TAFE online delivery concerns

By Ramona Mitussis TAFE organiser

Online delivery survey

Following the completion of the first TAFE semester this year, the SSTUWA held a survey into the online delivery of TAFE courses. This survey was open to all TAFE lecturers, not just members of the union.

About 300 TAFE lecturers, or approximately 15 per cent of the lecturing workforce, responded. The SSTUWA believes that the data gathered, along with survey participant responses, accurately reflects the situation and thoughts of the TAFE lecturing workforce in WA.

From their Semester 1 experience, respondents felt that an average of 58 per cent of their students did not have appropriate equipment and learning skills to be taught online.

It is interesting to note that this figure was collated from lecturers across different courses and industry areas, meaning that for some lecturers, the number of students without appropriate equipment and learning skills to be taught online would have been higher.

Almost 92 per cent of lecturers felt that students were at risk of dropping out of studies or disengaging from learning if the move to online learning continued.

In terms of students disengaging if their studies were moved online, this is a real issue for our members.

It is also very concerning that only seven per cent of lecturers felt that industry and/or TAFE student employers would be very supportive of moving practical skill development or assessment activities online, and almost 50 per cent would be not supportive at all.

Only a quarter of respondents state they are being consulted about how their course will be delivered in Semester 2, while many have concerns about the support and time needed or given to support online delivery, or a blended approach. Before any move to increase online or blended delivery the sector needs to fully analyse which courses or units could feasibly and appropriately be delivered in a blended format and fund the support and time needed to develop quality learning resources.

This is not simple – time needs to be spent doing this analysis before any further move to increase blended delivery. Lecturers need to be actively and properly consulted during this process.

Fundamental also would be the introduction of special units for students designed to help them increase their learning skills to the point that we know they will thrive in a blended learning environment.

Students would also need to be practically supported to ensure they have ongoing access to appropriate equipment and internet to facilitate their learning.

The COVID-19 crisis has clearly shown just how under resourced the TAFE sector is in terms of supporting students in online or blended learning.

The union has been discussing these issues with the department and pushed for more support for lecturers and students including specially designed units to help increase student capacity to learn online.

However, a key message from the survey responses was that online and blended delivery were overwhelming, not appropriate delivery modes given course content, assessment requirements and student needs, and should therefore only be introduced in a limited way.

The full report will be available to members soon.

General Agreement update

The 2019 TAFE General Agreement, which has been accepted by members, was registered on 6 August.

The SSTUWA is working on producing a new Red Book, whilst the TAFE Committee is working on implementation of the new agreement.

Members are encouraged to attend future know your rights training to fully understand the agreement and changes to it.

A final copy of the TAFE General Agreement is available on our website. Updated Red Books and Know Your Rights information sheets will be available in the upcoming months.