International Research Snapshot
RESEARCH SNAPSHOT | Marjan Mckeough , Senior Librarian, ETIS (Education and Training Information Service) Centre for Learning & Innovation, DET
The ETIS intranet is available to TAFE NSW staff.
This eZine feature is brought to you by ETIS - the Department of Education and Training’s Education and Training Information Service. ETIS manages the NSW Vocational Education and Training Database linking in with the national vocational education database managed by NCVER. They are excellently placed and qualified to identify and share with us these key, recent reports and articles with particular relevance to VET teaching and learning. (Ed)
Livingstone, David; Stowe, Susan, 1998-2004, Work time and learning activities of the continuously employed: a longitudinal analysis, Journal of workplace learning, v. 19, no. 1, 2007. pp.17-31
The purpose of this paper is to examine the paid and unpaid work time and learning activities of a small longitudinal sample of continuously employed Canadians over the 1998-2004 period. Those who are not taking adult education courses are still very likely to participate continually in job-related informal learning.
Rimanoczy, Isabe, Action reflection learning: a learning methodology based on common sense,
Industrial and commercial training, v. 39, no. 1, 2007. pp.43-51
This paper describes the origins and evolution of action reflection learning (ARL). It is based on a descriptive exploratory qualitative study to explore the principles and elements of ARL and includes a literature review, a survey and interviews with 23 ARL practitioners from Europe, USA and Latin America.
Moving towards a 'learning-based organisation': how employees accept and react to the development of a learning culture. Development and learning in organizations: an international journal, v. 21, no. 1, 2007. pp.21-23
This paper explores employee perceptions of the development of a learning culture in a medium-sized manufacturing company aspiring to become a learning organization. The company was using learning to develop its competitive edge, and employees were at various stages of understanding and accepting the need for learning and competence development on the job to sustain and develop the company.
How to learn what you already knew: why the most effective training concentrates on the wisdom within. Development and learning in organizations: an international journal, v. 21, no. 1, 2007. pp.28-29
Abstract: This paper reviews an article on learning and effective training, which identifies and debunks myths about tried and tested approaches for more sustained learning and offers a number of alternative methods.
Whittaker, Ruth; Communities Scotland. Learning Connections, Recognising prior learning in Community Learning and Development using the SCQF. Research from Communities Scotland report 81 Edinburgh: Communities Scotland, 2007. viii, 32 p.
This report summarises the key outcomes of the [Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework] SCQF Community Learning and Development RPL pilot project. The aims of the pilot project were: to develop a user friendly process of formative recognition; to accelerate the process of RPL for credit within the [community learning and development] CLD sector; and to provide sector specific RPL promotional material. The outcome of the project is an online RPL profiling tool aimed at youth workers across the CLD sector.
Folan, Sheila; Trexler, Cary J, Partnership Academies and their effects on student outcomes, Workforce education forum, v. 34, no. 1, Spring 2007. pp.19-35, University Park, Pa.: Penn State University, 2007.
Partnership Academies have demonstrated an ability to shelter students from indifferent school environments, provide a social support system of teachers and peers, and promote academic achievement. This case study research explored a high school class cohort's academic, behavioral and high school completion status by utilizing a treatment group of academy students and a comparison group of non-academy students. The study found that students within academies experienced outcome differences in academics, behaviors and graduation status.
Connolly, Michael; Jones, Catherine; Jones, Norah, Managing collaboration across further and higher education: a case in practice, Journal of further and higher education, v. 31, no. 2, May 2007. pp.159-169 Abingdon, U.K.: Routledge, Taylor & Francis, 2007
This article captures the different perspectives of those involved in a collaborative project which implemented an e-learning initiative with higher education and further education institutions in partnership. The focus of the article is a case study which critically examines the experiences of one project. The case study raised concerns for the future development of the project, namely equality, resources, communication between all groups, technology infrastructure and course development.
Developing skills through partnerships: symposium report. Developing Skills Through Partnerships Symposium: 2006, Ottawa, Canada Ottawa: Canadian Policy Research Networks, 2007. 13 p.
In November 2005, Ontario signed two deals with the federal government designed to help create the conditions to develop the highly skilled workforce the province needs to ensure its economic and social prosperity. One year later, key labour market stakeholders, including users, delivery agents and government, met to explore how partners can help governments implement the agreements. 'Developing skills through partnerships' had two keynote speakers - Christopher Bentley, Ontario's Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Judith Maxwell, Past President and Research Fellow, [Canadian Policy Research Networks] CPRN. The report of the symposium includes summaries of both keynote speeches as well as presentations given on 'lessons learned' by other provinces, including Alberta and Quebec. The paper also lists immediate and long-term priorities and details the findings of several roundtable sessions.
Participation in Formal Technical and Vocational Education and Training Programmes Worldwide - An Initial Statistical Study, Unesco Institute for Statistics, UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Bonn, Germany
The report "Participation in Formal Technical and Vocational Education and Training Programmes Worldwide - An Initial Statistical Study" presents a comprehensive statistical analyses of enrolments in formal technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in the world. It is an international, comparative study that describes access to formal TVET by level, age and gender.
Quality Improvement Agency - Excellence gateway
The online service for post-16 learning and skills providers and the new home for Learning and Skills Web and Excalibur. This website contains examples of good practice, self-improvement, suppliers of improvement services plus materials to support teaching and learning as well as online communities.
The website has many resources sorted in topics o.a. partnerships and elearning and includes a Good Practice Database
It also includes the website of The Pursuing Excellence – the national improvement strategy for the further education system