The annual TAFE NSW Quality Awards celebrate the commitment of staff to enhance organisational learning and improve student outcomes.
Q: |
What does it take to improve student outcomes? |
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A: |
Passionate staff committed to enhancing the TAFE NSW learning environment. |
The theme for this year’s Awards was Creativity and Innovation in Learning and Development. This was exemplified by all six main category winners.
TAFE NSW – South Western Sydney Institute won Quality Project of the Year for You Lead We Will Follow: The Next Generation Has Arrived. It also won the Business Relationships Award.
This partnership between employers, students, TAFE NSW and human resource (HR) managers in the hospitality industry combines RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning), work-based learning and on-line delivery, as well as a research program run through face-to-face and e-mail contact.
‘One of the key reasons for the project’s success is that we listened to industry and students and understood their needs,’ said Christine Williamson, Faculty Director for Tourism, Hospitality, Primary Industry and Arts, South Western Sydney Institute.
The Peter Wright Award for Teaching and Learning – Products and Services went to TAFE NSW – Northern Sydney Institute for its Hair and Beauty Online project.
Suzanne Hatch, head teacher, The Sydney Academy Hair, Beauty and Makeup, said the Institute’s online module Retail4Beauty, part of the Certificate III in Beauty Service, was developed to take into account different learning styles.
‘We also have very, very passionate teachers who love online delivery, and do a great job promoting it to students,’ Ms Hatch said. ‘They are very supportive of our online learners.’
Another initiative from Northern Sydney Institute Outdoor Learning – Working Together, won the Teaching and Learning Practice Award.
Rob Brown, Teacher, Carpentry, Northern Sydney Institute, said the project, a joint effort between Adult Basic Education, Disability Coordinators and Carpentry and Joinery at the Institute, successfully engages youth in the community. The strong study support mechanism maximises their potential and helps them find employment.
TAFE NSW – North Coast Institute also took out two awards this year: the Safety and Environmental Sustainability Award for the Malabugilmah – Building Community Capability in Waste Water Re-use, and the Workforce Development award for e-Learning Strategy – Engage, Empower, Enthuse.
Malabugilmah addresses environmental, public health, social and unemployment issues in this remote Indigenous community through eco-friendly community infrastructure, and long-term industry partnerships. Read the full story in TAFELINK Issue No.10/October 2008.
The Institute’s e-Learning Strategy gives teachers the tools to respond flexibly to student needs.
‘For example, one student recently was having trouble preparing for a written assessment, and the teacher made the decision that they could do the assessment orally instead,’ said Arabella Hay, Leader, Teaching and Learning Innovation, North Coast Institute. ‘They were able to access a recording device, talk the student through the assessment, and complete it on the spot.’
Another project which takes advantage of technology is TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute’s Online Learning Support (OLS) Personalised Learning @ Your Own Pace @ Your Own Place, which won the Planning, Processes and Systems award.
The OLS site allows students to access learning resources, assignments, online submission and completion tools, activities and general information. They can also check their own course and unit progress. The site attracts nearly 50,000 student logons per month.
TAFE NSW would like to thank all our Award sponsors, in particular Principal Sponsor and Sponsor of the Quality Project of the Year, ELECTROBOARD, and Sponsor of the Teaching and Learning Products and Services – Peter Wright Award, SKILLED NSW/ACT.
