TGIT+Case+Study

=Name of Project: = = Top Gear in Technology =

=Background=

The Tasmanian Skills Institute (TSI) is an Australian registered training organisation who deliver training Australia wide and to international clients. We are an employer and industry aligned training provider and are focused on workforce skills development. We deliver training for complete qualifications and customised skill sets. Training is carried out over 20 industry sectors delivering in excess of 600 training products which are delivered to our clients business goals and locations. The team consists of trainers from two certificate three qualifications (AUR30805 Panel Beating and Vehicle Painting), a technical advisor, facilitator and project manager.

Our project aim is to increase the efficiencies surrounding assessment for industry partners, TSI staff and apprentices. We will achieve this through the use of iPhones and embedded TSI technology including iQTImplayer and Compass assessment tools by TSI staff and by using European Bodyworks Technology (ETB) resources for evidence gathering. A relationship between European Technology and the Skills Institute was formed to develop a more efficient method of assessing students progress and development of skills training.

Apprentices within the TSI Motor body area are all employed at various motor body workshops around Tasmania and attend block release for one or two weeks at the TSI Valley Road Devonport Campus, three times per year. The implementation of assessment using I Phones/iQTImplayer has taken place both during block release and on the job.

Without the funding this technology, knowledge and skills would have remained isolated within the delivery team.

=What was done=

Peter Higgs and Julian Ebeli are the key sources for implementation and support of Compass and iQTIm Player. Our project aim is to increase the efficiencies surrounding assessment for industry partners, Tasmanian Skills Institute staff and apprentices. We will achieve this through the use of I Phones and embedded TSI technology including iQTIm Player and Compass assessment tools by TSI staff and by using European Bodyworks Technology resources for evidence gathering.

A simple one page document was provided to apprentices that will explain how traditional paper-based assessment has shifted to the mobile technology platform.

An introductory session at ETB led by members of the TSI project team discussed with the apprentices aspects of the project and encourage them to be wil

=Benefits experienced by=

The funding has allowed the sharing of this technology with the Vocational Education Training practioners and employers to allow feedback and further ongoing development.

European Bodyworks Technology and Tasmanian Skills Institute firmly believe that reducing the amount of paperwork involved in training and assessment will have flow on effects that will see their apprentices spending more time in the workshop. It will also mean less time is spent by management following paper trails. The current assessment practice requires apprentices during their four years of study, to maintain a folder which holds all their unit of competency records. They must have this at their workplace when the TSI assessors arrive. As noted above, the reduction of paper will provide immediate efficiency. A comparison was carried out in a workplace using both paper based and iQTI assessment.

The major highlight of the assessments carried out was the time saved by using the iQTI player. Five observations were completed by both assessors with approx a 50% saving in time using the iQTI player and the built in still and video camera, which also included emailing the completed assessment and evidence photos back to the students file. The paper based assessment still needed to down load/print photos via digital camera for the students file as well as adding the competed assessment. The consensus that was arrived at was, the iQTI player represented approx. 50% time saving, with the added benefits of immediately providing the employer or student a copy of the assessment immediately if required. The flexibility of the iQTI portability has enabled the work place assessor to observe a larger range of competencies due to not having to carry a large folder of paper based assessments.

Digital assessment must be carried out with care due to the accuracy of the recording media. A background conversation or image may infringe on some one else's privacy or may raise copy write issues quite unintentionally. Practices/processes that the workplace carries out which may be identified by competitors should also be avoided which may include the identification of customer vehicles. Work place assessors should also be aware that they may be seen to be “texting” rather that completing a assessment. A work place evidence form should also be completed to allow the assessor to use digital recording devices in the work place and ensuring its safe use in that environment.

=The results=

The project has encouraged students to learn the use of technology and to gather evidence of their work even when the TSI teachers are not present. Students have also realised that the technology used records everything, therefore their OHS requirements and working processes must be of a high standard. As the employers see the assessment process evolve and improve, they become more engaged in the training process of their own staff, which in turn lifts productivity. Workplace assessors have benefitted by a very flexible, portable and efficient tool to complete their work. By cutting the amount of time to assess a student and the ability to digitally record the assessment in audio, still, or video mode allows for a valid, flexible and authentic assessment.

=Project outputs=

The project has allowed the employer/s more input to the assessment process which has increased the engagement of both employers and student. The student is able to see their progress and skills increase giving them more confidence to tackle new skills and to add to their skills base which in turn has benefitted the employer. Perhaps the next step to this project would be to develop clustered or complete task related units to further cut down on the assessments required. The work place assessor needs to be very aware of privacy and copy write issues while conducting digital assessments.

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=Framework connection=

The national training system’s E-learning Strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) funds and supports E-learning Innovations projects which aim to embed e-learning into the national training system by supporting and enabling innovation in training design and delivery, at the state and territory level.

The learning objects developed and placed in the repository for future use will allow teachers/staff access to this technology. Further showcasing of this technology at various conferences and meetings at a nation level, i.e. National motor body conference, will allow this tool to be seen by a larger population of work place assessors. Recently attending training course in Sydney and showing some colleges a sample of the assessment process developed created a great deal of sustained interest.

In engaging in this E-learning Innovations project, the following Framework products and resources were used… Templates and Fiona Huskinson's advice and support.

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The national training system’s E-learning Strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework funds and supports E-learning Innovations

=Acknowledgement=

This is a Tasmanian E-learning Innovations project output, developed by Tasmanian Skills Institute and European Technologies Bodywork, with seed funding from the Framework.

=For more information=

For more information on the Australian Flexible Learning Framework: Phone: 07 3307 4700 Email: enquiries@flexiblelearning.net.au Website: flexiblelearning.net.au