Latest Unique Student Identifier (USI) news

31 May 2013

 

The Unique Student Identifier (USI) website has been updated. This includes important new information for providers about Technical Services Contracts. This is information about how an RTO’s student management system (SMS) can interact with the IT system for the USI in an optimal way.

The USI Taskforce is hosting workshops for RTO staff to assist them in preparing for the implementation of the USI. Workshops are to be scheduled in June 2013 in all capital cities. Providers can register their interest at usi@innovation.gov.au.

Go to the USI website.

The ACPET 2013 Higher Education Symposium

The ACPET 2013 Higher Education Symposium will once again bring leading decision makers and thinkers together to explore the most pertinent issues that are shaping the higher education sector.

The Symposium builds on the success of ACPET’s inaugural Symposium, held in 2012.

Higher education providers must be innovative and responsive to the needs of students and business by maintaining academic rigour and delivering high quality education. 

Within this context, the ACPET 2013 Higher Education Symposium will provide a comprehensive analysis of the issues relating to academic governance, scholarship, funding, regulation and the policy landscape.

This one-day event will take place on 18 April 2013 at the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne and will be facilitated by Andrew Norton, Program Director of Higher Education at the Grattan Institute.

Andrew is one of Australia’s leading commentators on higher education issues and policy and the author of many publications.
To view the program and for registration information, click here.

BSB07 Business Services Training Package Workshops

BSB07 Business Services Training Package Workshops Innovation & Business Skills Australia (IBSA) is delivering new workshops across Australia on 'Changes to the Business Services Training Package’ presented by Tony Cusack from February to May 2013 and ‘
The new WHS qualifications – leaner, focused and up to date’ presented by Ross Armstrong from April to May 2013.

Click here to view a summary of changes to the Training Package. Event management will be facilitated by Velg Training under an exciting new partnership arrangement with IBSA that provides significant cost savings to attendees.

Changes to the Business Services Training Package February to May 2013 – Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney Facilitated by Tony Cusack, Industry Manager at IBSA, this series will cover the major changes to the Business Services Training Package. Participants will gain an insight into the wider changes to the Project Management, Human Resources, and Work Health and Safety qualifications.

Key topics covered within this workshop Specific changes to Training Package content Planning transition and implementing qualifications in v7.0 and v8.0 of BSB07 Drivers for change in the WHS, Project Management and Human Resources workforce development Industry research findings. The new WHS qualifications – leaner, focused and up to date.

TAE 10 Version 3 - how it affects the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

As you all know, version 3 of the TAE10 was released in November 2012.

We have noticed an increase in spam mail from "opportunists" who are attempting to charge a fee to unaware trainers and RTOs for information about the changes in the training package.  

There is no need to pay fees to anyone in order to be informed about the changes in the training package.  These changes can be found freely online. 

To view the version 3 of the TAE10 package right click on this link and download the word document.

At Safecity we are mindful that "currency" is a major compliance issue concerning RTOs and vocational trainers.

Through this blog and our tweets we intend to keep our customers and all our visitors informed, as well as interested in changes to vocational training in Australia and Internationally. 

This service will always be free for all our graduates and visitors alike.

Important developments in LLN within VET and TAE10

Well done IBSA and ASQA for dealing with Language and Literacy issues in VET and TAE10.

LLN (language, literacy and numeracy) is finally being recognised as an underpinning competency in VET training and there are moves to make LLN a core unit for the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

How and when this will become a compliance issue we do not know, but we are certainly glad that the importance of LLN has finally been realized and acted upon.

Australia is a multicultural country and a large percentage of our population speaks English as a second language.

We know that literacy also affects Australian-born workers.  Many employers and trainers alike are faced with the challenge of workers who, despite holding a school certificate, are unable to spell and even complete a simple application form.

It was therefore a surprise to us when LLN was introduced as an elective unit in the new TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment qualification.

As you know we have been promoting the TAELLN401 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills as a "niche elective". 

When we added the unit to our scope we made sure that trainers delivering the TAELLN401 were competent not only from a qualification compliance point of view but also from a cultural point of view; so at least 50% of our trainers delivering the TAELLN401 actually are from a non-English speaking background.

If you are planning to enrol in a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or are upgrading from the TAA40104 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment we strongly urge you to only enrol with an RTO who offers the TAELLN401 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills.

 
If you do not, you are most likely going to be asked to complete this unit in the near future.  There is every indication that the TAELLN401 will become a core unit in a later version of the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

So why wait until the unit becomes a core unit in the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment?

Right now we are offering you the opportunity to enrol in our online Certificate IV in Training and Assessment for the ridiculous fee of $500.  You can start with a deposit of only $250 and pay $20 a month.

Our “Certificate IV in Training and Assessment” includes the “TAELLN401 Address adult language, literacy and numeracy skills”.  So there is nothing extra to pay.

 

If you are a returning Safecity student who has the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment you can complete the TAELLN401 for only $105! You can also write to us about our generous upgrade to TAELLN401.

If you want to read more about the recent developments in LLN within VET visit the following link

 

Wishin you all a happy, safe and prosperous 2013

 

Alex

 

 

 

Computers and Open Learning

Here is a delightful post from a School Principal who defines the use of computers and open learning in education in a delightful and compelling way.

The following points apply to adult education much in the same way.  Those who malign open learning education are destined to become extinct, in the same way dinosaurs disappeared on earth.

Ethical and responsible distance education, open learning and e-learning are destined to become the future of learning.

Enjoy!


There is a great excerpt from the Abilene, Kansas High School Dialogue Buzz Website that sums up what we will do for students when we create a 1:1 environment for our students.

Are you ready…?

•I will access up-to-date information - you have a textbook that is 5 years old.

•I will immediately know when I misspell a word – you have to wait until it’s graded.

•I will learn how to care for technology by using it – you will read about it.

•I will see maths problems in 3D – you will do the odd problems.

•I will create artwork and poetry and share it with the world – you will share yours with the class.

•I will have 24/7 access – you have the entire class period.

•I will access the most dynamic information – yours will be printed and photocopied.

•I will communicate with leaders and experts using email – you will wait for Friday’s speaker.

•I will select my learning style – you will use the teacher’s favorite learning style.

•I will collaborate with my peers from around the world – you will collaborate with peers in your classroom.

•I will take my learning as far as I want – you must wait for the rest of the class.

The cost of a laptop per year? - $250

The cost of teacher and student training? – Expensive

The cost of well educated US citizens and workforce? - Priceless

How important are the above bullets? By what criteria would you measure success in a 1:1 initiative?

I will be sharing the results of the student survey soon.

cross-posted at www.patrickmlarkin.com

How to improve your memory

I have just read a fascinating blog about memory retention.  There are lots of links to resources and tools.

Personally I found that I tend to remember what I enjoy :-) and what I teach. 
This is the link to the memory blog.