The VEDT is developing a range of units of competency that are used across multiple programs, across colleges. These include assessment and rich digital content, in Canvas, that can be contextualised and used by Program Managers/Coordinators and teachers within any program area.
In 2018, the VEDT worked with the School of Media and Communications to develop the unit BCMM401 Make a presentation. This unit of competency was identified to be used in numerous programs across the colleges, including:
- Graphic design
- Marketing and communication
- Laboratory technology
- Live production and technical services
- Fashion styling
- Training and assessment
- Strata community management
- Work health and safety
The assessments developed were designed to be industry agnostic, with teachers or students being able to choose a presentation topic relevant to their cohorts. This approach means the assessments are easily contextualised to relevant topic areas or can easily be clustered with other units of competency.
In developing the content, the VEDT wanted to give insight into each of these industries. As such, we interviewed industry representatives talking about how and why they make presentations. These representatives included:
- Narelle Tunstall – Centre Manager, The University of Melbourne
- David Corelli – Managing Director, Corelli Lighting Concepts
- Aimee Gonzalez – Senior UX Design Consultant, Transpire
- Kumari Pelsoczy – Design Assistant, Fashion Industry
To support the student journey, the course material is based on an overarching narrative. Students are introduced to Kyle, a current student who has to present to a potential new employee. Kyle’s story overlays the entire course and forms that basis of some of the formative tasks throughout the learning journey.
The materials are in Canvas and are designed for a blended or flipped classroom delivery. Check out the video below to take a sneak peek.
Earlier in 2018, the VEDT developed the unit CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people, for use across multiple programs within the health sector. Again, careful consideration and design was applied to ensure the unit was appealing to all students, regardless of the programs they were enrolled in. These programs included:
- Nursing
- Remedial massage
- Allied health
- Dental assisting
- Optical dispensing
- Dental technology
Again, assessments were designed to be utilised and contextualised across each program. In this case, the VEDT focussed on conversations with new clients, patients or customers, which worked well for most program areas. Other assessments included case studies and questioning based on employee to employee relationships.
To encourage students to think about the basics of what makes everyone unique, we filmed a voxpop style video in Bowen Lane. This opened the course, highlighting how simple preferences vary from one person to another, forming the richness of our identities.
Storytelling featured heavily in this course as well. Rather than fiction, we used six real life characters from diverse backgrounds. We interviewed each of these people, who are from multiple backgrounds and ages, with varying preferences. These interviews are scattered throughout the course, introducing key topic areas. At times, they are confronting, as individuals talk about times they have experienced discrimination or been treated differently due to their personal identity or characteristics. Students also get a great insight into what others value about their culture and identity, encouraging students to self-reflect.
The following video shows some highlights from the course.
Feedback from teachers and students using this course has indicated that the project was a great success.
The work with diverse people course is a great way of allowing people to understand the different ways we work and treat people in the workplace. It allows us to respectfully understand different people of different races, age, colour etc. By learning to relate to people with different characteristics and experiences, we help to create an environment that is fair and respectful. this is why i think this is a great course that has come into place. I’ve enjoyed the course being online and it has exposed me to a greater variety of diverse people.
Radwan Elrafei – Current Student
These Assessments are relevant to the real-life situations and to many other units taught in their programs
Mila Kietly – Teacher for Work with Diverse People
Students enjoyed work with diverse people online course. Feel ready for assessments and applying skills learned into WIL.
Minutes from Diploma of Remedial Massage Staff Consultative Committee Friday 15th March 2019
Some of the other units the VEDT has developed that could be contextualised for multiple programs include:
- MSL934002 Apply quality systems and continuous improvement processes
- UEENEEE101A Apply material science to solving electrotechnology engineering programs
- MEM23004A Apply technical mathematic
- UEENEEE082A Apply physics to solving electrotechnology engineering problems
- HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body systems
Want help getting one of these courses into your course shell? Contact us at vedt@rmit.edu.au.
