| The
project team decided on a methodology that would allow them maximum flexibility
but would also ensure that they received specific information about the
range and depth of professional development initiatives available to ACE
and their access to these. The project team therefore used both focus group
questions and a short questionnaire. Participants completed the questionnaire
before or after attending the session.
 ACE
organisations were invited by TAFE frontiers to participate through their
regional ACFE office. Meetings were held at Frankston, Bendigo, Benalla,
Geelong and two in Melbourne to cover all the metropolitan regions. The
sessions were facilitated by Glenda McPherson (TAFE frontiers) and Josie
Rose (Southern Westernport Learning Communities). Mary Schooneveldt (Southern
Westernport Learning Communities) provided technical support.
Questions
explored areas of interest such as the impact of various state and national
flexible learning initiatives on ACE organisations, significant events,
achievements, professional development and change. Discussion was not
constrained by the initial questions. The discussions were lively, interesting,
honest and open. Many participants remarked on how much they had enjoyed
the session – it was also a valuable information gathering tool
for them!
Sessions were recorded and photographs taken to enable later analysis
and for use on this website and in print based material.
The project team also developed a blog where they shared their initial
impressions of the sessions as well as analysed themes and issues.
|
