An Australian research activity in vocational education and training (VET) in 2005 is examining critical issues in teaching, learning and assessment. The project is funded by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and is one of nine research activities being undertaken from 2005-2006 by a consortium of Australian researchers on the topic of improving the capacity of organisations providing vocational education.

The four researchers for the research activity are John Mitchell, John Mitchell & Associates (Principal Researcher), Associate Professor Clive Chappell, University of Technology Sydney, Susan Roy, Department of Education (DET) NSW and Andrea Bateman, formerly University of Ballarat.

Sydney Meeting

A meeting was held in Sydney on 18 March 2005 between three members of the Australian research team – John Mitchell, Clive Chappell and Susan Roy – and three Scottish Further Education personnel, Alison Reid, Chief Executive SFEU, Shirley Scott, Assistant Principal (Curriculum), Glenrothes College and Heather Dunk, Assistant Principal, West Lothian College.

The opportunity for a meeting in Sydney arose because of the visit to New South Wales of a group of Scottish Further Education personnel participating in ‘Leading and Learning – College Leadership CPD Australian Study Visit’. The Scottish visit was planned and hosted by the Deputy Director General NSW DET, Robin Shreeve.

The participants in the Sydney meeting discussed innovations in teaching and learning and assessment in both countries, including trends, similarities and differences. The participants agreed to continue this professional dialogue and to share information, and arrangements were made for a visit to Scotland by Clive Chappell in May 2005.

Collaboration on this project in 2005 between Australian and Scottish researchers – via the Scottish Further Education Unit (SFEU) – will add value to both systems.

Photo:

Front row: Shirley Scott, Alison Reid, Heather Dunk
Back row: John Mitchell, Clive Chappell, Susan Roy