Curriculum management in TAFE colleges : a case study of Launceston College of TAFE, School of Commerce/Secretarial Studies introduction of commerce/secetarial new (1986) curriculum

The School of Commerce/Secretarial Studies, Launceston College of Technical and Further Education has been used to provide a case study on the introduction of new (1986) commerce/secretarial studies curriculum. A short history of commercial and secretarial training with particular emphasis on Launceston college of TAFE is outlined. The study has focussed on the subject of Typing Stage 1 (new curriculum) and Typewriting 1 (old curriculum) although other subjects, communication and office skills, are also mentioned. Observation of resistance to change and teachers' attitudes before and after the introduction are studied, together with the identified problems associated with the innovation. A comparison of the old and new curriculum documents is undertaken and differences in formatting, length and content identified. Student results for the years 1985 and 1986 are compared. Differences in marking the old examination system compared to the new progressive assessment are highlighted. A detailed description of the situation analysis in both 1985 and 1986 is documented which includes the courses for which a State Certificate is issued on successful completion. Developmental problems associated with writing the new curriculum and the production of teaching/learning resources are discussed, together with other difficulties associated with curriculum development. A comprehensive background to the advent of the new curriculum is provided with a description of the development of the National Common Core Curriculum to which each state TAFE authority had an input in an attempt to provide a national basic standard qualification for Secretarial & Administrative Studies - Level 1. A detailed description of a survey of Tasmanian employers is given which identifies major employers' needs which have been accommodated in the new curriculum. Finally some future predictions regarding the curriculum and the direction of secretarial training and employment are made.