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2. How Are OECD Governments Navigating the Digital Higher Education Landscape? Evidence from a Comparative Policy Survey. OECD Education Working Papers. No. 303
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France), Directorate for Education and Skills, Nikolaj Broberg, and Gillian Golden
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Module A of the OECD Higher Education Policy Survey (HEPS) 2022 elicited information on policies to promote digitalisation of higher education in OECD member and accession countries. In total, 30 jurisdictions responded, providing comparative information on various areas of digitalisation policy, from regulation and governance to financial and human resources. The survey results provide insight into the role of public authorities in guiding, coordinating and resourcing the digital transformation of higher education institutions. The analysis and comparative tables in this working paper provide insights that can support the development of strategic digitalisation policies.
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- 2023
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3. Education Inequality. Discussion Paper No. 1849
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London School of Economics and Political Science (United Kingdom), Centre for Economic Performance (CEP), Blanden, Jo, Doepke, Matthias, and Stuhler, Jan
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This paper provides new evidence on educational inequality and reviews the literature on the causes and consequences of unequal education. We document large achievement gaps between children from different socio-economic backgrounds, show how patterns of educational inequality vary across countries, time, and generations, and establish a link between educational inequality and social mobility. We interpret this evidence from the perspective of economic models of skill acquisition and investment in human capital. The models account for different channels underlying unequal education and highlight how endogenous responses in parents' and children's educational investments generate a close link between economic inequality and educational inequality. Given concerns over the extended school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, we also summarize early evidence on the impact of the pandemic on children's education and on possible long-run repercussions for educational inequality.
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- 2022
4. What Happened to Casual Academic Staff in Australian Public Universities in 2020? Occasional Paper
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University of Melbourne (Australia), Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE), Baré, Elizabeth, Beard, Janet, and Tjia, Teresa
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With the widespread onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Australian universities anticipated a significant loss of students and revenue and hence forecast the need for significant job reductions. Using Higher Education Statistics (HES) data on student numbers and full-time equivalent (FTE) staff by field of study, we explored changes which occurred between 2019 and 2020, this data only becoming publicly available in 2022. Against expectations, and with the exception of the field of study of Management and Commerce, nationally student numbers did not decline, but increased marginally. Our interest lay in the impact of this on casual academic staff employment in Australia's public universities, noting institutional strategies of having a flexible pool of casual staff to manage fluctuations in student demand. While the HES data does not allow firm conclusions, trends may become clearer with the release of the 2021 data. Nonetheless, it appears that many universities reduced casual academic staff numbers and marginally increased full and part time appointments. Overall, there were fewer academic staff to teach a static or increased number of students. What this exercise suggests is that irrespective of student enrolments, some universities may have used the pandemic as an opportunity for restructures and academic renewal. It also highlights the difficulties that universities may experience in managing their academic workforce.
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- 2023
5. The Ramsay Centre and 'Western Civilisation': An attempt at Historical Perspective. A Reaction to Martin Davies' Paper
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Bonnell, Andrew G.
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Martin Davies' paper seeks to vindicate the efforts of the Ramsay Centre to fund courses in 'Western Civilisation' at selected Australian universities. He begins by lamenting the rejection of vast amounts of philanthropic money for the humanities, and all too quickly dismisses the stated grounds for the Australian National University's decision to decline a deal with the Ramsay Centre: 'The issue of academic autonomy has been raised as a reason, but this is, at best, ostensible', Davies writes. He then goes on to defend the concept of courses in Western civilisation more generally. This article will briefly address a number of relevant points in reaction to Martin Davie's paper: (1) the concept 'Western Civilisation' has its own, comparatively recent, history, and needs to be viewed in its own historical context; (2) the term 'civilisation' has relatively little utility as a unit of scholarly analysis; (3) proponents of an academic program on (or for) 'Western Civilisation' are operating with a reified and artificially unified concept that breaks up under closer examination; and (4) that some of the advocacy for a 'Western Civilisation' program betrays an animus against the modern, secular, public university. [For "Three Cheers for the Ramsay Centre," by Martin Davies, see EJ1228236.]
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- 2019
6. From Private to Public Benefit: The Shifting Rationales for Setting Student Contributions. Occasional Paper
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University of Melbourne (Australia), Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE) and Norton, Andrew
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This paper summarises the evolution of student contributions in Australia since 1989, exploring system redesigns that commenced in 1997, 2005 and 2021. Public and private benefits are recurring themes in setting student contributions, both as high-level justifications for government policy and in pricing specific disciplines. Professor Andrew Norton evaluates five different rationales used by successive Australian governments to satisfy competing policy and political considerations: course costs, private benefits, public benefits, increasing resources per student place, and incentivising course choices. Professor Norton argues that despite using student contributions to guide course choices being central to current funding policy it is never likely to be effective. Student contributions do, however, have practical consequences that seem to be given little consideration by the government. These include how long it takes to repay student debt, how much of that debt the government will eventually write off, and university incentives to enrol students. As the new government reviews the Job-ready Graduates policy, the paper provides a useful basis for discussion, offering lessons from history in what works and what does not, and guiding policymakers towards student contribution systems that minimise problems for students, government and universities.
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- 2022
7. Building Capacity for Inclusive Teaching: Policies and Practices to Prepare All Teachers for Diversity and Inclusion. OECD Education Working Papers. No. 256
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France) and Brussino, Ottavia
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Classrooms have become increasingly diverse places where students from various backgrounds share their learning experiences. To promote inclusive school settings for all, building teacher capacity for inclusive teaching represents a key policy area. Education systems need to ensure that teachers are adequately prepared for inclusive teaching and supported throughout their career. Mechanisms to attract and retain a more diverse teaching body as well as to monitor and evaluate teacher preparation and work with respect to diversity and inclusion should also be developed. While teacher policies have increasingly addressed some of these areas, most education systems lack comprehensive capacity-building frameworks for inclusive teaching. This paper maps policies and practices to build teacher capacity for inclusive teaching across OECD countries. It then presents core elements and competences to design and implement inclusive teaching strategies. Finally, the paper reviews some of the evidence available on teacher diversity and interventions for inclusive teaching.
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- 2021
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8. Shifting the Focus for International Higher Education in Australia. Discussion Paper
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University of Melbourne (Australia), Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE), Uzhegova, Dina, Croucher, Gwilym, Marangell, Samantha, Arkoudis, Sophie, Baik, Chi, Law, Siew Fang, and Locke, William
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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented disruption to Australian international higher education. By some estimates the number of international students commencing at Australian universities dropped by 23.3 per cent in 2020 due to the closure of borders. The impact on universities has been dramatic, with many making significant cuts to staffing numbers and changes to course offerings. In recent decades international education has provided significant fee revenue to Australia, totalling over $40 billion in 2019. It is unlikely that the international student market will return to pre-2019 numbers soon. Australian borders are expected to be closed until 2022 and perhaps beyond. There is now an opportunity to reimagine and reconceptualise internationalisation in terms beyond its narrow economic value. This discussion paper is an attempt to shift the discussion about the future of Australian international higher education by focusing not on the narrow economic motivations or challenges but on the public good in terms of its social values and rationales. It is also an invitation to question how Australian universities can cultivate global competencies and offer a genuine international learning experience to all students with or without the additional value brought by physical mobility.
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- 2021
9. Data Linkage in VET Research: Opportunities, Challenges and Principles. Discussion Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) (Australia), Osborne, Kristen, Fowler, Craig, and Circelli, Michelle
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This discussion paper explores the possibilities and risks that data linkage presents for the vocational education and training (VET) sector. Along with a broad overview of the nature of data linkage, it highlights possible applications for data linkage in the VET sector and examines the key challenges associated with its use. A number of case studies are reviewed to illustrate the advantages data linkage can offer, as well as the challenges that may arise. In order to better understand the options for data linkage from an education and employment perspective, a 'map' of relevant Australian datasets is presented, along with a list of data sources that may be of use to VET research. As well as selected Australian datasets, the paper reviews some international datasets of potential interest for VET research in Australia. Using the insights gained from past data-linkage projects and taking into account the privacy and ethics concerns, the paper presents a set of six principles for data linkage. These principles provide researchers with basic steps for guidance when embarking upon a data-linkage project. Finally, future directions for data linkage in VET research are explored.
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- 2018
10. Problem Solving through Paper Folding
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Wares, Arsalan
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The purpose of this article is to describe a couple of challenging mathematical problems that involve paper folding. These problem solving tasks can be used to foster geometric and algebraic thinking among students. The context of paper folding makes some of the abstract mathematical ideas involved relatively concrete. When implemented appropriately these activities have the potential to address many of the mathematical proficiencies, as delineated by Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority (ACARA, 2014). [This paper was first published in the "Australian Senior Mathematics Journal," in 2014 (EJ1093386).]
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- 2021
11. The Boundaries and Connections between the VET and Higher Education Sectors: 'Confused, Contested and Collaborative.' Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) (Australia) and Fowler, Craig
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Internationally, Australia's tertiary education system, comprising the higher education and vocational education and training (VET) sectors, is highly regarded, with both sectors subject to ongoing national review and reforms. This paper explores in detail the multiple issues that lie at what might be termed the "boundaries and connections" between these sectors. The purpose of this occasional paper is twofold, the first being to provide a brief illustration and commentary on the relative trend change and potential trajectories of Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector by comparison with the higher education sector. This provides the necessary context for the second objective, which is to explore in detail the multiple issues that lie at what might be described as the "boundaries and connections" between these two components of the tertiary education sector.
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- 2017
12. Simultaneous and Comparable Numerical Indicators of International, National and Local Collaboration Practices in English-Medium Astrophysics Research Papers
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Méndez, David I. and Alcaraz, M. Ángeles
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Introduction: We report an investigation on collaboration practices in research papers published in the most prestigious English-medium astrophysics journals. Method: We propose an evaluation method based on three numerical indicators to study and compare, in absolute terms, three different types of collaboration (international, national and local) and authors' mobility on the basis of co-authorship. Analysis: We analysed 300 randomly selected research papers in three different time periods and used the student's t-test to determine whether the paired two-sample differences observed were statistically significant or not. Results: International collaboration is more common than national and local collaboration. International, national and local authors' mobility and intra-national collaboration do not seriously affect the indicators of the principal levels of collaboration. International collaboration and authors' mobility are more relevant for authors publishing in European journals, whereas national and intra-national collaboration and national mobility are more important for authors publishing in US journals. Conclusions: We explain the observed differences and patterns in terms of the specific scope of each journal and the socio-economic and political situation in both geographic contexts (Europe and the USA). Our study provides a global picture of collaboration practices in astrophysics and its possible application to many other sciences and fields would undoubtedly help bring into focus the really big issues for overall research management and policy.
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- 2016
13. The Role of Labour Market Information in Guiding Educational and Occupational Choices. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 229
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France), Hofer, Andrea-Rosalinde, Zhivkovikj, Aleksandra, and Smyth, Roger
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Governments recognise that careers guidance, underpinned by accurate labour market information, can help learners make post-secondary education choices that match their interests, aptitudes and abilities, and lead to rewarding employment. For this reason, they have invested in building linked education/employment information systems and other information resources which are displayed on websites targeted to learners and their families. However, researchers and governments agree that these efforts are often ineffective in informing learners' decisions -- access to information is not sufficient to provide effective support to student choice. Drawing upon the insights of behavioural economics, this paper examines how learners access and use information, and what this implies for the design of public study and career choice websites that aim to effectively support student choice. The report also takes stock of the career guidance websites in use in the majority of OECD countries, and sets out to provide actionable advice for policy makers to guide the design of effective information policy levers that support student choice.
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- 2020
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14. A Tool to Capture Learning Experiences during COVID-19: The PISA Global Crises Questionnaire Module. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 232
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France), Bertling, Jonas, Rojas, Nathaniel, Alegre, Jan, and Faherty, Katie
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The global spread of COVID-19 has led to unprecedented disruptions in schooling around the world that have animated increased interest among policymakers, educators, researchers and the general public in knowing about how education systems have responded to the pandemic and how students' learning experiences have changed. The PISA Global Crises Module was developed to address this need. 62 student questionnaire items (grouped into 11 questions) and 68 school questionnaire items (grouped into 14 questions) were developed following a process that involved input from leading questionnaire development experts, PISA National Centres, as well as small-scale cognitive interview studies in three countries. While all countries were affected by the pandemic in some way, the module seeks to illuminate differential effects on student learning and well-being, and the degree of interruption or changes to education across different education systems. Governing bodies, organisations and researchers can use the instruments and the descriptions of the underlying constructs for adaptation and broader implementation.
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- 2020
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15. No Frills: Refereed Papers. National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference (24th, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, Jul 6-8, 2015)
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Jackson, Laura
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The 24th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference, colloquially known as "No Frills", was held in July 2015.The conference highlighted research across three major themes:(1) youth: engaging, inspiring and supporting students to realise their potential; (2) pathways: transitioning through education and training into the workforce; and (3) skills: working with industry and employers to improve education and training. The presentations provided delegates with diverse insights from government, academic and employer perspectives on the key issues confronting the vocational education and training (VET) sector. A select few speakers at the conference were also offered the opportunity to have their papers peer-reviewed, and these five refereed papers have been compiled to make up this book of conference proceedings. The papers examine: the diversity of VET providers and the needs of students; initiatives designed to improve the capabilities of VET practitioners; how skills contribute to innovation, and the implications of this in terms of return on investment; the impact of VET students transitioning directly into second year university and how these students can best be supported; and the learning preferences of VET students (specifically enrolled nurses), how they differ by comparison with university students and the consequent implications. The hope is that these papers will provide an insight into the array of topics presented at the "No Frills" conferences and generate interest in attending future conferences. Contents include: (1) Profiling the institutional diversity of VET providers in Australia, across four broad dimensions (Peter Bentley, Leo Goedegebuure and Ruth Schubert); (2) Understanding the needs of VET students articulating to second-year university (Mark Symmons, Paul Kremer, and Alvin Rendell); (3) Learning preferences of Enrolled Nursing students: Educational preparation and training for workplace readiness (Kalpana Raghunathan, Sonia Allen, and Elisabeth Jacob); (4) Improving VET teachers' skills and their approach to professional learning (Anne Dening); and (5) Skills needed for innovation: A review (Michael Walsh). [Individual papers contain references. This conference was cohosted by the University of Western Sydney, TAFE: Western Sydney Institute, WSI, and TAFE: South Western Sydney Institute.]
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- 2016
16. Student Entitlement Models in Australia's National Training System: Expert Views. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Bowman, Kaye, and McKenna, Suzy
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This occasional paper provides the views of 17 "thought leaders" in the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector. Their insight and opinions were sought to inform a larger research project focused on the student entitlement reforms that were introduced into the national VET system from 2012. These individuals offered a variety of senior-level vantage points on the topics of: (1) Australia's national training system: why it has been developed, what its key elements are, and the aspects where consistency has been sought and the aspects where flexibility has been sought; (2) VET student training entitlements: why this initiative has been introduced and the implications of the agreed flexibility in approach to its implementation by jurisdictions, in terms of maintaining a functional national training system; and (3) the implications of the VET student entitlement initiative for future national VET reform. A particular emphasis has been on the implications of the reforms and the challenges faced in its implementation in the context of achieving a balance between national consistency and jurisdictional flexibility. The interviewees considered key elements of the national training system, namely: standards for VET products (training packages and materials); standards for VET providers; and a flexible training market. The interviewees commented on the consistency and flexibility sought in each of these key elements, highlighting where tensions exist, particularly in student training entitlements. The following are appended: (1) Project statement provided to interviewees about the project and Project protocols; and (2) Interview guide questions. Information about the NVETR Program funding is provided at the end of this paper.
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- 2016
17. A Post-Coronavirus Pandemic World: Some Possible Trends and Their Implications for Australian Higher Education. Discussion Paper
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University of Melbourne (Australia), Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE), Croucher, Gwilym, and Locke, William
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This paper summarises factors and emerging trends for higher education following from the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the responses of providers and governments. It is framed as a provocation to stimulate discussion about futures for higher education in Australia and beyond following the immediate COVID-19 disruption. While the evolving response to the pandemic makes prediction fraught, to provide concrete indication of the trajectory of many trends this paper draws on research into and past experience of similar economic, political and social 'shocks' to the provision of higher education in advanced economies. It examines how the coronavirus pandemic is magnifying existing pressures for universities and how it is providing new possibilities. The first section summarises ten trends and their associated drivers. Based on a PESTEL analysis, it includes codes for each item to signal the associated key factors contributing to the trend, including (P)olitical, (Ec)onomic, (S)ociocultural, (T)echnological, (L)egal and (En)vironmental. For each trend, we outline several implications for higher education provision in Australia. The second section synthesises these implications into a range of outcomes and questions.
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- 2020
18. VET Research for Industry. Conference Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Karmel, Tom
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This paper was a keynote address at the Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) conference held in Canberra in April 2012. The author notes that industry is arguably the key stakeholder in the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector, but is not a single actor nor a disinterested consumer of training. Rather, industry consists of a range of bodies, all of whom are active players in the sector. The paper discusses six areas of research which are pertinent to industry. These areas are: (1) the value of completing an apprenticeship or traineeship; (2) the role of wages in completion rates for apprenticeships and traineeships; (3) the value of completion of VET qualifications; (4) the level of matching between what people are training in and the jobs they get; (5) the role of VET in innovation; and (6) VET and workforce development. All of this research raises questions about VET and industry, either in terms of how public training funds are allocated or the educational principles on which VET is based. In particular, the major points made are that the value of training is quite variable and this should be a consideration in its public funding, and the narrow industry focus of VET needs to be leavened with more general education. (Contains 5 tables, 8 figures and 2 footnotes.)
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- 2012
19. Quarterly Reporting of Government-Funded Activity to the 2015 National VET Provider Collection. Technical Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) (Australia) and Foley, Paul
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The topic of more frequent and timely vocational education and training (VET) data has been an issue of interest for a number of years. Since 2015, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has collected and reported data on government-funded students and courses on a quarterly basis. These quarterly data submissions are cumulative and allow additional data to be reported and corrections made to previously submitted data. The first year of quarterly reporting has provided a useful insight into how training activity is reported by the different jurisdictions over a calendar year. This paper presents the results of some initial analysis of that data using the reporting scope that was in place for 2015 reporting, broadly defined as all activity delivered by government providers and government-funded activity delivered by community education and other registered providers.
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- 2016
20. The Contribution of Vocational Education and Training to Australia's Skills Base. Conference Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Karmel, Tom
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This paper considers three aspects of vocational education and training's (VET) contribution to the labour market: the relationship between their training and the occupations VET graduates work in; the extent to which the qualified proportion of the workforce has increased; and the link between VET and skills acquisition. Finally, some thoughts are aired on the implications of the economic slowdown for vocational education and training. (Contains 10 tables, 3 figures, and 4 footnotes.) [This paper formed the basis of presentations made to the Melbourne Institute's public policy forum of 25 March 2009 and the Australian Financial Review conference, "Taking skills to the world," 7 April 2009. This work has been produced by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments with funding provided through the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]
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- 2009
21. Measuring Educational Outcomes: Vocational Education and Training. Conference Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Karmel, Tom
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The vocational education and training (VET) sector has a long tradition of measuring and reporting outcomes. The public face of this is the "Annual National Report of the Australian Vocational Education and Training System" published (and tabled in the Commonwealth Parliament) since 1994. The reporting framework has undergone a number of changes corresponding to revision in high-level strategies developed by the former Australian National Training Authority (ANTA). This, however, is about to change. The catalyst for a radical examination of the reporting framework is the Council of Australian Governments' (COAG) reform agenda. This reform agenda is shaking up the funding relationships between the Commonwealth and the states and will place increasing reliance on measuring and reporting outcomes as distinct from focusing on the resources used (that is, inputs). In this paper, the author provides a history of performance measurement for the VET sector, beginning with the creation of the Australian National Training Authority and ending with what individuals know of the current reforms. As well as describing the various measures, he discusses the challenges that are thrown up by indicators. He concludes with his suggestions for indicators for the vocational education and training system. (Contains 7 footnotes.)
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- 2009
22. The Relevance of General Pedagogical Knowledge for Successful Teaching: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the International Evidence from Primary to Tertiary Education. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 212
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Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (France) and Ulferts, Hannah
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This systematic review investigates the relevance of general pedagogical knowledge for successful teaching. It synthesises the empirical evidence of 10 769 teaching professionals and 853 452 students from primary to tertiary education in 21 countries. The meta-analysis of 20 quantitative studies revealed significant effects for teaching quality and student outcomes (Cohen's d = 0.64 and 0.26), indicating that more knowledgeable teachers achieve a three-month additional progress for students. The three themes emerging from 31 qualitative studies underline that general pedagogical knowledge is a crucial resource for teaching. Results also show that teaching requires knowledge about a range of topics, specific skills and other competences to transform knowledge into practice. Teachers need training and practical experience to acquire knowledge, which they apply according to the pedagogical situation at hand. The results allow for important conclusions for policy, practice and research.
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- 2019
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23. The Place of VET in the Tertiary Sector. Conference Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Beddie, Francesca
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The utilitarian spirit of Australian education has meant that since the nineteenth century the notion of tertiary education has embraced all post-school learning, delivered in sandstone universities or working men's institutes or on the job. This is not the definition the peak bodies TAFE (Technical and Further Education) Directors Australia (TDA) and Universities Australia (UA) proposed in late April. They see: "Tertiary" education qualifications as those at diploma level and above, including where these qualifications may embed pathways from the qualification level below. TAFE Directors Australia and Universities Australia say their definition is "generally" consistent with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED). At the same time, it is a departure from the understanding of tertiary education that has prevailed in Australia for the past two centuries, which has embraced the entire gamut of adult learning. In their proposal, they are explicit about certificates I and II, which they see as more equivalent to secondary school. They are silent about certificates III and IV, except to suggest these can be a stepping stone to a diploma... but not, it seems, to a degree. Yet the certificate III is a tertiary qualification in its own right, in high demand as the basis on which tradespeople, technicians and others launch their careers. To concentrate attention on higher-level qualifications is not the way to encourage commencements in the trades and to address the demand for skills. In this address, the author argues how all vocational qualifications should be included in the definition of tertiary education. The author is sceptical about a system that concentrates on acquiring higher qualifications to the exclusion of other credentials or indeed unaccredited skills.
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- 2010
24. Proceedings of International Conference on Social and Education Sciences (Chicago, Illinois, October 15-18, 2020)
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International Society for Technology, Education and Science (ISTES) Organization, Akerson, Valari, and Sahin, Ismail
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"International Conference on Social and Education Sciences" includes full papers presented at the International Conference on Social and Education Sciences (IConSES) which took place on October 15-18, 2020 in Chicago, IL, USA. The aim of the conference is to offer opportunities to share your ideas, to discuss theoretical and practical issues and to connect with the leaders in the fields of education and social sciences. The conference is organized annually by the International Society for Technology, Education, and Science (ISTES). The IConSES invites submissions which address the theory, research or applications in all disciplines of education and social sciences. The IConSES is organized for: faculty members in all disciplines of education and social sciences, graduate students, K-12 administrators, teachers, principals and all interested in education and social sciences. After peer-reviewing process, all full papers are published in the Conference Proceedings. [For the 2019 proceedings, see ED602587.]
- Published
- 2020
25. Teaching and Assessing Ethics and Social Responsibility in Undergraduate Science: A Position Paper
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Schultz, Madeleine
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Institutional graduate capabilities and discipline threshold learning outcomes require science students to demonstrate ethical conduct and social responsibility. However, the teaching and assessment of these concepts are not straightforward. Australian chemistry academics participated in a workshop in 2013 to discuss and develop teaching and assessment in these areas, and this paper reports on the outcomes of the workshop. Controversial issues include: How broad is the mandate of the teacher, how should the boundaries between personal values and ethics be drawn, and who determines what constitutes social responsibility? In this position paper I argue for a deep engagement with ethics and social justice, achieved through case studies and assessed against criteria that require discussion and debate. Strategies to effectively assess science students' understanding of ethics and social responsibility are detailed.
- Published
- 2014
26. Should All Student Loan Payments Be Income-Driven? Trade-Offs and Challenges. White Paper
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Institute for College Access & Success, Asher, Lauren, Cheng, Diane, and Thompson, Jessica
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This white paper analyzes the potential effects of requiring income-driven repayment for all federal loans as well as relying on paycheck withholding for loan payments, with particular attention to the implications for low-income students and families. The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) also examines the relevance and evolution of mandatory IDR ["income-driven repayment"] systems in Australia and the United Kingdom, and the paper includes specific recommendations to streamline and improve student loan repayment options in the United States. Two appendices are included: (1) Citation List of Figure 2: "Key Comparisons of IDR Systems and Context: U.S., U.K., and Australia"; and (2) Borrower Example Details.
- Published
- 2014
27. Measuring VET Participation by Socioeconomic Status: An Examination of the Robustness of ABS SEIFA Measures over Time. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Lim, Patrick, and Karmel, Tom
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At every five-yearly census, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recalculates both the SEIFA (Socio-economic Indexes for Areas) indexes and also recalibrates the borders and sizes of the geographic areas from which these SEIFA measurements are derived. Further, over time, the composition of geographic areas may change, due to urban renewal or other factors. The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) reports vocational education and training (VET) participation rates at least annually, and the question that arises is how well do the SEIFA indexes perform over the interim years, that is, between the releases of new census data. Of particular interest is the reporting of participation rates for the census years. In reporting the 2011 year, NCVER uses the 2006 census data, as the ABS does not release new SEIFA values until 18 months after each census. The focus of this paper is on VET participation rates; however, the methodology would be equally applicable to higher education or school participation. The approach used in this paper is that the 2006 and 2011 National VET Provider Collections have had the 2006 and 2011 SEIFA measures applied to each of them, along with the Australian populations at each time. Using these data, it was possible to determine VET participation rates (by age) as a proportion of the Australian population, using both the 2006 and 2011 census data. The SEIFA index used in this paper was the Index of Relative Disadvantage (IRSD). [Funding for this document was provided by the Australian Department of Industry.]
- Published
- 2014
28. Disadvantaged Learners and VET to Higher Education Transitions. Occasional Paper
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National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Griffin, Tabatha
- Abstract
The vocational education and training (VET) system can provide an entry point to the education sector for people who have experienced disadvantage in their lives. Participation in VET can provide personal benefits as well as lead to further study and/or employment. How disadvantaged learners participate in vocational education and training is an important consideration. Further study and employment outcomes are more likely to stem from completing a higher-level VET qualification, but disadvantaged learners tend to enrol in lower-level qualifications. Hence, whether or not disadvantaged learners are transitioning from lower-level VET qualifications to higher-level vocational education and training and into higher education is of interest. Based on a review of the literature, this paper synthesises what is currently known about these transitions for disadvantaged learners. Disadvantaged learners tend to be over-represented in lower-level VET qualifications and underrepresented in higher-level VET and higher education. There is little in the literature that provides student perspectives on transitions from lower-level to higher-level vocational education and training and from VET into higher education. The literature shows that transition from VET to higher education is a viable pathway for some disadvantaged learners, although it is not used as widely as it could be. There are a number of factors that act as barriers: (1) Transition from vocational education and training to higher education is more likely to occur from higher-level VET qualifications. However, disadvantaged learners re-engaging with the education sector are more likely to enrol in lower-level qualifications. (2) Transition from VET to higher education can be complicated, even for students who are not disadvantaged. This is despite the array of formal arrangements, such as credit transfer, and supports that are in place. (3) Support services can make a difference, but there is a tension between providing individually tailored support and system-wide support. Limited resources are an issue, and priority should be given to supports most likely to lead to positive outcomes. This paper shows that disadvantaged learners tend to be over-represented in lower-level VET qualifications and underrepresented in higher-level VET and higher education. Transition from VET to higher education is a viable pathway for some disadvantaged learners, but this pathway is not used as widely as it could be.
- Published
- 2014
29. Integrated Model of VET Dynamics: Social and Economic Benefits for All. CRLRA Discussion Paper.
- Author
-
Tasmania Univ., Launceston (Australia). Centre for Learning & Research in Regional Australia. and Falk, Ian
- Abstract
The model currently used to represent the impacts of Australia's technical and further education (TAFE) programs implies a one-way flow of impact from TAFE to student to community. It may be argued that TAFE could better serve its clients by developing a social capital-based, two-way, reciprocal dynamic of vocational education and training (VET) planning and development. The evidence from a 5-year research effort encompassing more than 50 whole communities largely supports an integrated rather than segregated model of VET. The research has identified the following needs ("drivers") of the vocational learning experience: community; culture; enterprise; natural resource management; policy; providers; and industry. Vocational policy depends on two factors. The first is identifying vital checkpoints in the process of vocational learning where quality learning can be seen to have occurred. The second is identifying accurate benchmarks for profiling these checkpoints of quality. The solution to meeting these needs and conditions at the local level while juggling the demands of national strategic measures and data requirements lies in adopting a "community capacity inventory" model and resourcing through key performance measures. An integrated model of VET would be fairer and more accurate to all VET stakeholders, be more cost-effective for TAFE, and be better for enterprise and policy outcomes. (Contains 19 references.) (MN)
- Published
- 2001
30. National Workshop on Equity Research. Report and Papers from a National Workshop (Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, May 21-22, 1999). Working Paper.
- Author
-
Technology Univ.-Sydney, Broadway (Australia). Research Centre for Vocational Education and Training.
- Abstract
This publication is comprised of 12 position papers from the National Equity Workshop held at the University of Technology Sidney (Australia) at which participants summarized their positions on the way equity should be understood, their views on the strengths and weaknesses of current vocational education and training (VET) policy, and what they saw as the priorities for future research. The papers are prefaced with a summary of the conclusions of the workshop--strengths of current research, weaknesses, and new directions--and participant biographies. The papers are: "Using Statistical Methodologies to Interrogate Large Data-Bases" (Katrina Ball); "Managing Diversity" (Kate Barnett); "Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Policy and Research Priorities for VET, 1999" (Tony Dreise); "Equity Outcomes" (Tom Dumbrell); "Equity and VET: An Antilogous Project? A Personal Story of Equity Work in VET" (Elaine Butler); "Regrouping Equity" (Barry Golding, Veronica Volkoff); "Equity: VET for the Good of the Nation" (Ian Falk); "An Overview of Current Equity Research in the National Program" (Jennifer Gibb); "Locality and Community Agency in VET Research" (John McIntyre); "Equity for Training and Employment: Research Questions from a Policy Perspective" (Marion Norton); "Position Paper" (Rachel Robertson); and "Some Observations on Equity in VET" (Kaye Schofield). (YLB)
- Published
- 1999
31. Study Abroad and Student Mobility: Stories of Global Citizenship. Research Paper No. 21
- Author
-
University College London (UCL) (United Kingdom), Development Education Research Centre (DERC), Blum, Nicole, and Bourn, Douglas
- Abstract
The opportunity to study abroad is broadly hailed as a route for young people to develop a wide range of knowledge and skills, including intercultural understanding, interpersonal skills, and language learning, among many others. Universities around the world are investing significant resources in developing a variety of study abroad programmes, ranging from short or long term in duration, and from guided to independent study. These may have a number of aims, including to promote individual student learning and development and to enhance student mobility and employability, particularly in the context of a rapid and changeable global employment market. The terms 'global citizen', 'global graduate', 'global skills' and 'global mindset' have all taken on increased significance within this context. Limited research has been conducted, however, to explore students' own perspectives of these terms. This small scale study therefore set out to explore the perspectives of students on UCL's BASc programme and especially to better understand where and how the learning they gained during study abroad resonates with UCL's global citizenship and student mobility strategies. [Funding was provided by the UCL Global Engagement Office (GEO).]
- Published
- 2019
32. Response to the DIAC Discussion Paper: 'Review of the General Skilled Migration Points Test'. Go8 Position Paper
- Author
-
Group of Eight (Australia)
- Abstract
The Group of Eight (Go8) applauds the government's intention to comprehensively reform the skilled migration program, and it welcomes the opportunity to submit this response to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Points Test Discussion Paper. The Go8 has argued for some time that it is inappropriate to link international education to the skilled migration program. Educational decisions should not be driven by the availability of extra points for studying in Australia nor for undertaking courses with narrowly defined occupational ends. Rather, the level and quality of educational qualifications should underpin the new skilled migration program so that the government, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, can better meet Australia's short, medium and long term human capital needs. This paper provides the Go8's response to specific questions raised by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) in its 15 February paper.
- Published
- 2010
33. The Move to a System of Flexible Delivery Mode (Online v Paper) Unit of Study Student Evaluations at Flinders University. Management Issues and the Study of Initial Changes in Survey Volume, Response Rate and Response Level
- Author
-
Bennett, Talitha and De Bellis, David
- Abstract
Like the vast majority of Australian universities, Flinders University (Flinders) collects feedback from students on the quality of teaching and learning through unit of study (topic) or classroom evaluations. Prior to 2009, survey instruments at Flinders were delivered via paper mode and in person to students in the classroom. In a drive for an improvement to administrative efficiency, the adoption of a new system in 2009 created the option of two modes of delivery. Instruments can now be delivered via either paper mode in class, identical in most aspects to the previous system, or online mode, where students fill out the survey instrument, typically outside of class, using the World Wide Web. The choice of delivery mode is at the discretion of the academic. Students have no choice; they receive the survey either via paper or online. This article examines a number of aspects of this change in process at Flinders. Some general aspects of managing the implementation of the new process are discussed. Take-up rates of paper mode versus online mode show that the overwhelming majority of surveys were conducted online in 2009. A dramatic increase in the volume of surveying was noted. Response rates fell by approximately 20% overall and some evidence of a change in the level of response was apparent (cause unknown). Findings at the institution and faculty level are presented where applicable. [This paper was first presented at the Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Institutional Research, "Turning water into wine: Institutional Research as an essential ingredient in strategic decision making for tertiary education" held in Adelaide, 11-13 November 2009.]
- Published
- 2010
34. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
This is a support document to the "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide" report. Developed for users of LSAY, the user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. This support document provides employment information for the guide. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74," see ED536971. For other supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A" (ED536979); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]
- Published
- 2012
35. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
This is a support document to the "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide" report. Developed for users of LSAY, the user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. This support document provides post-school information for the guide. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74," see (ED536971). For other support documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A" (ED536979); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]
- Published
- 2012
36. Global Skills Crunch: A Case of Dog Eat Dog? Presented to the Wellington Exchange--Evolving Higher Education Agendas, December 4, 2008. Conference Paper
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Karmel, Tom
- Abstract
This paper was presented to a meeting of the Wellington Exchange, an international group of higher education officials, in December 2008. One of the topics of the meeting was around the issue of possible skills shortages emerging as a result of demographic trends, with the ageing of the population of developed countries. The paper argues that this is not an issue about which we need to be alarmist. There is little evidence of impending skills shortages. This is not to say that there will be no skills shortages in specific areas. In any case, the business cycle could have a much more dramatic effect on the demand for skills than demographic trends. (Contains 5 tables, 8 figures, and 3 footnotes.) [This work has been produced on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments.]
- Published
- 2009
37. Evolution of Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Australia: An Unfinished History. Occasional Paper
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Knight, Brian
- Abstract
This paper traces the evolution of Australia's apprenticeship and traineeship system since permanent European settlement in 1788. The system was imported from Great Britain; it has evolved and diverged in some areas but retains many of the features of the British model. Most major changes have occurred in the last 25 years. The apprenticeship model--a combination of paid employment, on-the-job and institutional training--has always had particular appeal for meeting intergenerational skills transfer: it provides employers with a source of low-cost labour, the apprentice with paid employment, and an opportunity for government to subsidise employment for those needing help to establish themselves in the labour market. Indeed, the community, employees, unions, employers and government have come to regard apprenticeships as the system for training in the trades and have tolerated few alterations to the system, beyond those resulting from shifts in the occupational and industry mix in the Australian economy and changes in secondary schooling arrangements. The first important reform to apprenticeships occurred in 1985 with the introduction of traineeships, which extended the model to a much wider range of occupations, generally at lower qualification levels. The second was in the mid-1990s when the Australian Government began paying incentives on a large scale to employers to help offset the costs of apprenticeships and traineeships and to encourage more commencements. This had a spectacular impact on traineeship numbers but much less effect on trades apprenticeships. Other significant changes were introduced in 1998; these allowed school students, existing workers and part-time workers to undertake apprenticeships and traineeships. In short, since 1985 the system has moved from one dominated by young males undertaking apprenticeships in the trades to one that provides apprenticeships and traineeships to people of all ages and both sexes, and in a much wider range of occupations. Key messages from this paper include: (1) The apprentice and trainee system needs to address some major issues. Much of the training is at low qualification levels with little or no economic return. And it can be argued that it is neglecting the general education needs of young people; (2) The system needs greater capacity to adapt and respond quickly to changing labour market demands. Australia might look to the experience of countries that use an institutional training model for trade training, which may be much easier to ramp up quickly; and (3) By any standards the cost of Australia's current system places a hefty burden on the public purse, estimated at $2.9 billion in 2008-09. Recorded occupation of a sample of skilled convicts transported to Australia, 1788-1868 is appended. (Contains 4 tables, 2 figures and 1 footnote.)
- Published
- 2012
38. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
This is a support document to the "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide" report. Developed for users of LSAY, the user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. This support document provides demographics information for the guide. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74," see ED536971. For other supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]
- Published
- 2012
39. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
Developed for users of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), this user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. The guide aims to address all aspects of the LSAY data including: how to access the data; data restrictions; variable naming conventions; the structure of the data; documentation; classifications and code frames used; weights; and derived variables. Updates to the Y09 data file are appended. (Contains 14 tables, 9 figures and 6 footnotes.) [For supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A" (ED536979); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]
- Published
- 2012
40. Response to the DEEWR Discussion Paper: 'An Indicator Framework for Higher Education Performance Funding'. Go8 Position Paper
- Author
-
Group of Eight (Australia)
- Abstract
The Higher Education Performance Funding to be introduced in 2011 is a key development in the policy and financing framework for Australian Higher Education. The performance funding framework, along with mission-based compacts, the new equity initiatives, the relaxing of caps on Commonwealth supported places and the establishment of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) will radically change the drivers of higher education in Australia into the future. It is important these measures are implemented within a well considered policy framework and a strong understanding of the overall impacts. The Government's consultations on performance funding and low-SES participation provide opportunities for important inputs to be made. This response outlines the broader policy implications of the performance funding initiative, the Group of Eight's (Go8) approach to the Government's objectives, explores general policy issues which need further consideration, identifies specific concerns with the proposed measures, and suggests a way forward in partnership. (Contains 8 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2009
41. Reflections on the Tertiary Education Sector in Australia. Conference Paper
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Karmel, Tom
- Abstract
The split between higher education and vocational education and training (VET) in Australia is not clean. This paper discusses a number of aspects of this tertiary education sector: the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which describes the qualifications offered by the three education sectors: schools, higher education and VET; student characteristics of the two sectors; a characterisation of higher education and VET; and student movement between the two sectors. Many education providers operate in both the higher education and VET sectors, and many have links with providers in the other sector. Higher education and VET differ in terms of student characteristics. The number of students transferring between the two sectors are substantial but are relatively small compared to the numbers following traditional pathways of school to TAFE [technical and further education] or higher education. Appendices include: (1) Number of domestic students in TAFE institutes in 2007; (2) Number of domestic and overseas students in higher education in 2007; (3) Actual student load for overseas and domestic students in higher education in 2007; (4) Three examples of articulation between TAFE and higher education in Australia; (5) Higher education provider data by basis of admission; and (6) Student outcomes data. (Contains 1 box, 20 tables, and 12 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2009
42. How a 'Tertiary Education' Sector Impacts on the Way NCVER Thinks about Research and Statistics. Discussion Paper for TAFE Directors Australia 'TD A09 Reposition, Restructure, Retrain' Conference (Gold Coast, Australia, September 2009)
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Pattison, Sandra, and Hargreaves, Jo
- Abstract
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) was asked by Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Directors Australia to consider, in a discussion paper for their conference held on the Gold Coast in September 2009, how a "tertiary education" sector impacts on the way people think about research and statistics. While a tertiary education focus would be a forward-looking step, it is important that both vocational education and training (VET) and higher education issues receive due attention. Individuals need to build on the good work done for the VET sector rather than subsume it in any sense. What is needed to make sense of the education, participation and achievement of individual students is an integrated tertiary education statistical system. This would require a common core set of standards. It would be relatively straightforward to populate a tertiary education student database from different collections. This database would then be a resource for policymakers and researchers. An integrated approach is required, not an approach which appends higher education statistics to the VET statistics or vice versa.
- Published
- 2009
43. Organisational Narratives vs the Lived Neoliberal Reality: Tales from a Regional University
- Author
-
Rogers, Marg, Sims, Margaret, Bird, Jo, and Elliott, Sue
- Abstract
Organisational narratives are foundational to inform the actions and directions of an organisation. Modern organisations often place great weight and invest significant time crafting their narratives that are communicated through mission statements, strategic plans, policies, directives and self-promotion. Sometimes these narratives align with the lived reality of the workers and those who deal with the organisation, but at other times there is a significant gap, or even chasm, between the portrayed ideal and the reality. This paper situates such narratives, and the lived experiences within critical organisational theory and a neoliberal framework. Utilising autoethnographic accounts of four academics within a higher education context, it highlights this gap and the need to voice concerns about this misalignment. The paper raises awareness of both organisations and workers to the importance of being true to narratives and ensuring they are an accurate representation of what happens. It offers ideas for resisting the disjunction between narrative and reality and a way of challenging neoliberalism within higher education.
- Published
- 2020
44. Early Post-School Outcomes of Indigenous Youth: The Role of Literacy and Numeracy. Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth. Briefing Paper 22
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Nguyen, Nhi
- Abstract
Despite significant improvements in the areas of education and employment, the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth remain. Across some indicators--for example, university participation--the gap has actually widened. This is mainly because improvements for non-Indigenous young people have matched or surpassed the gains made by Indigenous young people. Governments at both federal and state levels are striving to improve Indigenous people's educational attainment and employment participation. The consistently lower scores in reading and maths assessments achieved by Indigenous youth have meant that improving their performance in literacy and numeracy has become one of the key target areas on the national agenda to assist in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Using data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), this briefing paper explores the impact of literacy and numeracy levels on the educational gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. The paper focuses on the early post-school outcomes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people between 1999 and 2007. Appendices include: (1) Measuring the Gap; and (2) Additional Table. (Contains 11 tables and 3 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2010
45. Estimation of Apprentice and Trainee Statistics. Technical Paper
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Harvey, Brian
- Abstract
Apprentice and trainee data are reported by the state and territory training authorities to the National Centre for Vocational Education and Training (NCVER) on a quarterly basis, starting at the September quarter of 1994. The set of data submitted that quarter is referred to as collection 1. The sets of data submitted in subsequent quarters are referred to as collection 2, collection 3 and so on. At the time of writing, the set of data being submitted is for the June 2009 quarter and is referred to as collection 60. Of particular interest are the numbers of contracts of training that commence, complete, cancel/withdraw, recommence, expire or suspend, and the time at which these events occur (referred to as the "date of effect"). From these events, the number of contracts "in-training" at a given time can be calculated. The purpose of this technical paper is to describe: (1) the way data accumulate over many collections; (2) how items derived from the data change as the data accumulate; (3) the endorsed estimation method (developed from the analysis of the above); (4) the formulae for calculating the required estimates; and (5) potential weaknesses in the method. Supporting data is appended. (Contains 4 tables, 8 figures and 1 footnote.) [This paper is an updated version of the "Estimation of Apprentice and Trainee Statistics. Technical Paper" report. For the original paper, see ED510131.]
- Published
- 2010
46. Building Capability in Vocational Education and Training Providers: The TAFE Cut. Occasional Paper
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Guthrie, Hugh, and Clayton, Berwyn
- Abstract
This paper focuses on issues which affect the capability of technical and further education (TAFE) providers to meet their clients' and stakeholders' needs and draws extensively on the reports of the consortium research program which examined ways to help build vocational education and training (VET) provider and workforce capability. The paper puts this research, most of which was completed in 2006 and 2007, into a contemporary framework. It suggests that TAFE providers need to be free of unnecessary central constraints to help them meet their strategic business needs. This includes more direct control of human resources matters and industrial relations. (Contains 8 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2010
47. Measures of Student Success: Can We Predict Module-Completion Rates? Occasional Paper
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Learned, Jeanette
- Abstract
There are many factors which might cause a student to drop out of a course of study; some of these are preventable. This paper describes the piloting of a survey tool designed to identify students at risk of not completing. Attendance was found to be the strongest predictor of module completion; low or declining scores on the survey were also predictive of students dropping out. The research for this paper was undertaken by a novice researcher in the Community of Practice Scholarship Program, which is funded through National Centre for Vocational Education Research's (NCVER's) Building Researcher Capacity initiative. Appended are: (1) Defining completion; (2) Surveys; (3) Comments from student surveys; and (4) Correlation values--survey scores (all measures). (Contains 5 tables, 7 figures, and 6 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2010
48. Does Support for VET Reduce Employee Churn? A Case Study in Local Government. Occasional Paper
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Curry, Kath
- Abstract
To what extent do local governments use vocational education and training as a staff retention strategy? Human resources personnel from a selection of councils around Australia believed that a lack of career development or training opportunities might cause an employee to leave their organisation. They had some reservations about the quality and value of VET, but planned to continue to use it for staff development as it is the most widely available option. This paper is by a novice researcher from the Community of Practice program, which is part of NCVER's Building Researcher Capacity initiatives. The research for this paper was undertaken while the author worked as National Workforce Development Advisor at Government Skills Australia. The paper investigates the extent to which local government councils offer vocational education and training as a strategy to retain their employees. The study comprised interviews with key human resource personnel in 14 councils around Australia, as well as an analysis of council records on staff training and turnover. Appended are: (1) Interview questions; and (2) Turnover data analysis by council. (Contains 9 tables and 10 footnotes.)
- Published
- 2010
49. Training and Assessment (TAA40104) in Community Providers in New South Wales: Participant Intentions and Outcomes. Occasional Paper
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research and Walker, Ruth
- Abstract
Five years after implementation, the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA40104, and hereafter also referred to as the Certificate IV) remains a pivotal qualification in the national vocational education and training (VET) system. Under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) it is the qualification required by both workplace trainers/assessors and trainers/assessors working in classroom situations in registered training organisations (RTOs). Graduates with this qualification are in a position to have a significant influence on the quality of VET delivery. Consequently, opinions abound regarding the content and delivery of the qualification. There is a small but growing body of research, reports and conference papers that focus on the implementation of the qualification (Alexander 2007; Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board 2008), its fitness as the benchmark for trainers and assessors in the national VET system (Innovation Business Skills Australia 2006; McRae 2008; Smith 2007; Robertson 2008, 2009) and more recently the experiences of those who have undertaken the qualification (Down, De Luca & Galloway 2009; Clayton 2009). This paper aims to contribute to this body of research by exploring the goals of a sample of Certificate IV candidates and their expectations of the course, and comparing their initial intentions with their actual outcomes. As the author works in the adult and community education (ACE) sector in New South Wales, the sample was drawn from among the 25 NSW ACE providers with the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment on their scope of registration. The research findings will be useful for registered training organisations who are seeking a procedure for examining and comparing intent and outcomes. This paper provides a brief overview of current research and reports on the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and other literature relating to the measurement of learner intent and outcomes. The paper then discusses the findings that emerged from the data collected for this research. Appendices include: (1) Online survey questions; (2) Phone interview questions; and (3) Profiles of phone interviewees. (Contains 2 tables, 9 figures, and 1 footnote.)
- Published
- 2010
50. Review of the AVETMIS Standard for VET Providers: Discussion Paper
- Author
-
National Centre for Vocational Education Research
- Abstract
The Australian Vocational Education and Training Management Information Statistical Standard (AVETMISS) for vocational education and training (VET) providers (referred to as "the Standard") is currently being reviewed by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The Standard is the framework that underpins the National VET Provider Collection. It provides consistency in data definitions, which ensures accurate data for use in national data collections, where information is compiled from many different sources. This discussion paper is the first step in the review. It provides a framework for feedback and identifies key issues for consideration. There are many issues associated with the specification of a Standard, such as what information is to be collected, from whom and how often. Decisions about implementation of the AVETMIS Standard are made by a range of different bodies and, while the focus of this paper is primarily on the information to be collected, comments on the timing and coverage are also welcome. Two appendices are included. (Contains 1 figure.)
- Published
- 2010
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