137,218 results
Search Results
152. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
This is a support document to the "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide" report. Developed for users of LSAY, the user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. This support document provides school and school transition information for the guide. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74," see ED536971. For other supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A" (ED536979); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]
- Published
- 2012
153. When Somebody's Watching: Researching the Workplace Impact of Academic Audit. AIR 2002 Forum Paper.
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Palermo, Josephine
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The proposed quality assurance framework for higher education in Australia will, for the first time since the early 1990s, introduce a process of external quality monitoring through the auspices of the Australian Universities Quality Agency. There is little research that evaluates the impact of external monitoring on the experiences of staff, organizational and workplace culture, and perceptions of quality within an institution. This paper provides an evaluation framework for investigating the effects of external monitoring on elements of institutional culture and perceptions of quality in teaching and learning. The paper explores issues of causality in evaluating academic audit as a quality management intervention in a tertiary institution and across the sector as a whole. It also explores criteria for evaluating the impact of audit on institutional culture and practices, as well as practitioners views of the impact of external quality monitoring on their own workplaces. (Contains 36 references.) (Author)
- Published
- 2002
154. The Value of Smarter Teachers: International Evidence on Teacher Cognitive Skills and Student Performance. Program on Education Policy and Governance Working Papers Series. PEPG 14-06
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Harvard University, Program on Education Policy and Governance, Hanushek, Eric A., Piopiunik, Marc, and Wiederhold, Simon
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Differences in teacher quality are commonly cited as a key determinant of the huge international student performance gaps. However, convincing evidence on this relationship is still lacking, in part because it is unclear how to measure teacher quality consistently across countries. We use unique international assessment data to investigate the role of teacher cognitive skills as one main dimension of teacher quality in explaining student outcomes. Our main identification strategy exploits exogenous variation in teacher cognitive skills attributable to international differences in relative wages of nonteacher public sector employees. Using student-level test score data, we find that teacher cognitive skills are an important determinant of international differences in student performance. Results are supported by fixed-effects estimation that uses within-country between-subject variation in teacher skills.
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- 2014
155. Measuring Student Satisfaction from the Student Outcomes Survey. Technical Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Fieger, Peter
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The Student Outcomes Survey is an annual national survey of vocational education and training (VET) students. Since 1995, participants have been asked to rate their satisfaction with different aspects of their training, grouped under three main themes: teaching, assessment, and generic skills and learning experiences. While the composition of the bank of satisfaction questions has remained fairly constant over time and the suitability of the three overarching satisfaction categories has been validated statistically on several occasions, little progress has been made on creating summary measures that encapsulate the three main themes of student satisfaction. Such summary measures would be much more useful to researchers than responses to the bank of 19 satisfaction questions, which are very detailed. This paper compares three methods of creating a composite score and evaluates their statistical veracity. These methods are Rasch analysis, weighted means and simple means. This report finds that all three methods yield similar results and so recommends using the simple means method to create the summary measures. (Contains 7 tables, 2 figures and 2 footnotes.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.]
- Published
- 2012
156. Workforce Skills Development and Engagement in Training through Skill Sets: Literature Review. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Mills, John, Bowman, Kaye, Crean, David, and Ranshaw, Danielle
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This literature review examines the available research on skill sets. It provides background for a larger research project "Workforce skills development and engagement in training through skill sets," the report of which will be released early next year. This paper outlines the origin of skill sets and explains the difference between skill sets developed by national vocational education and training (VET) industry bodies for training packages and those developed by registered training organisations (RTOs) for particular clients. The researchers consider the rationale for skill sets and explain their role in the national training system. The review identifies a number of perspectives on skill sets and their contribution to the VET system: (1) Some research suggests that skill sets are a valuable VET solution because of their flexibility and capacity to be responsive to changing labour market needs; (2) Skill sets may also provide a quick and more cost-effective option for learners and may appeal to those who might be daunted by the prospect of having to undertake a full qualification; and (3) Conversely, some suggest that skill sets may confine individuals to narrow job roles and reduce their labour mobility. (Contains 4 tables and 1 footnote.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.]
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- 2012
157. Evolution of Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Australia: An Unfinished History. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Knight, Brian
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This paper traces the evolution of Australia's apprenticeship and traineeship system since permanent European settlement in 1788. The system was imported from Great Britain; it has evolved and diverged in some areas but retains many of the features of the British model. Most major changes have occurred in the last 25 years. The apprenticeship model--a combination of paid employment, on-the-job and institutional training--has always had particular appeal for meeting intergenerational skills transfer: it provides employers with a source of low-cost labour, the apprentice with paid employment, and an opportunity for government to subsidise employment for those needing help to establish themselves in the labour market. Indeed, the community, employees, unions, employers and government have come to regard apprenticeships as the system for training in the trades and have tolerated few alterations to the system, beyond those resulting from shifts in the occupational and industry mix in the Australian economy and changes in secondary schooling arrangements. The first important reform to apprenticeships occurred in 1985 with the introduction of traineeships, which extended the model to a much wider range of occupations, generally at lower qualification levels. The second was in the mid-1990s when the Australian Government began paying incentives on a large scale to employers to help offset the costs of apprenticeships and traineeships and to encourage more commencements. This had a spectacular impact on traineeship numbers but much less effect on trades apprenticeships. Other significant changes were introduced in 1998; these allowed school students, existing workers and part-time workers to undertake apprenticeships and traineeships. In short, since 1985 the system has moved from one dominated by young males undertaking apprenticeships in the trades to one that provides apprenticeships and traineeships to people of all ages and both sexes, and in a much wider range of occupations. Key messages from this paper include: (1) The apprentice and trainee system needs to address some major issues. Much of the training is at low qualification levels with little or no economic return. And it can be argued that it is neglecting the general education needs of young people; (2) The system needs greater capacity to adapt and respond quickly to changing labour market demands. Australia might look to the experience of countries that use an institutional training model for trade training, which may be much easier to ramp up quickly; and (3) By any standards the cost of Australia's current system places a hefty burden on the public purse, estimated at $2.9 billion in 2008-09. Recorded occupation of a sample of skilled convicts transported to Australia, 1788-1868 is appended. (Contains 4 tables, 2 figures and 1 footnote.)
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- 2012
158. Have a Heart: Challenges for Lead Vocational Teachers in the Changing VET Landscape. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Davids, Jennifer
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This paper investigates the personal and career development needs of TAFE (Technical And Further Education) Queensland's lead vocational teachers through the conceptual framework of Spirituality at Work (SAW), which is a framework for looking at workplace relations. This research was conducted through four focus group meetings held in November 2009, each lasting approximately 90 minutes. A Queensland TAFE-wide notice attracted the lead vocational teachers who volunteered to participate in the focus group discussions. The focus groups reviewed the way in which the lead vocational teacher role is currently being deployed within various TAFE Queensland institutes. The research is limited by the small number of participants. In all, while 80 people responded to the invitation to participate, only 24 were able to take part. This was due mainly to time constraints, work pressures and other commitments. The sample may not be representative of the true demographic of lead vocational teachers in TAFE Queensland. The research is also limited in that the sole method of data-gathering was through the use of focus groups. The paper argues that the Spirituality at Work framework already exists in the teaching profession as a set of humanist values, which, while acknowledged as fluid, changeable and multiple, informs the basis of much teaching work. In particular, the role of teacher leadership in TAFE Queensland resembles a form of servant leadership (Greenleaf 1977), with a strongly affective component. This model of ethics-based behaviour is challenged by the business-based model of education and the proliferation of performance measures. It is argued that this conflict of interest creates an incongruence that is a discouraging factor in staff retention and a source of dissatisfaction among lead vocational teachers. It is revealed that lead vocational teachers view their profession as a "calling" and see serving their students as a priority. With greater emphasis being placed on financial decisions within VET workplaces and the introduction of increased reporting requirements, these teachers feel that they are operating in environments with low levels of trust. Overall, lead vocational teachers consider that their teaching practices were undervalued. Focus group questions are appended.
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- 2012
159. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
This is a support document to the "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide" report. Developed for users of LSAY, the user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. This support document provides demographics information for the guide. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74," see ED536971. For other supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]
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- 2012
160. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
Developed for users of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), this user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. The guide aims to address all aspects of the LSAY data including: how to access the data; data restrictions; variable naming conventions; the structure of the data; documentation; classifications and code frames used; weights; and derived variables. Updates to the Y09 data file are appended. (Contains 14 tables, 9 figures and 6 footnotes.) [For supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A" (ED536979); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]
- Published
- 2012
161. Adjustment Notes for Apprentice and Trainee Estimates. Technical Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
Apprentice and trainee data are reported by the State and Territory Training Authorities to NCVER (National Centre for Vocational Education Research) on a quarterly basis, starting at the September quarter of 1994. The set of data submitted that quarter is referred to as Collection 1. The sets of data submitted in subsequent quarters are referred to as Collection 2, Collection 3 and so on. NCVER publishes data on the numbers of contracts of training that commence, complete, cancel/withdraw, re-commence, expire or suspend and the time at which these events occur (referred to as the "date of effect"). From these events, the number of contracts in training at a given time can be calculated. Due to time delays in reporting data on the status of contracts to NCVER, the most recent data are estimated. Further details regarding this methodology are provided in the technical paper produced by NCVER, Estimation of Apprentice and Trainee Statistics, which can be found at http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2267.html. The purpose of this technical paper is to document the adjustments that are made to the estimates at each collection, and produce a cumulative document of these adjustments, commencing at Collection 60, June 2009 estimates. (Contains 15 figures.) [For the main report, "Australian Vocational Education and Training Statistics: Apprentices and Trainees. September Quarter, 2010", see ED516870.]
- Published
- 2011
162. Trends in Young People's Wellbeing and the Effects of the School-to-Work Transition. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth. Briefing Paper 27
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Nguyen, Nhi
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The Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) ask participants how satisfied they are with aspects of their lives. Their answers give us a measure of the subjective wellbeing of our youth and can be used to explore the link between education, employment and wellbeing. Yet, wellbeing is broader than satisfaction with life. It also encompasses physical, mental and emotional health, as well as social aspects of life. Therefore, to gain a better understanding of the state of young people's wellbeing, this briefing paper uses national statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to examine the major trends that can affect their participation in education and employment. Based on this broader definition of wellbeing, young people are generally disability-free and rate their state of health as "excellent", "very good" or "good". However, there are some concerning trends in their wellbeing over time; for instance, one in four young people suffers from a mental health disorder and over 30% are overweight or obese. This paper also analyses the responses of LSAY participants interviewed between 1995 and 2006 to explore how subjective wellbeing changes during the transition from school to work, and finds evidence of notable changes to the average life satisfaction ratings of the cohort between ages 16 to 25. The period between their late teens and early 20s is a particularly happy time for young people. They are finishing school and embarking on early work experiences or post-school study. The majority of them are still living at home and enjoying their social lives. This is also a time when young people's satisfaction with their future and their level of independence begin to grow. By age 25, young people are less happy with their social life, home life, and career prospects and work. This may be related to unmet expectations or not having a satisfying career. Data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey indicate that this downward trend in life satisfaction continues beyond age 25. Previous research on the relationship between education, employment and wellbeing is summarised and we discuss some of the measures of wellbeing, particularly those used in LSAY. This discussion highlights the need for further work on definitions of wellbeing and the development of a consistent framework for measuring this complex construct. (Contains 3 tables, 11 figures and 6 footnotes.)
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- 2011
163. Skill Shortages in the Trades during Economic Downturns. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Oliver, Damian
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During the recent economic downturn, media and industry reports of skill shortages in the trades continued to appear. The intent of this paper is to examine the evidence for skill shortages in the trades persisting during the economic downturns over the last 20 years, using various indicators. These include employment growth, vacancy rates, unemployment rates, apprentice completions and occupational mobility. This paper contains the following key messages: (1) There is no evidence of persistent skill shortages during downturns in the construction, automotive and engineering trades, and unconvincing evidence of persistent shortages in the electrotechnology and telecommunications trades, the food trades and hairdressing; (2) Declining numbers of apprenticeship completions account for much of the persistent shortage in the electrotechnology and telecommunications trades during the 1990s and 2000s, but apprenticeship completions (expressed as a proportion of employment) for this trade have now recovered to pre-1992 levels. If recent completion numbers are maintained, it should be possible to avoid future skill shortages; and (3) Very high job churn creates the perception of persistent skill shortages in the food trades and in hairdressing. Many food tradespersons and hairdressers swap employers but remain in their occupation. Two appendices are included. (Contains 22 tables, 21 figures and 4 footnotes.)
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- 2011
164. Building the Foundations: Outcomes from the Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Search Conference. Discussion Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
Adult language, literacy and numeracy are essential ingredients for greater workforce participation, productivity and social inclusion. Both national and international research demonstrate the relationship between increasing levels of language, literacy and numeracy proficiency and positive outcomes for individuals, as well as for communities and the economy. Yet, even with this knowledge, there is still much that is unknown or requires broader debate. For example, what is the extent of adult language, literacy and numeracy provision in Australia? Whose responsibility is it to provide language, literacy and numeracy training in the workplace? Is there a need for targeted funding? What are the longer-term outcomes of literacy and numeracy programs? What programs work best for different types of learners? How can individuals quantify the civic and social benefits of improved literacy and numeracy? Following on from the May 2010 announcement of a $120 million investment by the Australian Government in adult literacy and numeracy activities, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) hosted a forum on behalf of the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations on 13 September 2010 to explore these questions and to determine what needs to be done to find the answers. This paper presents a summary of those discussions and recommendations for future action. Background papers prepared for the forum are also provided in chapters 1-6. Forum participants emphasised that, while literacy should be everyone's business, for those concerned with public policy the focus should be on: (1) targeting those most in need; (2) finding sustainable funding models; and (3) measuring success. To do this will require further effort to better understand what is currently being done to address literacy and numeracy problems across the country and how to make adult literacy and numeracy a more prominent issue in the community and, in response, to devise sound strategies to implement and measure the impact of new activities. Individual chapters contain footnotes and references. (Contains 1 table and 8 figures.)
- Published
- 2011
165. Social Capital and Young People. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth. Briefing Paper 26
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Semo, Ronnie
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Social capital refers to the attributes and qualities of family, social and community networks that facilitate cooperation between individuals and communities. The quality of these networks and the extent to which individuals are engaged with them are believed to have an impact on the educational and social development of children and young people. Some evidence suggests that the influence of community networks can even help to offset some of the effects of socioeconomic disadvantage. Its intangible nature makes measuring social capital difficult. Measuring the social capital of young people is even more difficult because people tend to focus on the social capital of their parents and pay less attention to that of young people. This briefing paper discusses how young people's social capital can be examined using the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY). The paper is divided into four sections. In the first, the author looks at two social capital frameworks to clarify the various themes and complexities associated with social capital. In the second section he draws on these frameworks to assess the suitability of using data from LSAY to investigate social capital and its relationship to youth transitions. The next section summarises other social capital-related research that has used LSAY data. Finally, he draws some conclusions and makes some recommendations for future directions for LSAY in this area. Appended are: (1) Social Capital Questions, 2004-05; and (2) Social Capital and Social Capital-Related Questions. (Contains 2 figures, 3 tables and 1 footnote.)
- Published
- 2011
166. Curriculum Alignment and Progression between Early Childhood Education and Care and Primary School: A Brief Review and Case Studies. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 193
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France), Shuey, Elizabeth A., Kim, Najung, Cortazar, Alejandra, Poblete, Ximena, Rivera, Lorena, Lagos, María José, Faverio, Francesca, and Engel, Arno
- Abstract
Curriculum plays an important role in ensuring continuity and progression from early childhood education and care (ECEC) to primary education. The alignment of curricula and standards across these settings shapes children's early experiences with education systems, with implications for children's relationships and engagement in both ECEC and primary school, as well as longer-term learning and well-being outcomes. Governments can achieve curricular continuity in various ways, ranging from high-level alignment of goals across multiple curriculum documents to full integration of the curriculum into a single document that covers both ECEC and primary school. The broader contexts of education systems, such as organisation and governance, the training of staff and teachers who work in these settings, matter for curricular continuity -- and an integrated curriculum alone does not guarantee a continuous experience for children. International data and in-depth case studies from seven jurisdictions (Japan, Luxembourg, New Jersey [United States], New Zealand, Norway, Scotland [United Kingdom] and Victoria [Australia]) provide insights to these different approaches to curricular alignment.
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- 2019
- Full Text
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167. Study Abroad and Student Mobility: Stories of Global Citizenship. Research Paper No. 21
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University College London (UCL) (United Kingdom), Development Education Research Centre (DERC), Blum, Nicole, and Bourn, Douglas
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The opportunity to study abroad is broadly hailed as a route for young people to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills, including intercultural understanding, interpersonal skills, and language learning, among many others. Universities around the world are investing significant resources in developing a variety of study abroad programmes, ranging from short or long term in duration, and from guided to independent study. These may have a number of aims, including to promote individual student learning and development and to enhance student mobility and employability, particularly in the context of a rapid and changeable global employment market. The terms 'global citizen', 'global graduate', 'global skills' and 'global mindset' have all taken on increased significance within this context. Limited research has been conducted, however, to explore students' own perspectives of these terms. This small scale study therefore set out to explore the perspectives of students on UCL's BASc programme and especially to better understand where and how the learning they gained during study abroad resonates with UCL's global citizenship and student mobility strategies. [Funding was provided by the UCL Global Engagement Office (GEO).]
- Published
- 2019
168. After the Tsunami, Some Dilemmas: Japanese Language Studies in Multicultural Australia. Language Australia Research Policy and Practice Papers.
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Language Australia, Melbourne (Victoria). and Lo Bianco, Joseph
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This paper describes responses to linguistic pluralism in Australian policy in relation to Australia's Asian language context, and the teaching and learning of Japanese within these two frameworks. Finally, the paper considers some ideas relating intercultural language learning to all second language study termed: the Third Place. There are three approaches typically taken toward multilingualism in a given society, looking at multilingualism as a problem, a right, or a resource. Australia viewed multilingualism as a problem through the middle of the 1970s. This eventually led to a contestation of that approach, which culminated in the language as a right movement, which gained considerable ground in the later 1970s and through the 1980s. By the 1990s, the language a resource school began to gain influence. Regarding multilingualism as a resource involves construing the diversity of languages within the community as a public as well as an individual benefit and fashioning public policies accordingly. All of Australia's languages are reviewed, including a review of the role of Japanese language studies in Australian education and Japanese studies. Cultures, general knowledge, and intercultural language teaching are also discussed. (Contains 18 references.) (KFT)
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- 2000
169. Cross-Border Higher Education for Regional Integration:Analysis of the JICA-RI Survey on Leading Universities in East Asia. JICA-RI Working Paper. No. 26
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Kuroda, Kazuo, Yuki, Takako, and Kang, Kyuwon
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Set against the backdrop of increasing economic interdependence in East Asia, the idea of regional integration is now being discussed as a long-term political process in the region. As in the field of the international economy, de facto integration and interdependence exist with respect to the internationalization of the higher education system in East Asia. Based on the results of a comprehensive Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA-RI) survey of 300 leading higher education institutions active in cross-border higher education, located in ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member Southeast Asian countries and three Northeast Asian countries (China, Japan, and Korea), this paper examines universities perceptions of the degree of cross-border activities, the significance of their expected outcomes, and their regional preferences for partners. The objective is to envision a direction for a future regional higher education framework in East Asia and to consider the policy implications of the internationalization of higher education in East Asia in the context of regionalization. The findings related to the degree of cross-border activities suggest a current perception that there is more prominent in conventional than in innovative activities, but that innovation will rise considerably in the future. With respect to the significance of expected outcomes,academic and political expected outcome are perceived to be more significant than economic expected outcome, which are nevertheless expected to be more significant in the future. Finally, in terms of their preferred regions of partners, universities in East Asia overall place a high priority on building partnerships within their own region. Yet, among Northeast Asian universities, North America is perceived as the most active partner. (Contains 3 figures, 21 tables, and 13 footnotes.) [This paper was prepared as part of a Japan International Cooperation Agency Research Institute (JICA-RI) research project titled, "Cross-border Higher Education for Regional Integration and the Labor Market in East Asia."]
- Published
- 2010
170. Early Post-School Outcomes of Indigenous Youth: The Role of Literacy and Numeracy. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth. Briefing Paper 22
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Nguyen, Nhi
- Abstract
Despite significant improvements in the areas of education and employment, the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth remain. Across some indicators--for example, university participation--the gap has actually widened. This is mainly because improvements for non-Indigenous young people have matched or surpassed the gains made by Indigenous young people. Governments at both federal and state levels are striving to improve Indigenous people's educational attainment and employment participation. The consistently lower scores in reading and maths assessments achieved by Indigenous youth have meant that improving their performance in literacy and numeracy has become one of the key target areas on the national agenda to assist in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Using data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), this briefing paper explores the impact of literacy and numeracy levels on the educational gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. The paper focuses on the early post-school outcomes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people between 1999 and 2007. Appendices include: (1) Measuring the Gap; and (2) Additional Table. (Contains 11 tables and 3 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2010
171. Group of Eight Response to DIISR Consultation Paper: 'Meeting Australia's Research Workforce Needs'
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Group of Eight (Australia)
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The Group of Eight (Go8) welcomes the Government's commitment to developing a comprehensive research workforce strategy. Australia's research capacity and the continuing translation of research into policy, products and services is directly linked to the future productivity of the economy, social wellbeing, environmental outcomes and the nation's long-term prosperity. The "Meeting Australia's research workforce needs" consultation paper provides a useful starting point for discussions on Australia's research workforce needs but the Go8 believes that some issues will need to receive more attention in the final strategy to ensure it is comprehensive and well targeted. In particular, the paper gives insufficient attention to: (1) the quality of both the research workforce and of the research training experience--increasing the size of the research work force will not be sufficient in itself to keep Australia competitive; (2) interdependencies between the research workforce and other parts of the innovation system, including schools and research users; (3) the roles and importance of research-trained people in the broader workforce including in industry and government; (4) the need for a whole of government approach and the removal of inconsistencies between the proposed strategy and other policies and programs (for example in relation to visas) that could impede its implementation; and (5) the dependence of the strategy on increased and better targeted funding and a concentration of capability (talent and infrastructure). A number of important actions have been identified which if adopted would be positive steps in helping to build Australia's research capacity and would help Go8 universities in managing their research training programs. (Contains 2 figures, 1 table, and 10 footnotes.)
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- 2010
172. Estimation of Apprentice and Trainee Statistics. Technical Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Harvey, Brian
- Abstract
Apprentice and trainee data are reported by the state and territory training authorities to the National Centre for Vocational Education and Training (NCVER) on a quarterly basis, starting at the September quarter of 1994. The set of data submitted that quarter is referred to as collection 1. The sets of data submitted in subsequent quarters are referred to as collection 2, collection 3 and so on. At the time of writing, the set of data being submitted is for the June 2009 quarter and is referred to as collection 60. Of particular interest are the numbers of contracts of training that commence, complete, cancel/withdraw, recommence, expire or suspend, and the time at which these events occur (referred to as the "date of effect"). From these events, the number of contracts "in-training" at a given time can be calculated. The purpose of this technical paper is to describe: (1) the way data accumulate over many collections; (2) how items derived from the data change as the data accumulate; (3) the endorsed estimation method (developed from the analysis of the above); (4) the formulae for calculating the required estimates; and (5) potential weaknesses in the method. Supporting data is appended. (Contains 4 tables, 8 figures and 1 footnote.) [This paper is an updated version of the "Estimation of Apprentice and Trainee Statistics. Technical Paper" report. For the original paper, see ED510131.]
- Published
- 2010
173. Building Capability in Vocational Education and Training Providers: The TAFE Cut. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Guthrie, Hugh, and Clayton, Berwyn
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This paper focuses on issues which affect the capability of technical and further education (TAFE) providers to meet their clients' and stakeholders' needs and draws extensively on the reports of the consortium research program which examined ways to help build vocational education and training (VET) provider and workforce capability. The paper puts this research, most of which was completed in 2006 and 2007, into a contemporary framework. It suggests that TAFE providers need to be free of unnecessary central constraints to help them meet their strategic business needs. This includes more direct control of human resources matters and industrial relations. (Contains 8 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2010
174. Estimating Apprentice and Trainee Completion and Attrition Rates Using a 'Life Tables' Approach. Technical Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Karmel, Tom, and Mlotkowski, Peter
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The proportion of apprentices and trainees completing their contract of training has received considerable attention in recent years. To support public discussion, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has been publishing tabulations of both completion and attrition rates. Up until recently, the approach taken was to identify a commencing cohort and follow it over time. Currently, NCVER publishes completion and attrition rates which are calculated from tabulations of completions and cancellations/withdrawals within particular quarters. This technical paper details a methodological approach which constructs cross-sectional estimates of completion and attrition rates for the latest commencing cohorts. These reflect what completion and attrition rates would be if the patterns observed in a particular quarter remain unchanged for the life of the commencing cohort in that quarter. Throughout the paper, the authors use a simple and contrived example to illustrate the model, along with the formal mathematical notation. Finally, they apply the model to cohorts commencing in the December quarters of 2007 to 2009. (Contains 5 tables, 3 figures and 2 footnotes.) [For the accompanying report, "Experimental Completion and Attrition Rates for Latest Commencing Apprentices and Trainees", see ED510878.]
- Published
- 2010
175. Review of the AVETMIS Standard for VET Providers: Discussion Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
The Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) for vocational education and training (VET) providers (referred to as "the Standard") is currently being reviewed by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The Standard is the framework that underpins the National VET Provider Collection. It provides consistency in data definitions, which ensures accurate data for use in national data collections, where information is compiled from many different sources. This discussion paper is the first step in the review. It provides a framework for feedback and identifies key issues for consideration. There are many issues associated with the specification of a Standard, such as what information is to be collected, from whom and how often. Decisions about implementation of the AVETMIS Standard are made by a range of different bodies and, while the focus of this paper is primarily on the information to be collected, comments on the timing and coverage are also welcome. Two appendices are included. (Contains 1 figure.)
- Published
- 2010
176. Does Support for VET Reduce Employee Churn? A Case Study in Local Government. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Curry, Kath
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To what extent do local governments use vocational education and training as a staff retention strategy? Human resources personnel from a selection of councils around Australia believed that a lack of career development or training opportunities might cause an employee to leave their organisation. They had some reservations about the quality and value of VET, but planned to continue to use it for staff development as it is the most widely available option. This paper is by a novice researcher from the Community of Practice program, which is part of NCVER's Building Researcher Capacity initiatives. The research for this paper was undertaken while the author worked as National Workforce Development Advisor at Government Skills Australia. The paper investigates the extent to which local government councils offer vocational education and training as a strategy to retain their employees. The study comprised interviews with key human resource personnel in 14 councils around Australia, as well as an analysis of council records on staff training and turnover. Appended are: (1) Interview questions; and (2) Turnover data analysis by council. (Contains 9 tables and 10 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2010
177. Training and Assessment (TAA40104) in Community Providers in New South Wales: Participant Intentions and Outcomes. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Walker, Ruth
- Abstract
Five years after implementation, the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA40104, and hereafter also referred to as the Certificate IV) remains a pivotal qualification in the national vocational education and training (VET) system. Under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) it is the qualification required by both workplace trainers/assessors and trainers/assessors working in classroom situations in registered training organisations (RTOs). Graduates with this qualification are in a position to have a significant influence on the quality of VET delivery. Consequently, opinions abound regarding the content and delivery of the qualification. There is a small but growing body of research, reports and conference papers that focus on the implementation of the qualification (Alexander 2007; Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board 2008), its fitness as the benchmark for trainers and assessors in the national VET system (Innovation Business Skills Australia 2006; McRae 2008; Smith 2007; Robertson 2008, 2009) and more recently the experiences of those who have undertaken the qualification (Down, De Luca & Galloway 2009; Clayton 2009). This paper aims to contribute to this body of research by exploring the goals of a sample of Certificate IV candidates and their expectations of the course, and comparing their initial intentions with their actual outcomes. As the author works in the adult and community education (ACE) sector in New South Wales, the sample was drawn from among the 25 NSW ACE providers with the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment on their scope of registration. The research findings will be useful for registered training organisations who are seeking a procedure for examining and comparing intent and outcomes. This paper provides a brief overview of current research and reports on the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and other literature relating to the measurement of learner intent and outcomes. The paper then discusses the findings that emerged from the data collected for this research. Appendices include: (1) Online survey questions; (2) Phone interview questions; and (3) Profiles of phone interviewees. (Contains 2 tables, 9 figures, and 1 footnote.)
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- 2010
178. Measures of Student Success: Can We Predict Module-Completion Rates? Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Learned, Jeanette
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There are many factors which might cause a student to drop out of a course of study; some of these are preventable. This paper describes the piloting of a survey tool designed to identify students at risk of not completing. Attendance was found to be the strongest predictor of module completion; low or declining scores on the survey were also predictive of students dropping out. The research for this paper was undertaken by a novice researcher in the Community of Practice Scholarship Program, which is funded through National Centre for Vocational Education Research's (NCVER's) Building Researcher Capacity initiative. Appended are: (1) Defining completion; (2) Surveys; (3) Comments from student surveys; and (4) Correlation values--survey scores (all measures). (Contains 5 tables, 7 figures, and 6 footnotes.)
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- 2010
179. Review of the AVETMIS Standard for VET Providers: Outcomes from the Discussion Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
This document provides a summary of feedback from the discussion paper for the Review of the Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) for vocational education and training (VET) providers (hereafter, the Standard). The discussion paper provided opportunities to gather feedback on a range of issues. Based on this feedback, some issues will not be pursued; however, in most cases further investigation is required before final recommendations can be made. This report gives an overview of the process to date and areas where the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) will undertake further work on the Standard. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.) [For the related report, "Review of the AVETMIS Standard for VET Providers: Discussion Paper", see ED510700.]
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- 2010
180. The Evolution of Gender Gaps in Numeracy and Literacy between Childhood and Adulthood. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 184
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France), Borgonovi, Francesca, Choi, Álvaro, and Paccagnella, Marco
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Numeracy and literacy skills have become increasingly important in modern labour markets. The large gender differences that several studies have identified have therefore sparked considerable attention among researchers and policy makers. Little is known about the moment in which such gaps emerge, how they evolve and if their evolution differs across countries. We use data from large-scale international assessments to follow representative samples of birth-cohorts over time, and analyse how gender gaps in numeracy and literacy evolve from age 10 to age 27. Our results suggest that, across the countries examined, males' advantage in numeracy is smallest at age 10 and largest at age 27. The growth in magnitude of the gender gap is particularly pronounced between the age of 15 and 27. Such evolution stands in sharp contrast with the evolution of the gender gap in literacy, which is small at age 10, large and in favour of females at age 15, and negligible by age 27.
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- 2018
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181. Education Systems, Education Reforms, and Adult Skills in the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC). OECD Education Working Papers, No. 182
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France) and Liu, Huacong
- Abstract
This study uses the PIAAC data to examine the relationships between education system characteristics (e.g. early tracking and vocational education orientation) and distributions of adult numeracy skills. It also investigates the effects of postponing the tracking age and easing university access for students on a vocational track on the average skills and different percentiles of the skills distribution. Correlational analysis suggests that education systems with more students enrolled in vocational tracks have on average higher levels of numeracy skills and more compressed skills distributions between the 50th and 90th percentiles. Further analysis suggests that postponing the tracking age among 14 European countries does not have a significant effect on the average skills of the population. However, it increases skills for individuals at the 10th, 20th, and 30th percentiles of the skill distribution. Expanding university access is associated with an increase in numeracy skills, particularly for individuals at the bottom three deciles of the distribution.
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- 2018
- Full Text
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182. The Gippsland Water Factory - Revolutionising the Treatment of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent
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Appita Conference and Exhibition (62nd : 2008 : Rotorua, N.Z.), Hodgkinson, Andrew, Fries, Kim, and Harrison, Emily
- Published
- 2008
183. The Business of Internationalisation: Emerging Issues for the Entrepreneurial University. AIR 1999 Annual Forum Paper.
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Poole, David and Pratt, Graham
- Abstract
This paper analyzes various strategic management models for international programs from an Australian perspective. It presents the results of a qualitative case study of one Australian university faculty of business in the context of the relevance of chaos and complexity theories to strategic management. The case study is organized around the strategies, structures, systems, organizational learning, and leadership dimensions of this institution's management of international-entrepreneurial activities. The paper argues that the model of "structured chaos" or "bounded stability" and the core concepts associated with this model, such as "competing on the edge," may be of critical importance to a sector characterized by rising levels of national and international competition and institutional forays into these areas. Individual sections discuss: international-entrepreneurial activities in Australian universities; international education in the United States; international convergence; the strategic management of international-entrepreneurial programs; and the management of international entrepreneurial programs at "Australia U". (Contains approximately 100 references.) (DB)
- Published
- 1999
184. Determinants of Job Separation and Occupational Mobility in Australia. Working Paper No. 66
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Monash University, Centre for the Economics of Education and Training and Shah, Chandra
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In the year to February 2002, one in every five of the 9.8 million people who worked in Australia experienced at least one job separation. This paper looks at the determinants of job separation within a stayer/mover framework using individual-level data for Australia. Conditional on job separation the paper also investigates the determinants of job-to-job turnover (differentiated by occupation) and job-to-joblessness turnover (unemployment and exit from the labour force). The results show the importance of the normal demographic variables (age, gender, immigrant status and place of residence) but also qualifications and other labour market variables (hours of work, reason for job separation) for explaining turnover behaviour. Appended are: (1) mathematical description of the logit model and that of calculating the marginal effect; and (2) tables and figures. (Contains 10 tables, 13 figures and 8 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2009
185. Beyond Mayer: Learning from Delivering and Assessing Generic Employability Competencies. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Cushnahan, Mary
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The difficulties experienced by vocational education and training (VET) teachers in delivering the generic employability skills embedded in industry training packages are considered in this paper. It suggests that the interpretation of generic skills should not be left to trainers and that a national strategy that is clear concise, comprehensive and implementable must be developed. This paper is the result of a 2008 NCVER New Researcher Award. (Three appendixes are included: (1) Principles of Assessment; (2) Trades Trainers Interview Questions; and (3) Certificate IV Trainers Interview Questions. Contains 3 footnotes and 1 table.)
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- 2009
186. Getting the Knowledge-Skills Mix Right in High-Level Vocational Education and Training Qualifications. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Priest, Annie
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This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on the quality and accessibility of underpinning knowledge in competency-based training. It uses the Vocational Graduate Certificate and the Vocational Graduate Diploma in Education Design in a Queensland TAFE [technical and further education] institute to examine how the "traditional" knowledge and theory associated with higher-level qualifications can be accommodated within the framework of competency-based training and assessment. The paper raises some interesting, and provocative, questions about the status and value of these qualifications by comparison with their university counterparts. (Contains 2 footnotes, 2 figures, and 2 tables.)
- Published
- 2009
187. Welfare to Work: Does Vocational Education and Training Make a Difference? Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Karmel, Tom, Mark, Kevin, and Nguyen, Nhi
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The purpose of this paper looks at the fundamental issue of whether VET does improve the employment prospects of the groups in question. It exploits data from the Student Outcome Survey to construct samples that proxy three welfare groups and models the post-training employment outcomes. Appendices include: (1) Characteristics of the proxy groups; and (2) Regression results. (Contains 34 tables and 3 footnotes.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]
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- 2009
188. A Competent Recovery? Economic Downturn and Australia's Vocational Education and Training System. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Sweet, Richard
- Abstract
Economic downturns have a particularly strong impact upon new entrants to the labour market. These can include recently arrived migrants and refugees, women returning to the labour force after a period of child rearing, and youth. This paper reflects on the impact of the recent financial crisis on particular groups in Australian society and comments on whether the VET sector is well placed to meet the challenges of the recovery. An overview accompanies this paper. (Contains 7 tables, 1 figure, and 10 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2009
189. Apprenticeships and Traineeships in the Downturn. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Karmel, Tom, and Misko, Josie
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Apprenticeships have a very long history in Australia, building on the traditions of the medieval guilds. The essence of the apprenticeship is the contract of training--a legal contract between an individual, an employer and a training provider. The defining characteristic is the combination of employment and training. The purpose of this paper is to describe what we know about apprenticeships and traineeships, with a view to assessing the likely impact of the current economic downturn on them. A table presenting the apprentice and trainee commencements is appended. (Contains 4 tables, 13 figures, and 7 footnotes.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]
- Published
- 2009
190. Employer Engagement with the Vocational Education and Training System in Australia. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Stanwick, John
- Abstract
This paper is a review of literature on employer engagement with vocational education and training (VET). The main conclusion is that the major form of engagement is through the competency-based training system, which is manifested through training packages. Another way employers are encouraged to engage with VET is through competition amongst training providers. This provides employers with greater responsiveness and choice. A glossary is appended. (Contains 1 table and 11 footnotes.) [Funding for this paper was made through a grant from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom.]
- Published
- 2009
191. National VET Research Priorities: 2010 and beyond. Discussion Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) is undertaking a consultation process to determine the next set of National Research Priorities which will guide research activities in the post-compulsory education and training arena, particularly in relation to vocational education and training. This discussion paper, and the deliberations it aims to prompt, identifies a number of key themes related to priorities for future research. A section that discusses NCVER's current research and statistics is appended. (Contains 3 boxes and 5 tables.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]
- Published
- 2009
192. Practitioner Experiences and Expectations with the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA40104): A Discussion of the Issues. Discussion Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Clayton, Berwyn
- Abstract
The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA40104) has become the standard teaching qualification in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. Therefore the extent to which it provides competency in training and assessment, arguably the key element of being an effective teacher, is a fundamental issue. The author investigates the extent to which practitioners believe that this certificate provides an effective foundation for the delivery and assessment of training in the VET environment. Through interviews and surveys with teachers, trainers and registered training organisation managers, this project is designed to explore individual practitioner experiences and expectations upon completion of the TAA40104 qualification, after approximately a six-month period of application in the field and then, approximately 12 months after completion, a final reflection. This background paper provides a history of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and reviews the limited research on this qualification. The paper also outlines some of the key issues surrounding TAA40104, such as uneven quality, inconsistencies in delivery and the perceived inability to meet the skills and knowledge needs of trainers in workplaces or teachers in institutional settings. These issues provide the impetus for a review of TAA40104 being undertaken by the skills council, Innovation & Business Skills Australia (IBSA). A key message emerging from this background paper is that the position of TAA40104 as the key qualification for VET practitioners is under pressure. This is highlighted by the availability of other relevant qualifications now available to practitioners and by industry concerns about assessment approaches and assessment decision-making. (Contains 1 table.) [Funding for this document was provided through the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]
- Published
- 2009
193. Taking 'Innovation' on the Road. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Figgis, Jane, and Hillier, Yvonne
- Abstract
This paper is based on a series of workshops about innovation in teaching and learning in vocational education and training (VET) which the authors conducted in March 2009. This paper addresses some of the underlying questions that practitioners have about innovation. The paper is structured in four sections: (1) a comparison of the trends in innovation identified in the two research papers: Australia in one; the United Kingdom and Europe in the other; (2) the workshop task that practitioners undertook: to design and take an innovation to market; (3) the questions and hopes of workshop participants: hidden dimensions of "innovation" and of being "innovative"; and (4) thoughts on expanding the pool of innovative VET practitioners. (Contains 7 footnotes and 1 table.)
- Published
- 2009
194. Problem-Based Learning: Student Engagement, Learning and Contextualized Problem-Solving. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Mossuto, Mark
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The adoption of problem-based learning as a teaching method in the advertising and public relations programs offered by the Business TAFE (Technical and Further Education) School at RMIT University is explored in this paper. The effect of problem-based learning on student engagement, student learning and contextualised problem-solving was investigated and it was found that students perceive problem-based learning to be beneficial. Several success factors for this approach are also identified. The research for this paper was undertaken by a novice researcher in the Community of Practice scholarship program, a program funded through the National Centre for Vocational Education Research's (NCVER) Building Researcher Capacity initiative. Three appendices are included: (1) Research methods; (2) the first questionnaire used for Student Engagement Survey 2008; and (3) the second questionnaire used for Student Engagement Survey 2008. (Contains 6 tables and 1 figure.)
- Published
- 2009
195. Early Vocational Education and Training Programs for Young Aboriginal Learners: Perceptions of Practitioners and Young People. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Harding, Regan
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The perceptions of students, school and technical and further education (TAFE) staff involved in V Tracks, an early intervention program for Aboriginal school students are explored in this paper. The study identifies outcomes, challenges and recommendations for future program design. Overall, V Tracks was found to improve student engagement in school and provide greater insights into the available education, training and employment pathways for students. National Centre for Vocational Education Research's (NCVER's) Building Researcher Capacity program funded this paper, which is based on research undertaken by a novice researcher in the Community of Practice scholarship program. Appendix includes a section titled Tracks and Deadly Days: TAFE-schools initiatives to increase the retention and engagement of young Aboriginal learners in education, employment and/or training. (Contains 9 figures and 1 footnote.)
- Published
- 2009
196. What Difference Do Standards Make to Educating Teachers? A Review with Case Studies on Australia, Estonia and Singapore. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 174
- Author
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France) and Révai, Nóra
- Abstract
This paper reviews evidence on the interplay between professional standards for teachers, the content of teacher education and educational sciences, and provides three case studies to illustrate these interactions from Estonia, Australia and Singapore. In particular, it investigates what aligning teacher education programmes to standards really mean; and what conception of educational sciences is reflected in the standards and the curriculum. Analyses suggest that alignment, as an explicit, direct and consistent correspondence, is difficult to achieve, in part due to different conceptualisations of professional knowledge. However, this paper argues that the main value of standards as policy tools lies in their capacity to create mutual dialogue between different artefacts (standards' requirements, curriculum, course descriptions, accreditation standards, etc.), as well as among stakeholders. Regularly renegotiating the standards as a result of such dialogue and reflections should be a crucial part of the policy process.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
197. Groups of Groups: The Role of Group Learning in Building Social Capital. CRLRA Discussion Paper Series.
- Author
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Tasmania Univ., Launceston (Australia). Center for Research and Learning in Regional Australia., Kilpatrick, Sue, Bell, Rowena, and Falk, Ian
- Abstract
The Centre for Research and Learning in Regional Australia is investigating the elements of social capital and developing a set of indicators that show when social capital is building. The indicators can be used where groups or organizations with a shared purpose engage in productive interactions that benefit not only the individual member groups but also the "learning community" as a whole. The intention is that the indicators will be applicable to geographic communities, professional or common interest communities, such as professional associations, and groups of businesses such as Executive Link[TM], the subject of this paper. Executive Link consists of farm businesses that meet for nonformal training in several chapters in eastern Australia. Each chapter consists of about six farm businesses and their owner/managers who share their business management expertise. Executive Link appears to have features of a learning community, including a shared purpose and learning interactions across the boundaries of individual member businesses and chapters. This paper identifies networks, commitments, and shared values as the elements of social capital that contribute to the quality of learning interactions. Suggested indicators of social capital building include development of a shared language, shared experiences, trust, self-development, and an identification with the community. (Contains 25 references.) (Author/TD)
- Published
- 1998
198. Academic Resilience: What Schools and Countries Do to Help Disadvantaged Students Succeed in PISA. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 167
- Author
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France), Agasisti, Tommaso, Avvisati, Francesco, Borgonovi, Francesca, and Longobardi, Sergio
- Abstract
Resilience refers to the capacity of individuals to prosper despite encountering adverse circumstances. This paper defines academic resilience as the ability of 15-year-old students from disadvantaged backgrounds to perform at a certain level in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in reading, mathematics and science that enables them to play an active role in their communities and prepares them to make the most of lifelong-learning opportunities. Using data from the most recent PISA cycles, this paper explores changes in the share of resilient students over time (2006-2015); highlights the importance of school environments and resources in mitigating the risk of low achievement for disadvantaged students; and identifies school-level factors that are associated with the likelihood of academic resilience among socio-economically disadvantaged students. Analyses reveal that several countries were able to increase the share of resilient students over time, reflecting improvements in the average performance of students, or a weaker relationship between socio-economic status and performance. In the vast majority of education systems examined, the likelihood of academic resilience among disadvantaged students is lower in schools where students report a negative classroom climate. The paper concludes by exploring school policies and practices that are associated with a positive classroom climate. [This work was supported by a contribution to the PISA programme of work from Vodafone Germany Foundation.]
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
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199. Maternal Scaffolding of Preschoolers' Writing Using Tablet and Paper-Pencil Tasks: Relations with Emergent Literacy Skills
- Author
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Neumann, Michelle M.
- Abstract
Mothers play a key role in scaffolding children's writing using traditional tools, such as paper and pencil. However, little is known about how mothers scaffold young children's writing using touch-screen tablets (e.g., iPads) and the associations between maternal scaffolding and emergent literacy. Mother-child dyads (N = 47; M child age = 3.43 years) were video recorded as they wrote words using an iPad and a paper and pencil. Maternal print and grapho-phonemic mediation behaviors were measured. Children were assessed on letter name and letter-sound knowledge, letter writing and name writing, and print concepts. No significant differences were found in the level of maternal mediation provided in the tablet or paper-pencil condition. Maternal print mediation was positively associated with letter name and letter-sound knowledge and emergent writing in the tablet and paper-pencil conditions. Grapho-phonemic mediation was significantly related to children's understanding of letter-sound correspondence and print concepts in the paper-pencil condition, but not the tablet condition. Supporting parents in using grapho-phonemic mediation during tablet use to foster early literacy learning should be considered in future research.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
200. Will Trends in the Paper Industry over the Past 100 Years Predict the Future of the Industry in the Next 100 Years
- Author
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International Paper Physics Conference (2007 : Gold Coast, Qld.), Shore, Dennis, Covey, Geoff, and Harvey, Reg
- Published
- 2007
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