This year, like most organisations, ISS Institute have had to jump into the online sphere to hold our Annual Illuminate forums. This year’s theme was ‘Education Outside of the Box – Innovation in VET for Students with a Disability’.
The 2-part series provided practical strategies that can be implemented both inside and outside of the classroom within a VET context to support students with a disability to achieve their best possible outcome.
Forum one:
Our first session included guest speakers Jan Davis and Lola Nicolouleas who shared their experiences and the findings from their Fellowship, along with a detailed explanation of the outcomes and Fellowship achievements to date. The focus of this session was strategies in the classroom and the importance of listening to the student voice to create a positive classroom environment.
Forum two:
On Wednesday October 28th we held our second Illuminate forum where 61 participants heard presentations from Felicity Williams and Heather Chambers. The presenters discussed their Fellowship learnings which centred around Therapeutic Horticulture and how to identify and support students with learning difficulties.
The feedback we received from the participants was outstanding and we are very grateful for the support from the Department of Edcation and Training, Higher Education and Skills and the VDC who supported us to present these educational, inspiring and productive sessions.
“Great to have some practical strategies that could be implemented in the classroom. An excellent presentation – Thank you!”
“The presenters were very well spoken, professional and prepared. They were very inspiring and was great to hear of the positive outcomes. I enjoyed it. Well done. I hope other industries provide such great opportunities for our students in the future. Thank you.”
Below is a snapshot of the presenters:
Jan Davis
Jan is a 2016 International Specialised Skills Institute/Higher Education and Skills (DET) Fellow. Her students are between the ages of 16-21 and have additional learning needs and/ or a disability. Her award-winning program of supported internships for young people with a disability at the Royal Children’s Hospital in its third year and has produced extraordinary outcomes. |
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Felicity Williams
Felicity is a 2019 International Specialised Skills Institute/Higher Education and Skills (DET) Fellow, is a marketing and business strategist and has held several senior roles in the Victorian VET sector. Felicity is passionate about the adult community education and training sector because it has the power to change lives.
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Heather Chambers