Innovation in teaching and learning in VET
Article Type: Research news From: Education + Training, Volume 51, Issue 3
In a research report commissioned by Australia’s National Council for Vocational Education and Training Yvonne Hillier addresses the challenges faced by VET practitioners in recent years. And which have led to different ways to support the vocational learning of people already in the workplace, as well as those who are about to join it. The report attempts to capture innovative ways that VET practitioners practise their profession in response to the changing face of vocational learning. It is an overview of provision across many countries, but particularly those within the European Union (EU) and with specific reference to the United Kingdom.
The following extract sums up the main “findings” reported in the paper:
The literature (what there was) and web search identified four dominant trends in current teaching and learning practice, each reflecting the current international imperative for highly skilled and highly motivated expert workforces with the inherent capacity to meet the challenges of global competition, an ageing population and evolving technology. The examples that comprise the innovative practices described in this report fall into four categories: closer engagement in work-based learning; new technology facilitating learning; networks, centres of excellence and resource banks; and networks in professional practice.
The report indicates that technologies can be used to support networks of practitioners and resource banks to foster better professional practice and help practitioners exchange ideas and resources. In addition, it is important for practitioners to be able to step back from their “daily grind” to think about what they can do differently and how. They need to be supported to test out new resources and pedagogies in a culture of active experimentation.
The full report: Innovation in teaching and learning in vocational education and training: International perspectives – Research overview is available from the NCVER at: www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2134.html
