Remote learning produces first group of teacher graduates

More than 30 aspiring educators are ready to start their teaching careers after completing their training and assessment course remotely.

The Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116) at Kangan Institute was modified to be delivered through virtual classrooms over the past 10 weeks due to COVID-19 restrictions. The course is traditionally delivered through a mix of online tutorials and face-to-face practical training at Essendon campus.

Students have responded positively to the shift, with two groups of students completing their final class at the end of May.

Student Lisa Naoum of Delahey said her initial worries about studying amidst COVID-19 were put at ease through Kangan Institute’s swift adaptation to the new learning environment.

“I was worried that completing my certificate IV would be delayed for a long time. 
I (also) felt anxious about how successful using virtual classroom would be in undertaking assessment requirements,” said Lisa.

“My trainer Jasmina Dezelic was amazing at implementing virtual classrooms every Friday and making reasonable adjustments to our assessment requirements, for example, extending the due dates for our assessment and changing the observation task to a verbal questioning task.”

With three young children at home, remote learning was at times challenging for the former kindergarten teacher, but family support and guidance from teachers helped her stay on track.

“Two of my children are in primary school and were also learning from home and required a significant amount of assistance. My husband helped overcome this challenge as he doesn't work on a Friday and was able to look after our children,” she said.

“I still felt I was able to stay on track with my studies because due dates were made very clear and I received regular emails from my trainer.

“The best part of remote learning was not having to travel to and from Kangan Institute, which saved a lot of time.”

Lisa’s next goal is to find work as an early childhood education trainer.

Kangan Institute CEO Sally Curtain congratulated the students on their ability to embrace the changes to course delivery.

“These students have fully participated in the remote delivery of the course, right through to completing facilitated practical assessments online,” she said.

“Their success during this unprecedented time is a true credit to their commitment to learn and we wish them the best in their future careers.”

Positive feedback from the students has also meant a new direction for Kangan Institute’s training and assessment course. 

“The fantastic outcomes of these students reflect our educators’ creativity and ability to swiftly respond to the pandemic, all the while keeping our students’ best interests and study goals as topmost priority,” said Ms. Curtain.

“In line with our students’ positive feedback, we intend to continue offering remote learning as an ongoing option for new students enrolling in our training and assessment program.”