Beard C, Cook S
1ISANA NZ , Silverdale, New Zealand , 2ISANA, 152 Macquarie St, Hobart , Australia
Expertise at the right place and the right time is critical to a viable international education programme. With the upswing of international student enrolments and the sector in recovery mode, the demand for sector-specific expertise has never been higher. The most efficient way to deliver high standards of services to students and to mitigate risk is to provide specialised training to staff.
In this session Chris and Sharon will introduce the value of microlearning for international education practitioners. Recently, micro courses were introduced to the New Zealand sector ranging from wraparound tailored support to robust program reviews to enhancing international student employability. These ten minute micro bytes include video clips, practical tasks and strategies shared by expert practitioners. They springboard from ISANA NZ’s online Toolkit recently published with the support of the crown agency ENZ Manapou ki te Ao.
This presentation will argue that sector-specific courses are indispensable to evidence-based practice, learner-centred innovation and sustainable growth. Microlearning also offers a vehicle for capturing exemplary practice and highlighting sub-specialist expertise.
The ISANA associations in both Australia and New Zealand are working towards the development of a range of micro modules for the Australasian market. Chris and Sharon will outline the progress of the trans-Tasman collaboration to date and discuss how this joint venture will assist with the formation of a recognised specialist profession for the international education sectors in both countries.
Participants will be strongly encouraged to offer feedback and recommendations.
Biography:
Chris Beard
Executive Director, ISANA NZ
Chris has worked in the international education sector for close to 30 years. He was recently on the advisory board for the Australian Education Department’s International Student Engagement project. Chris led the development of the Capability Toolkit, an online repository of resources for practitioners, and he oversaw the introduction of eLearning modules to the New Zealand international education sector. Chris is an adjunct teaching fellow for Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Education and co-teaches EDUC504 International Education: Policy, theory and practice.