A
- Accreditation
The formal recognition of a course by the State or Territory course accrediting body.
- Accredited course
A structured sequence of vocational education and training that has been accredited and leads to an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification or Statement of Attainment.
- Acronyms
A word formed from the first letters of a name, for example: AQF for Australian Qualifications Framework.
- Activist
The term 'activist' describes a learning style where a person learns best when faced with new experiences and can just 'get on with it' rather than have to listen to all the information about it beforehand. They thrive on variety, problem-solving and challenges, and can become bored if they are not doing anything (eg, passively listening in a lecture style workshop). Repetition is not favoured, as the activist likes to try new things. Activist learners enjoy working with others, or in a group - but be aware that they may not have a good head for detail nor cope well with explicit instructions that limit their creativity.
- Analogy/Analogies
Using one situation (for example, a story of your experience) to demonstrate a resemblance or likeness between things, when in actuality the things are otherwise entirely different. An example you would be familiar with is the analogy of 'is the glass half empty or half full' to relate to a situation where a person is having trouble seeing things in perspective. Using analogies for learning enlightens the mind, because it enables it to discover things through a process of making connections.
- Appeals process
Appeals process is a process whereby the person being assessed, or other interested party such as an employer, may dispute the outcome of an assessment and seek reassessment.
- Assessment
The process of collecting evidence and making judgements on whether competency has been achieved to confirm that an individual can perform to the standard expected in the workplace, as expressed in the relevant endorsed industry/enterprise competency standards or the learning outcomes of an accredited course.
- Assessment context
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Assessment context is the environment in which the assessment of competency will be carried out. This may be the environment where the work is performed 'in situ', a simulated environment which replicates the work environment, various contexts which address different aspects of the competency.
It also includes physical and operational factors, the assessment system within which assessment is carried out, the range of opportunities for gathering evidence in a number of situations, the purpose of the assessment, who carries out the assessment and the period of time during which the assessment takes place.
- Assessment guidelines
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Assessment guidelines means an endorsed component of a Training Package which underpins assessment and which sets out the industry approach to valid, reliable, flexible and fair assessment. Assessment guidelines include the assessment system overview, assessor requirements, designing assessment resources, conducting assessment and sources of information on assessment.
- Assessment tool
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A collection of documents (instruments) which provide the means for gathering evidence to prove a candidate's competency. The tool may contain such instruments as a knowledge test, witness testimony, or a checklist of required practical performance or demonstration.
- Assimilation
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The act or process of assimilating involves bringing or identifying a resemblance, likeness, or identity; from one object or environment into another. For example, new immigrants to a country may be assimilated to the new culture by spending time with a local family.
- Assistive technology
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Assistive technology is a term that describes software and/or hardware that assists users. It is applied mostly in reference to technology used by persons with a disability or impairment. An example would be the use of screen-reading software for users that are blind or vision impaired.
- Australian National Training Authority (ANTA)
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The responsibilities and functions of the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) were transferred to the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST), and subsequently to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Most of the information previously located on the ANTA website is now located on the DEEWR website.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
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The policy framework that defines all qualifications recognised nationally in post-compulsory education and training within Australia. The AQF comprises titles and guidelines, which define each qualification, together with principles and protocols covering articulation and issuance of qualifications, and Statements of Attainment.
- Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF)
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The nationally agreed quality arrangements for the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system, as agreed to by the Ministerial Council.
- Australian Training Products
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Australian Training Products (ATP) is the national publisher and distributor of endorsed Training Packages and support materials. As a not-for-profit organisation, ATP delivers vocational education and training publications at the most cost-competitive price to encourage delivery, adoption and implementation of the National Training Framework and ensure Australian industry is appropriately skilled and internationally competitive.
- Autonomous
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To be independent in mind or judgement; and self-directed. Autonomous persons or groups do not require a high level of supervision or control when completing tasks or going about general business. Autonomous thinkers form their own opinions and conclusions without relying on others to influence this process, although they do utilise existing knowledge or concepts whilst doing this, eventually coming up with their own individual perspective.
B
There are no definitions for the letter B.
TopC
- Candidate
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Candidate is the person presenting for assessment.
- Cluster
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The process of grouping competencies into combinations which have meaning and purpose related to work functions and needs in an industry or enterprise.
- Competency
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The specification of knowledge and skill and the application of that knowledge and skill to the standard of performance expected in the workplace and to industry standards. Also: the ability to perform tasks and duties to the standard expected in the workplace/industry.
- Competency standard
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An industry-determined specification of performance which sets out the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to operate effectively in employment. Competency standards are made up of units of competency, which are themselves made up of elements of competency, together with performance criteria, a range of variables, and an evidence guide. Competency standards are an endorsed component of a Training Package.
- Competency-based assessment
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The gathering and judging of evidence in order to decide whether a person has achieved a required standard of competence.
- Competency-based training
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Training that develops the skills, knowledge and attitudes required to achieve competency standards.
- Contextualise
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To take an existing item such as a document, plan or idea and put it into another context. For example, customising your training delivery to suit a particular workplace or adapting an assessment plan to suit a particular candidate's needs.
D
- Delivery plan
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This is a GENERIC outline of how a qualification/course or competency stream from the learning program is to be delivered. One learning program may require the development of several delivery plans if the program covers more than one competency area, unit or qualification. A delivery plan is specific to the content area, but not to any particular client group. The session plan is the next level of documentation from the delivery plan.
- Department (of) Education Science Training
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The Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) supports the Government’s commitment to shaping a better future for all Australians through learning, science and innovation. They:
- provide policy advice to Government
- administer Commonwealth programmes and financial assistance to support schooling, higher education, vocational education and training, and science and innovation
- promote the quality, integrity and export growth of Australia’s education, training and science services, in partnership with State and Territory education authorities
- are accountable for our performance to Government and the Minister and, through them, to Parliament and the Australian community.
As at 2009, the governing body for VET in Australia is now the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
