Sustenance at the showcase
OVERVIEW | Bernadette Cavanagh, for TAFE NSW ICVET
For a third consecutive year the Learning Powerhouse has provided TAFE NSW teachers with an unparalleled opportunity to engage with models of innovative teaching and learning practice, ways of supporting learner engagement, and a forum to share resources and exemplars of excellence.
The event, now diarised well in advance for all Institutes, sets a time and space within which practitioners can share, compare, learn, and converse about cutting edge approaches to teaching and learning. With only one day to ‘do it all’ I looked upwards for my inspiration as to which way to head and could not miss the buzz, energy and interest emanating from the showcase on the mezzanine floor. So off I went…
Sixteen showcases covering projects and issues ranging from demystifying the new AQTF (is it really all that different?) to recognition (did we find out if the emperor is just wearing new clothes?), and from mainstreaming technology innovation (increasingly integrated into our business) to the establishment of a Business Educator Network, just to name a few. There was so much to see, so little time! I only had six hours to get around it all – and somehow along the way wanted to use my lunch voucher for my physical sustenance!
Sharing ideas
Navigating my way through the booths and hoards of already engrossed delegates I was excited by the opportunity presented to engage intimately with innovation and its application. Not only an chance to hear the stories and view the resources but also to ask the questions that really mattered to me and delve deeper in to that burning issue - how can I make it happen in my organisation? I looked, I asked, I listened and I reflected. I visited them all and felt a new motivation to move on dormant sparks. I felt a renewal of confidence that the generosity of other skilled practitioners sharing their ideas would support any TAFE practitioner through current changes and challenges.
Supporting excellence
Northern Sydney Institute showcased the value of collaboration in its display of the “Many hands make light network”. Joining forces to support excellence was the theme and Allison Ford inspired me with her story of sharing, swapping ideas and building trusting relationships all with the aim of improving consistency and real industry engagement in relation to assessment. Ambitious to get the differing stakeholders talking to each other? Yes, however well worth the effort as the network has opened up new worlds of opportunity.
As I wandered I bumped into Deputy Director General, Marie Persson, deep in conversation with the team from the TAFE Online Stage 2. So, what did she think? “This event is an example of the fantastic work within TAFE, evidence of innovation bubbling up through the organisation. The challenge is embedding, which is a much harder task as we harness the innovations and systematize them. The sparks of innovation have been lit – now how do we now make them a fire!” Yes, the challenge is laid out before us, and judging from this event there are ample energetic practitioners ready to lead the way!
Standards
Struggling with the new AQTF? Well the TAFE Accreditation Registration and Quality Services booth was the place to be. Resources and support, a handy quick reference guide and the best people to speak to were at the ready, assisting Institutes to become more familiar with the standards and make the changes they need. Important to remember that TAFE has always had a commitment to continuous improvement – the challenge now is to have systems in place to clearly demonstrate it. If you missed them there, check out their website to find out more about workshops available to support Institutes.
Curriculum support
A feast of curriculum support for teachers grappling with new training packages was on display at the Curriculum Centre booth. Program Manager, Margaret Kearst, noted the number of excited delegates readily enquiring as to where they could purchase the resources. No need to of course – all products are available free to TAFE NSW staff through their relevant curriculum centre and their staff are always there to help you.
Capability
The Centre for Learning Innovation again excited delegates with their latest developments as they increasingly focus on the development of teacher capability and on the “how to” rather than products. The new Connected Learning Advisory Service (CLAS) tool is an excellent example, helping teachers reflect upon and enhance their use of information communication technologies and supporting teachers in their skill development. Grant Casey spoke to me of an increase in the development of tutorials, moving into a mentoring and support model focusing on enabling Institute staff to develop their own products.
Resources
Reframing the Future had a terrific resource analysing directions for Vocational Education and Training (VET) set by the Council of Australian Government (COAG) – developing human capital is now a major priority for VET organisations and will require a continued focus on VET practitioners increasing their knowledge, skills systems and approaches to achieve the ambitious targets. Of course, Reframing the Future supports this goal through the many and varied projects funded, several of which were presented at the conference. The full report can be found on the Reframing website
Meeting the COAG agenda was an underlying issue for many showcase exhibitors and delegates. As one showcaser noted, “With recognition high on the COAG agenda our challenge is capturing the spark seen today, nurturing it, holding it close to our chest and returning to our Institute to set it ablaze!
Recognition has become a major priority and evidence of collaborative projects, pooling collective talent and wisdom is evident as TAFE Institutes ensure that high quality support for teachers is in place. The State of Recognition booth showcased a project focusing on the professional development required to support staff in providing a simple and effective recognition service. Want to know more? Contact Jill Albreict or Bernadette Ioannou.
Variations in themes
Along the way I saw several projects along similar themes, all with teams of enthusiastic TAFE professionals ready to share both their ideas and materials. I wondered, what about duplication – is that something we should be concerned about? I discussed this with another booth attendee from Northern Sydney Institute. “Whilst we may see some similar themes across the showcases it really affirms that there is not one project or approach to they way we do things – fit for context is always a consideration, so these forums provide us with the opportunity to see a variety of sizes which we then can customize to fit our organisation.” Agreed, variations on a theme are important and the sparks will only be sustained if the environment is well suited.
Food for thought
So, what did I gain from my time on the mezzanine? My lunch voucher was redundant – I had ample food for my thoughts - tasters, nibbles the beginnings of new ideas. The showcase provided the stimulus for open, honest sharing of ideas and examination of critical issues being dealt with in VET. Ultimately the showcase provided all delegates with the opportunity to take the time to have one to one conversations and ask the questions that personally matter, in addition to making connections and viewing resources, not just sustaining, but stimulating the sparks!