The issue of scholarship in VET institutions delivering higher education Denise Stevens

Overview The role of the Centre – Activities to support VET provision of higher education Three recent research projects: – Naming and claiming a research culture in Victorian TAFE – Towards a culture of scholarly practice in mixed-sector organisations – Scholarly engagement: building knowledge with industry and the community in mixed sector organisations Potential indicators of quality scholarly practice - ? Synthesised findings from the research – what does it tell us?

The VET Development Centre 3 Project streams - Workforce Development; Industry Engagement & Teaching & Learning Teaching Fellows, Specialist Scholars, Scholarly Culture/Researchers Provision of Grant Funds Professional Learning Calendar Customised programs for the sector Knowledge sharing events Professional Learning Research and evaluation Blended Learning capability development Event and Network sponsorship Associated Services

Three recent research projects – Naming and claiming a research culture in Victorian TAFE – commissioned by the Centre – Towards a culture of scholarly practice in mixed-sector organisations – funded by NCVER grant – Scholarly engagement: building knowledge with industry and the community in mixed sector organisations – commissioned by the Centre

Recent research – Naming & Claiming.... Methodology: Literature review – Victoria, nationally & internationally Environmental scan of relevant websites On-line survey with organisations Consultation with selected practitioners Telephone interviews with 8 Specialist Centres Data gathering on enrolments in research units from TAE

Recent research – Naming & Claiming.... The project considered a range of issues and questions: – What research activity is undertaken? – What is the purpose? – How much is done and who does it? – What is the impact?

Recent research – Naming & Claiming.... Outcomes: Action research or practitioner research the most common Undertaken by teaching & non teaching staff Often related to course development & teaching and learning practice Lack of organisational culture & support Need for PD to support staff

Recent research - Scholarly practice Methodology: Literature review Three narratives and reflective commentaries Textual analysis of the three case studies Stakeholder forum – participants from public & private VET, mixed sector organisations, Universities, and the policy community

Recent research – Scholarly practice The research questions: – what is scholarship? – what are the features of scholarly practice? – What are the indicators of quality scholarly practice? – What practical strategies are needed to support and build capacity for scholarly practice in mixed- sector institutions?

Recent research – Scholarly practice The literature review: – Considered the nature of scholarship (Boyer et al) – Scholarship as a form of scholarly practice – Considered Australian, UK & North American research Narratives of scholarly practice: – HE, VET & mixed-sector organisations – Consider their scholarship in teaching & learning

Recent research – Scholarly practice Textual analysis of the narratives: – The analysis revealed similarities and differences between the 3 settings – This analysis formed the basis for the forum Stakeholder forum provided an opportunity: – to validate the textual analysis – to build knowledge – to validate the project team’s analysis of the narratives

Recent research – Scholarly practice Provisional criteria for quality in scholarly practice: – The forum considered what indicators denote quality in scholarly practice in each locations – Discussion framed by Glassick, Huber and Maeroff’s (1997) standards of scholarly work with some additions/adaptations

Recent research – Scholarly practice Scholarship standards proposed by Glassick, Huber & Maeroff: Clear goals Adequate preparation Appropriate methods Significant results Effective presentation Reflective critique Discussed at the forum and elaborated to include:

Recent research – Scholarly practice Collaboration Making knowledge public Critical analysis & synthesis Ethical practice Theory-informed practice

Recent research – Scholarly practice... Strategies for enhancing scholarly practice and culture: – Enhancing understanding about what it means to construct a scholarly culture – Building institutional capacity for scholarship & scholarly culture – Building workforce expertise

Recent research – Scholarly practice... Strategies for enhancing scholarly practice and culture: – Establishing spaces for sharing scholarly work – Addressing the terms & conditions under which scholarly work is produced – Working with industry and other external agencies to build collaborative partnerships

Recent research – Scholarly practice... Scholarly practice across all three settings distinguished by 3 features: – A form of intellectual-practical work – The knowledge produced is influenced by the way the work is done – The quality of scholarly practice & the knowledge resources produced are enhanced with peer review

Recent research – Scholarship of engagement.... This case study focussed on Boyer’s scholarship of application – later known as engagement Followed on from previous NCVER research activity Three narratives and reflective commentaries were commissioned Investigated how scholarly engagement with industry & the community is understood & practiced

Recent research – Scholarship of engagement.... Some of the key questions that guided the research: – what is the nature of the scholarship of engagement in mixed-sector organisations? – how, why and with whom do projects involving scholarship of engagement with external partners come about? – how are the research problems & methodologies constructed? – what are some of the barriers & enablers?

Recent research – Scholarship of engagement..... The processes of building knowledge through scholarly engagement with industry and the community were shown to be collaborative, dialogic, innovative and highly democratised The benefits of scholarly engagement were seen to accrue to all parties

Recent research – Scholarship of engagement..... What the research found: – Leveraging and building from a small foundation of existing strengths was identified as a successful strategy – Broad-based institutional support was also crucial – Capacity to draw on networks important

Recent research – Scholarship of engagement..... Challenges uncovered: – lack of dedicated funding – ambivalent institutional support – inappropriate approaches to intellectual property – under-developed research capacity – staffing pressures – casualised workforce

And in summary from the 3 projects Applied research can be a ‘natural fit as it builds on long established links with industry & community Culture and management support an imperative Development & encouragement of practitioner networks is required More PD and access to (research) funds Development of agreed standards related to scholarship would be helpful

And in summary..... Much is happening across the sector to support higher education provision in mixed-sector and/or HE organisations: – The ACPET Journal for Private Higher Education – The G5 Victorian Providers – regular forums – The NCVER early practitioner grants – VET Development Centre Research Grants – Scholarly network & PD forums But....a systematic approach is required

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