1999 Education Handbook - Bachelor of Adult Learning and Development (BAL&D)

Bachelor of Adult Learning and Development (BAL&D)

General information
Introduction to course
Objectives
Admission requirements
Credit provision
Course structure
- Core subjects currently offered
Length of course/workload required
Further information

General information

Peninsula campus
Course code: 2296
Contact: Ms Margrette Fairbanks (please telephone 9904 4291 for initial inquiries)

In the next decade, teachers and trainers working in vocational education and training (VET) industry and community settings will be expected to work in complex environments and perform diverse roles. Currently, the VET industry and community sectors are staffed with people from a variety of backgrounds, with differing qualifications and experience, but who, in many cases, have no systematic or formal teaching qualifications.
This course is designed specifically for those currently working in the fields of adult learning and development. It takes into account previous work experience and qualifications to enable students to formalise that experience to gain a teaching qualification at undergraduate level.

Objectives

The major objectives of the Bachelor of Adult Learning and Development course are to provide students with:

the ability to examine and analyse a range of information to enable them to understand and contextualise issues and theories relating to adult learning and development in existing and emerging educational settings;
the knowledge and skills relevant to effective assessment of need, development, delivery and evaluation of teaching/training in VET, community and workplace settings;
the capacity for reflective teacher/trainer practice;
the skills and knowledge in research, with particular emphasis on action learning and research in educational settings of their choice;
the knowledge, understanding and skills in managing diversity, difference and ongoing change in existing and emerging educational settings;
the ability to manage their own performance and professional development;
a formal teaching qualification.

Admission requirements

Applicants should complete a skills portfolio, based on the criterion outlined under the following heading 'Credit provision' which outlines their previous qualifications and experience and this will determine level of advanced standing. They should prepare this portfolio in line with the details outlined in the handbook Learning from experience (see below). Some additional undergraduate coursework subjects will need to be completed by those students where their portfolios do not reflect the equivalent of forty-eight credit points advanced standing.

Credit provision

The Faculty of Education considers each application on its merits within the context of the faculty guidelines on credit transfer which are contained in a booklet Learning from experience available from the Professional Development Institute, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Gippsland campus, Churchill 3842 ($7 postage and packing).

Course structure

The BAL&D course comprises ten core subjects and two electives of eight points each. It is a three-year undergraduate course, designed specifically for those currently employed in the fields of adult learning and development, or who may have experience in this field. The course is structured to allow students to develop a theoretical framework in which they can reflect their previous and current work experience, then reinforce their theoretical comprehension through a range of applied (field) learning opportunities such as site visits, case studies, practicum and independent study projects. Through recognition of prior learning (RPL), assessment of previous work experience and credit transfer arrangements, students can gain entry into this course with forty-eight credit points. This will equate to advanced standing for the first year of study, thus allowing for completion of the course within two years of full-time study.
The second year of study is primarily foundation studies, covering: theories and issues related to adult learning; setting analysis; educational practices; resource development; research methods; study skills; use of new technologies; the sociology of work, organisation and learning; and a practicum, involving micro-teaching and field presentations. In the third year of study, theory, skills and knowledge associated with managing adult learning and development; program development; evaluation; and working with diversity and difference will be covered. To reinforce this learning, students will be required to undertake an independent project in an educational setting and will also complete two electives of their choice.

Core subjects currently offered

EDP2801 Educational practices: experiences of teaching and learning (8 points)
EDP2802 Contexts of adult learning and development: workplace and community (8 points)
EDP2803 Learning and researching in work-related contexts (8 points)
EDP2805 Training and learning with new technologies (8 points)
EDP2806 Work, organisation and learning (8 points)
EDP2807 Educational practices: experiences of teaching and learning - project (8 points)

The remaining core subjects and the electives will be available in 2000.

Length of course/workload required

This course comprises three years full-time study or up to six years part-time study taken on campus. The expected number of hours per week for a full-time student is forty-eight.

Further information

Details of all subjects, including reading lists, follow the course information in this handbook.
Further information regarding this course may be obtained from the senior administrative officer, Faculty of Education, Peninsula campus (telephone 9904 4291) or visit our web site at http://www.education.monash.edu.au/