The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of Assessment

To demonstrate competency against this unit candidates must be able to provide evidence that they can coordinate a number of learners who are participating in distance -based learning.

This involves planning and organising relevant learning resources; developing a distance delivery management plan; managing the learners; setting up and providing support mechanisms; providing appropriate feedback on progress and formative assessment; and ensuring that learning outcomes are reached.

Evidence Requirements

Required knowledge includes:

a sound knowledge of learning principles, for example:

adults have a need to be self-directing and decide for themselves what they want to learn

adults have a need to know why they are learning something

adults have a range of life experience and connecting learning to experience is meaningful

training experiences need to be learner-centred to maintain motivation

content and requirements of the learning strategy and/or learning program/s to be used in distance delivery

characteristics and needs of individual distance learners

a sound knowledge of learner styles, for example:

auditory

visual

kinaesthetic

left/right brain

global/analytical

theoretical

activist

pragmatist

reflective

use of individual activities

use of written materials

use of technology to support distance-based learning

techniques for maintaining motivation and commitment of distance learners

learner cues

availability and types of support mechanisms relevant to distance learners

relevant policy, legislation, codes of practice and national standards including Commonwealth and state/territory legislation, for example:

copyright and privacy laws in terms of electronic technology

security of information

plagiarism

competency standards

licensing

industry/workplace requirements

duty of care under common law

recording information and confidentiality requirements

anti-discrimination including equal opportunity, racial vilification and disability discrimination

workplace relations

industrial awards/enterprise agreements

National Reporting System

OHS relating to the work role, including:

reporting requirements for hazards

safe use and maintenance of relevant equipment

emergency procedures

sources of OHS information

Required skills and attributes include:

communication skills using different mediums, such as audio tapes, written documentation, telephone or email to:

establish rapport

provide guidance

give appropriate feedback

maintain motivation and commitment

maintain continuous communication

planning and organising skills to distribute learning resources and learning materials

interpretation skills to translate/transfer the learning strategy/learning program to distance mode

organisational skills to:

communicate efficiently using various mediums

manage learners by distance

keep up-to-date with each learner's progress

be available for support during established times

maintain regular contact with learners

time management skills to:

get materials to learners in a timely manner

provide prompt feedback

assess learners in a timely manner

Products that could be used as evidence include:

documentation of feedback given to learners

documentation of feedback given to trainers/ facilitators

documentation produced by learners

emails

support activities or resources given to learners

documentation describing the systems and protocols set up

contact logs or register

Processes that could be used as evidence include:

how to give appropriate feedback via distance

the different methods of learning involved with resource-based learning and why they are used

how to encourage self-directed learning

contact management systems

access to distance learners

access to relevant

Resource implications for assessment include:

time for organising, facilitating, managing distance learning programs

learning resources for the learner

The collection of quality evidence requires that:

assessment must address the scope of this unit and reflect all components of the unit i.e. the Elements, Performance Criteria, Range Statement, Evidence Guide, Employability Skills

a range of appropriate assessment methods/evidence gathering techniques is used to determine competency

evidence must be gathered in the workplace whenever possible. Where no workplace is available, a simulated workplace must be provided

the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and in a learning and assessment pathway these must be separated by further learning and practice

assessment meets the rules of evidence

a judgement of competency should only be made when the assessor is confident that the required outcomes of the unit have been achieved and that consistent performance has been demonstrated

Specific evidence requirements must include:

the facilitation of one or more distance-based learning programs or qualifications which individually or collectively enable the outcomes, Performance Criteria, skills and knowledge of this competency standard to be demonstrated

Integrated assessment means that:

this unit can be assessed alone or as part of an integrated assessment activity involving relevant units in the TAA04 Training and Assessment Training Package. Suggested units include but are not limited to:

TAAASS301B Contribute to assessment

TAADEL403B Facilitate individual learning

TAADEL501B Facilitate e-learning.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Thelearning strategyprovides:

a documented framework to guide and structure the learning requirements and the teaching/delivery and assessment arrangements of a vocational education and training qualification (refer TAADES501A Design and develop learning strategies for more information)

Thelearning programprovides:

a documented guide to support a cohesive and integrated learning process for the learner

Note: for further information, refer to TAADES402A Design and develop learning programs Design and develop learning programs.

Learner stylesmay include:

auditory

visual

kinaesthetic

left/right brain

global/analytical

theoretical

activist

pragmatist

reflective

Learner characteristicsmay include:

language, literacy and numeracy requirements

specific needs

employment status

past learning experiences

level of maturity

culture and/or language diversity

level of formal schooling in Australia or overseas

length of time resident in Australia

Available informationmay include:

information which informs the learner about their need to be self-directed, self-motivated, disciplined

services providing information about distance-based learning

expectations of the learner

roles and responsibilities of the trainer/facilitator

general and introductory information about the trainer/facilitator

contact details and arrangements

outcomes of the distance-based learning program

recommendations for online sites to use, chat forums, bulletin boards

printed materials relevant to the distance learning qualification/course/program, such as:

books and publications

references

newspaper clippings

readings

monographs

Thesuitability of distance-based learningmay include:

the content focus and outcomes of the competency standards and/or learning outcomes, i.e. do the outcomes require demonstration of skills such as psychomotor skills or interpersonal skills?

whether such skills have been designed into the distance-based learning resources or learning strategy/learning program

the learning styles and characteristics of the learners and self-assessment of suitability for distance-based learning

the need for mixed mode to support learning in particular areas/skills

Learnersmay include:

self-funded learners

self-motivated learners

existing industry/enterprise employees

school leavers

new entrants to the workforce

individuals learning new skills/knowledge

individuals seeking to upgrade skills/knowledge

individuals changing careers

unemployed individuals and groups

learners who have a disability

members of target groups such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

overseas learners

recent migrants

individuals/groups meeting licensing or other regulatory requirements

Learning resourcesmay include:

Training Package noted support materials, such as:

learner/user guides

trainer/facilitator guides

how to organise training guides

example training programs

specific case studies

professional development materials

assessment materials

other commercially available support materials for Training Packages/courses

organisational learning resources

competency standards as a learning resource

videos

CDs and audio tapes

references and texts

manuals

record/log books

learning resources and learning materials developed under the Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) program

learning resources produced in languages other than English as appropriate to learner group and workplace

Contextualisedmeans to:

modify examples/case studies/activities/templates with industry/enterprise context specific information to be more relevant to learner

Learning materialsmay include:

handouts for learners

worksheets

workbooks

prepared case studies

prepared task sheets

prepared activity sheets

prepared topic/unit/subject information sheets

prepared role-plays

prepared presentations and overheads

prepared scenarios, projects, assignments

materials sourced from the workplace, e.g. workplace documentation, operating procedures, specifications

prepared research tasks

A distance delivery management planmay include:

learning outcomes

sequence, packaging, timing and distribution requirements of specific learning resources and learning materials

timelines for completion of learning outcomes/ learning activities

formative assessment requirements

expectations of the learner

instructions to the learner

list of other learners

Learning principlesinclude:

adults have a need to be self-directing

adults have a range of life experience, and connecting learning to experience is meaningful

adults have a need to know why they are learning

learning needs to be learner-centred to engage learners

the learning process needs to support increasing learner independence

emphasis is on experimental and participative learning

use of modelling

reflecting individual circumstances

Support mechanismsmay include:

contact numbers for help or guidance

email or phone tutoring

workplace mentoring by supervisors/managers

learning partners

contact numbers of other learners

equipment needs

disability and support needs

Means of communicating with learnersmay include:

written communication through:

email

mail

fax

SMS

oral communication through:

telephone

teleconferencing

and may be supplemented by initial face-to-face contact

Objectivesmay include:

the competency standards being addressed

specified learning outcomes or learning objectives

group learning needs

individual learning needs

specific learning activities

practice opportunities

formative assessment opportunities

Learner requirementsmay include:

participation

maintaining progress

completing activities/formative assessment requirements

Expectationsmay include:

expectations of learners and the group by trainer/facilitator

expectations of the trainer/facilitator by individuals and by the group

Direct contactmay include:

telephone

face-to-face

video conference

Communication tools and skills may include:

regular email contact with every distance learner

being accessible

fostering a community of learners

providing alternatives e.g. phone access

Strategiesmay include:

identifying critical points/ issues/ concerns/ problems

mediating discussions

referral to counselling

Techniquesmay include:

providing constructive/supportive feedback

regular guidance

motivational activities

Feedbackmay include:

learner feedback via survey or discussion

feedback from colleagues

feedback from external parties