013115 Professional Practice and Changing Work

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Handbook description

In this subject, factors influencing change are identified and strategies for managing them are assessed. It examines models of the learning organisation and processes for change management, including creativity, innovation, ethical practice and strategies for facilitating workplace learning. Participants engage collaboratively with specialists from various fields of adult learning, and discussion topics are drawn from economic, social, political and technological forces impacting on society. The professional adult educator as change agent, consultant, network manager and leader is examined in detail.

Subject objectives/outcomes

This subject aims to enable students to address the nine key questions through four objectives

1. identifying and discussing major roles and responsibilities of the professional practitioners in changing workplace contexts
2. critically examining economic, social, political and technological issues and policies shaping workplace education and adult learning in Australia and other countries
3. critiquing models and case studies of workplace education and training exploring how professional practice and change management operate in workplace contexts such as communities, industry, registered training organisations (RTOs) and universities
4. investigating sources and processes of organisational change to identify strategies for workplace learning

On completion of the subject students will have critiqued contemporary literature and resources relevant to the forces shaping roles and responsibilities of professional practitioners in contemporary workplace contexts. In doing so they will

1. critique contemporary literature and published material to produce an annotated bibliography
2. develop capabilities for sustaining peer learning through
   1. providing constructive feedback to peers and
   2. working effectively in learning teams
3. demonstrate high level oral and written communication in their professional practice
4. relate workplace practice to wider organisational/societal contexts
5. completed an extended simulation to analyse and demonstrate aspects of their own professional practice, involving
   1. increasing flexibility as professionals and workplace learning consultants required to respond to changing contexts and specific learning needs
   2. demonstrating leadership qualities in a simulation context
   3. establishing and using ethical practices as a professional

Teaching and learning strategies

Students will typically experience the learning in this subject through the following processes and/or content that will be covered: lecture input, experientially based activities, structured discussions, small group/team work, case studies, workshops/tutorials, simulations, collaborative peer learning, individual research and engagement in assignments to enable students to contribute and apply current knowledge in the area.

Mode of Delivery

• One day workshop addressing literature and research on contemporary workplaces and educational roles
• Two day workshop involving a team and research based simulation
• One day workshop on future trends and development of personal career perspectives

Content

The major topics in this subject include

1. current perspectives on roles and responsibilities of professional practitioners as adult educators in changing workplace contexts. Such roles include change agent, coach, consultant, entrepreneur, innovator, mentor, networker and facilitator of lifelong learning
2. contemporary economic, social, political and technological issues and policies related to vocational education and workplace learning in Australia and other countries
3. contemporary models of how humans organize and cooperate at work and in other social contexts
4. creativity, innovation, ethical practice and strategies for facilitating workplace learning in modern organisations

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Critical Annotated Bibliography

Assessment Item 2: Team Brochure and reflection

Assessment Item 3: Extended simulation

Required texts

There is no set text for this subject. All resources collected for subjects undertaken prior to this one may prove to be of use. In addition it is expected that students will begin to collect resources relevant to their own particular career goals and paths.

References

A wide variety of resources is provided within the UTSOnline site for this subject. These will be extended by both staff and students and will be both contemporary in nature and also drawn from the larger body of relevant literature.