007 – 2008. The feedback from TAFE NSW Institutes has confirmed that our priority focus areas for 2007 in teaching and learning are:
- workplace learning and assessment
- partnerships and entrepreneurship
- recognition (including RPL)
Institutes have requested that we continue focusing on research and investigation into new ideas and practice, national and international, and that we analyse implications and trends. Institutes have expressed a great need for ongoing sharing of exemplars of practice and new models and frameworks. In particular, Institutes want the eZine (online magazine of this website), the Learning Powerhouse Conference and Teaching and Learning Colloquium to continue. Institutes have also requested that ICVET provide more workshops and presentations in Institutes. I think 2007 will be a busy year!
The TAFE NSW Professional Development Framework for teachers has been reviewed and will continue for another three years. It is currently being updated and distribution should be next month. The statewide professional development (PD) priorities for 2007 are:
Ranking | PD Priority | Priority focus areas |
|---|---|---|
1 | Learning and assessment |
|
2 | Professional practice |
|
3 | Innovation |
|
4 | Educational leadership |
|
For myself, a special focus continues to be life based learning. It was very exciting last year to conduct so many workshops and presentations around the state and to obtain so much positive feedback on the possibilities that life based learning opens up. I will continue the applied research into the area and share it with you through this website.
One of the sadder aspects of this year is that Heather Ferguson leaves us in March (though not sad for Heather, I hope). She is going on leave prior to her retirement. Heather is the inspiration and driving force behind this website. She has a unique blend of skills. Having been a head teacher, Heather has retained her passion for supporting the educational needs of teachers. Her teaching area of information technology gives her a great understanding of the technical requirements and issues associated with managing a website. She also has a breadth of knowledge in the area of knowledge management and sharing and as a practising artist, Heather brings great skills to the design and look and feel of the website. I wish Heather well in her new areas of interest and work.
The ICVET project team supporting the Australian Flexible Learning Framework is currently conducting a series of workshops around the state, explaining the Framework and promoting its many products and resources, as well as the new funding opportunities for 2007. If you want more information on these sessions please contact Jeff Saul on 02 9244 5455 or 0418 662 912.
A great new addition to the ICVET team is Janet Hewson, who is on secondment for six months. We will greatly benefit from her skills and experience, particularly in recognition and workplace learning, and her breadth of work previously in Institutes.
I hope you all have a great year,
Regards, Maret
See also
Summary of meetings with Institute Directors - October to November 2005 (46 KB)
TAFE NSW ICVET Second Quarterly Report - June 2005 (63 KB)
TAFE NSW ICVET First Quarterly Report - March 2005 (59 KB)