FET 5201 Current Issues in Post-Compulsory Education and Training

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

"Throughout the world, there is a growing awareness of the significance of vocational and post-compulsory education and training systems. The majority of countries are working hard to develop their provision, recognising the importance of post-compulsory education in providing educated and skilled people in sufficient numbers at appropriate levels to assist economic and social development." (http://www.triangle.co.uk/rpe/, [Accessed 23-06-2005]) Through successful completion of this course the learner will gain an improved understanding of the bigger picture in terms of the broader post-compulsory education and training context including secondary, tertiary, VET, community and workplace learning environments, as well as an understanding of the key and emerging issues, including a strong focus on political agendas and policy analysis with specific reference to VET and Higher Education.

SYNOPSIS:

This course involves in depth study of some of the key issues currently affecting post-compulsory education and training nationally and internationally. This study will involve a research-based component which allows the learner to critique a policy or policy change relevant to their particular context. This research-based investigation will offer the learner the opportunity to gain improved understanding of the influence of factors on post-compulsory education and training such as government policy and reforms, history, technology, accountability for quality, supply and demand, sectorial and demographic changes, research needs and globalisation. No study of current issues can successfully proceed without a good understanding of how that context came to be. Clearly, any analysis of current issues affecting post-compulsory education and training should begin with a backward glance at the source of those issues. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the State of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the State of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.

OBJECTIVES:

The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. The assessment item(s) that may be used to assess student achievement of an objective are shown in parenthesis. On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how post-compulsory education and training has developed nationally and internationally; (Research Proposal and Research Report)
2. demonstrate an appreciation of the major factors which shaped this development and the current issues which continue to shape post-compulsory education and training today as well as its likely futures; (Research Proposal and Research Report)
3. understand and apply skills in policy analysis in the post-compulsory education and training context; (Policy Review and Analysis)
4. through a process of critical analysis of current issues and developments, and their implications for teaching and learning within their specific context, gain an improved understanding of how those events, reforms, policies and factors have combined to give shape to the current post-compulsory education and training context and its likely futures. (Research Proposal and Research Report)

TOPICS:

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

There is no set text for this course. Students will be required to read widely and access web and print-based material.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Any recommended references will be referred to in the study materials.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   Attendance requirements: There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item. This course contains discussion forums where students' participation is formally assessed and contributes to the requirements for successful completion of the first and second assignments.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   In this course, if students are more than two weeks late with the submission of any assessment task, they are required to contact the course examiner, who may, at his/her discretion, grant a further extension.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items and achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks or grades obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course. Any non-graded assessment requirements will have to be satisfactorily met for students to pass the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination in this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Part of this course is conducted by way of a web-based discussion group, and students are normally required to have web access, with e-mail access as a minimum requirement.
2. Students enrolling in WEB courses MUST have ongoing convenient and reliable access to the Internet in order to access course materials and participate in activities that will affect assessment. The levels of equipment required may change from time to time, with the most recent specification listed at http://www.usq.edu.au/currentstudents/computingstandards/default.htm. You can check whether your computer system meets these requirements from USQAssist (http://usqassist.usq.edu.au/).
3. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc.) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html. *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the state of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.