TasTAFE Agriculture project wins e-Learning award

An innovative TasTAFE training solution enabling agriculture students to spend more time on-farm has been recognised with an eLearning award.

TasTAFE’s Agricultural Learning Resources Training Project recently won a platinum award for Best eLearning Project (Industry Specific) at the Learn X awards.

Recognising farm owners and workers are geographically dispersed and have limited time to access training, TasTAFE's Education Design team and Agriculture, Forestry and Land Management teachers partnered with industry to develop a flexible learning model for the Diploma of Agriculture and Diploma of Agribusiness Management.

TasTAFE CEO Grant Dreher said TasTAFE staff worked with 24 industry stakeholders and 34 subject matter experts to co-design a new delivery model for agricultural training.

“Industry stakeholders played a central role in the project, resulting in training that keeps learners closely connected to industry and their workplace, the farm,” Mr Dreher said.

“Agricultural partners, including farmers and other agriculture businesses played a central role in developing learning resources contributing videos, designing farm plans and providing industry resources and feedback.

“The project included the development and use of Flat Our Farm, a simulated learning tool available to learners who don’t have access to all aspects of farm management in their workplace.

“TasTAFE now delivers the Diploma of Agriculture, Diploma of Agribusiness Management and several agriculture skill sets in a flexible way, combining digital experiences, online resources and workshops with some face-to-face learning.”

The new model provides the learners, who are emerging leaders for the industry, with less time off their farm. Participation has increased state-wide with learners managing diverse enterprises in remote locations including King Island, Bracknell, Triabunna and Wesley Vale

The new model has supported around 700 learns to date who have benefitted from improved flexibility, accessibility and self-paced learning opportunities.

“The Agricultural Learning Resources Technology Project supports the workforce skills development needs of the Tasmanian agriculture sector by improving flexibility, accessibility and self-paced learning opportunities for those in the sector.

“The project is an example of TasTAFE’s increased focus on flexible delivery that meets the needs of our learners,” Mr Dreher said.

The LearnX® Awards are an international and professional awards program that recognises multiple fields of learning and talent development throughout the corporate, education, public, and not-for-profit sectors worldwide. A Platinum Award is the highest accolade (7 stars).