ADULT COMMUNITY ED
MEMBER EXPERT
The future of e-learning The experience of teaching in 2020 in the Adult & Community Education sector I don't know if it comes as a surprise to most fellow union members, but Adult Community Education (ACE) workers also form a part of the NTEU – though you may not hear much about us or our particular issues. It's a sector made up of community centres and neighbourhood houses that rightfully prides itself on catering to the needs of adult learners who are unlikely, in the first instance, to pass through the doors of a TAFE, college or private provider.
...online and blended delivery will be the order of the day, but you do wonder whether that will be a plus or a minus for most teachers.
Community based providers deliver both accredited and non-accredited courses. In the English language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills space, teachers have identical qualifications to those working in TAFE – but typically work for half the pay and like our colleagues in the tertiary sector, have problems securing permanency. So, there are several issues to do with casualisation, workload and remuneration that remain sticking points for many.
Dale Pobega, Wyndham Community and Education Centre
6
Sentry
•
APRIL 2021
Pandemic pivot When COVID-19 hit and teachers were suddenly asked to do that much more – often with very little or no training in e-learning – I think these issues became quite pronounced. As we go forward there is a reasonable belief that things can never be the same again and that online and blended delivery will be the order of the day, but you do wonder whether that will be a plus or a minus for most teachers.
