Since the release of the “Student-Centred Audit Approach” in 2017, there is more of a focus than ever before on the Student Experience and driving Learner Engagement. It’s widely believed that the catalyst for improvement is understanding and managing Learner Engagement. This results in a well educated and skilled society, and the bottom line for RTOs where student completion is a key quality indicator.
There is no one size fits all for how to engage a Learner. Amongst other things, there is a generation shift from how Baby Boomers learn to how Gen Z learns, as outlined in Mark McCrindle’s model below.
Defining Learner Engagement
ASQA defines Learner Engagement as a, “quality indicator (that) focuses on the extent to which learners engage in activities that are likely to promote high-quality skill outcomes. It includes learner perceptions of the quality of their competency development and the support they receive from their RTOs.”
The Australian Council for Educational Research conducted a research report with a focus on Learner Engagement and defined it as, “Students’ involvement with activities and conditions that are linked with high quality learning…While students are responsible for constructing their knowledge, learning also depends on institutions and staff generating conditions which stimulate and encourage involvement.”
In essence, Learner Engagement is not just about creating incredible multi-media learning content or state of the art facilities, it’s the entire Training & Assessment Process and the Rules of Evidence and Principals of Assessment have been aligned to the unit, course or training package to develop the required skill set.
How do you measure Learner Engagement and is it important?
Yes! It is very important and a requirement for RTOs from ASQA every year in line with the Data Provision Requirements 2012. ASQA provide a questionnaire that you use to collect information from your students. This is called the Learner Questionnaire.
[This information is correct as of 26th August 2019]
The report is designed to support RTOs in continuously improving, as outlined at the start of this blog.
What’s the Answer to Learner Engagement?
Utilising a purpose built solution for Training & Assessment, like Cloud Assess, will support you in creating exceptional Learner Experiences as they progress through their journey. This is because Cloud Assess is a solution designed for the VET industry which is student focused, drives progression and efficiency and is built with the number one purpose to keep you compliant.
Student Focused
Engaging learners is a breeze as each student is greeted with a personalised dashboard displaying visual targets and reminders. They are not distracted by functionality they will never use. They can access the app on any device including a mobile phone.
Once they have navigated away from their dashboard they can be easily guided through the requirements of your Training & Assessment Strategy with the use of Workflows to encourage them to take action.
Students can easily access relevant learning libraries that provide all the additional resources that align to their enrolment.
Assessments can be built and contextualised the way you want, and flexible to adhere to your learning cohort. Learners do not need to be anymore tech savvy than if they were using a social media platform. They can effortlessly answer your questions through your digitised assessments and forms. No need for them to download a document, scan and upload. This saves them time and provides a seamless experience. Effortlessly apply the rules of Fairness by easily making changes to your assessments such as:
- Insertion of a digital sketchpad into the assessment. This is user-friendly and easily captures a diagram rather than requiring the student to draw something on paper or upload an attachment.
- Request a 20 second video or audio recording to replace a written answer. This is a great way to support students with LLN needs. This can all be included in your assessment build by just a drag and drop.
Easily implement a straight forward Feedback Policy by automating surveys at key milestones as indicated in your TAS. These surveys can be built within Cloud Assess using the powerful Forms solution. You can export all form data and analyse however you wish, including the Quality Indicator Report requirements.
| “Cloud Assess has made a huge difference to the way our students learn. They love using the software.” |
| Sean McVeigh, St James College |
Progress Management
Cloud Assess helps to keep your process moving. Each User type whether it is an Assessor or Student etc, has a visual dashboard that clearly shows progression and important dates. With Cloud Assess, you can easily see who is engaged and who isn’t, in order to nurture them along the way.
The unique Pop-Up navigation that triggers once a task is completed, drives progression and prevents backlogs of work. This gives Assessors and Trainers more time to engage with students rather than spending time searching for records.
As Cloud Assess can be accessed anywhere and on any device, assessors are able to perform tasks including marking, whenever they have downtime. In turn, the students receive a faster turn around of feedback.
Automation can be built around your Training and Assessment Strategies for example, sending an automated email to students when their due date is impending. There are a range of Workflows (automated actions) that can be set up in order to keep your training plan moving.
Information That Drives Action
ASQA suggests that good practice is more important than audit preparation. Cloud Assess provides transparency and visibility across your entire process through tailored reports and progress dashboards. Information is available when you ask for it.
