Save Creative Writing in TAFE

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This discussion topic has been automatically created of petition Save Creative Writing in TAFE.

Rebekah Jennings
Guest

#101 Postpone until 2012

2010-12-01 23:16

It saddens me that government gets its predetermined goals across under the guise of a consultative process.

What sort of consultation actually took place? And what were the concerns that originally drove the need for change? Has the process been a transparent one, and whose needs are being met here?

Do it the right way. Take the doctor's advice, postpone the new accredited model until 2012 when REAL consultation can take place that incorporates all stakeholders and makes transparent the process, motivation and goals of this accreditation.

June Redmond
Guest

#102 Learning the basics first

2010-12-01 23:22

As a part time student of this course I was distressed to learn that the CertIV component will no longer be required. This part of the course is a building block to a basic understanding of the writing process and the industry. To diminish the course in any form will not help students create works that will withstand the eye of the editor.
Andrew smith
Guest

#103 New Government

2010-12-02 00:26

I agree entirely with the purpose of this petition and assume it will be sent to the new minister of education when announced.
Lynn Hofmann
Guest

#104 Creative Writing in Tafe

2010-12-02 01:02

At the end of the day, if the bean counters change a course content for what ever reason then if they think it's a good business decision, that's up to them. But they also have a legal obligation to their customers who enter a contract with them in enrolling and paying their money for the course to stay intact, in it's entirity for the duration of that contract or course when they first entered the contract. In otherwords if the course you enrolled 2 years ago, outlined particular units, then they are obligated to keep that course intact & follow through on provideing what they said they would to the end of the course (end of contract). Anyone who enrols to start the course from this new decision/course outline onwards, with full comsumer disclosure, can make an informed decision whether they want to do the course or not. Thats my strong view for what its worth!!!

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2010-12-03 07:19



Guest

#106 link for curricula and executive summaries

2010-12-03 07:20

The link provided by David Trembath is incorrect. The correct link is : http://trainingsupport.skills.vic.gov.au
Sue Gannon Guest
Guest

#107 Re: I want the qualification I signed up for

2010-12-03 07:27

#100: Kate O\'Donnell - I want the qualification I signed up for 

Hear hear! When will the recipients of government policy be consulted? Not soon enough.

Wayne Cox
Guest

#108

2010-12-03 08:44

Not having done a creative writing course at TAFE, but have had fellow writers advising me that there has been issues with the course for a few years. Their complaint at the time is that they had to pay extra money to do the creative writing units. NOT FAIR
It doesn't surprise me about these changes occurring within the TAFE system.
But an idea would be to look outside the square. Have a brain storming session, where you can look at the alternatives. You might be surprised at what you come up with.
Judyth Keighran
Guest

#109 short-sighted cutbacks in writing courses

2010-12-04 11:43

This important course has provided a valuable opportunity for people of all ages and with a variety of educational backgrounds to learn skills and open doors to new writing pathways.

The writing communities that develop through this course offer friendship and connections that help people to survive challenging career and life transitions.
Joan Spittle
Guest

#110 Mrs

2010-12-05 10:53

Whether we are a business magnate or a happy housewife we all need to be able to express ourselves simply and clearly. Clarity is vitally important to getting any message across whether it is in business or the local primary school sending a message home with a child and the parent too needs to be able to respond correctly.

Real Estate advertisements, newspapers, shop signs bus time tables and safety regulations all need to be expressed in a way that is easily understood by all.

The only way we can keep our country, business and families well informed is if we continue to present well compiled and easily understood text.

Please keep this vital course open and thriving as it reflects the ability of our great country to communicate with others.
Naomi Mitchell
Guest

#111 Creative writing = corporate value

2010-12-06 02:51

With storytelling emerging as an important tool for communicating in organisations, I've found the PWE subjects with a creative slant really useful in my corporate writing career. An active, well-exercised imagination is also an important part of being innovative = more value again in the corporate world.
I feel sad to see the TAFE PWE decimated - what is broken can rarely be put back together in the same way again...
Rebecca Sutton
Guest

#112 The Importance of Specialisations to the PWE Course

2010-12-07 13:59

As a diploma graduate of Bendigo TAFE’s PWE course I would like to express how privileged I feel to have had the opportunity to undertake this wonderful program. Like so many others, the PWE course exposed me to new ideas and gave me the means of expressing my creativity in a way that has generated opportunities, both for my writing and in my life. Through the articulation agreement with La Trobe University I was able to undertake my honours degree, a benefit which may be closed to future students under the new curriculum.

I would like to make a couple of points on David Trembath’s comments, particularly in relation to specialisations, and express why I think the new curriculum would be a disadvantage to future students, TAFE institutions, and on a broader scale, Victoria’s cultural life.

Mr. Trembath states (in his entry titled, ‘Some facts’) that there is no editing unit in the diploma—this is because the core editing units are a part of the Certificate IV year (Develop Writing and Editing Skills, or Editing 1A & 1B). The course is structured in this way so that students can get a grounding in editing techniques in their first year, allowing them to focus on specialisations in the second.

In the old diploma curriculum there are a total of 34 modules included for specialisation, all of which are to be applied to the elements within the unit titled, ‘Refine Writing and Editing Techniques’(VVP 553). Under the new diploma the specialisations have been removed and Mr. Trembath is suggesting that teachers either integrate them into the unit titled ‘Refine Writing Skills’ (VU20277) which has been assigned 120 nominal hours (that’s 220 hours less than in the old course), or create their own electives. I wonder, considering the fee restructure that is set to come into the TAFE system soon, whether institutions will be willing to fund the writing, ratification, and running of electives that are not already part of the curriculum. It is highly unlikely.

Mr. Trembath says (‘Last Words Before Getting on with my Life’) in response to Sue King-Smith’s words about specialisations that the unit, ‘Refine writing and editing techniques’ has been broken down because, ‘it’s unfair to students’, and that ‘units are about assessment not about delivery.’ He is saying that, so long as the competencies are fulfilled, it doesn’t matter in what context this happens. In response I would say that writing is all about context, and that this general unit acknowledges this in its scope for holistic delivery. Furthermore, the performance criteria in this unit applies to each particular specialisation module, as outlined in the evidence guide which states: ‘Assessment of this unit requires assessment of the writing task in the nominated specialisations’. In order to fulfill competency each student must reflect on ‘The unique nature of the distinct writing styles depending on the purpose of the writing’ (Application of Unit). Short of being ‘unfair to students’, the inclusion of specialisations provides an opportunity for them to excel in a particular genre or to explore a variety, should they wish.

The removal of specialisations will deprive students of the well-rounded knowledge necessary to succeed in a highly competitive industry (where creative skills complement technical forms); the opportunity and support base to explore a particular creative form in depth, and the industry knowledge required to approach publication in the most opportune way. If this accreditation is passed it would represent a degeneration in the quality of TAFE programs, an affront to prospective students, and a setback to Victoria’s cultural life.
Danielle O\'Donnell
Guest

#113 Save Creative Writing in Tafe

2010-12-08 11:54

This is a good petition.Creative writng teaches you to think,observe and develop as a person,commercial writng requires far less thinking and skill.
While non-fiction writing is important for text book writing,a culture without art is a culture with less life and espression and is more easily manipulated. The pen is mightier than the sword!
I'm not surprised at these changes though as the government is trying to get more teachers and scientists qualified
Keith Stevenson - holmesglen tafe course graduate
Guest

#115 save creative writing

2010-12-09 05:42

I attended this course at Holmesglen Tafe in the 90s. Not only did it teach me a great deal about language, grammar, creative writing and editing, but it laid the foundation for me to begin my own publishing company coeur de lion publishing. Our last book, titled X6, has won major awards in Australia and a World Fantasy Award.
Roger Stanley
Guest

#116 Wealth Creation

2010-12-11 02:09

It is apparent that the changes to the TAFE P.W.E Course are to satisfy the bean-counters who usually consider creative ability not conducive to making money.
It should be emphasised that even just one creative book/article/short story, generates an incredible amount of money-making and employment activity within sections of the publishing industry.
GUEST
Guest

#119 Victorian Government's Attack on PWE and ARTS courses across Victoria

2010-12-16 06:24

The following link details the unfairness facing some students wishing to enter Writing/Arts/Media programs at Victorian TAFES (courses that provide both job opportunties and higher level study options). The current Coalition government has rolled back some of the Labor government's most obnoxious 'SKILLS REFORM' 'innovations' BUT Eligibility requirements for govenrment funded places are still excluding many mature adults with ageing or irrelevant qualifications - or who are experiencing economic hardship - from undertaking study in these (and many other) courses. See link below to AGE Newspaper article for an example of the consequences for some PWE would be students. It is to be hoped that the new Coalition government changes these ill-conceived, badly monitored and ideologically motivated (privatisation at all costs) eligibility and contestability changes, changes introduced by Jacinta Allan former Minister for VET education:

http://www.theage.com.au/national/tafe-fee-rise-may-write-off-sarahs-creative-ambitions-20090710-dg44.html

The destruction of creative options in these courses (CERT IV and DIP) is thus only part of the problem - no use having great units in the program to study if no ordinary mortal can afford to study them!

dr jane riddoch
Guest

#120 creative writing in tafe

2011-01-20 10:24

a must have

Guest

#121 Re: please explain criative for example

2011-05-26 06:24


Guest

#122

2011-10-13 08:39

This is a brilliant course and should not be interfered with or downgraded.
csubakka

#123 Re: Halál Orbánra!

2012-08-11 14:42

orbán viktor és a tolvaj családját nem szabad hanem kötelesség kiírtani!!!!


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