Innovation is an important aspect to teaching and learning in the VET sector, and a range of workshops conducted in 2009 identified some key ways of promoting this: using networks to spread new ideas, learning to change in small degrees rather than by radical reform, and encouraging practitioners to reflect on organisational change.
This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia.
An overview of research on innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia is discussed in this publication, which was based on discussions with practitioners and vocational education and training (VET) managers responsible for teaching and learning. It examines why and how people are changing their pedagogy, and with what results. It found that improvements in teaching and learning practice arise from a perceived need to change. The imperatives to change are usually locally based and their success is dependent on a commitment by all those supporting the learner. Practice is best shared through effective mentoring and by using networks effectively.
This report focuses on the training/learning culture in small to medium-large sized enterprises and investigates what factors enhance the value of training and learning in an organisation. The report highlights the importance of informal learning and identifies lessons for marketing training and learning to Australian enterprises. An appendix containing the case studies is available from the web as a pdf file.