After a strong coffee, Monday morning started with a predictable round of presentations about the future of vet: globalisation, current initiatives, changing workforce, individualised learning etc. Chris Robinson [Deputy Director General, QLD Department of Employment and Training] resisted the temptation to talk at length about the high tech future, reminding us that there has been huge growth also in the service industries in low level jobs and that they are essential to this new economy. A number of Future Directions projects managed by the TAFE QLD Centre for Innovation and Development are aimed at addressing these and related issues, so it will be interesting to keep a watching brief on the outcomes of these projects.
The first keynote was presented by Peter Scope of Cisco and Anthony Lupi of Positive Outcomes. Within Cisco, elearning is used as part of a blended solution to orientation and upskilling training for employees. It is built into their workforce optimisation strategies and includes reporting of skills mixes etc. One idea that captured my interest was the use of 'knowledge bites', these are 5 minute training chunks that are offered to employees by being scrolled across the bottom of their computer screens. I would be interested to know how mnay staff take up these knowledge bites and also how the materials are matched to the job roles. Anthony Lupi talked about the work that Cisco does in meeting the triple bottom line of profits, people and presence. Profit is obvious, people is the people internal to Cisco and external, and presence is the corporation's standing in the community.
Martha Goldman from Tropical North Queensland Institute of TAFE shared with us her experiences with classroom behaviour management. From the schools sector, training and processes are being adapted for VET = these include the use of peer observation, feedback and reflection on learner behaviour management techniques. The ten microskills that Martha outlined are clear, logical and easily observed, but the tricky part is the feedback and reflection and learning that must take place for skills to develop and grow in this area. Martha's presentation demonstrated for us just how well an experienced presenter and educator can engage an audience. I'd walked in not expecting to gain much based on the session title, but the strategies she described are ones that I can take back and share in my institute.
There's more to come from day one, but I must rest ready for the final day!