Vocational Update (No. 2) -- April 2013

Vocational Update Volume 2 Article 1 4-2013 Vocational Update (No. 2) -- April 2013 Follow this and additional works at: http://research.acer.edu.au/vocupd Recommended Citation (2013) "Vocational Update (No. 2) -- April 2013," Vocational Update: Vol. 2, Article 1. Available at: http://research.acer.edu.au/vocupd/vol2/iss2/1 This Journal Article is brought to you by ACEReSearch. It has been accepted for inclusion in Vocational Update by an authorized administrator of ACEReSearch. For more information, please contact . et al.: Vocational Update (No. 2) -- April 2013 Vocational UPDATE Leading like a candle Edition 2 April 2013 1 Editorial In this issue of Vocational Update we focus on the assessment of language, literacy and numeracy (LLN), and the implications of LLN and good assessment for effective vocational and workplace education and training. Jim Spithill looks at the ‘N’ in LLN and explains how language and literacy are crucial aspects to effective adult numeracy training. When you consider that numeracy tends to be a barrier to learning and workplace achievement for many adults, it’s high time we stopped treating it as the poor cousin in LLN training. INSIDE… Upcoming activities: Building on evidence to improve skills 2 Language, literacy and numeracy: The key to effective teaching and learning? 4 Teaching numeracy with adults 6 Computerised assessment of writing for VET 8 Return on investment in language, literacy and numeracy training 10 Improving learners’ and workers’ core skills 12 Addressing core skills in the 21st century 14 Continuous improvement: AQIS and continuous improvement 15 ACER 16 The need to target numeracy explicitly is also a key message in ACER’s submission to the Commonwealth Government’s review of elements of its Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program, as we outline in ‘The key to effective teaching and learning? Language, literacy and numeracy.’ A second key message in ACER’s submission is that while the Australian Core Skills Framework is a useful and effective tool for the assessment and benchmarking of adult LLN skills, there are a number of challenges in using it for assessment, particularly given the complexity of the framework and its breadth of content and levels. We look under the hood of the AQTF Quality Indicator Service to see why this program is helping RTOs to collect quality standards information to support the delivery of their training programs. We also look at new research to estimate the return to employers from investing in literacy and numeracy training, not only to evaluate the pay-off from their existing training programs but also to help plan future training investments. As industry focuses more sharply on literacy and numeracy skills in the workplace, there is a need for writing assessment tasks specifically targeted to the contexts and abilities of learners in the VET sector that offer a robust reporting system to deliver accurate, valid and reliable information of value to teachers and learners. We look at a new ACER project to address that need through the computerised assessment of writing. We also look at the new Core Skills Profile for Adults, and how that’s being used to support members of the Australian Council for Private Education and Training. With the second National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference just around the corner – it’s happening at Ultimo College, Sydney Institute, on 9–10 May – there’s never been a better time to read and talk about LLN. See you at the conference. Dave Tout, Manager, Corporate and Vocational Assessment Services, Australian Council for Educational Research To learn more about ACER’s Vocational, Adult and Workplace Education Services, visit www.acer.edu.au/vawe Produced by Council the Australian Council forResearch Educational Research (ACER), 2013 Australian for Educational 1 Vocational Update, Vol. 2, Iss. 2 [2013], Art. 1 Language, literacy Upcoming 2 activities Building on evidence to improve skills The second National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference to be held in Sydney in May will bring together evidence-based research with industry and training perspectives so that participants can share and discuss issues around the assessment of language, literacy and numeracy and implications for effective vocational and workplace education and training. Addressing the theme, ‘Building on evidence to improve skills,’ the National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference aims to build on the success of last year’s inaugural conference held in Melbourne. researchers, policy makers and training managers and coordinators from a broad range of training and educational contexts from around Australia to come together to address a common interest in adult LLN issues. ACER initiated its first National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference as a response to increasing national and state interest in addressing and improving the language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) skills of youth and adults participating in the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector and workforce. The first conference provided a valuable opportunity for key industry and business personnel and Last year’s 180 plus delegates were from a wide range of VET and industry organisations, public and private, government and non-government, and from across all states and territories. The largest single group attending the conference was from private RTOs – 27 per cent – with another 22 per cent from TAFE Institutes and public providers. A series of half-day pre-conference workshops at this year’s National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference for delegates from private RTOs, TAFEs and public providers will provide an opportunity for extended professional learning around a number of topics related to the main conference. The conference will bring together evidence-based research with industry and training perspectives so that delegates can collaboratively build on their understanding, following up on feedback from delegates and outcomes from last year’s conference. The National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference will address performance measures, national and international research-based assessments, the implementation of LLN strategies across RTOs and TAFEs, online delivery, understanding the Australian Core Skills Framework, item writing methods, teaching and learning of LLN and implications for effective VET and workplace education. The 2013 National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference ‘Building on evidence to improve skills’ at Ultimo College, Sydney Institute, NSW, is on 9–10 May 2013, with pre-conference workshops on 9 May and the conference on 10 May. For more information or to watch highlights from the National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference 2012, visit www.acer.edu.au/nallnac http://researc (...truncated)