Teaching and learning needs: moving between practice & policy in VET

This paper analyses eduactional forces in TAFE in relation to curriculum issues linked to wider social and cultural contexts arising from a ANTA-funded pproject into the teaching and learning needs of special interest groups. In particular, this paper attempts to explain the educational process in TAFE and motivations for changing teaching and learning strategies to more effectively meet the needs of special interest groups. the aim is to present a synthesis of student and teacher perspectives that provides a basis for moving between practice and policy in VET. In our tender to the ANTA Research Advisory Council, the project team outlined a number of strategies to be adopted in order to achieve uts aim to identify the teaching and learning needs of special interest groups. One objective was to assist in the formulation of strategies for further development of approprite curriculum in VET in Australia in a way that assisted closer alignment between teaching practice and preferred learning styles, the course areas studied were Carpentry and Joinery, Child Care, Tourism and Hospitality and Business Studies.