Article & Events

Vocational Placement Success Stories at Queensford College

Posted on by Dallas Vonhoff

We’re thrilled to share some remarkable achievements from Queensford College with you!  

Our aged care students have been experiencing exceptional employment rates, with a significant portion securing placements in aged care facilities even before completing the entirety of their training. For instance, from the January-March-April intake alone, 54 out of 68 students are already employed in aged care facilities, showcasing the effectiveness of our programs. This success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our talented team of trainers and the support from our front desk and international teams.  

Brisbane Campus' Aged Care Students

As we continue to uphold the highest standards of vocational education, we want to emphasise the importance of providing accurate information to our students, especially regarding vocational placement guidelines. While vocational placement is an integral part of our curriculum, it’s essential for students to understand that it is unpaid and must be completed on a full-time basis until completed. We provide thorough guidance to students from day one, but your role as trusted agents, is to convey this information accurately during the application and enrolment process is helpful to us.  

Additionally, we encourage you and all students to approach us for support and clarification on any placement-related questions they may have. If they need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to direct them to us.  To find out more about our CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support (CRICOS Course Code: 089225C) click the button below. 

 

Find out more about Aged Care

Welcome to our new Nursing students!

Posted on by Dallas Vonhoff

We are thrilled to share some positive insights from our new students, after attending their first classes.

After attending orientation, our students are expressed feeling well-prepared for the upcoming course. They praised the relevance and clarity of the content, the engaging delivery of the covered topics, as well as the instructor’s skill in simplifying complex concepts and making learning both enjoyable and effective. Comments such as “It was fun to learn new things” and “Our trainer Katrina teaches in a fun way” reflect the vibrant atmosphere and enthusiasm experienced during orientation.  


As classes commenced, students reported that their first day exceeded expectations, with satisfaction extending to the availability and accessibility of online resources and support materials. Additionally, they expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and support received from both the Queensford team and their trainer, emphasising the approachability and supportiveness of staff.  

  

Our new students in Brisbane on their first day of class

We’re proud to receive such overwhelmingly positive feedback and eagerly look forward to continuing to deliver an enriching learning experience for all our students.
Our next intake date for our Diploma of Nursing course is fast approaching. Enquire below to find out how you can join one of Australia’s fastest growing industries, with a HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing (CRICOS Course Code: 114217B) from Queensford College. 

5 Benefits of Studying Early Childhood Education and Care

Posted on by Dallas Vonhoff

Are you passionate about shaping young minds, positively impacting children’s lives, and contributing to a brighter future? 

Look no further than a career in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).
Below we have five excellent reasons why you might enjoy pursuing a career in ECEC! 🤩

A rewarding career in an in-demand industry

Australia’s commitment to providing quality Early Childhood Education to its citizens has led to a surge in job opportunities in this field. With your CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care and your CHC50121 Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care from Queensford College, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to excel in a variety of roles, such as Family Day Care Educator, Playgroup Supervisor, Child Care Worker, Early Childhood Educator, Early Childhood Centre Manager, and more.

Fulfillment and Impact

Being part of a child’s early years and witnessing their progress can be incredibly fulfilling. Every day, you’ll have the chance to positively influence the lives of young children, helping them develop essential skills, social interactions, and a love for learning. By providing a nurturing and stimulating environment, you’ll be playing a vital role in shaping the foundation of a child’s lifelong journey of curiosity and growth. Witnessing their smiles, laughter, and milestones is truly priceless.

Personal Growth

Studying ECEC goes beyond theoretical knowledge. Through Queensford College’s comprehensive ECEC programs, you’ll gain hands-on experience that prepares you for the challenges and joys of the field. From designing creative learning activities to understanding child development psychology, you’ll be armed with the tools necessary to create engaging and effective learning environments. Moreover, the journey of studying ECEC will also lead to your personal growth, enhancing your communication skills, patience, empathy, and adaptability.

Global Connections and Cultural Awareness

In today’s interconnected world, your skills will transcend borders. Studying ECEC in Australia exposes you to a diverse range of students and faculty, fostering a cross-cultural learning environment. This experience not only enriches your education but also enhances your ability to understand and adapt to various cultural backgrounds. As the world becomes more interconnected, your cultural competence will set you apart and make you an even more effective educator.

Steppingstone to Further Education

An ECEC qualification not only provides direct entry into the workforce but also serves as a solid foundation for further educational pursuits. If you aspire to delve deeper into the field, these qualifications can act as a steppingstone to pursuing higher-level degrees, such as a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or related disciplines.

At Queensford College, studying  Early Childhood Education and Care is more than just learning a qualification; it’s a commitment to making a lasting impact on the lives of children and society, from in-demand career prospects to personal fulfillment and growth. So, take the first step towards an exciting and rewarding career by enrolling in our ECEC programs today.

How to THRIVE as an International Student in Australia 🦘

Posted on by Dallas Vonhoff

5 Tips to help you thrive in your new city 🥰

With the Australian borders now open, International students are finally welcomed back to Australia. If you are an international student (or if you’re planning to study in Australia), you’ve found the right blog!  

Choosing to study overseas is a massive leap of faith to many. Students tend to alternate between emotions of excitement and exhilaration to worry and fear.

If you are still overseas right now, you might be going through a long checklist of to-do’s – what to bring, what airport outfit do you wear, what not to bring, where to live, who to say goodbye to, how to get from point A to point B… or just simply *HOW*. 
One word with three letters to sum up the overwhelming feeling while you are packing your whole life into a suitcase or two. 

I had an opportunity to speak to a student who is originally from the Philippines, and is now studying in Parramatta, New South Wales. Glaiza Nollora (featured photo) has been in Australia for the past 2 years and 2 months and she gave us her tips on how to thrive in Sydney as an international student.

Tip #1 - Find Work in Australia

Maybe this isn’t the awe-inspiring tip you were expecting, but it can be a great step towards feeling more comfortable in your new city! 

Not only can work provide you with some spending money to help enjoy Australia to the fullest, but it can help you with networking and making connections with likeminded people in Australia. 

On the topic of costs in Australia, Glaiza says “Food is not so expensive, a full meal is around $10, the utility bills are okay, but the rent in Sydney can be quite expensive”. 

Bonus Tip: Don't be too picky!

Glaiza recommends not to be too picky with jobs, especially if you are one with no experience! Take what’s in front of you just to get started, and then go from there because if you do not get lucky on the first try, you will eventually find a better job or better pay – hopefully both.

Be punctual, always be there 100%, and work hard. Hard work pays off and can help to get you more job referrals. 

Glaiza also believes that the Aged Care industry is one of the best industries in Australia in terms of employment as there are many job vacancies. This should give you a hint where to start! 😉
*Study Aged Care at Queensford College*

Tip #2 - Explore and Be Friendly!

“Even with the trains, I did not know how to get by”

Glaiza’s landlord asked her son to tour Glaiza around Circular Quay. “And that’s how I got by, by being friendly.. plus Google is your friend”. Glaiza used the connections she had already made around her by being friendly, to help learn more about Australia and ask for help. According to her, the people in Australia are very friendly. “Even if they don’t know you, they will help you.” 

Just recently while Glaiza was driving, her car got stuck in an island. She tried calling her friends, but they were out of reach. Thankfully, an Aussie gentleman got off his car to rescue her instead. Follow Glaiza’s example and don’t be scared to ask for help 😀


PSA to all international students: Yes – majority of Australian residents are friendly but still, take care!

sydney

Tip #3 - Join Communities

Glaiza is a member of a religious community in Australia. During the pandemic, she got
furloughed from her job or her hours were reduced so she struggled to sustain all her needs. Her community sent her groceries and homecooked meals to get her through the week: Survival Tips 101 ✔

There is plenty to choose from when looking for a community to join. From local sporting communities, religions groups like Glaiza chose, or just general International Student groups. Keep an eye out on Facebook and don’t be scared to ask our Student Support Team for advice 🥰

Tip #4 - Take Opportunities for Self-Improvement

Glaiza says there are a lot of free trainings in Australia. The NSW Government just recently announced that they will be funding 5,000 free RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) courses to address hospitality staff shortages. Cross-skilling or being multi-skilled will open more doors for you in Australia. Take advantage of opportunities such as this. 

Tip #5 - Attend Your Classes

Be punctual with your classes, otherwise there may be an impact on your visa.

Lastly, Glaiza advises that when your first step into the country, it will not be easy. She is a living testament of this as she initially had to struggle go through challenges, enduring being alone in a foreign country leaving her husband and three children in the Philippines. However, attending classes consistently and progressing through her course has helped to open doors in Australia and make new friends during class. Having a consistent routine has also been shown to improve mental health, so why not structure your routine around attending classes and studying? 

You will sometimes find yourself needing to go through the eye of a needle to get through the week or experiencing multiple breakdowns in a day, but hang on because that will only be in the beginning. Once you have found your footing, everything else will fall into place for you.

Remember: breakdowns create breakthroughs. Hopefully, Glaiza’s 5 tips will help push you to brave the uncertainties and open the many possibilities of choosing to study overseas. 

Proud to be a Skills Assure provider

Posted on by Queensford College
Queensford College is proud to be a Skills Assure provider
Skill Assure

We are proud to be a Skills Assure provider!

The new Skills Assure identifier makes it easier to recognise providers that offer training subsidised by the Queensland Government.

By choosing a subsidised course through a Skills Assure supplier, you can gain skills that are valued by industry and will help get you a job once you are finished your studies.

Ask us about our subsidised courses and how you can enrol.

Find out more about Skills Assure at desbt.qld.gov.au/skillsassure

What To Expect On Your Individual Support Vocational Placement

Posted on by Queensford College

If you are studying a nationally accredited course in Individual Support (Ageing, Disability or Home and Community care) you are required to complete 120 hours of Vocational Placement. This is a compulsory, assessable part of your course which will lead to the issue of your formal qualification or statement of attainment. For many students, this is a new and exciting opportunity to put all the skills and knowledge they learnt in class to the test! Below is a quick guide explaining all you need to know before starting your Vocational Placement in 2017:

What exactly is Vocational Placement?

A Vocational Placement is the assessable part of your Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Disability or Home and Community care). Vocational Placement refers to a student’s practical training and experience in a professional setting.  The experience with the placement provider will:

  • Enable you to gain hands-on experience in the workplace
  • Help you link knowledge and skills with jobs
  • Help you better understand theory by putting it into practice

Vocational Training in Individual Support typically focuses on training students how to perform the tasks that would be required of them in the workforce. Undertaking a Vocational Placement means you’ll be placed in a professional workplace to receive practical, hands-on training from professionals in these areas. This unique teaching method aims to equip you with competitive skills and industry standard experience which you can immediately apply to the workforce.  Essentially, completing a Vocational Placement will help you prepare for your job after graduation.

How Does it Work?

Upon completion of theoretical units and practical training in manual handling and first aid, your trainer will assess your competency level, ensure you meet the compulsory requirements and then assign you a Queensford College Vocational Placement Coordinator. From here, you must secure a facility suitable for your Vocational Placement. Alternatively, the Vocational Placement Coordinator may offer you assistance, and suggest available placement spots in facilities currently offered by Queensford College. After you have confirmed the location of your Vocational Placement, the Vocational Placement Coordinator will then send through the relevant documentation and liaise with managers and staff at the facility through-out your placement.

Once you’re placed in the aged care facility or community care centre in a location suitable to you, you will then be required to complete your 120 hour Individual Support Placement.

Benefits:

Completing an aged care vocational placement in an aged care facility can lead to a number of benefits including:

Better chances of employment

Students who have received formal practical training have a better chance at securing a full-time position within the Individual Support industry after graduating. Acquiring practical skills and competencies shows potential employers that you are work ready.

Higher earning levels

Studies show that individuals who have sought formal education and training will receive higher paying wages than those who don’t. Having a formal qualification is proof of your industry standard skills and knowledge and will set you apart from competitors.

Increased job satisfaction

Students who have participated in and completed formal vocational training are said to have better job satisfaction. This is because those who feel better prepared and competent at what they’re doing will feel confident and in control; instead of nervous and unsure.

Hands-on learning approach

The training you receive is specifically related to the Individual Support industry. Upon completion, you will have a better understanding of the practical elements involved in individual support compared to those who don’t have any real-life training.

Student Story:

Micco began studying his Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) in early 2016. When it came time for his vocational placement, Micco said the staff were eager to share their experience and expertise and show him how to provide the best quality of individualised care.

Overall, Micco said this placement gave him the necessary industry skills, experience and confidence he needed to become a Personal Care Worker (PCW). After his placement, the aged care facility he completed his training at offered him a permanent full –time job!! Accepting the job, Micco was able to transform his passion into a career in just half a year!

Well done Micco!

If you’re interested in a career like Micco’s, check out our Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) or any other of courses in Individual Support for Disability or Community Care here.

How to Spend Your Sunday Morning in Adelaide

Posted on by Queensford College

Australian universities and online colleges are considered world class and extremely popular within international student.  In fact, the most recent report by the Australian Education Department, Higher Education and Research Facts and Figures, showed that 400,000 foreign students undertook courses in Australian Universities in 2015.

Of these 400,000 international students, 32,000 currently study in Adelaide! After the introduction of an educational program that linked students to local businesses for internships, the South Australian education sector boomed. From this, we suspect that there are quite a number of international students looking to take a break from studying and explore the fun Adelaide has on offer.

In between growing your career options and kick-starting your professional journey at Queensford College, take a study break and check out these 10 unique experiences you can do this Saturday in Adelaide!

Go Shopping in Rundle Mall

Rundle Mall is without a doubt the biggest shopping destination in South Australia. Home to over 1,000 retail stores and services extending from fashion, beauty, lifestyle and food, the mall is one of the longest and busiest in Australia, attracting over 400,000 visitors each week. Perfect for tourists and locals, the mall also regularly hosts events, pop-up stores and launch events! A great break from shopping. Situated between the city’s buzzing east end and vibrant west end, it lies in close proximity to Adelaide’s busy food and nightlife precincts.  Some speciality stores exclusive to Adelaide’s Rundle mall to check out include BNKR, Haigh’s Chocolates, Coopers Burger Shack and Koko Black.

Price: $20+

Go Out for Brunch in Glenelg

Take a 40 minute bus ride from Adelaide Central to Glenelg, a popular beach-side destination just 12km out of the city. This pristine sea-side suburb is the perfect place to take a break from studying! Whilst you spend some time enjoying Glenelg’s sandy white shores and bustling shops, why not pull up a chair at one of its boutique cafes or restaurants for a classic Australian brekkie (think smashed avocado and feta on toast or an Acai bowl topped with fresh fruit!).  After brunch, try your hand at one of the many beachside activities Glenelg has to offer including dolphin and seal watching, sailing, scuba diving, playing volleyball or if that’s all too much, relax and take a dip in ocean!

Price: $15+

Go to the Zoo

A short 15 minute walk away from Adelaide CBD lays a must see sanctuary of spectacular animals. That’s right! Adelaide zoo! Who doesn’t love spending a day admiring rare and beautiful animals? Adelaide Zoo is home to more than 1,800 animals and almost 300 species of exotic and native mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. The zoo’s major exhibits include the Immersion South East Asian Rainforest, Seal Bay, and Australian Rainforest Wetlands walk-through aviary, Nocturnal House, Reptile House and Bug Barn! However, the Zoo’s most notable attraction are Giant Pandas Wang Wang and Funi; two animals of a severely endangered species brought over in 2008. At the zoo you can watch the zookeepers feed the animals or join a free walkabout tour and listen to animal history and facts. These tours depart every half an hour from 9:45am – 3:30pm.

Price: $35

Visit the Adelaide Museum

The Museum is always a great place to zone out and relax. The Museum of South Australia is one of the most visited museums in Australia, holding a collection of local, national and international significance. Not only is this 150 year old heritage building a leader in remote and regional community engagement, it also paves the way in displaying and celebrating Australian Aboriginal heritage. Perfect for those students interested in learning more about Australian Aboriginal history.

Price: $10

Go on a Hike at Mount Lofty

Mount Lofty is a majestic peak at the top of the Mount Lofty Ranges in Adelaide Hills, just a 25 minute from Adelaide City centre. Perfect for a Saturday morning adventure, hiking Mt Lofty provides spectacular panoramic views across Adelaide’s city skyline and coast. An incredible 710 metres above sea level, this hike guarantees breath-taking views and a great workout with friends. The most popular walk to follow to the summit is Waterfall Gully. This trail is 3.9km long and will take you about 3 hours to complete a round trip. There are a number of different trails you can try, that vary from beginner to expert. Click here for more details.

Price: Free

Grab a coffee and Hang out in the Botanical Gardens

When you spend all your time in class or inside studying it is good to get out and enjoy the calmness of nature. Grab your mates and head to the Adelaide Botanical gardens and explore the beauty and diversity of plants from all around Australia and around the world! There is a Garden of Health sporting over 2,500 plants used to heal and promote human wellbeing, an International Rose Garden with thousands of species of roses blooming in Spring and a Cactus and Succulent garden just to name a few. To top it off, there is also a range of cafes and restaurants open to grab a coffee and a piece of cake – perfect for a morning tea catch up with friends and family.

Price: $4

Go to the Mega Adventure Park

The mega adventure park is every thrill seekers dream! Grab your friends and family for the ultimate adrenaline rush experience as you glide through a series of ladders, ropes and other obstacles over this Sky Challenge aerial course! Boasting 50 obstacles 20 metres in the air the Mega Adventure Park is the perfect way to let off some steam! This aerial adventure park offers multiple activities, the most popular being the Sky Challenge; a challenge that sees you attempt up to 65 unique challenges on the Sky mate structure, Para Jump; a free fall simulator 18 meters high and the Mega Bounce, a huge trampoline with elastic power cords that’s allows you to launch yourself 8m into the air.

Price: $59

Take a Walk through Adelaide Central Market

Gourmet cheese, freshly baked bread and beautiful home-grown flowers! The Adelaide Central market is an absolute foodie dream, offering a huge range of fresh food including fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, seafood, cheeses, bakery, small goods and health foods, along with some of Adelaide’s most popular cafes. Established in 1869, this market has been a thriving hub of food and culture for almost 148 years! Filled with lots of buzz, colour and personality this market is a perfect way to get amongst the hustle and bustle of Adelaide city, and interact with locals.

Price: $10+

Hire a City Bike and go for Cycle on the Linear Park Cycle Track

Rent a bike through Adelaide City Bike Hire for free and take off on an adventure around Adelaide CBD with your best mates. There are plenty of tracks to choose from, but the most popular is the River Torrens Linear Park Trail, taking riders from hill to sea and in and around Torrens Lake! The best part is you can tailor the track to your fitness level. As a whole, the complete track from start to finish is 35km long, but you can choose smaller 4km, 7km, and 12km tracks within the parkland. Along this route you will find many notable landmarks including the Adelaide Zoo, the Adelaide Oval and the old Goal!  Learn more about Adelaide City Bike Hire here.

Price: Free

Visit Beerenberg Farm and go Berry Picking

This legendary strawberry farm has been operating since 1975 and has been providing the people of Adelaide with the freshest strawberries Australia has to offer! At the Beerenberg Family Farm people are invited to pick their own strawberries from the patch themselves! Once you have paid $4 entry into the farm and picked your strawberries, you must pay $9.95 per kilo for the strawberries you have picked. You can only pick strawberries when they are in season (typically November to April) so put it in your diary! For more information visit the Beerenberg Farm here.

Price: $4

Become a qualified chef, aged care worker, business manager or accountant at Queensford College. Take a look at our range of courses here. For more information, email us at info@queensford.edu.au. Or if you prefer to speak to a Course Advisor, call us on 1300 236 364.

How LinkedIn Can Help You Score Your Dream Job

Posted on by Queensford College

LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional network with approximately 467 million current users. Omnicare, 2017. Established in 2002, the free business and employment orientated social network is mostly used for professional networking, including job posting and hunting. On LinkedIn, users can create profiles, connect with past and present colleagues, search for jobs and build a professional network.

In this new digital age it has become increasingly vital that job seekers have current, and active LinkedIn profiles. Having an active LinkedIn account means you can keep a record of your employment history, keep up to date with current job listings or opportunities and network with other industry professionals. A professional qualification such as the Diploma of Social Media Marketing aims to provide those who want to learn how to develop an online personal brand the skills and knowledge to do so. No matter what industry you’re in, a solid understanding of how to promote your professional-self online will get you leaps and bounds ahead. If want to increase your employment possibilities, check out these 6 reasons you need a LinkedIn profile:

Increase Your Chances of Being Hired

Hiring managers and job recruiters use LinkedIn to head hunt candidates. Not only do they source potential talent from LinkedIn, they also use the social network to examine candidates prior to arranging an interview. This has become so popular that social media has become a common universal hiring tool. A study by Jobvite, the Recruiter Nation Survey 2015, found that 92 percent of recruiters surveyed used social media as part of their hiring process, using social media to find candidates, and assess candidate’s previous employment history and professional background. LinkedIn was the most commonly checked social media platform, with 87 percent of recruiters using it as a primary source of information. Next was Facebook with 55 percent and Twitter with 47 percent.  Jobvite, 2015.

This research shows that if you apply for a job, there is a very high chance that your employer will search your LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account you run the risk of looking unprofessional, and even worse, missing an opportunity to wow your employer. The same study by Jobvite also found that while 92 percent of recruiters use LinkedIn to find candidates, only 36 percent of job seekers are on LinkedIn. Jobvite, 2015. This is a massive advantage that every full-time job seeker should act on.

Build Your Credibility  

Having a LinkedIn profile helps build professional credibility. On LinkedIn you can build your professional network, maintain a detailed record of your employment history and display recommendations from previous employers. Similar to a resume, on LinkedIn you build an employment timeline. However, with LinkedIn you can add far more detail than you would on a resume. On LinkedIn you can detail your position, company name, length of employment and up to several paragraphs explaining your roles and responsibilities within that position. In this description you can also discuss the strategies you implemented with success or any changes you made that saw the company benefit.

To add further credibility, you can also display recommendations and references from previous employers on your LinkedIn profile. References are incredibly important or one reason: they validate how valuable you are as an employee, and how hard you worked in your previous role. Finally, LinkedIn has a section for you to list your professional skills. For example, if you were a Social Media Marketer, you would list: Social Media, Digital Marketing, Editing, Blogging, and Graphic Design on your featured skills and endorsements list. This list is public and all of your connections can click ‘endorse’ on the skills they think you do well in. This shows recruiters that other professionals in the industry trust you and back your skills!

It’s the First Thing Recruiters Will See When They Google You

As previously mentioned, hiring managers and recruiters use social media to examine potential candidates during the hiring process. In fact, online job expert Susan P. Joyce told the Huffington Post that 80 percent of employer’s google job seekers before inviting them to an interview. Huffington Post, 2014.  This shows that all hiring managers and recruiters will google your name before inviting you to an interview or seriously considering your resume, and guess what most commonly appears first? r57 shell Your LinkedIn profile! Unless you are a world-wide celebrity, with a Wikipedia page your LinkedIn account will appear first. To impress your recruiters, and avoid your less professional social media accounts ranking so highly, create a LinkedIn account to outshine your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Develop your Personal Brand

You can add more to your LinkedIn profile than you can your resume. In addition to building an employment history timeline, showing off your references and having a featured skills and endorsements list, you can also list all of you academic achievements, awards and accomplishments; volunteer work, involvement in charity, personal interests and industry leaders you are influenced by. Another feature LinkedIn encourages users to get involved with is its publishing platform, allowing members to publish articles about their expertise and interests within their professional fields. Being able to express your opinions and share your experiences is a great way to establish a professional identity with your industry.

This all contributes to the development of a strong personal brand; you want your employers to see you as an ambitious individual who makes valuable contributions to their industry. Being on LinkedIn ensures your personal brand will reach a wider target audience and most importantly, show off your professionalism to your future employers. Creating a strong personal brand through LinkedIn is a great way to manage what personal content about yourself is shared online and how far it can be spread.

 Keep up with Companies you Aspire to Work For

Being on LinkedIn will help you gather industry insights, and help you learn more about other companies you want work for in the future. On LinkedIn you can choose to ‘follow’ companies you are passionate about. Similar to Facebook, LinkedIn has a newsfeed where you can view all your connections latest posts and shares – including important industry news and updates. Following a company you admire on LinkedIn will help you stay up to date with what they’re doing and how they’re going. Who even knows, they may post a job adverting a position you might be interested in! Not to mention, on LinkedIn you can also connect with other professionals in the same industry, who also follow the same companies.

Want to increase your presence on online? Check out our Diploma of Social Media Marketing course. Or if you prefer to speak to a Course Advisor, call us on 1300 236 364.

6 Educational Apps That Will Help You Study

Posted on by Queensford College

In this digital world, technology has become like a second brain for students in classrooms across Australia. Every student has a smart phone, tablet or laptop now. But did you know these could be turned into effective learning tools and resources in Education? With the help of online apps, students are now catering to their own personal learning and study needs in a fun and convenient way. Using apps in class to take notes, set homework reminders and organise flash cards students of all ages are revolutionising the way we learn.

Below is a list of 6 educational apps that promote productive participation in class and usefulness in studying, note taking and time management.   Take a look and see which apps you could download to use in your next class or study session!

Evernote

Price: Free

Evernote is the perfect app for students who want to take organised notes in class. This app allows students to create multiple notes, with file attachments that can be edited, shared and annotated at any time.  This means students can share their notes with classmates and easily sort them into categorised notebooks e.g: different topics, subjects, to-do lists, test revision or vocational placement information. Students can also take notes in a variety of formats including text, sketches, photos, audio, videos, PDF’s and saved web clippings! It’s basically a digital notepad for all your thoughts during class. According to its users, the best thing about Evernote is that it syncs all your notes to your phone, tablet or computer automatically, meaning you’ll never have to worry losing your notes, or wonder which book you wrote them in again.

We love this app for it’s no nonsense usability. It’s easy to use and keeps all your notes secure!

myHomework

Price: Free

Never forget an assessment due date again this easy to use student planner! This free app is useful for students who have difficulty remembering the due dates of all their assignments. Students can monitor their class schedule, manage upcoming assignments and receive homework reminders all at once. It’s just like a digital diary. Designed in a simple calendar view with assignments sorted by due date, students are able to click on any particular day or time to see a listing of their scheduled tasks. This helps students at any level improve their organisational skills by keeping them up to date and on track with home-work reminders and assessment due date alerts! We love this app because remembering assignment due dates can be hard, especially when we also have to focus on things like work, friends and family and other outside commitments!

Give this app a go the next time you need help organising your study load. We guarentee it’ll help you keep on track to getting any assessment done.

DropBox

Price: Free

Drop box is great for keeping all your essays in one place! This includes documents, PDF’s, photos, videos and all other files. Drop box can be easily accessed from your PC, laptop or even from your phone or tablet, meaning you can upload, save and backup your files from anywhere (including class!) All of your stored files can be accessed, edited and shared with other students even if they don’t have a Dropbox account which is a major help when working on group projects. We love this app for it convenience and accessibility.  Being able to access all our documents in one place, without worrying about the loss of a USB or our laptop crashing is a student’s dream come true.

Flashcards +

Price: Free

Revise and be prepared for any quiz with this fast, fun and free flashcard maker! Designed to help students learn things quickly in order ace their toughest class, this ultimate online flashcard and notecard tool for students can help you pass any quiz, exam or test! This app is supper easy to use. Students get to make flashcards, shuffle the deck and then test their own knowledge with quick revision cards.  The Flashcards app also lets students add images to their notes (perfect for visual learners) and eliminate the ones they eventually get a hang of – meaning they’ll only spend time mastering the cards need to get a better understanding of! Students can add key words, summarised topic notes, important questions and answers to these cards to revise on the go! With this app you can review your aged care notes on the bus or cram for your business quiz on the way to class! Another incredible feature of this study app is its sharing function! After you’ve made a deck of revision cards Flashcards lets you share them with friends and other Queensford College students!

We love this app because it makes studying on the go easy! Did you know you can also view this app on your Apple watch? Meaning you can continue revising minutes before your quiz.

RefMe

Price: Free

Referencing after an assignment can be rough. It’s tedious, incredibly thorough, and whilst important, it is also very boring. This app however saves students from a referencing nightmare by enabling students to create citation and references instantly in the click of button! All students have to do is copy and paste the sources URL into a reference generator to receive a perfectly cited quote.  This app is also supported by the previously mentioned app Evernote, which means you can instantly transfer any calculated references from RefMe to your other saved notes.

We love this app because its new features also include a function that checks our essays for plagiarism and offers new and exciting assignment topics when we get stuck!

Instapaper

Price: Free

Wading through pages upon pages of information online can be tiresome. Especially in the midst of essay writing! Instapaper cuts through this problem by providing students web-page content from the internet in an easy to read, clean text only view format! This makes researching and sifting through pages of online advertisements and flashy images a clean and uncluttered experience. It is truly the simplest way to strip away all the clutter and save the content from webpage for an easier way of viewing! Students can even change this reading experience by altering the text font, colour themes and spacing options. Or even highlighting a specific quote of statistic they’d like to use in their assignment. Instapaper also enhances students reading experiences with features like text-to-speech, meaning students can listen to their research aloud anytime. All they have to do is plug in their earphones, turn the volume up and listen!

We love this app because you can save and store articles for reading offline! This means we can be on-the-go anywhere, at any time, without your data or Wi-Fi and still access our research.

Become a qualified chef, aged care worker, social media marketer, business manager or accountant or at Queensford College today! Take a look at our range of courses online at www.queensford.edu.au or speak to a Course Advisor for a FREE course guide on 1300 236 364.

How To Help Children With Learning Disabilities In The Classroom

Posted on by Queensford College

Children with learning disabilities often require extra attention and support during classroom activities. Typically, children with learning disabilities have normal intelligence but face issues when it comes to developing reading, writing, and mathematical skills.

As an early childhood educator, providing the best quality assistance to children with learning difficulties is extremely important. An early childhood education qualification such as a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care can equip you with the right skills and knowledge to successful create a positive learning experience for all students. No student should feel left out. Take a look at these 6 successful strategies you could use to accelerate students learning in and around the classroom:

 1. Allow extra time for completing class tasks

For some children with learning disabilities an extra 30 minutes to complete a test is the difference between passing and failing; especially for students with Dyslexia. Students with Dyslexia find reading and processing written words extremely tricky. When printed on a page, words and letters often appear jumbled or mixed up. According to the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA), Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability, students who have Dyslexia normally have problems reading, decoding letters, comprehending text, writing and spelling.  LDA, 2017.

For this very reason, students with Dyslexia should be given extra time to complete exams, tests, written classroom activities and all other summative assessments. This extra time gives students a chance to work through tests at their own pace.

2. Use a tape recorder

This is a great learning resource for assisting students with Dyslexia. Because Dyslexic students face trouble reading, global leaders in assistive technology and disability support Iansyst suggest using a tape recorder to translate directions and instructions verbally. Iansyst, 2014

Rather than providing a student with a written handout, try recording your instructions on a personal tape recorder and handing it to the child to listen to. This way, instead of struggling through a list of instructions, the student can sit at their desk and listen to the instructions through a private headset whilst others take their time reading.

3. Reduce need for writing

Children who have Dysgraphia have problems writing letters and words. According to the Learning Disabilities Association, children with this disability generally have illegible handwriting, inconsistent spacing, poor spelling and difficulty composing sentences. The greatest issue however is their inability to think and write at the same time. LDA, 2017

To help excel their learning reduce their need for writing. This can be done by providing copies of class instructions, notes, outlines or pre-printed study sheets in class, instead of asking them to copy down notes from the whiteboard or text-book. Another effective learning strategy for students with Dysgraphia is the incorporation of ICT and special learning software in assessment. Instead of grading them on a written report, allow students to present their work through a range of pictures, sounds and videos.

4. Keep classroom chatter to a minimum

Although this is an obvious classroom rule across all learning environments, students with learning disabilities will find it easier to focus when it is quiet and their area is free from distractions.

To help the student stay settled and focus, consider where the student would best be seated.  Is it best if the student sits away from windows and doors to minimise distractions from visitors, birds or the weather? Is it best if the student sits directly opposite your desk? Should the student be seated next to their best friend to encourage a feeling relaxation? Try creating a silent reading corner, or a quiet thinking desk. These places promote a safe place for students to visit and silently work.

Pro tip: Classrooms set up with seats in rows, with focus on the teacher, will work better than having students seated around tables or facing one another in other arrangements.

5. Use visual aids and multi-sensory learning techniques

Try multi-sensory learning techniques that will engage students who have difficulty focusing and paying attention. Multi-sensory learning is the integration of sight, sound and touch. According to Dyslexia Reading Well multi-sensory leaning can activate different parts of the brain and is especially effective for Dyslexic students. Dyslexia Reading Well, 2017

Visual: Try to incorporate lots of visual cues during lessons such as posters, videos, graphs and charts. You could also use coloured coded whiteboard markers when writing on the whiteboard to highlight important topics.

Sound: Try to incorporate lots of singing, dancing, rhyming, audio tones, clapping and discussion. Dyslexic students can also be supplied with audiobooks. This is commonly referred to in the education word as ‘reading with your ears.’

Touch: Physical things help aide the learning of students with disabilities, especially in topics such as math and science. For example: wooden counting cubes for math, clocks with adjustable hands for time, fake notes and coins for money or plastic cakes and pies for fractions.

6. Assign them a ‘study buddy’

Known as class-mate peer coaching, the act of assigning two students together can promote active learning environments that nurture and support positive learning experiences. For students with learning disabilities this is a great way to subtly make sure they are engaged and receiving the correct resources they need to succeed. Sometimes assigning a student a classroom Support Aide (although sometimes necessary) can feel isolating. After all, no young child wants to feel different! Instead, try pairing them with a more senior student who excels during classroom learning activities or who has a great academic record. Students who actively help other students learn are reinforcing their own learning by instructing others! And the student receiving the in-class assistance will feel more comfortable and open interacting with others.

Do you have what it takes to become a qualified Early Childhood Education and Care provider? Check out the course outline. Or if you prefer to speak to a Course Advisor, call us on 1300 236 364.