This study examined the extent to which English language, literacy and numeracy teachers used classroom management strategies to meet the needs of adult Sudanese refugee learners. While teachers met the needs of these learners insofar as they coincided with those of other refugee groups, the highly oral language culture of these learners appeared not to have been accounted for in teaching strategies. Recommendations include greater flexibility in program content, outcomes and delivery.
The aim of this research is to define good practices which support partnerships between adult and community education and vocational education and training, and identify negative practices which work against such collaborations. The research finds that strong and committed lead personnel, time, respect between organisations and a clear understanding of objectives are key factors for success. Each purchased copy of the report also includes a copy of 'Creating effective ACE and VET partnerships: Good practice guide'.
The question of how the skills and knowledge of the adult language, literacy and numeracy workforce can be improved is particularly relevant in view of the ongoing debate on how language, literacy and numeracy skills should be taught. This study reflects on the professional development needs of the three sectors--vocational trainers, specialist teachers and volunteer tutors-- of the Australian English language, literacy and numeracy workforce. Important issues affecting the workforce include entry pathways, attitudes, responsibilities and barriers to gaining professional development. Preferred modes of professional development delivery along with skill gaps among the workforce are identified to provide guidance for future workforce development planning.
Ensuring that people have the appropriate level of numeracy skills is particularly important in jobs which involve a risk to public safety and the environment. This research investigates the job-related numeracy requirements in the chemical spraying and handling operations of the horticulture, local government, outdoor recreation and warehousing industries. Findings from this study indicate that the worksite influences both the type of numeracy skills needed as well as how they are deployed. Numeracy in the workplace differs from formal, rule-based abstract mathematics taught in school and requires training that is relevant to the specific applications of the skill. Implications for the future practice of teaching numeracy on the job are offered and highlight the need to consciously develop critical thinking, learning-to-learn, planning and problem-solving skills in workers.
New information and communication technologies are changing literacy practices at an unprecedented rate. As literacies are being transformed by technological change, electronic communication and the globalisation of knowledge, this poses new questions and challenges for literacy educators. Using a case study approach, this report examines the interaction between new and emerging digital technologies, adult learning and literacies for both educators and learners. The findings demonstrate that changes to teaching practices associated with the use of information and communication technologies are possible. Some important findings also provide a base for developing systematic and informed approaches to further adult literacy education in an age where literacy practices are increasingly mediated by the use of information and communication technologies.
This report explores the ways in which Indigenous Australians are learning through enterprise and small business development. It reveals that this learning will be more effective if it takes into account that Indigenous experience differs by location, with remote areas offering a significant challenge. Learning through Indigenous business is most effective where learning is tied to earning; the content is customised; it is carried out in parallel to real work; and is put into practice through employment in commercial business.
The National Reporting System (NRS) was developed to report the outcomes of English language, literacy and numeracy provision in Australia's vocational education and training and adult and community education sectors, and in labour market programs. Since its introduction, however, the NRS has been used as more than a reporting tool. It has also been used for setting standards and for curricular and assessment purposes. This publication, based on a literature review and interviews, examines the strengths and weaknesses of the NRS and identifies options for more in-depth exploration and development in a full review of the NRS. This scoping study finds there is considerable support for the NRS, but that it needs to be updated.
Lifelong learning means different things to different people. This paper takes a pragmatic approach and examines adult engagement with various aspects of Australia's education and training system and the policy framework that underpins the system. It is argued that Australia's policy framework for lifelong learning is relatively weak because the educational framework is very open and does not discriminate on the basis of age. In a sense, Australia does not have a policy because it does not need one: its whole approach has encouraged lifelong learning.
This report summarises an extensive study of adult literacy policies and practices in vocational education in six countries - Canada, New Zealand, United States, Ireland, United Kingdom and Australia. The policies and programs of the six countries were compared across policy contexts and concepts, program development and delivery, and regulatory frameworks, product development and quality assurance.
Vocational education and training (VET) can assist rural communities develop the necessary skills to survive and prosper in changing social and economic environments. This report investigates the implementation of training packages in five rural communities, and the strategies providers, community and industry stakeholders use to achieve positive outcomes. Providers in the rural communities reveal that flexibility is the key to successful training. However, some funding and delivery policies/regulations hinder their efforts. The authors find that policies and incentives that support collaboration will assist training diversity in non-metropolitan Australia.
The adult and community (ACE) sector and technical and further education (TAFE) institutes provide programs for young people which re-connect them to education. This report suggests these programs and settings are considered effective pathways for some young people who have left school early. The researchers found students are attracted to the programs by key features, including the quality of relationships between students and staff, flexible mode of delivery, choice of study areas, and opportunities for personal autonomy.
This report provides a description of the full range of adult and community education (ACE) services and clients; an analysis of ACE outcomes and contributions to lifelong learning for its range of clients; and a discussion of issues that might be considered relating to valid and reliable national data collection and reporting for ACE. Representatives of 40 ACE providers across Australia were interviewed for the project.
This report focusses on the professional culture of vocational education and training (VET) practitioners and the impact of changes in the VET sector on their work. The themes covered include commercialisation, administrative work, and educational and industry identity. The report also includes career biographies and provides insight into the working lives of VET practitioners, how their roles have changed and the range of work they now undertake. It is based on interviews with 28 VET practitioners working in TAFE,adult and community education (ACE), private colleges, industry and schools.
This report summarises the findings of an exploratory study to measure the impact of adult and community education (ACE) on the Australian economy. It includes a profile of the sector, a description of the non-quantifiable benefits that ACE provides to its teachers and an approach to estimating the economic impact, based on the costs and benefits that can be measured.
The past decade has seen an increasing volume and range of research on adult and community education (ACE) in Australia, sponsored by multiple sources, and targetted to multiple audiences for professional, philosophical, financial and political purposes. This report provides a consolidation of this large body of qualitative and quantitative research on the scope of ACE participation patterns, on outcomes and contributions of ACE and opportunities and challenges facing ACE throughout the decade. It identifies the key strands of research effort as well as the research gaps, and offers suggestions for future research directions.
The purpose of this report is to scope the provision of adult and community education in Australia; scope the current collection of data at the national and State levels, including the purpose of the data to assist in a statistics collection that measures achievement against objectives; identify gaps in data elements collected nationally, including looking at the feasibility of expanding the current collection arrangements to allow for a more comprehensive collection and reporting of ACE delivery; estimate the costs nationally (and to States/Territories) of any possible expansion of reporting ACE delivery.
Volumes 1 and 2 scope the provision of adult and community education in Australia; scope the current collection of data at the national and State levels, including the purpose of the data to assist in a statistics collection that measures achievement against objectives; identify gaps in data elements collected nationally, including looking at the feasibility of expanding the current collection arrangements to allow for a more comprehensive collection and reporting of ACE delivery; estimate the costs nationally (and to States/Territories) of any possible expansion of reporting ACE delivery.
This study explores the mechanisms utilised by adults in Australia and Korea to keep their skills current or to enhance their range of skills. The study identified areas of the vocational education and training systems in the two countries which are providing positive outcomes for adults who are retraining and upskilling, and also highlighted areas of the sector not adequately servicing the needs of this group. The study identified areas of the vocational education and training systems in the two countries which are providing positive outcomes for adults who are retraining and upskilling, and also highlighted areas of the sector not adequately servicing the needs of this group. Synergies were identified between the Korean and Australian training systems to assist each country improve their delivery of vocational education and training to adults who wish to improve their skills.
This report provides a review of the equity and access policies in schools, vocational education and training, higher education and adult community education and argues that government equity strategies could be improved by: targeting low-SES students within all equity groups; identifying two new target groups: those with low skills and the long-term unemployed; reporting performance in a way that focuses on the outcomes (in addition to the outputs) of education and training; strengthening pathways to employment from education and training.
The report represents the results of the first comprehensive quantitative study of the outcomes achieved by Indigenous peoples enrolling in VET courses in colleges within the Aboriginal community-controlled adult education sector. It shows what a valuable contribution the Aboriginal community-controlled adult education sector has been making to the improvement in Indigenous education and training.