This afternoon, the first session of the China-NZ higher VET summit begins. I hop in and out of sessions to fit the presentations in with other work commitments. Realtime translations of presentations are availble to all participants.
Notes taken below:
Peter Richardson from Skills Consulting Group begins amd MCs the session.
The session opens with welcome from Lisa Futschek, General Manager International for Education NZ and Xu Yongji, Deputy Director General, Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Education China. Lisa summarised objectives of the conference as a means to share learning on Aotearoa NZ's RoVE (review of vocational educaiton) and the increased status and prominance of TVET in China. Lisa overviewed briefly some of the presentations today and tomorrow.
Xu Yong Li reiterated Lisa's welcome and the objectives/goals of the summit. Summarised the evolution of the cooperation between China and Aotearoa on TVET policy/systems and for continuance of the initiative, leading to benefits for both countries.
Then opening addresses are made by Tony O'Brien, Director SINO-NZ programme at Wintec and Xing Guanglu, Vice President at Qingdao Technical College. Tony provided details on the NZ-China programme which has been going for 7 years. Acknowledged the key China and NZ partners who have been involved and for their work and fellowship. Summarised the achievements which now provide the base for further work. Many exchanges have occurred with many teachers and educatiional leaders participating in workshops, seminars and professional development. NZ and China share common challenges of an aging workforce, and swift changes in types of occupations, work and organisations. NZs contribution is as a contributing partner with an innovative culture. Argued that there is a need to ensure future learners are able to use both their brains and their hands. The duality of mind and 'learning by doing' will provide sustainable skills /expertise going into an uncertain future. Summmarised the aspirations of RoVE. Presentations from Te Pukenga provide detail on the future of VET in Aotearoa.
Xing Guanglu began with a welcome and the Chinese perspective on the collaborative project. Overviewed the Chinese version of how the project was set up and progress to date since April 2013 when it was discussed and the official MOU in 2014. 2 colleges (Qingdao and Tiantsin) and Wintec began the programme. Each year, a summit has been convened to share learnings and renew relationships. Detailed various projects with teachers, educational leaders, student exchanges etc. including opportunities for Chinese students to attend courses in NZ which include work integrated learning to assist them to attain greater awareness of international workplace culture.
Thematic session follows on meeting learner needs:
- Tania Winslade, Deputy Chief Executive - Learner Journey at Te Pūkenga and Debby Preston Learning Innovation Manager. Shorter but similar presentation to one provided at the NZ VET research forum. Tania began with a karakia to wish all well going forward. Shared how Te Pūkenga is working towards ensuring learner wellbeing and success. Te Pūkenga is shifting to a collaborative organisational pathway to leverage off the size of Te Pūkenga. Tania shared the findings through Te Rito on perspectives from learners. For learners to achieve sense of purpose, get a good job, provide for whanau, complete post-graduate study, obtain apprenticeship, grow confidence, give back to community and return to work or study. Debbie shared insights into learners (both local and international) as this feeds into informing the construct of 'a world-class' TVET. Provided background and detail on the personas developed of learners and staff - to help provide guidance going forward. Used th persona for international learners as an example. Tania then went through how learners will be supported through the draft operating model. Outlined some of the 'gaps' in the current network and how Te Pūkenga plans to address these. Closed with a karakia.
Q&A with Tania - reiterated that learners wanted support beyond just the teaching/content/ skills learning.
- Chen Hairong, Vice President at Jinhua Polytechnic. Began with introduction of the polytechnic and the disciplines students learn at the college. Summarised the cooperation projects with Wintec and the programmes jointly offered. Detailed how these programmes are managed and learner outcomes, advantages and approaches. Summarised the application of learning/learner centred pedagogy to increase learning efficacy. Outlined the many ways teaching and learning shared across the two institutions using digital technologies and including exchange visits. Detailed example of programme structure and outcomes including aspects of entrepreneurship in technical courses. Practice based scaffoled learning through project-based learning adopted to engage students. Detailed outcomes for students. Expressed keeness to share the model with other instituions across China and to extend the reach of the dual international/Chinese programmes of learning.
Digital and remote learning
- Shelley Wilson, Executive Dean Wintec began with welcome. Presented on how Wintec designs digital/remote learning to help learners attain technical content and work readiness skills but also ensuring the learning is accessible and engaging. Traditional distance learning content focused and therefore there is a need to shift to a focus on learning and the learner. Graduates need to not be only technically able but also communicate, work in a team, present well, have confidence, be able to think critically. Students need flexible and engaging (authentic, motivating, interesting, relevant) learning but also have work/family commitments. Delivery needs to be learner centred, authentic and inquiry-based. a holistic approach also includes pastoral care and support through the course. Blended learning includes block courses and industry placements. Discussed challenges and the solutions including the formation of community, communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking,
- Li Bin, President for Changsha Social Work College. Shared the practice and online space at Chansha used since 2010. Traced the ways the platform is used to support teaching and learning. Included are MOOC supported by a 'micro' knowledge library. A 'smart campus' provides the environment for distance learning - this has an online learning space, provides resources to 'reform teachers, teaching materials and methods' and helps process solutions. The courses are able to draw on professional database (2 national, 1 provicial) for resources, MOOC used for professional development and network to share practice. Stressed importance of professional development for teachers.Across the pandemic, all courses could continue due to available infrastructure and capability. Proposed future developments with 5G capabilities including 5G holograms, live streaming and VR/AR to support on the job training. This year Chansha selected as naitonal vocational education demonstration virtual simulation centre. All students offered common foundation course on information literacy, have opportunities to participate in national competitions. Extrinsic motivation for students include credit banks, earning of coins and redeeming these for learning products.
The day closes with session wrap-up and networking session. Some obvious synergies between the two systems and much to learn from each other.
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