09-84

= = // Signs of Distance – Delivering Certificate 3 in Auslan by Videoconference // toc

**RTO**
North Coast TAFE

**Contact**

 * Lindy Suttor**
 * Head Teacher, General Education**
 * Workplace Training and Assessment**
 * Casino TAFE**
 * P: 0266 621024**
 * M: 0407061942**
 * E: melinda.suttor@tafensw.edu.au**

**Category**
Empowering learners/RTO-Business Partnership

**Business Partner**


Executive summary
The project was to pilot a regional delivery of the Certificate 3 in Auslan via a combination of videoconferencing, web-based communication technologies and Auslan-only weekends by a team of trainers led by two Deaf teachers who are native Auslan signers.

There had been ongoing demand for the Certificate 3 in Auslan over the North Coast region for some years and the targeted learners had been disadvantaged because of their location and their inability to access technology without assistance and training. They had also been hampered from accessing the Certificate 3 course elsewhere in the past, as it has not been offered in regional areas and has required technology which they, as individuals, did not usually have the resources to provide.  Until now, there also had not been the technological capabilities to deliver at a distance. With a visual language course, there has to be regular face-to-face contact between trainer and learners – written materials are not appropriate or possible. Previous videoconferencing equipment did not deliver the clarity that is needed for sign-based communication but the latest equipment now provides the necessary quality for signed delivery and can include laptop computer and other projection equipment (videos and DVDs) over the system.

We delivered the course from Lismore TAFE to 27 learners across the region from Tweed Heads to south of Tuncurry. They attended one of the four local TAFE sites – Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Great Lakes - for two evening sessions per week plus met at a central location (Coffs Harbour) for their 6 Auslan-only Weekends. These Weekends were ‘voice off’ and the learners participated in workshops with Deaf guest speakers, undertook their signing assessments and worked through some of their theory research projects.

Tthe learners not only obtained their Certificate 3–level skills in sign language but also now have skills in operating videoconferencing equipment – a highly relevant skill in this industry/profession and culture. After two-three weeks of supported training, the learners were in charge of operating the equipment themselves and rotated the role, ensuring that everyone gained skills in being the moderator of the conference for their site.

Graduates of this course are therefore much more at ease with new technologies and therefore much more likely to take on other training via a less traditional mode of delivery, thus broadening their opportunities for further training. They will hopefully act also as advocates for alternative methods of delivery using available communications technology in their organisations and communities. Finally, this pilot did prove the viability of videoconferencing, in combination with other technologies, as a delivery platform and hopefully will encourage all trainers to consider it when designing their learning environment. To this end we have summarised our experiences and ideas for future delivery via videoconference in the attached //__Delivery Guide__.// We would like to expand the offering of the course in this format to an ongoing basis not only within the region but potentially within the state.

**Final report**
Please see atached //__**Case Study**__// and //**__Delivery Guide__**//