Situation 2014 10

Being a journalist means that I often get to hear and share very personal aspects of a complete stranger’s life. As a newspaper reporter, more often than not, I often found myself interviewing

people that had suffered a terrible loss, or tragedy, or both.

As an investigative reporter, it was my job to tell the stories some people didn’t want told and there were many times I was on the receiving end of unpleasantness; threats even.

So the past three years of writing SITuation magazine have been a breath of fresh air. The number of inspirational people who have generously shared their SIT2LRN experience with me is remarkable and, it seems, unending.

In this spring edition, for example, we meet Anne Merrilees-Donald who, decades after seeing her nursing dream fade away, decided to take

We learn how SIT2LRN is a valuable experience for Teacher Aiding facilitator Helen Burns and student creativity is a pleasant reward for interior designer Gillian Graham.

we’ve got those too – both for Apple and android systems.

We also include the results of a recent survey and changes we’re making to ensure SITuation is the read you want. For example this edition and the next one will be digital and sent directly to student’s email addresses as a trial.

Of course, we’re now on the countdown to Christmas and, for many of you, the end to your SIT2LRN studies. If you’re starting to think about new career and employment opportunities, we’ve got some tips about how to best prepare for your search.

Whatever your motivation for studying with SIT2LRN, I hope your distance learning experience is a good one. Familarising yourself with the virtual

there are plenty of support people here to help.

Until next time, keep safe but always challenge yourself. The possibilities are endless.

Karen

About SIT

The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) is one of 18 government polytechnics and institutes of technology offering tertiary education throughout New Zealand. SIT programmes are accredited and approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority up to postgraduate level.

SIT has a proud history of vocational education and training. For over 40 years we have been providing students with quality education across a range of subject areas and at a variety of levels including postgraduate study. This variety enables you to enter your training at the level that suits you and to progress as you are ready. Many of our programmes link to higher level qualifications at SIT and other institutions in New Zealand and throughout the world. We are constantly developing these relationships to ensure that our graduates have maximum mobility.

The Zero Fee Scheme

Our Zero Fee Scheme means we pay your tuition fees, so all you have to pay for are the direct material costs for your course. This applies for all of our degree programmes and most of our diplomas and certificates, including distance learning programmes. Many of our graduates are able to start their careers debt-free! This is not an exaggeration – on any given degree, our students save between $10,000 and $19,000 on tuition fees.

Locations

Our main campus is in Invercargill, and we have smaller campuses in Christchurch, Queenstown and Gore.

Karen Arnold Editor

Contact DetailsFreepost SIT2LRN : Private Bag 90114 133 Tay Street Invercargill 9840

Free Call : 0800 SIT2LRN ( within New Zealand) Telephone : 03 211 2699 ext 3320 Free Facsimile : 03 211 2698 Email : [email protected] Website : www.sit.ac.nz Free Text : 2LRN (2576)

Editorial

Please email these to

[email protected] !

Feature Articles

4 Employment After Study

7 Staff Research

9 Certificate in Interior Décor

10 Gillian Graham - Certificate in Interior Decor

11 Helen Burns - Teacher Aiding

12 Anne Merrilees-Donald - Certificate in Health Sciences

SITUATION Magazine Feedback

13 Your Feedback and What’s Next

Contents

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10

8

6

Editor: Karen Arnold

Managing Editor: Fiona Casey

Production Manager: Jackie Flutey

Art Editor: Elana Bai

Feature Articles: Staff Research

Online Review

14 Study Apps

Tips for Online/Distance Students

15 Tips for Online/Distance Students

Feature Articles: Employment After Study4

11

SITUATION November 20144

Feature Article

EmploymentIf you’re close to

with SIT2LRN, chances are you’re also thinking about securing a job that allows you to use your newly acquired skills and knowledge.

job and being hired isn’t always easy – it’s a skill in itself. Here are some tips to help you set yourself apart from other candidates.

Many employers dread the hiring process. Employing a person with the wrong skill set or someone who has difficulty getting on with other employees can be a costly mistake to the business.

And potentially, the sheer number of applicants for each position advertised means that, unless a cover letter is a stand out from all the others, many top candidates don’t make it to the all-important interview round.

Ideally, the best scenario for any employer is to find the perfect candidate without having to advertise at all. If that person is you, then you’ll need to be proactive and prepared to make an effort.

After Study

SITUATION November 2014 5

1. Promote yourself Don’t wait until your studies have finished before beginning your

job search. Making early contact with prospective employers and networking with people of influence means you’ll be on the employment radar as someone who’s keen and shows initiative. If you can make a positive impression, chances are you’ll know ahead of time where and when there may be suitable vacancies becoming available. There’s even the possibility that a company is prepared to work round your study commitments if they’re sure you’d be an asset to the business.

2. Match your skills to the job

If you’ve found a job that you think would be perfect for you, ask yourself this “Am I perfect for this job?” If you are, then it’s up to you to prove to the employer how your experience, skills and knowledge make you the best person for the job. But be realistic. If you routinely apply for positions that are outside your knowledge and skill set, you’ll find yourself on the receiving end of a stream of rejection letters. Don’t set yourself up to fail.

3. Know the business and the job

If you are applying for an advertised position find out as much as you can about the business or organisation that is hiring and about the position being offered. Then tailor your cover letter and tweak your CV to best express your knowledge, skills and ability to do the job.

4. Get experience It’s the chicken and egg thing. Most employers want someone with

experience – but how do you get experience in the first place? If your lack of work experience in your chosen field is a barrier to paid employment consider other ways of gaining it. Volunteer to help out a charity or not-for-profit organisation in a way that allows you to utilise your skills. Or register with a temping agency and build your experience across several industries and businesses.

5. CV’s and interviewing

There are plenty of books, websites and agencies that offer advice about how to write good CVs and cover letters and give tips about interview techniques. The key to a successful job search is to be thoroughly prepared and committed to selling yourself in a positive way.

Feature Article


Feature Article

Useful Resources to help you secure that job

SIT Library

The SIT library has a number of useful resources on designing a winning CV as well as job interview techniques

• Amos, J. (2009). Be prepared! Pass that Job Interview. Oxford, UK: How to Books Ltd.

• Bright, J. & Earl,J. (2008) Resumes That Get Shortlisted. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

• Joosten,V. (2005). Preparing for Career Selection Tests. (3rd ed). Southbank, Victk:Thomson.

• Longson,S. (2006) Life after …Business and Administrative Studies. London, UK: Routledge.

• Nierenberg, A.H. (2005). Winning the Interview Game. New York,US:AMACOM

• Yate,M. (2008). Ultimate Cover Letters. (2nd ed.). London, UK: Kogan Page Ltd.

Online Resources

Visit the Student and Graduate employment page on www.sit.ac.nz to discover the services and support available to you as an SIT student or recent graduate. Or if you are thinking about further study, check out the courses on offer at SIT during 2015.

You’ll find a lot of useful career information and employment tools at www.careers.govt.nz including tools to identify your key skills and to help you plan your career and even tools to help you achieve the right work life balance.

View the report from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on ‘Short-term employment prospects 2014 – 2016’ at www.dol.govt.nz/publications/research/short-term-employment-prospects/

It covers growth forecasts for many different sectors of the New Zealand economy.


Feature Article

Staff Research

The Southern Institute of Technology continually strives to offer the best and most relevant education to its students. That’s why staff research projects are such an important part of SIT’s academic commitment. Research at SIT is supported by the Research Institute, under research manager Dr Sally Bodkin-Allen. Key annual events include the SIT Staff Research Symposium - where staff share the results of their research project with colleagues - and the Three Minute Thesis Contest for Year 3 research students. Research forums are also held twice a year, as part of staff training.

bit about two research projects undertaken by SIT staff:

Teri McClelland

– Head of Faculty, SIT2LRN

In the ever-changing world of technology, education providers have to ensure they’re offering students what they want the way they want it. That’s why a ‘think-tank’ involving almost 40 of New Zealand’s leading tertiary identities was formed in 2011, tasked with identifying the impact of emerging technologies on teaching, learning, research and information management.

Teri was invited to join the 2011 Horizon NZ Advisory Board, given her experience in developing online education and because of her strong interest in the teaching and learning that potential emerging technologies provide.

“The role of educators is changing. The internet has brought fundamental changes to how students approach learning. People increasingly want to learn, work and play wherever and whenever they want.”

“This trend is pushing tertiary providers to be increasingly entrepreneurial and innovative.”

Phone and tablet apps are on the increase, allowing easy access to learning off campus and enabling students from across the globe to connect in virtual classrooms.

The arrival of next-generation batteries with long-life will allow teachers and students to use their mobile devices with greater freedom and flexibility because they won’t need to be recharged so often.

The group predicted gesture-based computing would one day have an impact as would the increased availability of ultra-fast broadband.

But while there was a strong focus on equipping students with the know-how and skills to use and create with digital technologies, the same couldn’t be said for those charged with teaching them. Many academics were resistant to the change, which was a challenge. “If we want students to learn how to use technology, then educators must find ways to embrace it in their own teaching and research.”

“ The role of educators is changing. The internet has brought fundamental changes to how students approach learning. People increasingly want to learn, work and play wherever and whenever they want.”


Feature Article

Fiona Tyrie

–Tutor, Business: Entrepreneurship

and Innovation

For almost a decade – from 2000 to 2009 – SIT ran a business incubator for onsite students studying towards a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Enterprise (PGDBE).

From humble beginnings it soon grew into a popular course for New Zealand students, offering them office or retail space to run their own business, as they studied. They could tap into expert advice from tutors, while working collaboratively with others on the course. But with changes to student allowance entitlements, enrolment numbers fell and SIT decided to close the business incubator.

Fiona Tyrie, as part of her MBA studies through the University of Wales, decided to find out what factors impacted on a PGDBE student’s decision to start their own business and whether business incubators were even necessary. “Can you even teach entrepreneurship?”

She surveyed about 500 current and past students of SIT’s onsite programme and soon discovered that it was the person, rather than the process, that was the most significant factor. “I found the strongest indicator of whether a student was likely to pursue a business opportunity after graduation was whether they had previously run a business before. Despite the opportunity to be involved in a business incubator, it would seem that taking the first step is the hardest part.”

Fiona is currently doing research, with another tutor, on the collaborative classroom. “Collaboration is different from group work. It is an acceptance that whether we sink or swim – we are in this together.”

“Collaboration is emerging as one of the most significant business opportunities. For example, the ability to work collaboratively positively impacts on workers engagement in the business. At the organisational level, working collaboratively and managing diversity can hold the key to New Zealand businesses becoming world class entities.”


SIT2LRN Programme

CERTIFICATE IN

Interior Décor

The 12-module course offers students step-by-step learning, starting with an introduction to the elements and principles of design. From there, students explore the dimensions of colour and light, learn about the history of furniture styles and gain an understanding of architectural features and hieritage.

Facilitator Gillian Graham says the Level 4 certificate is so comprehensive, graduates should be able to get work in the retail sector or even be self-employed. “It’s a practical course – very hands on. They learn how colours go together, about fabrics, furnishings and about both commercial and home design. They learn about paints, wallpapers, carpet and other flooring too.”

There are a couple of units that focus on presentation techniques and students also learn how to read building plans and how to draw a two-point perspective to scale.

The last few papers cover budgeting, business practices and the fundamentals of business. These are incorporated into a major design project students must complete during the final two units. “By the end, they should be able to run their own business as a consultant.”

And although naturally creative and artistic types will do well learning interior design, Gillian says the course is structured to cater for all abilities, with each module building on the skills and knowledge learned during the previous ones. “It’s very logical so, even if you’re not naturally arty, as long as you have some confidence drawing, you’ll do well.”

If you’re creative and enjoy zhooshing things up or perhaps, want to give your

The certificate course is so popular, there are three facilitators for the four intakes each year.

Highlights of the Certificate of Interior Décor:

• Introduction to the elements and principles of design

• Learn and apply the process of design

• The dimensions of colour and light – learn about colour schemes and how light will act on different colours

• Architectural heritage and features

• Textile knowledge and how to use it to select furnishings

• Presentation techniques

• Space planning and model construction

• Kitchen design and storage solutions

• Professional practice and business skills

Career opportunities:

Graduates will be able to present their own interior décor design ideas and solutions to clients. They could work for themselves or in a related industry doing sales or merchandising.


Gillian Graham knows the value of a qualification and the demands of distance learning. It makes her the perfect person to guide students studying towards the SIT2LRN Certificate in Interior Décor, a role she took up in April.

A self-employed Invercargill design consultant, Gillian’s 15-year career in the industry began in 1997 when she was employed as a traveller for Dulux. “I loved the colour part of it,” she says. During her five-year stint with the paint company she built on her knowledge, through in-house training and by doing a correspondence course in design.

Gillian stopped work to have a baby but was soon approached by Dulux, this time offering her a part-time position as a nationwide colour consultant, one of a team of specialists to travel the country, as required, to give expert colour advice.

She picked up some bathroom merchandising work and soon found herself working with some of the major group home builders, often developing design and colour solutions for new builds straight off the plans.

“I provide advice to my own clients too. For example, I’ve designed both hotel and motel rooms for the ILT (Invercargill Licensing Trust).”

But even though she only became a course facilitator this year, Gillian’s been involved with the Certificate in Interior

GillianGraham

SIT2LRN Certificate in Interior Décor facilitator

It’s so satisfying seeing students do well. How they take my advice and demonstrate they ‘get’ it. Marking their work is great, too. A lot of it is quite refreshing.

Décor right from the start. “I evaluated the course before it was first offered by SIT2LRN, tweaking it so it would be more relevant to New Zealand students.” She’s been a moderator too, ensuring the quality of students’ work meets the defined criteria.

So now that she’s working with students, helping them discover the joys of design, she’s discovering new things

herself.

“It’s so satisfying seeing students do well. How they take my advice and demonstrate they ‘get’ it. Marking their work is great, too. A lot of it is quite refreshing.”

And they’re a diverse group too, of all ages and backgrounds. There are some retired ladies and a few stay-at-home mums, some part-time workers, a person who works in a lighting store and home owners looking to apply their new found knowledge to their décorating projects. Gillian even has a student

from the Chatham Islands.

She’s hoping that the course will continue to evolve, particularly around computer design software. “At the moment the practical elements of the course have to be done by hand, including the colour wheel and model construction. It would be great to introduce computing tools for students to use.”

“It would be great to introduce computing tools for students to use.”


For SIT2LRN facilitator Helen Burns, of Christchurch, the joy of teaching children is a way of life. So much so, she reckons she’s as lucky as anyone can be, combining her support for adult students of the Certificate in Introduction to Teacher Aiding, with her role as daytime caregiver for her grandson, who’s almost 2, while his parents work.

And her philosophy is simple: “All children deserve the very best.” Especially those, she says, with learning difficulties and special needs.

Helen, a former market gardener, joined the SIT2LRN team at the start of 2014, bringing with her a degree - majoring in education - and a broad range of experience including Playcentre and as a teacher aid for new entrants and children in Years 2 and 4. That work included helping those with special needs and others doing reading recovery.

“I’ve got a lot of experience in teaching the hard to teach kids. Those that are the most challenging are also the most rewarding to work with.”

But even though she gave up teaching at the end of 2012 to look after her grandchildren, her interest in supporting other children, beyond her own family’s, never waned.

So when she was approached to join the SIT2LRN team, the decision to accept was relatively easy, although the transition to online delivery wasn’t.

“It was daunting. There was so much overwhelming stuff at the beginning – but that makes me be able to relate to others. I do understand.”

Helen says she enjoys the students who start the certificate each intake. Most are juggling family and work commitments, as well as their study. “They’re generally similar. From my communication with them, they are very much advocates for the children and a number of people that do it, have high needs children themselves.”

The 10 papers she oversees are mainly Level 3, although there some at Level 4 or 5. They cover all aspects of teacher aiding, including working with children who have physical or intellectual disabilities and behavioural problems and those needing help learning to read. “There’s a practical component as well, so students have to have access to a workplace.”

Helen says the flexibility of the SIT2LRN model is ideal for students living in smaller towns that don’t have access to a polytech. “All it requires is a willingness, commitment and internet connectivity.”

Introduction to Teacher Aiding Facilitator

“It was daunting. There was so much overwhelming stuff at the beginning – but that makes me be able to relate to others. I do understand.”

HELENBURNS


MERRILEES-DONALD

Ask Anne Merrilees-Donald about her memories of high school and she’ll tell you a grim tale about dropping out during Year 10 and the feelings of academic inadequacy that followed.

But ask her about her study through SIT2LRN and you’ll hear a proud woman recite her achievements: four A-plus grades, one A-minus, an A, a B-plus and a B.

Anne completed the Level 3 Certificate in Health Sciences (Pre Entry) in April. It’s an ideal starting point for students wishing to study nursing, midwifery or therapeutic and sports massage. Most students take at least two years to complete the certificate but, for Anne, it took just a year, after a change in her employment circumstances allowed her to study pretty much fulltime.

“A long time ago I really did want to do nursing. But due to various circumstances I left school halfway through 4th form. I didn’t do School Certificate and life took me on a different pathway.”

But Anne’s desire to be a nurse still simmered in the background. And when life took a new direction and she had the chance to follow her dream, she did just that. “I decided I’m going to take the bull by the horns.”

Even though she lives in Invercargill, the home of Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), Anne chose to do distance learning via SIT2LRN. “It meant I could work at my own pace, in my own environment.”

“I had to get a handle on the technological things at the start but I got great guidance from the facilitators.”

It also meant she had to get to grips with studying online. “I had to get a handle on the technological things at the start but I got great guidance from the facilitators.”

And while she was learning plenty about the human structure and biology, there were other achievements too. “The personal development that took place gave me a new sense of confidence. I discovered I’ve got quite a mathematical mind, so I really enjoyed the scientific notations and measurement unit.”

Anne also realised that she has a personality type that means she tends to do more work than is required, finding study almost all-consuming. That’s why she’s taking a break before she weighs up her next step. “I would be happy to do other study through SIT2LRN. I’m thinking, perhaps, animal care.”

In the meantime, she knows she’s capable of academic achievement and her nursing dream is still alive.

ANNE


SITUATION MAGAZINEYour feedback and what’s next

Every year the SIT call centre contacts SIT2LRN students to see what they think of SITuation magazine. We really value what you say as it helps us to improve this publication.

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You gave us some good ideas on what you would like to see featured in the magazine. Seventy three percent of respondents would like to see more on staff research projects, while 57% would like to see student research projects featured. Almost half of respondents would like to see employer/industry interviews and profiles in SITuation.

You also told us that you are really busy and to make this magazine more valuable almost half of respondents told us that an e-format would be preferable.

So with this in mind, we’re going to trial an e-magazine format for the remaining two 2014 editions, this one and the December issue, so look out for these in your SIT email inbox.

We’ll ask you for feedback in our next call centre survey during December.

In the meantime did you know that you can also access the

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the meantime did you know that you can also access theIncurrent issue of SITuation as well as back copies on SIT’s website?


APPsStudy

This is a simple dictation app that lets you dictate your essays and notes and then types them up for you. It works up to five times faster than typing on a keyboard.

DRAGON DICTATIONAvailable on Apple itunes.apple.com/nz/app/dragon-

dictation/id341446764?mt=8

FREE

Online Review

Rescue time is an app that tracks the time you spend on the internet. It helps you work out what websites you waste the most time on while you should be studying. The desktop version also has a premium option available that costs $9 a month, and allows you to block certain websites during a set time.

RESCUE TIMEwww.rescuetime.com/

FREE

Available on Android

This app helps you study by letting you create flash cards, play games and do tests. It also allows you to track your study progress.

QUIZLETquizlet.com/ Available on Apple & Android

FREE

This app will help you keep track of homework, assignments, assessments, and classes and will even notify you when you have any upcoming deadlines.

IHOMEWORKitunes.apple.com/nz/app/ihomework/id302786560?mt=8

Available on Apple

This app is available on Apple for $2.59

Myhomework is a student planner and organiser app which helps you keep track of your homework and assignments. This app lets you set reminder notifications for the day things are due or a few hours or days before they’re due.

MYHOMEWORKmyhomeworkapp.com/ Available on Android

FREE


GET INVOLVED Distance learning can leave you feeling isolated. Make sure you actively participate in online forums and discussions relating to your course.

DEDICATION

It sometimes doesn’t take long for the thrill of a new learning experience to wear off – and motivation levels fall. Remind yourself of why you made your

dedicated to achieving your goal, things can quickly fall apart.

DISCIPLINE Make sure the course you choose is something you really want to do then ensure you set aside enough time to complete the work required. Try to involve family and friends where you can. Decide what TV programmes or social events you are prepared to miss out on and plan your work accordingly.

Tips for Online/Distance Students

TIPSFOR ONLINE/DISTANCE STUDENTS

Tips for Online Students

SITUATION July 2014 15

KNOW YOURSELF

Not all people learn the same way and often some will perform better at certain times of the day than others. Find out when you are most alert and try and plan your study for that time of day.

LET PEOPLE KNOWMake sure you tell your boss, family and friends that you are studying and how important it is to you. That

support you during your learning

MAKE USE OF SUPPORT SERVICES Your My SIT page has links to several student support services available to SIT2LRN students. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – that’s what they are there for!

Documents

Situation 2014 10