TAE Tutoring and Support

CLUSTERED or INTEGRATED ASSESSMENTS

Have seen a few comments in various social media forums recently from TAE401XX students around their Assessment cluster. Quite a few in the "it sucks!" camp with many on the fence and a few that say they are enjoying it.

I thought I would provide some tips on how to approach parts of the cluster.

Clustering Assessments (or integrated assessment activities).

In the learning materials provided by RTOs an integrated (or clustered) assessment is one that holistically assesses a combination of units within an assessment activity.

What does that mean? If you think about competency in the workplace, a competent person performs activities that use a number of specific tasks to get the job done. Units of Competency describe specific workplace tasks, so a workplace activity draws from a number of units of competency. So, why wouldn't we assess the candidate in the same manner?

When you are planning your assessment tool, think about the workplace activity in terms of the tasks and which units of competency cover those tasks. Comparing the Elements, Performance Criteria as well as the Performance and knowledge evidence required, look for similarities. If there are similarities, the one task can provide evidence towards more than one unit of competency.

If you create a table with the elements and performance evidence down one side and the unit code across the top, you can map the similarities to more easily see which parts can be assessed together and if there are any gaps that require additional evidence.

This approach works for knowledge evidence (theory assessments) as well - you would be surprised how often WHS/OHS/Work safely pops up in units of competency!

Want more info or a bit of assistance with your assessment cluster, call me, message me or book an appointment (https://koalendar.com/e/book-a-tutorial-with-kav) to find out how I can help.

Koalendar

Are you looking for some support with your TAE40116, TAE40122 or even one of the Diplomas?

Call or message Kav with your question or an idea of what you need support in and we can work together to get you sorted.
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Reasonable rates for 30 minute sessions with discounts for longer sessions, Kav can help you understand that Training and Assessment question or concept today.

Help, the RTO I am studying with has gone into liquidation, what do I do now?

In recent months a number of RTOs offering TAE have gone into liquidation, leaving hundreds if not thousands of students without a means to complete their qualification.

If this has, or does happen to you, here are some things you can do to lesson the pain.

1. As soon as you get notification of the closure of the RTO, jump onto your student dashboard/portal and screenshot/download any records of results and marked assignments.
Having these records will assist you when you have to engage with another RTO to complete your TAE40116, TAE40122 or diploma. A good RTO may take these records into account if the closing RTO has not yet uploaded results through AVETMISS or to the USI site.

2. When looking for another RTO, do your research. Cheap is not always the best, in fact that may be the reason you are in this position.
For a Certificate IV, you should expect to pay upwards of $2000. Any lower and a private RTO would not be making enough to have financial viability or they will have little to no support available when you need it.

There are quite a few well known providers that offer blended or online options apart from the TAFE network.
Here are a few that I recommend, in no particular order:
Fortress Learning https://www.fortresslearning.edu.au/course/tae40122-certificate-iv-in-training-and-assessment-overview/
HBA https://www.hba.edu.au/training-and-assessment/
SPEC Training https://spectraining.edu.au/tae40122-cert-iv-in-training-and-assessment/
Mr WED https://www.mrwed.edu.au/course/tae40122/certificate-iv-in-training-and-assessment/
Plenty Training https://www.plentytraining.edu.au/courses/training-assessment/tae40122-certificate-iv-in-training-assessment/

Also, check out your local TAFE. Many TAFEs have a fee-free option at the moment for eligible students. There are many good trainers employed by TAFE and some not so good ones (just as with private RTOs).

I have no affiliation with any of those providers and do not receive any funding or recompense for recommendations.

I have been helping people through some areas of the TAE that can be confusing, daunting or just plain overwhelming.

“Just wanted to thank you again for your time yesterday & reiterate just how valuable the 15+ mins. you kindly provided was. And praise for expertise, patience, listening skills, pace, tone/manner & understanding. For an older guy trying to bounce back from a rough [patch] ... your 15 mins. made an enormous difference & gave me inspiration to crack on.

This course is the beginning of (hopefully), a new life for me. So I'm absolutely determined to see it through. In the absence of being able to access a lecturer, tutor, or source some kind of external support, you made a big difference!” (Andy B – TAE40116 student)

This from Andy who was struggling with aspects of his Design assignment (TAEDES401/TAEDES402) as well as dealing with a number of personal issues in his life.

After 30 minutes he was well on his way to understanding the assignment and had the motivation and confidence to see it through to submission.

I would say "good luck" with your assignment Andy, but you don't need luck, you've got this!

I have seen comments recently about how the TAE401XX Certificate IV in Training and Assessing does nothing to make you a good trainer or assessor. They are not entirely wrong in my opinion.

While the TAE40116 and its successor the TAE40122 equip you with essential knowledge and skills, it's important to remember that being a good trainer is a multifaceted process that extends beyond a single certificate. Let me explain...

👩‍🏫 The TAE401XX will provide the basics of instructional design principles, effective communication techniques and assessment strategies; crucial components of successful training delivery that can be built on to enhance your trainers toolbox.

🧑‍🏫 Despite the opportunity to practice delivery and assessment in a simulated environment that allow you to apply what you have learned and develop your training style and gain some confidence in your abilities, these are just the first steps on your path to proficiency as a trainer.

👨‍🏫 As you learned (or will learn) in your TAE401XX, qualifications do not equal competency, competency is achieved over time and through practice and improvement in the tasks. Becoming a great trainer involves a bit more than giving a few short presentations in a classroom. You will need interpersonal skills, adaptability and continuous professional development. Let's look at a few key factors:

🥷 Experience: Nothing beats experience in a situation. The classroom and simulations can prepare you, but until you set foot in the training arena and encounter the diverse attitudes, abilities, needs and learning styles of your learners it will be just an exercise in a lesson. Experience allows you to apply your learning to hone your ability to tailor your approach, handle unexpected situations, overcome difficulties and foster that positive learning environment that the TAE trainer talked about.

👨‍🎓Continuous Learning: The training environment (or what one academic called the swampy lowland of professional practice) has evolved from the rigid approaches of the past to the flexibility of blended and online sessions involving a wide variety of technology beyond a white board and coloured markers. As the technology and training practices evolve, so too must the trainer. A good trainer recognises the importance of continuous learning (beyond that mandated in the Standards for RTOs). That will mean keeping up with and being knowledgeable in trends of your industry and training practices to stay ahead of the pack.

👨‍💼 Interpersonal skills: Not explicitly covered or always effectively taught in the TAE401XX, things like effective communication, empathy, effective listening and being able to adapt your teaching style to your students are critical interpersonal skills. These skills like any other can be developed and enhanced through practice, self-reflection AND seeking feedback from learners, colleagues and mentors.

🤹 Passion and dedication: I am sure we have all come across that one educator/trainer that seemed to be there just for their paycheck or just to fill the seat until they found something better. Think of those you consider good or even exceptional trainers, they had a passion for teaching and a genuine desire to help others succeed. Enthusiasm, creativity and a genuine interest in the growth and development of your learners is not something that a qualification can provide.

To answer the question "Will the TAE401XX make me a good trainer?" - it's a start and definitely a step in the right direction. Undertaking the TAE401XX will equip you with the basic knowledge and skills as well as a framework for effective training and assessment. However, becoming a good trainer requires a combination of the qualification, practical experience, continuous learning, interpersonal skills and a true passion for the vocation of training.

Your journey as a trainer will be shaped by an ongoing commitment to professional growth (both in your trade and the training field), your ability to connect with your learners and your dedication to delivering meaningful and impactful training experiences.

The TAE401XX is just the starting point of your journey into the swampy lowlands of the VET sector, with dedication and a growth mindset you can become an exceptional trainer who leaves a lasting impact on your learners.

Message me or give me a call to help you get through your TAE qualification.

I'm doing my Certificate IV TAE and it's all too much, I'll never get this finished!

I would quite often tell people starting their TAE that it would be the hardest Certificate IV training they would undertake.
After the initial shock abated, I would go on to explain.

As a "Tradie" they had completed a Certificate III qualification over some years, they may have done a Certificate IV in their trade at some later stage, but that qualification was in a familiar discipline.
This Certificate IV would involve learning a new language as well as a lot of theory and practical assessments in an unfamiliar field.

How the student was enrolled had an impact on the time-frames involved, but the number of assessment activities remained the same for those beginning trainers.

The advice to all was the same, try and concentrate on one subject/cluster at a time, have a plan for completion and don't be afraid to contact me (the trainer) if they were having problems.

Are you struggling with your TAE40116 or TAE40122, or maybe it's a statement of attainment for a skill set?

Give me a call, send an email or mash the message button and let's talk about how I can help you get through your course successfully.

Should I do the TAE40116 (TAE16) or wait for the TAE40122 (TAE22)?

I have heard this one a few times since the TAE22 was released and the answer is "that depends..." You need to consider your personal circumstances in relation to when you intend to commence your trainer/assessor role.

If you need to start ASAP, do the TAE16 as the TAE22 (at a qualification level) has been deemed equivalent to the TAE16.
So, it should not require an upgrade at this point in time.

If there is no real urgency, I would suggest waiting for your preferred RTO to offer the TAE22.

Why that suggestion?
Despite the TAE22 having more units (12) than the TAE16 (10), all of the units required in the TAE22 are at Certificate level 4 as well as there being more electives to provide better specialisation options.
As both the TAE16 and TAE22 provide the same occupational outcome, the qualifications have been deemed "equivalent" despite very few of the Units of Competency within the TAE22 being equivalent to those in the TAE16.

Another factor to consider is the current review of the Standards for RTOs which may require people to 'upgrade' TAE16 units to the new TAE22 units - but let's cross that bridge if/when it eventuates.

Already started your TAE16 or TAE22 and need some help understanding the concepts or material?

Give me call or send a message and we can discuss how I can help

Send a message to learn more

Are you struggling with your Certificate IV in Training and Assessment? Is doing the the Diploma doing your head in?

Are those assessment questions too confusing?

With 20 years experience in the VET sector and an ability to explain complex concepts in simple language that can assist you in understanding your learning materials better and so complete those assignments.

Will I give you the answers to the assignment questions, NO.
Will we talk about what the question is asking about, YES.
Do you already know the answer to the question, most probably!

Drop me an email, DM me or call for more info about what I can do to support you in your TAE learning.

One of the questions I got asked when conducting TAE training was "Why do I need to know about the Standards for RTOs?"
I could have gone into the full ASQA/Regulator requirements spiel and pointed the students at the SRTOs, ASQA website or their Student Learning materials, but I didn't.

What the question is really asking is "what's in it for me?"

Number one: If you are not following the SRTOs, there is a very high likelihood that you won't be a trainer/assessor after an audit (internal or external), so in short, your job!

Number two: The standards are the things that determine if you are allowed to train and assess. Sure the RTO pays you, but if you can't meet the requirements of the SRTOs, you shouldn't be training and assessing - See Number One.

Number three: The SRTOs set out the need for Training & Assessment Strategies (TAS) for each course/cohort that the RTO has you training and assessing. Any training and assessing you conduct should meet the requirements of the TAS or... you guessed it... see number one!

Number four: The SRTOs lay out the need for assessments to be meeting the four Principles of Assessment (Valid, Reliable, Flexible & Fair) as well as meeting the Rules of Evidence (Valid, Sufficient, Authentic & Current). As a qualified and competent person in your field as well as being current with what's going on in your field, you should know if the assessments being provided (or that you are building) meet the above. If not, you should be documenting why and informing the appropriate people in your RTO, if not... you remember point number one?

Of course, the above is based on the Standards for RTO's 2015 (https://www.asqa.gov.au/about/asqa-overview/key-legislation/standards-rtos-2015) and there is currently a revision of the Standards in draft mode (https://www.dewr.gov.au/skills-reform/resources/draft-standards-rtos).

It is well worth having a read through both to get an understanding of what the standards entail and what may be changing. For those of you who are already trainers and assessors, reviewing the SRTOs is part of maintaining your Training and Assessing currency.