Blackboard exemplary course award

Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Learning Design Team has been awarded an explemary course program award for VTP341 Bushfire Fire Fighter 1. 
 

This year 60 courses were awarded globally, two of which were from Australian universities.  
 

Specialist Learning Designer Zachary Watt and Curriculum Specialist Jane Austin, in collaboration with the Learning Resource Development team and Joshua Higgins from Bushfires NT, developed the course.  
 

Together they have created a blended VET learning experience for volunteer fire fighters in the Northern Territory.  
 

The course incorporates structured online learning material in Learnline with face-to-face practical fireground training and assessment. 

What sets the course apart is the industry-led locally situated video resources.  
 

Video resources were filmed on-site with Bushfires NT, including fire fighter interviews, senior staff interviews, demonstrations and role-play scenarios with volunteer firefighters.  
 

“Having access to authentic industry scenarios helps to connect online learners to real people and the environment they will work in,” Mr Watt said.
 

“Bushfire Fire Fighter 1 received an outstanding peer-review score of 184 out of 191. For CDU, this is a strong example of the quality of VET learning design being produced by the Learning Experience team.” 
 

“It also provides an opportunity to promote CDU’s capability in developing high-quality, industry-connected digital learning that supports learners undertaking important community safety work across the Northern Territory. 

“Bushfires NT has developed a strong relationship with CDU. To work closely with the team at CDU and matter experts from Bushfires NT, really has brought such an amazing product to our Volunteers, Ranger groups and others who volunteer for the agency,” Joshua Higgins, Training Coordinator at Bushfires NT.”