Teaching in the VET sector in Australia

This book provides an in-depth exploration of both the theory and the practice of teaching in the vocational education and training (VET) sector in Australia. Each chapter invites the reader to reflect on their own practice and offers practical examples and case stories to assist the teacher to develop their own professional expertise. The book provides the new teacher or trainee teacher with an overview of the VET sector in Australia and introduces the reader to some of the issues that are part of the VET environment. It explores some of the dimensions of teaching and the diverse range...  [+] Show more

This book provides an in-depth exploration of both the theory and the practice of teaching in the vocational education and training (VET) sector in Australia. Each chapter invites the reader to reflect on their own practice and offers practical examples and case stories to assist the teacher to develop their own professional expertise. The book provides the new teacher or trainee teacher with an overview of the VET sector in Australia and introduces the reader to some of the issues that are part of the VET environment. It explores some of the dimensions of teaching and the diverse range of learners that are characteristic of any VET classroom, workshop or enterprise setting where teaching is taking place. The book also introduces some of the major learning theories that are relevant in VET and provides practical guidance on the implications of theory for VET practice.

High quality assessment is critical to the credibility of VET and the book includes a chapter where this controversial area is made accessible to the reader. Language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) are now an embedded feature of VET teaching and the chapter on this topic discusses different views of LLN and encourages the reader to interrogate their own skills and apply their learning to their teaching. eLearning is increasingly part of VET teaching and this is discussed in detail. Similarly engaging with industry is fast becoming a significant part of the role of the VET teacher and the rationale and the practical and day to day implications for this development are explored. The act of teaching is investigated and this chapter brings together many of the themes raised elsewhere. Finally the reader is introduced to the benefits of reflective practice through an exploration of some of the ways that teachers can evaluate the effectiveness of their own teaching.

Edited excerpts from publisher's website.

The chapters are as follows: The context of teaching in vocational education and training (VET) in Australia / Erica Smith (pp. 1-19); Learning theory for VET teachers / Steven Hodge, Tracey Ollis (pp. 21-36); Design, development and delivery in VET / Sarojni Choy, Annette Green (pp. 37-58); Assessment in the VET sector / Michele Simons, Anni Yaringa (pp. 59-73); Diverse learners / Ann Kelly, Sarah O'Shea, Kathleen Tanner (pp. 75-93); Language, literacy and numeracy in VET teaching / Keiko Yasukawa (pp. 95-109); eLearning in vocational education and training / Jillian Downing, Ros Brennan Kemmis, Sharon Ahern (pp. 111-129); Teachers working in partnership with industry / Erica Smith (pp. 131-142); Reflective practice for VET teachers / Liz Atkins (pp. 143-156).