Project purpose
In the teaching and learning space, what works best for each learner is dependent upon a myriad of interconnecting factors such as the learning style of the student and their reason for learning; the barriers different student cohorts face; the capability and skill of the teacher and the relationship between the student and teacher; and the context or environment in which the learning is situated.
This project aims to determine the best VET teaching practices and activities that are transferable and applicable to different fields of education, qualifications, or contexts, and that match how people learn best. This research will focus on how to support VET teachers to deliver quality learning, possibly through the development of common resources, guidance and/or teaching materials in the areas identified through the project e.g., peer support, instructional design and digitisation.
Research questions
The overarching question that guides this research is: What teaching and assessment practices work best and for whom?
Within this are the following questions:
- How do VET teachers adapt to different learning styles and what does this look like in practice?
- How do VET teachers shift their teaching/assessment methods when they see something isn’t working?
- This includes responding to issues such as lack of foundation and/or digital skills and responding to disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and associated shifts in delivery
- How do teaching/assessment methods vary by delivery mode?
- Do teaching/assessment methods vary in the teaching of technical vs soft skills? If so, how?
- Do trainers use common practices in teaching/assessment across different contexts? Could these apply across different fields of education and delivery modes?
Methodology
This qualitative research will be conducted in the following stages:
Stage 1: A review of the literature
Recent national and international literature (last 5 years) will be reviewed to understand how people learn best. Literature will be drawn from VET, school and HE (but will be considered in the VET context). Findings from the literature will be used to develop a matrix or framework, if appropriate, to be used in Part 2 of the project.
Stage 2: Consultation
Interviews will be undertaken with teachers/trainers recognised for excellence in teaching/training and assessment (including in online delivery) to develop case studies of high quality teaching/training and assessment practices.
A small number of online forums with additional practitioners will be conducted to validate the findings of the interviews and provide a broader perspective.