The VCAL Curriculum
VCAL LiteracyThe VCAL Literacy program aims to develop students; writing, reading and oral communication skills for the workplace and real-life purposes.
Though they are separately outlined below, Reading, Writing and Oracy Outcomes are encountered in an integrated approach throughout the course. Areas of Study: • Self-Expression • Knowledge • Practical Purposes • Public Debate Reading The Reading Learning Outcomes involve shared and independent reading tasks. Comprehension of the intended tone and audience. This might come from a variety of sources, such as those as outlined below. • Novels • Newspapers • Blogs • Procedural documents Writing The Writing Learning Outcomes involve the construction of texts for a variety of purposes. Students produce written work that is appropriate to the audience and situation and could include: • Responses to set questions/topics • Completion of forms • Letters • Resume’s Oral Communication The Oracy Learning Outcomes focus on the use of, and response to spoken language. Related learning activities might include: • Debating • Public Speaking • Conflict Resolution • Questioning • Excursions Conclusion There are increasing levels of complexity and support at each successive level of the VCAL certificate. To achieve a competent result, the students will be asked to repeatedly demonstrate comprehension, understanding and meaning in each of the three areas of assessment. |
VCAL NumeracyThe purpose of this units is to enable students to develop everyday numeracy skills to make sense of their daily personal and public lives. To also explore mathematics beyond its familiar and everyday use to its application in wider, less personal contexts such as in the workplace and the community.
Unit 1 The mathematics involved comes from the following Areas of Study: Numerical Skills and Processes Perform routine multistep computations with and without software tools and devices. Topics include: Data, Estimation & Ratio. Financial Literacy Make decisions and perform routine monetary calculations involving money, manage personal Finances and understand risk in familiar situations. Topics include: Simple & Compound Interest. Planning and Organisation Identify, use and interpret routine numbers and units of measurement to make decisions about time, location, data, resources and solve routine multi-step problems. Topics Include: Time, Distance & Direction. Measurement, Representation and Design Use units of measurement to measure, represent and interpret objects, plans and diagrams. Topics include: Perimeter, Area, Volume & Scale. Unit 2 The purpose of this unit is to enable students to extend and apply numeracy knowledge and skills through an investigation in an unfamiliar industry area. The mathematics involved will focus on these areas of study: Number, Measurement, Financial Numeracy, Probability and Statistics. Students will design a Numeracy based project in consultation with their teacher that uses complex calculations and is linked to a specific industry area. They will then apply those numerical skills and use appropriate software tools and devices to represent the data collected and to communicate the results of the project. |
Work Related SkillsWork Related Skills focusses on the processes and policies related to identifying, responding to and communicating information related to workplace hazards and the risks they present
Areas of Study: • Workplace and industry information • Occupational Health and Safety issues • Employee Rights and Responsibilities • Communication in the workplace • Issue identification, resolution and dispute management • Safe work procedures • Project planning, management and teamwork • Technology in the workplace Foundation At Foundation level, students focus on identifying the processes and procedures relating to hazard identification, risk assessment and risk management, Students work in teams to plan and participate in basic activities that conform to OHS guidelines. Learning Outcomes: • Workplace role and activities • Occupational Health and Safety issues and their management • Adhering to safe work procedures • Use of technologies in the completion of communication of workplace activities Intermediate At Intermediate level, students are more actively involved in the process of identifying workplace hazards and risks. They develop and adhere to plans to minimise the likelihood and severity of injuries related to workplace activities. Learning Outcomes: • Workplace and industry information • Common OHS issues aligned with chosen industries • Risk assessment and management • Information and communications technology related to OHS Senior At Senior level, the focus for students is on the development of work related and vocational skills in a workplace context or appropriate simulation. The overall aim is to further develop employability skills and to apply increasingly complex transferable skills to work related contexts. Learning Outcomes: • Accessing and collating information • Communication in the workplace • Project planning, management and evaluation • Issue identification, resolution and communication • Teamwork in the workplace • Use of technologies in the completion and communication of workplace activities |
Personal Development SkillsUnits are based on the development of skills linked to community based projects or activities, as well as school, individual and team activities.
Units focus on activities in areas of student interest, starting at the school level and then extending to projects in the wider community. Areas of Study • Individual and group responsibility • Self-confidence and resilience • Values of integrity, enterprise and excellence • Empowerment for active citizenship Foundation At Foundation level, students are expected to plan and organise a simple activity. Students draw on specific knowledge and skills related to their chosen activity. Students develop and display problem solving and teamwork skills. Learning Outcomes: • Planning and organisational skills • Context driven knowledge and skill building • Problem Solving • Teamwork Intermediate At Intermediate level, students plan activities of greater complexity than those undertaken at Foundation level. Self-management, leadership and communication skills are focused on at this level. Learning Outcomes: • Complex planning and organisational skills • Context driven knowledge and skill building • Self-management for achieving goals • Leadership skills and responsibilities • Interpersonal skills for effective communication Senior At Senior level, students work almost completely autonomously. Projects are conceived of, planned and executed and evaluated with minimal teacher input. Students must account for social diversity within the projects undertaken and are expected to schedule, attend and run meetings with a variety of staff and community members. Learning Outcomes: • Independent planning and organisational skills related to complex projects • Planning to cater for social diversity • Communication strategies • Leadership skills in groups and teams • Decision making skills in collaborative situations |