Get to Know Marsupials With Our Online Biology Course!

Get to Know Marsupials With Our Online Biology Course!

Love working with animals? Get to know one Australia’s favourite species! Australia is the undisputed kingdom of marsupials with over 330 species found on the mainland and on our coastal islands. This course is ideal for animal carers, wildlife managers, animal foster carers or anyone who would like to work with these amazing native animals. 

The Certificate of Marsupial Biology will teach you about marsupial evolution taxonomy and external morphology, including of quolls, devils, kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats, possums, gliders, bandicoots and bilbies (to name a few!) 

In this online biology course you will also study the diversity, behaviour, biology, habitats, metabolism, mating systems and wellbeing of marsupials, and understand the health issues and diseases common to this species. You will then be able to apply what you’ve learnt to better manage individual animals or populations of animals, in the wild or in captivity.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking an online biology course include: 

  • Learning about marsupial evolution taxonomy and external morphology
  • Exploring marsupial orders
  • Studying families with orders
  • Gaining insights into diversity
  • Examining external morphology – size, limbs and feet
  • Understanding different marsupial body parts
  • Learning about internal anatomy, physiology and senses
  • Exploring neural systems and intelligence
  • Studying vision, dentition and digestion
  • Gaining insights into skeletons, the head and post cranial 
  • Examining scent glands and olfaction 
  • Understanding reproduction, embryonic development, lactation and litter size 
  • Learning about basal metabolism
  • Exploring social behaviours, territoriality and home range
  • Studying thermoregulation, torpor and hibernation
  • Gaining insights into mating systems, care of young and den sites and nests 
  • Examining communication 
  • Understanding habitat, feeding and diet
  • Learning about predators and predation 
  • Exploring marsupial health 
  • Studying pathogens and parasites 
  • Gaining insights into viruses, cancer, parasites, pathogens and facial tumour disease (DFTD)
  • Understanding marsupials as disease vectors
  • Learning about non-infectious health issues in marsupials
  • Exploring malnutrition and starvation
  • Studying pollution, shock and injury, bite wounds, stress and diet 
  • Gaining insights into marsupial carnivores 
  • Examining Dasyuridae – quolls, devils and their relatives
  • Understanding the Tasmanian Devil, quolls, dunnarts and antechinuses
  • Learning about numbats and Myrmecobiidae
  • Exploring Thylacine and Thylacinidae
  • Studying Macropods 

And more! 

7 Fascinating Facts about Marsupials

When you undertake an online biology course, you will discover some amazing facts about the world and the creatures that inhabit it, including marsupials. Here are seven inspirational facts about these fascinating animals. 

  1. There are over 330 species of marsupials, and around two-thirds of them live in Australia (the other third live mostly in South America). 
  1. As opposed to “placental mammals” that keep their babies in their uterus while the baby feeds from the placenta, marsupials have a short-lived placenta. It nourishes their young for only a few days before they’re born and the rest of their nutrition comes from the teats in their mother’s pouch. 
  1. Baby marsupials are born early on in their development — typically before they’ve even developed eyes or hind legs! They climb up their mother’s front and into her pouch where they cling to a nipple for milk which enables them to grow and develop.
  1. The largest living marsupial living is the red kangaroo, and the largest confirmed, a male red kangaroo that was over two metres tall. The smallest living marsupial is the long-tailed planigale — its skull is only three to four millimetres from top to bottom.
  1. Female marsupials have two uteruses and two vaginas, which join up to form a third vagina and birth canal. They also have an extra pubic bone which supports their pouch. 
  1. However, not all marsupials have pouches. The short-tailed opossum has no pouch or fold at all, but teats that can retract into the mother’s body. 
  1. Australian marsupials can be divided roughly into three groups —Dasyurids (which are meat-eating marsupials like quolls and the Tasmanian Devil), Peramelemorphs (which are omnivorous marsupials like bilbies and bandicoots), and Diprotodonts (which are the largely herbivorous marsupials like possums, koalas, wombats and wallabies). 

 

Why Are There So Many Marsupials in Australia?

An online biology course that focuses on marsupials will unearth a surprising fact — Australia is the marsupial kingdom! However, marsupials actually existed at least seventy million years before they came to Australia … so, basically, they are immigrants! 

Where did they originate?

The oldest known marsupials are from North America, where they evolved during the Cretaceous period after diverging from placental mammals at least 125 million years ago. They flourished here and then made their way to South America, where they diversified within two to three million years after arriving. Marsupials and their close relatives evolved into weasel and bear-sized carnivores and others evolved to eat seeds and fruit. 

The first historic record of a marsupial occurred in 1,500 AD when to Spain’s King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were presented a Brazilian opossum collected during the first voyage of Columbus.

When did they arrive in Australia?

Up until about 40 million to 35 million years ago, South America and Australia were connected to Antarctica, forming one giant land mass. At that time, Antarctica wasn’t covered with ice, but with a temperate rainforest. Marsupials and their relatives left South America, crossed Antarctica and ended up in Australia. This has been proven by fossil evidence found on Antarctica’s Seymour Island.

The oldest fossil marsupials from Australia were found at a 55-million-year-old site called Tingamarra, near the town of Murgon in Queensland. Some of these are similar to those found in South America. However, there is a big gap in the Australian fossil record. After Tingamarra, the next oldest marsupial fossils on record are (only) 25 million years old. 

So between that period, there was an enormous amount of diversification occurring. By this time, all the major Australian marsupial groups were evident including relatives of koalas, wombats and bandicoots. A Portuguese administrator first described an Australasian marsupial in 1540, a northern common cuscus, Phalanger orientalis.

But why did they thrive in Australia? One suggestion is that when times were tough, marsupial mothers could “move on” any developing babies in their pouches. On the other otherhand, mammals had to wait until the end of gestation, thus spending precious resources on their young. 

Today, there are over 200 marsupial species alive in Australia, over 100 in South America and just one (the Virginia opossum) that can be found in North America. 

What Is the Largest Marsupial?

The largest marsupial that has ever existed was the Diprotodon. It is now extinct, and some may say thank goodness, as it weighed two tonnes! Native to Australia during the Pleistocene epoch, the word “diprotodont” is Greek for “two forward teeth”. This animal looked superficially like a modern rhinoceros in size and appearance, but seems to have had a social lifestyle more like an elephant. 

What is most resembled, however, was an enormous wombat. Like its modern counterpart, it possessed powerful, clawed feet that were used to dig for roots and tear at vegetation. However, unlike modern wombats, it would have no need to extend its digging underground for shelter, as only the hardiest of predators would have targeted it! 

Early European colonists searched feverishly for a living specimen of Diprotodon, and hundreds of skeletons have been unearthed in Lake Callabonna, a dry salt lake located in the far north of South Australia. Multiple family groups seemingly wandered in search of food during the dry season, but unfortunately fell through the brittle surface and become trapped in the mud. The bunyip, a lake monster that was said to drag unsuspecting passers-by into its watery lair, may be a cultural Aboriginal memory from the days when many Diprotodon wandered the swamps of Australia. 

Gain the knowledge and skills to confidently manage and care for marsupials with an online biology course, such as our Certificate of Marsupial Biology.

Enhance Wellbeing With a Recreational Leadership Course

The sports and recreation industry plays a crucial role in the well-being of all Australians. As well as our physical health, the industry promotes individuals’ mental health and the wellness of communities by building inclusion and social cohesion. The Certificate of Recreational Leadership is ideal for anyone who works as a leader in a sporting club, recreational centre, gym or anywhere people gather to exercise or partake in leisure activities.

This recreational leadership course will teach you how to plan and lead teams and recreational events and inspire staff and participants to achieve recreational goals. You will also learn how to build strong interpersonal relationships, recognise safety issues, understand legal liability and negligence, and gain insights into a variety of leadership models.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking an online recreational leadership course include:

  • Learning about the nature, scope and purpose of leadership
  • Gaining an understanding of leadership in recreation and leisure
  • Exploring leadership concepts and the four framework leadership model
  • Studying legal liability, negligence and how to provide protection
  • Gaining insights into understanding legal requirements and controls
  • Examining the qualities and characteristics of an effective recreational leader
  • Understanding leadership styles
  • Learning how people become leaders
  • Exploring situational leadership theory
  • Studying life cycle leadership and informal leadership
  • Gaining insights into inspirational, instrumental and Path-Goal theories
  • Examining motivation and Maslow’s Theory of Motivation
  • Understanding the Blake and Mouton Managerial Grid
  • Learning about interpersonal relationships and interpersonal skills
  • Exploring how to deal with problematic situations
  • Studying stubborn clients and those that don’t listen
  • Gaining insights into assertion or aggression
  • Examining body language
  • Understanding the types of non-verbal communication
  • Learning about the principles of communication and leadership communication
  • Exploring communication barriers – culture, senses, perception, wellbeing etc.
  • Studying miscommunication
  • Examining gaining attention
  • Gaining insights into listening, questioning and feedback

And more!

 

The “Four Frame” Leadership Model

When you study our recreational leadership course, you will learn about the Four Frame Leadership Model that was outlined by Lee Bolman and Terry Deal in their 1991 book, Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice and Leadership. In it, they state that leaders should approach organisational issues from four perspectives that they refer to as “frames”. In their view, leaders need to work with all four in order to be effective. However, a leader may use one frame for a time and then switch to another or combine and use a number of frames (or all four) at the same time. The four frames are:

Structural

This frame focuses on the obvious “how” of change and is mainly task-oriented. It concentrates on clarifying tasks, strategies, setting measurable goals, responsibilities and reporting lines, creating procedures and systems, and agreeing on metrics and deadlines

Human Resource

This frame places more emphasis on people’s needs. It focuses on giving employees the opportunity and power to do their jobs well, and at the same time addressing their needs for personal growth, human contact and job satisfaction.

Political

This frame addresses the problem of groups and individuals sometimes having conflict and often hidden agendas, particularly at times when the organisation has to make difficult choices and budgets are limited. In this frame, there will be conflict resolution and coalition and power-based building to support the leader’s initiatives.

Symbolic

This frame addresses people’s needs for meaning and a sense of purpose in their work. It focuses on inspiring individuals by making the organisation’s direction feel distinctive and significant. This can include recognising performance through company celebrations and recognising performance.

 

Path-goal Theory

A recreational leadership course will give you insights into a number of theories, including enhancing leadership in sport. The path-goal theory was developed by Robert House, who received a PhD in Management from Ohio State University in 1960. The task-oriented elements of the model can be classified as a form of instrumental leadership.

His theory states that a leader’s behaviour is determined by the motivation, satisfaction and performance of those they are leading and that they engage in behaviours that complement people’s abilities and compensate for deficiencies. It also states that leaders will have to engage in different types of leadership behaviour depending on the nature and the demands of a particular situation.

The original path-goal theory identifies these directives, achievement-oriented, supportive and participative leader behaviours:

Directive Leader Behaviour

This leadership style refers to situations where the leader tells followers how to perform their tasks and lets them know what is expected of them. It argues that this behaviour has the most positive effect when the follower’s role and task demands are ambiguous and intrinsically satisfying.

Achievement-oriented Leader Behaviour

This refers to situations where the leader sets challenging goals for followers, expects them to perform at their highest level and shows confidence in their ability to meet these expectations.

Supportive Leader Behaviour

This is directed towards the satisfaction of followers’ needs and preferences and the leader shows concern for the followers’ psychological wellbeing. This behaviour is especially needed in situations in which relationships or tasks are physically or psychologically distressing.

Participative Leader Behaviour

This involves leaders consulting with followers and asking for their suggestions before making a decision. When subordinates are highly personally involved in their work this behaviour is predominant.

 

The Blake and Mouton Managerial Grid

Another important theory you will learn about in our outdoor leadership course is the work of researchers, Robert Blake and Jane Mouton. This theory proposes a graphic representation of leadership styles through a management or leadership grid. It depicts two dimensions of leadership behaviour – concern for production (task-oriented behaviour) and for people (relationship-oriented behaviour).

Each axis on the grid consists of a nine-point scale with one meaning a low concern and nine a high concern. Depending on a leader’s score on each of the two axes, different types of management styles can be assigned.

Concerns

Concern for Production. This means that leaders direct followers towards goals. Leaders with this style typically spend time planning, emphasise deadlines, give instructions and provide explicit schedules of work activities. They just want to get the job done!

Concern for People. This means that leaders are mindful of followers and establish mutual trust and respect for their feelings and ideas. They are friendly, develop teamwork, provide open communication and are oriented towards their followers’ welfare.

Management Styles

Impoverished Management. These are leaders that score low on concern for both production and people. They exert minimum effort to maintain interpersonal relationships and get work done, and often won’t accept responsibility for their mistakes.

Country Club Management. These are leaders that score high on concern for people but low on concern for production. They believe accommodating the needs of followers will increase performance, however, it can result in an easy-going atmosphere, but one that’s not very productive! It can also mean more task-focused followers become frustrated.

Authority-Compliance Management. These leaders score high on concern for production but low on concern for people. In order to boost performance, they may make followers comply by using tangible rewards such as monetary bonuses and punish followers if targets are not being met.

Middle-of-the-Road Management. These leaders score medium on concern for both production and people. They attempt a balance between followers’ needs and performance targets. The major downside to this approach is the danger that neither approach is delivered to satisfactorily levels.

Team Management. If leaders score high on concern for both production and people, they have a style that is considered to be the most effective in maintaining good relationships and accomplishing tasks. It encourages commitment, teamwork, mutual trust and respect.

 

Gain the skills to work in a leadership capacity at a recreational facility with a recreational leadership course such as our Certificate of Recreational Leadership.

Our Ornithology Course is Worth Tweeting About!

Did you know there are over 10,000 species of birds worldwide? That’s a whole lot of feathered friends to get to know! The Certificate of Ornithology – Bird Studies is ideal for environmental consultants, animal scientists, eco-tour operators, zookeepers, those who work in the pet industry, wildlife surveyors, rescuers and conservationists, or anyone working or aspiring to work with birds … including passionate birdwatchers!

In this ornithology course, you will learn how to identify the many different species of birds, bird biology, taxonomy, physiology and habitats, common ailments and bird care, and how to attract, feed and keep birds. You will also study how birds evolved, and the adaptions they developed to be able to colonize air, land and water so successfully.

 

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking an online ornithology course include:

  • Learning about bird classification and bird watching and bird watching equipment
  • Exploring over 9000 bird species
  • Studying bird classification including Aves, Ratitae and Carinate
  • Gaining insights into common and scientific names, classes and sub-classes
  • Examining fossil or extinct birds
  • Understanding how to compare the characteristics of bird families and superorders
  • Learning about the biology of birds – anatomical features, skeleton, feathers, wings, beaks and bills
  • Exploring the biology of birds – internal structure, respiration, excretion and digestion
  • Studying the biology of birds – circulation, senses and avian behaviour
  • Gaining insights into the feeding and the formation of eggs and hatching
  • Examining vocalisations, migration and habitats
  • Understanding common and widespread land birds
  • Learning about eagles and their relatives and Carthatidae
  • Exploring Pandionidae (osprey), Accipitridae (hawks, eagles, kites) and Sagittariidae (secretary birds)
  • Studying Falconidae (falcons, caracaras) and crows and their relatives
  • Gaining insights into butcherbirds, currawongs and related birds
  • Examining pigeons, doves and cuckoos
  • Understanding pets and introduced birds – Indian Mynah, sparrow, thrush, starling, etc.
  • Learning about giant and long-legged birds
  • Exploring Ratitites – ostriches, emus, moa, rhea, cassowaries and kiwis
  • Studying South American tinamous, extinct giant elephant bird and the dodo
  • Gaining insights into herons, storks and their relatives
  • Examining seabirds and water birds
  • Understanding Anseriformes – ducks, geese, and swans
  • Learning about Gruiformes – cranes, coots, mud hens and rails
  • Exploring Charadriiformes – sandpipers, snipes, curlews, plovers and dotterels
  • Studying Gaviiformes – divers

And more!

 

How Birds are Classified

In this ornithology course, one of the vital skills you will learn is how birds are named and classified. From an overarching standpoint, birds belong to the class Aves. Animals of this class typically have forelimbs that are wings with three fused fingers, skin with feathers, and hind limbs (legs) each of which has four or fewer toes which are usually developed into claws. All living types of birds also have a horn-like beak, no teeth, no external genitals, external ear lobes and urinary bladders, and the bird heart has four chambers.

The Class Aves includes twenty-seven orders of living birds and a few fossil orders. Of those twenty-seven, four are Ratites and the remaining ones are Carinatae birds. The class is then sub-divided into two sub-classes (Archaeornithes and Neornithes or “modern” birds), and beyond into almost thirty different orders. An example of orders are Paleognathae (non-flyers or weak flyers) and Neognathae (modern flying birds).

Scientific and Common Names

Birds are often referred to by both “common” and scientific names. Common names are widely used by birdwatchers and scientific names by scientists in the field of ornithology. And although scientific names are relatively accurate, they’re not always 100 per cent correct! This is because depending on where an expert places their emphasis, the conclusions they reach can vary.

For example, if one expert places more emphasis on behaviour and the other on a bird’s beak, they may classify the same birds differently. Experts in different countries can also classify birds in different ways. For example, in Europe magpies are commonly black and white birds known as Pica pica. In Australia, a magpie is classified as a bird belonging to the genus Gymnorhina. It’s complicated but fascinating!

15 Amazing Bird Facts

  1. There are over 10,000 different species of birds worldwide.
  2. The ostrich is the largest bird in the world and the Bee Hummingbird the smallest.
  3. Scientists believe that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs.
  4. Birds have hollow bones that help them fly.
  5. Some bird species are intelligent enough to create and use tools.
  6. New Zealand kiwis lay the largest eggs relative to their body size of any bird in the world.
  7. Hummingbirds can fly backwards.
  8. Homing pigeons are bred to find their way home from long distances and have been used for thousands of years to carry messages.
  9. When ducks nap in groups, ducks on the perimeter often keep guard by sleeping with one eye open.
  10. The unique black and white colouring of penguins works as camouflage.
  11. Mockingbirds can imitate a range of sounds from a squeaking door to a cat meowing.
  12. Owls turn their heads almost 360 degrees but they can’t move their eyes.
  13. The Wandering Albatross has the greatest wingspan of any bird at almost four metres.
  14. The acid in a vulture’s stomach is up to 100 times strong than human stomach acid.
  15. Crows can recognise and remember human faces, particularly faces they associate with bad experiences … so be kind!

Common Types of Pet Birds

An ornithology course can give you insights into what types of birds make the best pets. But a range of factors should be considered before you go about choosing your new pet to ensure you can be the best possible Aves lover! These include having the space, time and finances to care for them properly. Here are some of the most common types of pet birds.

Low-maintenance Birds

Some breeds are easier to care for than others. Smaller, friendlier birds can be a wise choice if you are a first-time bird owner and include:

  • Budgies
  • Finches
  • Cockatiels
  • Doves and Pigeons
  • Lovebirds

Smaller Birds

Birds need adequate space to move around, so if you live in a small home or apartment, it’s wise to choose a smaller bird that can be kept in a smaller cage rather than in a larger bird aviary. Smaller birds can also be easier to handle, so are ideal for families with children. Some breeds to consider include:

  • Budgies
  • Finches
  • Cockatiels
  • Lovebirds
  • Parrotlets

Bigger Birds

Larger sized birds should ideally be kept by more experienced bird owners. This is because they are generally louder, messier, more expensive and have long lifespans … so it’s a long-term commitment! Some bigger pet birds include:

  • African Grey Parrots
  • Amazon Parrots
  • Cockatoos
  • Eclectus Parrots
  • Macaws

Quieter Birds

All birds will naturally make noise, but if you have sensitive ears or live close to neighbours, it might be worth considering:

  • Budgies
  • Finches
  • Parrotlets

Noisy Birds

After a bird with a big personality? It’s in some birds’ nature to be louder and make noise more often. So if you prefer a quieter pet, avoid:

  • Amazon Parrots
  • Cockatoos
  • Conures
  • Macaws

Talking Birds

Some birds learn to mimic human speech in an attempt to bond and socialise with their owners. And teaching them can also be a whole lot of fun! However, they do require attention and training, so consistency and patience is important. Chatterboxes include:

  • African Grey Parrots
  • Amazon Parrots
  • Budgies
  • Cockatiels
  • Cockatoos
  • Conures
  • Eclectus Parrots
  • Indian Ringneck Parakeets
  • Macaws
  • Quaker Parrots

Affectionate Birds

After a feathered cuddler? Some bird breeds are super-friendly, easy to handle, and are more likely to bond with you. This can make the whole bird owning experience even more fulfilling and enjoyable. Breeds you can snuggle up with include:

  • African Grey Parrots
  • Budgies
  • Cockatiels
  • Cockatoos
  • Conures
  • Parrotlets
  • Quacker Parrots
  • Lovebirds (which makes sense!)

 

Gain a foundational understanding of birds, their biology, classification, habitats and how to care for them to further your career or indulge in your favourite hobby with an ornithology course such as our Certificate of Ornithology – Bird Studies.

Domestic and Family Violence Courses Critical

Domestic and family violence (DFV) is a significant health and welfare issue and is prevalent across culture, gender and sexuality. It affects family members and intimate partner relationships across communities, but women and children are most at risk.

In Australia, one in six women and one in 16 men having been subjected to physical or sexual violence since the age of 15 – usually in the family home. And while women and children are most at risk, men are affected but are far more likely to experience violence from strangers in a public place.

There are different types of domestic and family violence. A person doesn’t need to experience all types of abuse for it to be a crime.

Types of abuse include:

  • Verbal abuse
  • Psychological abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Economic abuse
  • Physical abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Harassment and stalking
  • Spiritual or religious abuse
  • Image-based abuse
  • Coercive control
  • Elder abuse
  • Child abuse

What is Family and Domestic Violence?

Family violence refers to abuse that occurs between family members, intimate partners and ex-partners. Domestic violence is a subgroup of family violence and describes the abuse between current or former intimate partners. It is a form of abuse that typically involves one partner exerting control or power over the other using intimidation, which invokes fear.

Sexual Abuse

While sexual abuse can occur outside of relationships, a significant proportion of victims know their perpetrator. Sexual violence and abuse in a relationship include any sexual activity without consent. It can also include inflicting pain during sex, coercive intercourse without protection and degrading insults.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is damaging to self-esteem and self-worth. It occurs when one partner manipulates, bullies or uses coercive control to intimidate the other.

Economic Abuse

Economic abuse is when an intimate partner has control over the other’s financial resources. This type of abuse reduces the victim’s ability to support themselves and forces them to depend on their perpetrator.

Social Abuse

Social abuse occurs when perpetrators cut victims off from support people like family, friends and their community. It can also involve efforts to harm the victim’s relationships or reputation.

Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual abuse, also known as religious abuse, involves the misuse of religion to hurt, scare or control a victim. It can involve making a person participate in spiritual or religious practices when they don’t want to.

Elder Abuse

Elder abuse is also a form of domestic violence when an older person is abused by a person, commonly a family member, when there is an expectation of trust.

Child Abuse

Child abuse is any physical or emotional harm caused by a person in a position of power that endangers a child’s health, survival, development or self-worth.

Coercive Control

Coercive control is domestic and family violence where there are patterns of abuse behaviour designed to dominate and control an intimate partner. It can include physical, emotional, economic, social and spiritual abuse.

Most at Risk Groups for Domestic and Family Violence 

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
  • Young women
  • Pregnant women
  • Women with disabilities
  • Financial hardship
  • Women and men who have experienced abuse or witnessed domestic violence as children

The statistics are scary – but education is vital to more positive outcomes for those experiencing domestic and family violence. It’s not just victims and perpetrators that need education but also support people and professionals, from family and friends to health care and service providers.

Our domestic violence courses are designed to educate those experiencing domestic abuse and their family, friends, carers and health care providers to offer support.

Certificate of Domestic and Family Violence

One of the best defences against domestic and family violence is knowledge. This knowledge is powerful for those who offer services to meet the needs of adults and children affected by domestic and family violence.

In this domestic violence course, you will learn how to apply lived experience to counsel and facilitate programs for victims of domestic and family violence. This will enable you to thoroughly explore client issues and identify possible options by providing a safe and supportive environment for clients to actively seek solutions.

Certificate of Domestic and Family Violence – Lived Experience

If you have lived experience of domestic and family violence, our domestic violence course, the Certificate of Domestic and Family Violence (Lived Experience), will help you support others.

Our online domestic violence course will provide you with the knowledge to use your experience to empower others in domestic and family violence situations.

You will also gain the knowledge and skills required to recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence and advocate to promote awareness in the community.

Learning Outcomes

Topics covered in our online domestic violence courses include:

  • Women and children at risk
  • Indigenous communities
  • Prevention strategies
  • The Danger Assessment Scale (DA)
  • Types of abuse
  • Perpetrators
  • Child abuse allegations
  • Family violence orders
  • Personal safety
  • Develop rapport and confidence
  • Domestic violence information
  • Intervention strategies
  • Community activities services
  • Gaps and inadequacies in services
  • Controlling behaviours
  • Prevention strategies
  • Community service organisations
  • Reciprocity with organisations
  • Establish client confidence / relationship
  • Review existing case information
  • Positive behaviours
  • Conduct client interviews
  • Prevention strategies
  • Characteristics of perpetrators
  • Safe environments
  • Cultural differences

Our lived experience domestic violence course includes extra topics for those who have personally experienced domestic violence. It helps those people support others in similar circumstances.

  • Expectation of the use of lived experience
  • Basic framework and guidelines
  • Ways of communicating lived experiences
  • Policy and guidelines for disclosure
  • Sharing stories from own lived experience
  • Disorders, fears and phobia’s
  • Eating disorders
  • Personality disorders
  • Establishing personal boundaries and guidelines
  • Clear understanding of an appropriate relationship
  • The Recovery Model
  • Job roles within an organisation
  • Working to reduce the stigma of mental illness
  • Overcoming barriers
  • Providing hope
  • Goal setting

And more …

 

If you want to undertake a short domestic violence course to understand how to support those affected, whether through your workplace or in your personal life, our Understanding Domestic Violence course is ideal. In this short online domestic violence course, you’ll learn the practical skills and knowledge required to recognise and respond appropriately to domestic and family violence.

 

Gain the knowledge and power to confront domestic violence and improve outcomes for those affected with one of our domestic violence courses, including the Certificate of Domestic and Family Violence, Certificate of Domestic and Family Violence (Lived Experience) or Understanding Domestic Violence.

Study Nutrition Online For Weight-Loss Success!

Study nutrition online to help many Australians who are trying to lose weight for health and fitness. In a recent study, 67 per cent of adults and 25 per cent of children and adolescents in Australia were overweight or obese. Obesity is also one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. The Certificate of Nutrition (Weight Loss) focuses on a holistic approach to weight management and is ideal for personal trainers, occupational therapists, counsellors, life or weight loss coaches or anyone who wants to help themselves, friends or family lose weight.

When you study nutrition online, you will gain insights into the nutritional aspects of weight management, including normal eating patterns, the food pyramid, recommended daily intake (RDI), glycaemic index (GI), and the role of absorption, digestion, metabolism, hormones and medical conditions.

You will also learn about the assessment process, and diet and behaviour modification techniques, including prescribing supplements, diets, exercise and the role of health clubs, self-help groups and hypnosis.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved when you study nutrition online include:

  • Learning about the types of obesity – hyperplasia or hypertrophy of fat cells
  • Exploring dietary trends and the incidence of obesity
  • Studying the factors influencing habits and food intake – psychological, environmental and behavioural
  • Gaining insights into the health risks of obesity including childhood obesity
  • Examining weight and body composition
  • Understanding evaluation techniques including Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Learning about Nutrient Reference Value (NRV)
  • Exploring digestion, absorption and how we process food
  • Studying the roles of major digestive organs
  • Gaining insights into food composition – carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fibre etc.
  • Understanding the Glycaemic Index (GI) and Basal Metabolic Rate
  • Learning about the Food Pyramid and Recommended Daily Intake (RDI)
  • Exploring the popular approaches to weight loss and control
  • Studying vegetarian, low calorie and liquid diets and commercial low-calorie meal substitutes
  • Gaining insights into blood type, detox, low carbohydrate and low fat and low Glycaemic Index (GI) diets
  • Examining sweeteners and supplements
  • Understanding fat burning diets and fat substitutes
  • Learning about the guidelines for childhood weight loss
  • Exploring how to prevent obesity and make the best food choices
  • Studying metabolism and how to keep the metabolic rate stable
  • Gaining insights into nutritional education and health initiatives
  • Examining legislative controls and public health information
  • Understanding how to treat obesity, assess clients, modify behaviour and prescribe diets
  • Learning about weight loss hypnosis
  • Exploring self-help groups, health clubs, health farms and holiday retreats
  • Studying how to modify eating behaviour including the key stages in behaviour changes
  • Gaining insights into cultural food patterns
  • Examining how to assess current diets and make lifelong changes
  • Understanding how to seek support and motivation from others
  • Learning about restricting calorie intake including energy, age, activity and metabolism
  • Exploring nutrition during disease

And more!

Evaluation Techniques

Two of the main evaluation techniques related to weight loss you will learn about when you study nutrition online include calculating Body Mass Index (BMI) and measuring waist circumference.

BMI

BMI is an internationally recognised standard for determining obesity and whether adults are overweight. However, it’s important to note that it doesn’t necessarily describe the same degree of fatness in different individuals or reflect body fat distribution.

It is calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in metres. A BMI of 25.0–29.9 is classified as overweight but not obese, while a BMI of 30.0 or over is classified as obese. A BMI of greater than 35.0 is classified as severely obese.

Waist Circumference

Measuring waist circumference in adults is a good indicator of their total body fat and is a better predictor than measuring BMI in terms of certain chronic conditions including Type 1 diabetes and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

A waist circumference above 80 centimetres for women and 94 centimetres for men is associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions. A waist circumference above 88 centimetres for women and 102 centimetres for men is associated with a substantially increased risk of chronic conditions.

Healthy Eating Pyramid

When you study nutrition online, you will learn about the Healthy Eating Pyramid. This is a simple visual guide to the types and proportions of foods we should eat every day for good health. It contains the five core food groups and healthy fats, and explains how much they contribute to a balanced diet based on the Australian Dietary Guidelines (2013). The layers are based on the recommended intake for 19 to 50-year-olds, however, the proportions and placement of each food group are generally applicable to all age groups up to 70 years of age.

The Foundation Layers 

The foundation layers include the three plant-based food groups, which make up the largest portion of the pyramid. Plant foods — vegetables and legumes, fruits and grains — should make up 70 per cent of what we eat.

Plant foods contain a wide variety of nutrients like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and are also the main source of carbohydrates and fibre in our diet. Adults, teens and older children should aim to have at least five servings of legumes or vegetables and two serves of fruit every day. In terms of grains, individuals should choose mostly whole grains (like oats, quinoa and brown rice) and wholegrain, wholemeal and high-cereal varieties of pasta, bread, cereal foods and crispbreads. Refined and overly processed foods should be avoided.

The Middle Layer

The middle layer includes the milk, yoghurt and cheese (and alternatives) and the poultry, lean meat, fish, nuts, eggs, legumes and seeds food groups. Foods in the milk, yoghurt and cheese (and alternatives) group provide us with protein, calcium and other vitamins and minerals, and include non-dairy options like rice, soy or cereal milks. Choosing reduced-fat options can also limit the excess kilojoules that are contained in saturated fats. Foods in the poultry, lean meat, fish, nuts, eggs, legumes and seeds food groups are our main sources of protein. They also provide a unique mix of nutrients, including iron, zinc, iodine, healthy fats and B12 vitamins.

The Top Layer

The top layer refers to healthy fats. Small amounts of these support brain function and heart health. Choosing healthy fats over trans and saturated fats is recommended. “Healthy fats” include unrefined monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from plant sources like nut and seed oils and extra virgin olive oil. Individuals can also obtain healthy fats from other food groups, including nuts, seeds, fish and avocados.

Stable Metabolic Rates

The word “metabolism” refers to the way the body uses its available energy sources, not the way we use energy. This is why metabolism is referred to as efficient or inefficient, functional or dysfunctional. Three key points important to understanding metabolism and energy expenditure are:

  1. Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

The BMR is the percentage of calories ingested that is used solely for heart rate, cellular functioning and breathing rate. BMR can help those who are study nutrition online to work out an individual’s energy requirements.

Healthy people who are active and of “normal” weight typically use 65 per cent of their calorific intake on maintaining body functions. Men normally have a higher BMR than women due to their higher muscle mass. Similarly, older people generally have a lower BMR than young people.

BMR can be decreased if individuals don’t follow a normal and healthy eating pattern of three main meals per day. Therefore by eating small, frequent meals and grazing, blood glucose levels stay steady which maintains a higher metabolic rate.

  1. Physical Activity

Approximately 25 per cent of the calories we ingest are expended on movement and muscle contractions. Muscle cells are also up to eight times more metabolically active than fat cells. This means that muscle cells require up to eight times more energy to function than fat cells and they burn more calories than fat does. To lose weight, an individual needs to reduce their calorific intake and increase their BMR.  By increasing muscle mass via resistance exercise or weight training BMR and calories will reduce.

  1. Thermic Effect of Food

We use over ten per cent of our calorie intake for maintaining our bodies at the correct temperature. To increase the thermic effect of food, an individual’s diet should contain a higher proportion of quality protein rather than fats or carbohydrates. However, it’s also worth noting that complex carbohydrates burn more calories than simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates like vegetables and high-fibre cereals require more energy to be broken down so more calories are burned.

Avoid dehydration as it contributes to an inefficient metabolism because it affects body temperature. If you are dehydrated, your body temperature drops slightly and causes your body to store fat as a way to help raise or maintain temperature. Experts recommend you drink two to three litres of water per day to avoid dehydration.

 

Enhance your understanding of nutritional and holistic strategies that will help your clients, friends, family or yourself lose weight successfully. Study nutrition online with our Certificate of Nutrition (Weight Loss).

Explore Life Up Close in Our Microbiology Course!

Explore life in all its minute detail in our fascinating microbiology course. Microbes are critical to life, are found everywhere, and influence everything from disease to gut digestion and plant growth. Microbiology is the study of living things, including organisms, algae, fungi, bacteria, viruses and small animals and plants that cannot be seen by the human eye. This course is ideal for farmers, food process workers, horticulturalists, vets or anyone aspiring to become a microbiologist.

The Certificate of Microbiology will help you to develop a broad-based understanding of the science of microbiology. In this microbiology course, you will explore its relationship to farming, agriculture, horticulture, food industries, environment management and human, plant and animal disease. You will also learn about the general classifications and anatomy of microbes and the many practical applications of microbiology to society and human life.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a microbiology course include:

  • Learning about the scope and nature of microbiology
  • Gaining an understanding of microorganisms
  • Exploring bacteria, fungi, viruses, mites and actinomycetes
  • Studying microscopes – light microscopes, helium ion microscopes and electron microscopy
  • Gaining insights into the preparation of samples for light microscopy
  • Examining laboratory techniques for the diagnosis of plant diseases
  • Understanding the preparation of pathogens
  • Learning about the types of culture and how to maintain them
  • Exploring the types of glassware
  • Gaining an understanding of sterilisation, radiation and disinfection
  • Studying the autoclave, maintaining cultures and aseptic techniques
  • Gaining insights into the pour plate and streak plate methods
  • Understanding how to prepare agar plates
  • Learning about the factors that affect microbial growth
  • Exploring the states of disease development in plants
  • Studying the virus replication cycle
  • Gaining insights into simple home labs and microbiology labs
  • Understanding microbial taxonomy
  • Learning about morphology and archaea
  • Exploring the types of bacteria and bacterial cell wall structure
  • Studying the structure of a prokaryotic cell
  • Gaining insights into gram staining and gram-positive and negative organisms
  • Examining gram stain reaction protocol
  • Understanding acid-fast organisms and protocols
  • Learning about bacterial diseases in plants, animals and humans
  • Exploring tetanus and the zika virus
  • Studying virus structure, reproduction, taxonomy and viral diseases
  • Gaining insights into the anatomy of the virion
  • Examining the animal viruses and the Baltimore classification

And more!

 

How Are Bacteria Structured?

As you’ll learn in this microbiology course, bacteria have the same structures as normal cells, including a cell wall, cytoplasm, nuclear material and various membranes, such as endoplasmic, mitochondria, a plasma membrane and reticulate. They also have flagella, a “slime layer” and some can have spore formation.

Flagella are outgrowths of cytoplasm that extend through the cell wall. They are appendage-like structures used for movement. The “slime layer” can vary in texture and thickness, and if it is firm and thick enough, it is called a capsule. When clumps or chains of bacteria form, the whole chain or clump can be surrounded by a slime layer and sometimes this layer can become a solid gelatinous mass (known as a zooglea).

Bacteria can either reproduce by splitting or by spore formation, which is regarded as a “resting” stage. Under favourable conditions, the internal protoplasm can form a “knot” and surround itself with a wall. Bacterial spores are generally more resistant to being degraded than other types of organisms. To completely destroy bacterial spores, they may require boiling under pressure, for example, in a pressure cooker.

How Are Bacteria Classified?

Classification of bacteria is based upon:

  • Their morphology – the form of the cell
  • The absence or presence of flagella
  • Their reaction to certain stains
  • Their mode of nutrition

There are two broad groups of bacteria:

  1. Heterotrophs – these cannot make their own food. They are saprophytes that feed off dead things or parasites that feed off living things.
  2. Autotrophs – these have chlorophyll-like pigments that allow them to make their own food.

 

How To Communicate Scientifically

Once you’ve studied a microbiology course, it’s then important you know how to communicate scientifically, as science communication is an incredibly rewarding and valuable skill. The more science is talked about to varied and multiple audiences, the more trust, funding, scientific literacy and public support for scientists can be increased. According to the Australian Society for Microbiology, science communication involves educating, sharing and bringing awareness to scientific topics. This includes to government, policymakers and individuals in other fields. Complex scientific concepts should also be communicated in ways that are accessible and understandable to non-technical audiences like the general public. This can be achieved in five ways:

#1 – Know Your Audience

Effective science communication begins with education, and the aim should be to fill in knowledge gaps by presenting current, factual and accurate information. However, science concepts can be complex, so try to choose a single topic and explain it using metaphors and analogies. You should also know who your audience is. Methods of communication to school children, to the general public or to other scientists will be very different, so it’s important you are flexible in your style of presentation.

 #2 – Keep It Simple

When communicating to non-technical audiences, messages should be clear and simple and repeated often, and you should avoid using scientific abbreviations and jargon as much as possible. Otherwise, your audience may be confused and switch off or you may be seen as a scientific know-it-all! Get to the point, present one take-home message first and then provide additional explanations in an easy-to-understand way.

#3 – Leverage Social Media

These days, social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube provide new opportunities for scientists to interact with the public and allow for global interactions and discussions. It can include things like sharing journeys into science pathways and highlighting the early work researchers are doing. It can also be used to find new research, build professional networks, and foster communication and new collaborations with other scientists regardless of where they are around the globe.

#4 – Use Visuals

We’ve all heard the saying, “a picture tells a thousand words”, and visuals like illustrations, graphs, videos and animations can help make the data supporting your message clear and accessible and help your audience retain the information for longer. They can also allow science communicators to reach audiences who may not normally be interested in science but are engaged by visual mediums.

#5 – Access Training

When scientists learn better communication skills, they not only convey their research to a broader audience but also become better connected to their own scientific communities. Although formal training for scientific communication is somewhat limited, informal training within a scientific setting can include practice presentations in journal clubs, lab meetings and thesis presentations, university open days, workshops and seminars.

Microbiology Careers

If you undertake a microbiology course, you may also be interested in knowing what types of careers are available for microbiologists. Microbiologists typically work in labs and work with microbiology all day every day! Their work can involve the production of microbiological products and routine laboratory diagnostics through cutting-edge research.  Other professions also apply some knowledge of microbiology on a day-to-day basis. These include people who are farmers, horticulturalists and health or vet professionals.

Manage microbes in a variety of situations including in:

  • Humans and animals – Encouraging/maintaining beneficial organisms (probiotics) and deterring or killing pathogenic microbes (diseases).
  • Soil – Soil health in horticulture and agriculture is dependent upon the presence or balance of certain microbes. These include mycorrhizae and rhizobia in plant tissue that can prevent or deter disease.
  • Labs – For example, in scientific research and pathology testing.
  • Commerce – For example, in winemaking, brewing, and in the production of mushrooms, bread, medicines and health products.
  • Bioremediation – For example, microbes can be used to manage pollution, oil spills and the degrading of organic compounds.

 

Microbiologists may also have input into areas such as:

  • Patent law – Especially in the case of genetically engineered structures and organisms.
  • Policy change – An understanding of microbe function and transmission is required in implementing some health policies.
  • Humanitarian causes – Ensuring potable water and the testing and implementing of sanitation measures to reduce disease in the developing world.
  • Climate change – Using microbes to help reduce pollution.

 

Develop a solid foundation of how microorganisms impact human life and the world around us with a microbiology course such as our Certificate of Microbiology.

Neuropsychology Course Expands Your Knowledge 

A neuropsychology course can help you expand your knowledge or pursue further studies as a neuropsychologist.  A neuropsychologist is critical to the rehabilitation of those who experience illness or injury resulting in cognitive difficulties. Neuropsychology is the study of psychology and neuroscience, providing essential insights into how impairments can manifest through behaviour and thinking.

Our Certificate of Neuropsychology is ideal professional development for those working in psychology, psychotherapy, health and biological sciences, teaching, research or psychiatric nursing. It’s also an excellent window into the fascinating science of neuropsychology if you’re considering it as a career!

In this neuropsychology course, you will gain a solid understanding of brain dysfunction due to injury, disease and disorders. You will also develop your knowledge of how a person’s behaviour, personality, and thought processes are affected by neurobiological processes and the changes that can occur due to damage to the brain.

In this neuropsychology course, you will also explore the foundations of neuropsychology, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity and brain damage.

So, whether you want to gain professional development in your current career or test the waters before pursuing further studies to become a neuropsychologist, this course is ideal for you!

 

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a neuropsychology course include:

  • Describe the relevance of neuropsychology to managing psychological disorders.
  • Explain the physiology of the nervous system.
  • Describe the anatomy of the nervous system.
  • Define how conditions within the brain affect how a person is physically capable or incapable of performing various tasks.
  • Explain how multiple aspects of a person’s thought processes may vary according to that person’s neurobiology.
  • Describe a variety of perceptual disorders.
  • Explain a variety of motor disorders.
  • Describe the neuropsychology of language.
  • Differentiate between different dementias.
  • Explain aspects of development in neuropsychological terms.
  • Learn about the development of Neuropsychology and techniques used in human neuropsychological studies.
  • Describe the neuroanatomy of the: brainstem, cerebellum and cerebral cortex, organisation of the cerebral cortex, cranial nerves, brain covering, ventricular system, arteries, brain malfunction, visual system and other systems.
  • Determine why there is laterality.
  • Discuss callosal syndrome.
  • Examine and compare theories of frontal lobe function.
  • Contrast normal aspects and abnormal aspects of emotion from a neuropsychological perspective.
  • Develop a diagnostic table of perceptual disorders.
  • Determine how the brain perceives faces.
  • Discuss language formation.
  • Describe language disorders.
  • Develop a table of types of dementia.
  • Learn how the recovery of function is affected across age spans.

 

And more …

What is Neuropsychology? 

The Psychology Board of Australia defines a clinical neuropsychologist as a clinician who specialises in assessing, diagnosing, and treating psychological disorders associated with conditions affecting the brain.

Neuropsychology is a specialised area of psychology that explores the brain and how damage through congenital conditions, injury, disease, or disorders affects functioning and behaviour.

What Types of Conditions Benefit from Neuropsychology? 

Neuropsychologists evaluate and treat many conditions, including stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury and learning disabilities.

Symptoms that commonly require assessment by a neuropsychologist include problems with memory, mood disturbances, learning difficulties, attention, language, reading, problem-solving and decision making.

Neuropsychologists assess a client’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses and pan treatment programs tailored to an individual’s unique circumstances and psychological needs.

Clinical Psychologist Versus Neuropsychologist

Many people wonder what’s the difference between a clinical psychologist and a clinical neuropsychologist. While clinical psychologists specialise in assessing, diagnosing and treating more general psychological problems and mental illness, neuropsychologists are experts in understanding brain dysfunction due to disease and injury.

What Do Neuropsychologists Do? 

A neuropsychologist treats people for nervous system disorders due to an illness, injury or disease that affects the brain or nervous system.

When doctors can’t identify the cause of symptoms, a neuropsychologist can help diagnose by performing assessments and evaluations that help develop a treatment plan.

Many neuropsychologists also work in research roles and study the healthy human brain and those with brain injuries or illnesses.

Where Do Neuropsychologists Work? 

Neuropsychologists work in several settings, from universities where the focus is on teaching and research roles to clinical settings in hospitals and rehabilitation centres. Experienced neuropsychologists can also act as witnesses in the criminal justice systems and courts.

Could You Be a Neuropsychologist? 

Are you a curious person? If you’re fascinated by how the mind works and want to learn more about the brain and behaviour, neuropsychology could be for you! A combination of a curious mind and a caring personality makes an excellent clinical neuropsychologist. You might also consider research neuropsychology if you feel that direct patient care isn’t for you.

Neuropsychologists tend to be investigative, intellectual, introspective and inquisitive by nature. They also have good social skills to connect with others in a way that makes clients and patients feel comfortable.

So, whether you’re interested in a hands-on clinical role or are more suited to a research or teaching position, neuropsychology might be perfect for you.

 

Ideal Professional Development & Career Guidance

This online course is ideal professional development for the following professionals, but it’s also an excellent introduction to a career in neuropsychology. So, whether you’re looking to expand your skill set in your current career or explore a new profession – you’ll benefit from studying this course.

  • Psychologists
  • Psychotherapists
  • Biological scientists
  • Health scientists
  • Psychiatric nurses
  • Health professionals
  • Teachers
  • Researchers

 

Discover the fascinating science of neuropsychology with a neuropsychology course such as our Certificate of Neuropsychology. 

Organic Farming Course Enhances Sustainability

Organic farming is essentially farming without the addition of artificial chemicals, and demand for organic produce has boomed over recent years. Many retailers now devote significant shelf space to organic produce … because consumers are demanding it! But organic farming benefits producers as well. In fact, it can be more profitable than mainstream agriculture.

Ideal for consultants, farmers or hobby farmers, the Certificate of Organic Farming explores the benefits to the consumer and the environment and the viable economic gains of organic farming. In this organic farming course, you will learn about the history, scope and types of organic farming, and how to handle organic management issues, from marketing and promotion to certification and environmental concerns.

You will also discover integrated farm management systems for organic farming, including biodynamics, rotation design, waste management systems and how to manage weeds, pests, pasture, soil, livestock and crops.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking an organic farming course include:

  • Learning about the nature, scope and history of organic farming
  • Exploring the types of organic farming
  • Gaining an understanding of integrated farm management systems
  • Studying rotation design
  • Gaining insights into cash crops
  • Examining how to manage waste
  • Understanding permaculture
  • Learning about polyculture
  • Exploring biodynamics
  • Studying organic management issues
  • Gaining insights into certification
  • Examining environmental concerns
  • Understanding marketing and PR
  • Learning about organic soil management and crop nutrition
  • Exploring composting
  • Studying mulching
  • Gaining insights into green manuring
  • Examining cover crops
  • Understanding organic fertilisers
  • Learning about weed management
  • Exploring how to select the appropriate techniques of control
  • Studying weed identification

And more!

Types of Organic Farming

As you’ll learn in our organic farming course, organic farming works with nature, rather than against it. It recognises that nature has many complex processes that interact to control diseases and weeds and regulate the growth of plants. Organic farmers don’t use any chemical herbicides at all, and all kinds of agricultural products are produced organically. These range from fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat to eggs, grains and fibres such as wool and cotton. Here are some of the most effective and widely used organic farming methods.

Poly-culture

When several different animals and/or plants are growing together, the nutrients used by one may be replenished by the activity of another, and the waste products of one will often be used by another. Some poly-culture options include:

  • Agro-forestry – This is where trees are grown in paddocks to provide shade for animals. Eventually, trees can be harvested and sold for timber, firewood or woodchip.
  • Animals grazing in orchards – Free-range poultry, sheep, cows and deer can all be grazed below nut or fruit trees. Farmers can also increase the efficiency of their land by diversifying harvestable product. They just need to ensure that the plants aren’t toxic to the animals and the animals don’t eat or destroy them. For example, poultry and pecans are both harvestable. The trees also provide shelter for birds and the birds eat insects and pests and fertilise the pecan trees.
  • Inter-row cropping – This involves establishing the principal crop in rows then planting another crop between them. For example, long-term fruit tree crops can be planted with vegetables between the rows.

Biodynamic Farming

Biodynamic farming views the farm as a “total” organism and attempts to develop a sustainable system where all of the components of the living system have a respected and proper place. Some of the principles include:

  • Understanding the interrelation of animal and plant production. For example, manure from animals feeds plants and plant growth feeds animals.
  • Considering the underlying cause of problems and attempting to deal with the causes rather than dealing with superficial ways of treating problems.
  • Produce is better quality when it is “in touch” with all aspects of a natural ecosystem.
  • Considering the available human skills and other resources that affect what is chosen to be grown.
  • Conservation and environmental awareness.
  • Soil quality is maintained by paying attention to fertility and soil life.
  • Maintaining botanical diversity leads to reduced problems.
  • Crop rotation is important.
  • Plant selection is vital, in particular ensuring the seed that has been chosen is well adapted to the site.
  • Moon planting is often considered as many growers believe better results can be achieved if consideration is given to lunar cycles.

Permaculture Systems

Permaculture is a system of agriculture based on perennial plant and animal species. The nine key guiding principles of permaculture design are:

  1. Relative location – placing the components of a design in a position that achieves the desired relationship between them. Everything is connected to everything else.
  2. Multiple functions – a designer must deal with several different components that influence a function, make distinct decisions about each of the components, and consider that every function is supported by many elements.
  3. Multiple elements – a design must include many elements (like earth, plants, buildings and water) and every element should serve many functions.
  4. Elevational planning – The design must be on a three-dimensional basis, with consideration given to it width, length and height and their energy impacts.
  5. Biological resources – The priority is to use renewable biological resources (like wood for fuel) rather than non-renewable resources (like fossil fuels).
  6. Energy recycling – Energy use should be minimised, waste energy harvested and the system should be designed to optimise the collection of energy by animals and plants.
  7. Natural succession – Animal and plant life should always be enriched by ensuring new organisms emerge as old ones die.
  8. Maximise edges – The edge of two different areas in a system has more things influencing it than other parts of the system.
  9. Diversity – The design should be a poly-culture (a system where a greater number of species are growing together).

Crop Rotations

Crop rotation consists of growing different crops in succession in the same field, and it interrupts pest life cycles and keeps their populations in check. In crop rotation cycles, farmers can also sow crops that actually enrich the soil with nutrients, thereby reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.

 

Industry Certification

An important element you will learn about in our organic farming course is the area of certification. In Australia, an industry organisation must be accredited by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) before it can certify organic operations. There are seven organisations currently certified with AQIS.

  1. National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA)

NASAA certifies producers from small and intermediate to extremely large operations throughout Australia. This includes over 500 operators involved in broadacre, horticulture, mixed farms and livestock. It is one of the few certification agencies worldwide to achieve IFOAM accreditation and is currently the only one in Australia to do so.

 

  1. Australian Organic

Formerly known as the Biological Farmers of Australia (BF) which was formed in 1987, Australian Organic’s objective is to bring together processors and farmers who have a common interest in organic and bio-dynamic systems and production as a means of conserving resources and processing food without the use of synthesised chemicals.

 

  1. Bio-Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI)

The Demeter trademark has been used in Australia since 1953 to symbolise produce produced using the biodynamic agricultural method. When a certain standard of biodynamic development has been established, farmers may apply to the Bio-Dynamic Research Institute to become certified users of the trademark.

 

  1. Organic Herb Growers of Australia (OHGA)

The OHGA was established in 1986 to promote the growing and processing of herbs and herbal products. Its members include organic manufacturers, fruit and vegetable growers, mixed farmers and wild harvesters.

  1. Organic Vignerons Association of Australia (OVAA)

The OVAA was established in 1992 following an increasing demand for organic wine, particularly from overseas. It was formed specifically to promote the growing of grapes organically and the production of wine from those grapes.

 

  1. Organic Food Chain (OFC)

The OFC began through the cooperation of a small group of commercial organic farmers who wanted an organised, highly accountable system of product differentiation and organic accreditation. The OFC includes wholesalers, retailers, brokers, processors and organic farmers.

 

  1. Tasmanian Organic-Dynamic Producers (TOP)

The TOP Co-operative was formed in the early 1990s in response to calls from Tasmania’s rural sector for a body to support and represent organic growers. Current grower members include producers of grains, dairy products, wine, herbs, fruit and vegetables.

 

Enhance your ability to create and market a successful agricultural enterprise with an organic farming course like our Certificate of Organic Farming.

Online Nutrition Course Gives Career a Healthy Boost!

Expand your knowledge in nutrition with this online nutrition course. Whether you’re looking to improve your own health through diet or add nutritional expertise to your professional development skills – this course is ideal for you.

While food as medicine isn’t new, many of us lack knowledge of how nutrition can boost health and ward off disease. Nutrition as a complementary therapy is fascinating and is an excellent professional development skill for your portfolio.

Therapeutic nutrition is the delivery of nutrients through diet to maintain or restore optimal health and wellbeing. Many conditions benefit from therapeutic nutrition, from Diabetes to cardiovascular disease and food allergies.

The Certificate of Therapeutic Nutrition will teach you how to create diets to help heal the body of common complaints and manage health conditions alongside other treatments.

Why study online nutrition courses?

  • Personal gain – understand how to protect your health through nutrition
  • Manage disease, allergy or common health complaints
  • Gain professional development in your career
  • Expand your knowledge in the health, fitness and food industries
  • Discover exciting business opportunities as a food producer/suppler or health coach.

Learning Outcomes

When you study our online nutrition course, you will gain the following learning outcomes:

  • Discuss the nature and scope of therapeutic nutrition, and identify circumstances where diet may need modification
  • Types of food allergy and intolerance and provide information on diagnosis, clinical symptoms and appropriate dietary modifications.
  • Diabetes – appropriate dietary adjustments for people with Diabetes.
  • Appropriate dietary adjustments that should be made for people with cardiovascular disease
  • Dietary adjustments that should be made for people with heart disease, hyperlipidemia or arteriosclerosis
  • Therapeutic diets for people with Kidney conditions
  • Dietary adjustments that should be made for people with different types of cancer, digestive disorders and diseases of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas
  • Evaluate the dietary requirements of a client or patient who has a medical condition, giving appropriate consideration to that condition, and identify responsible options for diet planning in response to the situation.

What is a Therapeutic Diet?

A therapeutic diet is a modified diet plan that is part of the treatment for a medical condition. The meal plans are usually designed by a doctor, dietician or other health professional to control the intake of certain foods and nutrients.

History of Food as Medicine

“Let medicine be thy food, and let food be thy medicine.” You may recognise this famous quote from a Greek physician in 400 B.C. Hippocrates was the first person to advise people to prevent disease by eating nutrient-dense foods. Today, we understand that this ancient affirmation is the beginning of modern dietetics in the health profession – and still holds!

Eating for Gut Health

Gut health is crucial for the overall health of the body. The CSIRO Healthy Gut Diet is one therapeutic diet backed by decades of scientific research to heal and protect the gut.

The diet includes increasing fruits, vegetables, pulses, nuts and whole grains, which feed healthy bacteria and probiotic-rich foods – such as live yoghurt – and reducing processed foods.

The benefits of a healthy gut include strengthening the immune system, increasing good bacteria to reduce toxins in the body and decreased the risk of colorectal cancer.

Healthy gut superfoods

Fermented foods – such as sauerkraut, kimchi, yoghurt, and kombucha

Leafy greens – such as kale, collard greens and Swiss chard

Ginger – helps improve digestion and prevents nausea

Mediterranean Diet for Heart Health

The Mediterranean diet is a therapeutic diet that helps reduce the risk of heart disease. A Mediterranean diet typically includes fruits and vegetables, oily fish – such as sardines and salmon – wholegrain breads and cereals and limited amounts of meat and low-fat dairy products.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found the Mediterranean diet reduced the risk of heart disease, strokes and deaths from heart disease by 30 per cent compared with a regular low-fat diet

 

MIND Diet for Dementia Protection

New research suggests that the MIND diet, a combination of the Mediterranean diet and DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diets, can reduce cognitive decline and disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and certain dementias.

But can a therapeutic diet reduce the chance of getting dementia? According to a new Australian study, the answer is yes! In a study led by researchers from Neuroscience Research Australia (NEURA), UNSW Sydney and ANU, the  Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet showed a 19 per cent reduced odds of developing clinically diagnosed mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

The MIND diet has 15 dietary components focusing on green leafy vegetables, whole grains, olive oil and small portions of red meat.

Several dietary factors might affect dementia risk, including:

Limiting intake of – saturated and trans-unsaturated fats.

Higher intake of – monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, omega-3s, antioxidants and vitamins, fruits and vegetables.

Light/moderate consumption – alcohol.

 

7 Superfoods to Boost a Healthy Diet

You’ll earn about many different therapeutic diets in our online nutrition course, and you’ll also discover superfoods. These foods have a high nutritional profile and are usually loaded with antioxidants.

  1. Berries – a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants

Try raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries and goji berries!

  1. Oats – contains soluble fibre that helps lower cholesterol

Try organic, quick oats for a fabulous fast meal on the go!

  1. Legumes – loaded with various minerals, protein and fibre

Try canned organic lentils in soups and stews!

  1. Turmeric – a bright yellow spice potent in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.

Try: adding turmeric to smoothies or stews (enhance its absorption by pairing it with black pepper).

  1. Salmon – packed with healthy omega-3 fats, protein, vitamin B, potassium and selenium.

Try Smoked salmon salad with olive oil dressing and bright vegetables!

  1. Ginger – contains powerful antioxidants, such as gingerol.

Try Ginger herbal teas.

  1. Olive Oil – high levels of good fats, such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenolic compounds.

Try: Making Greek lentil soup which includes olive oil, lots of Mediterranean veggies and balsamic vinegar!

 

Gain knowledge in therapeutic nutrition to help manage disease and common conditions through diet with an online nutrition course, such as our Certificate of Therapeutic Nutrition.

Activate Your Career With Our Sports Coaching Course

Beyond any athlete or sporting team, there is a coaching and support network that trains and motivates them. Ideal for athletes, personal trainers, sports coaches, volunteers or parents who would like to assist with their child’s sporting endeavours, the Certificate of Sports Coaching will equip you with the communication skills to develop relationships with athletes and teams.

In this sports coaching course, you will explore the athletic identity and the professional standards of a sports coach, and learn about the differences between coaching individuals as opposed to teams.

You will also study how to develop trusting relationships with managers, trainers, psychologists, dieticians, doctors and administrators, and how to navigate children’s sport and interact with parents.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a sports coaching course include:

  • Learning what sports coaching means
  • Exploring the role of a sports coach
  • Studying sports coaching skills and roles
  • Gaining insights into professional standards and communication
  • Understanding ethics in sports coaching
  • Learning about coaches code of behaviour – Australian Sports Commission
  • Exploring general principles – United States Olympic Committee (USOC)
  • Studying risk management, First Aid and injury prevention
  • Gaining insights into the coach/athlete relationship
  • Understanding the 3 + 1Cs Model
  • Learning how to build rapport
  • Exploring how to set ground rules
  • Studying coaching skills and safety
  • Gaining insights into how relationships change over time
  • Understanding the training roles of the coach and athlete
  • Learning about the stages of athlete learning – cognitive, associative and autonomous
  • Exploring the types of coaching roles
  • Studying the types of coaching – autocratic, democratic, holistic, laissez-faire, blended
  • Gaining insights into what style is good for you
  • Examining motivation
  • Understanding the needs hierarchy
  • Learning about intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
  • Exploring how to motivate sportspeople
  • Studying how to coach individuals
  • Gaining insights into team and individual sports
  • Examining individual coaching skills
  • Understanding social facilitation
  • Gaining insights into case studies
  • Understanding team building, enthusiasm and positive reinforcement
  • Learning about team dynamics and how to create team leaders
  • Exploring motivating teams, motivation loss and motivation gains

And more!

 

ASC Code of Conduct

As you’ll discover in our sports coaching course, Codes of Conduct are vital for all sporting organisations. They set out the standards and expectations of behaviour for everyone involved, from coaches, players and administrators to spectators and parents. The Australian Sports Commission Code of Conduct was first released in 2013, with the current version updated in 2019. Here is a summary of its important elements:

Health and Safety of Participants

  • Place the welfare and safety of participants above all else.
  • Be aware of and support return-to-play guidelines and sport’s injury management plans.

Coaching Excellence

  • Help every person — from athletes to officials — reach their full potential. This involves respecting the talent, developmental stage and goals of each person and encouraging them with positive and constructive feedback.
  • Support and encourage opportunities for people to learn appropriate skills and behaviours.
  • Support participation opportunities in all aspects of the sport.
  • Treat each participant as an individual.
  • Obtain the appropriate qualifications.
  • Keep up-to-date with the latest coaching practices and the principles of growth and development of participants.

Honour the Sport

  • Act within the rules and spirit of the sport.
  • Promote fair play over winning at any cost.
  • Respect the decisions of coaches, officials and administrators.
  • Show courtesy and respect to all involved in the sport.
  • Display responsible behaviour in relation to alcohol and other drugs.

Integrity

  • Act with objectivity and integrity and accept responsibility for your actions and decisions.
  • Ensure your actions and decisions contribute to a harassment-free environment.
  • Wherever practical, avoid unobserved and unaccompanied one-on-one activity (when in a supervisory capacity or where a power imbalance exists) with those under the age of 18.
  • Ensure any physical contact with another person is appropriate to the situation and necessary for the person’s skill development.
  • Be honest and do not allow your coaching experience or qualifications to be misrepresented.
  • Never condone or advocate the use of illicit drugs or other banned performance-enhancing methods or substances.
  • Never participate in or advocate for practices that involve match-fixing.

Respect

  • Respect the worth and rights of every person, regardless of their age, gender, race, sexuality, religion, ability or cultural background.
  • Do not tolerate bullying, abusive or threatening behaviour.

 

The 3 + 1Cs Model

In our sports coaching course, you will become familiar with what’s known as the “3+1Cs Model”. Traditionally, the coach-athlete relationship has been one of coach authority and athlete obedience.  However, research by sports psychologists like Dr Sophia Jowett from the UK’s Loughborough University focuses on a framework that helps improve the quality of this relationship and emphasises how mutual understanding can benefit both sides and lead to better athlete performance.

According to Jowett, this relationship is at the core of sport and not a by-product of or an “add-on” of the coaching process. It is also not based on an athlete’s age, gender or performance. Instead, it is what she calls the “foundation” of coaching. As she comments, “The coach and the athlete intentionally develop a relationship, which is characterised by a growing appreciation and respect for each other as individuals”.

Her 3+1 Cs model comprises Closeness, Commitment and Complementarity, with an additional angle, Co-orientation, now also added. According to her definitions:

Closeness

This describes the emotional tone of the relationship and reflects the depth of their emotional attachment or the degree to which the athlete and the coach are connected. Their expressions of trust, like, appreciate and respect indicate an affective and positive interpersonal relationship.

Commitment

This reflects athletes’ and coaches’ desire or intention to maintain their athletic partnership over time. It is viewed as a cognitive representation of connection between the athlete and the coach.

Complementarity

Complementarity defines the interaction between the athlete and the coach that is perceived as effective and cooperative. It also reflects the affiliation motivation of interpersonal behaviours and includes behavioural properties, such as being friendly, willing, responsive, and at ease.

Co-orientation

This is a method that determines the perceptions that the athlete and the coach have of each other. Three different dimensions of co-orientation are:

  • Actual similarity – for example, “I trust my coach” and “I trust my athlete”.
  • Assumed similarity – for example, “I trust my coach” and “I think my coach trusts me”.
  • Empathic understanding – for example, “I think my coach trusts me” and “I trust my athlete”.

According to Jowett, the key to achieving the 3+1 Cs is daily communications about athlete variables such as moods/attitudes, training loads and injuries/soreness.  Overall, these factors contribute to a “readiness to train” score which offers an objective signal to the athlete and coach about potential setbacks to performance and training.

Athlete Management Systems

Tracking and reviewing data is an important component of improving athlete and performance outcomes. An Athlete Management System (AMS) such as that provided by the Australian Institute of Sport, allows the sporting network to combine resources to better provide data-driven outcomes for sport. It provides data tracking, analysis and reporting against sport-defined performance metrics and can:

  • Improve an athlete or team’s health and performance outcomes.
  • Reduce the risk of injury and illness.
  • Improve an athlete’s adaption to travel and training.

 

An AMS captures data from a variety of sources including purpose-built custom applications, athlete-entered questionnaires, and the automated integration of wellbeing and monitoring tools. These data sources allow for further analysis that provides coaches, athletes and support staff with reports, alerts and visualisations to better facilitate communication and decision making.

 

Gain the foundational knowledge and skills to confidently coach individuals, teams and children with a sports coaching course such as our Certificate of Sports Coaching.

Create a Greener Globe With a Sustainable Agriculture Course

Sustainability has become increasingly important in the agricultural sector, as it is no longer enough to be financially productive — environmental resources need to be robust for farms to survive. This course an ideal for anyone working in the agricultural industry, from farmers and farm services businesses to consultants and educators.

Our Certificate of Sustainable Agriculture will give you insights into “whole farm” planning, and how to make a farm more sustainable – both environmentally and economically. In this sustainable agriculture course, you will study the economic rules that apply to farm enterprise, and explore land management programs like permaculture, organic farming and biodynamics. You will also learn how to avoid serious soil and water degradation, undertake sustainable crop management techniques and evaluate the viability and potential of animal enterprises.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a sustainable agriculture course include:

  • Learning about whole farm planning
  • Exploring land management programs
  • Gaining an understanding of sustainable ways of farming
  • Studying natural and organic farming
  • Gaining insights into permaculture
  • Examining no-dig techniques
  • Understanding biodynamics
  • Learning about soils and growing media
  • Exploring soil problems, erosion and soil structural decline
  • Studying salinity and acidification and phytotoxicity
  • Gaining insights into soil improvements
  • Examining how to add organic matter to soils
  • Understanding conservation tillage and cultivation techniques
  • Learning about plant nutrition, soil life and cover crops
  • Exploring water and the types of water storage
  • Studying livestock water requirements
  • Gaining insights into water problems and water quality
  • Examining reed beds
  • Understanding water-saving measures
  • Learning about recycling
  • Exploring swales and keylines
  • Studying irrigation systems
  • Gaining insights into land care
  • Examining weed and tree management
  • Understanding preventative measures
  • Learning about timber lots and plantations
  • Exploring windbreaks
  • Studying wildlife corridors and habitats
  • Gaining insights into pests and diseases
  • Examining financial sustainability
  • Understanding economic principles
  • Learning how to develop a Farm Business Plan
  • Exploring financial plans and how to control growth
  • Gaining an understanding of value-adding
  • Studying the enterprise mix
  • Gaining insights into eco-tourism
  • Examining broad management strategies
  • Understanding better planning
  • Learning about land care or land management
  • Exploring new enterprises

And more!

Farming Trends On The Rise in 2021

Making the most of what we grow is one of the biggest focuses for the future of the agricultural industry. Here are some of the predicted trends that will give you plenty of inspiration for undertaking our sustainable agriculture course.

Better Reporting

On the back of Australia’s “clean-green” image, agricultural exports have captured a range of lucrative markets overseas. But there is growing demand to align this with more “granular” sustainability reporting in our own domestic markets.

This mirrors the world’s largest retailer, Walmart, declaring they will aim for zero-emission targets by 2040, and the European Green Deal, which proposes to make the continent climate neutral by 2050 via new laws for farming, recycling and biodiversity.

As a spokesperson for AgriFutures Australia commented, “We are going to have to align with these new international benchmarks. We know we are pretty efficient but we can’t share the real story because we don’t know how much carbon we are sequestering, or how much water and topsoil we’re using. We’re going to have to start measuring all of this to meet global expectations.”

Vertical Farming

Vertical farming essentially involves crops that are organised in tower formations inside climate-controlled greenhouses. A range of Australian businesses are taking vertical farming to the next level by combining it with hydroponic technology, including the Costa Group located in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales.

Here, truss tomato seeds are planted in balsa rock, sealed in insulation pads, and set on gutters that hang from the ceilings of glass houses. The result? Seventy kilograms of tomatoes per square metre – around six times more than the best farmers in Australia can grow on soil.

As their spokesman commented, “Everything we do is about resource efficiency — how to grow more food using less land and less water. If you consider we will have to figure out how to feed 10 billion people by 2050, it’s one of the most important jobs in the world.”

Drone Technology

Drones are becoming a “must-have” for many farmers, as many traditional methods of managing and evaluating farm environments can be costly, time-consuming and resource-intensive. Operating a drone takes specialist training, including knowledge of Civil Aviation Safety Authority regulations, and drone technology can assist with:

  • Crop monitoring. Satellite imagery offered the most advanced form of monitoring before the use of drones, but there were serious limitations. Images had to be ordered in advance and could only be taken once a day. The process was also costly and images were often inaccurate. Today, drone animations can reveal production inefficiencies and show the precise development of crops in “real” time at a fraction of the cost.
  • Field and soil analysis. Drones can be instrumental in the successful start of a successful crop cycle, as, with the appropriate sensors, precise 3D maps can be generated. They can be valuable for the soil profile analysis that’s essential for planning seed planting patterns. After planting, they can also provide data for nitrogen-level management and irrigation strategies.
  • Crop spraying. By integrating distance-measuring equipment, drones have the ability to rapidly adjust their altitude as the geography and topography varies. This means they can scan the ground and spray the correct amount of liquid at the right distance for even coverage, thus reducing the volume of chemicals penetrating groundwater.
  • Health assessment. Drones integrated with the appropriate sensors can scan crops and identify the vigour and health of plants. Images can also indicate plants’ growth characteristics and monitor changes.

Seaweed Farming

Currently, there is only one commercial seaweed farm in Australia and it is located on New South Wales’ south coast. But with a range of seaweed-based applications currently in development, researchers believe we are well-positioned to make inroads into a global market that’s set to be worth billions by 2024.

One of the more promising applications is a methane-reducing additive for animal feed. CSIRO studies have shown that adding a small amount of a form of seaweed — Asparagopsis taxiformis — reduces the methane production of cattle by over 80 per cent. This is good news for the environment as, surprisingly, direct livestock emissions account for around ten per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions!

Alternative Proteins

Concerns over animal welfare, the environment and health are boosting the demand for alternative protein markets, and the CSIRO estimates it will have a combined value of over $7 billion by 2030. This includes crops like faba beans, lupins, chickpeas and lentils, as well as more unusual sources like algae and insects.

In fact, there are already more than fifty insect farmers across the country! Insect-based feed can be eaten by poultry, pigs and most household pets, and some manufacturers are even using insect protein to make energy bars and pasta for human consumption.

Native Flora

Australian native plants have been part of medicines and indigenous diets for thousands of years. Now, they are also tapping into locally sustainable food movements. Kakadu plums and wattleseed are already big sellers domestically, while lemon myrtle and finger limes have become lucrative export crops. Studies have also shown that plants like panicum (also known as native millet), can be turned into gluten-free flour that’s easier to grow and even more nutritious than wheat.

 

Undertake strategic agricultural planning processes to meet your desired sustainability goals with a sustainable agriculture course like our Certificate of Sustainable Agriculture.

Counselling Skills Valuable in Many Careers 

Whether you’re a manager, youth worker, carer, health professional or work in any profession that depends on building secure relationships, counselling skills are crucial. 

Our Certificate of Counselling Strategies and Techniques is ideal for anyone interested in counselling, psychology, healthcare, teaching or research. It will develop your understanding of counselling theories, approaches and therapies from influential practitioners.  

In this counselling skills course, you will learn about elements of personality, recent developments in psychoanalytical theory, and psychoanalytic techniques, approaches and counselling.

You’ll also discover humanistic approaches, including Gestalt techniques, person-centred counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy, and behavioural therapy. You’ll also develop strategies in solution-focused counselling are gain insight into the techniques you’d like to adopt in your work.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a counselling skills course include: 

· Explain the principal differences between Adlerian and Freudian theory, the fundamental concepts of Adlerian theory, and the four stages of the Adlerian counselling process.

  • Understand the chief elements of the Gestalt approach, discuss resolution of problems and describe different effects and techniques of Gestalt therapy.
  • Delineate the person-centred approach to counselling; to understand its principles, goals, assessment techniques and appropriate application.
  • Discuss the differences between Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and REBT to define the main ‘cognitive distortions and to demonstrate an awareness of modifications to CBT
  • Develop an appreciation of the characteristics of contemporary behavioural therapy and different problem-solving techniques adopted by behavioural therapists.
  • Explain the role of solution-focused counselling in modern therapy and the strategies used to generate solutions.
  • Explain the concept of dream analysis.
  • Describe Erikson’s modification to traditional psychoanalytical theory.
  • Explain an object-relations interpretation of the origin of ‘narcissistic’ and ‘borderline personality disorders.
  • Explain the difference between Freudian and Adlerian theory.
  • Define the key concepts of Adlerian theory, including personality, goals and lifestyle.
  • Explain the concept of superiority v inferiority.
  • Describe the four stages of the Adlerian counselling process
  • Discuss the pros and cons of Adlerian therapy as applied to the counselling process.
  • Define Gestalt therapy.
  • Explain the importance of elements of human nature to the Gestalt approach.
  • Discuss ways in which dilemmas can be resolved using the Gestalt approach.
  • Explain the ‘effect of contact’ and the ‘effect of energy’.
  • Discuss the use of confrontation.
  • Describe different techniques of Gestalt therapy.
  • Discuss the pros and cons of Gestalt therapy as applied to the counselling process.
  • Define person-centred counselling.
  • Outline the principles of the person-centred approach.
  • Discuss how the impact of the counselling process is assessed and suitable areas of application.
  • Define REBT.
  • Explain Ellis’ views on human nature and the theory of personality.

And more … 

 

Paraphrasing in Counselling 

One of the most important counselling skills is listening actively, and that involves the micro skill of paraphrasing. 

Paraphrasing is a counselling skill that involves stating what a client has said back to them in your own words without changing the meaning of what was conveyed. It’s a way of demonstrating that you understand what they have said and to gain further clarity if necessary. 

How Does Paraphrasing Help Communication? 

Paraphrasing helps facilitate communication in many ways, including enhancing active listening, gaining clarity and building empathy with clients. 

Paraphrasing is crucial to active listening. It allows you to connect with the speaker, provide valuable feedback, and keep the conversation flowing. 

One of the most important ways paraphrasing helps communication is that it provides clarity. You can let the listener know that you understand, ask questions to gain further information and help the speaker gain clarity. 

Paraphrasing also builds empathy and facilitates emotional regulation. When a person feels understood, they are better able to share and process their emotions.

What is Gestalt Therapy?

Gestalt therapy is a person-centred approach to psychotherapy which emphasises personal responsibility and focuses on the present moment and challenges rather than delving into the past. It’s an approach to counselling that stresses the importance of understanding the context of a person’s circumstances without placing blame.

Fritz Perls developed Gestalt therapy with the help of his wife Laura ­– both were trained in psychoanalysis. They worked together to create a humanistic treatment to focus on the client and their individual experience.

Today, Gestalt therapy allows clients to partner with their therapist to gain personal awareness and overcome challenges holding them back or preventing healing.

What is Solution Focused Therapy? 

As the name suggests, solution-focused therapy emphasises discussing solutions that problems. As opposed to some forms of psychoanalysis, this form of therapy doesn’t require delving into a person’s childhood to understand current issues or circumstances. Instead, the counselling skills you employ will be solution-centric to allow clients to quickly find solutions that ease their suffering or change their life circumstances.  

5 Careers That Benefit from Counselling Skills 

 

1. Health professionals 

Whether you’re a nurse, doctor or allied health professional, working in health care puts you in close contact with people experiencing physical, emotional or mental health challenges. You are also in contact with the people supporting these people, including friends and family members. 

As such, developing counselling skills ­­– even just developing the micro-skills in counselling – will help you communicate and better support patients and those closest to them. You’ll also improve your communication in the workplace, manage your own emotions and challenges and improve your coping mechanisms in what can be a stressful and emotionally draining workplace. 

2. Educators 

Teachers are educators, but they’re also responsible for the well-being of many. As such, counselling skills help teaches to engage, connect with and motivate their students. If you’re a teacher, you might also find that developing counselling skills will give you the edge in your career when it comes to expanding into other areas of education, from administration to leadership roles or new teaching opportunities. 

3. Human Resources 

Human resource professionals need a comprehensive understanding of people and their ability to fit a role or a company’s culture. They are also vital in providing support and delivering mediation. Counselling skills will further develop insights into the needs, aspirations and challenges of employees and to be emphatic in communication with individuals. 

4. Manager or Supervisor 

Those in leadership roles will benefit from counselling skills to communicate with a team or individuals to achieve a common goal. Managers and supervisors are also vital in conflict management and resolution to ensure teams are happy, motivated and productive. 

5. Sports Coach 

Counselling skills will help sports coaches at any level, from children’s sport to professional teams, to provide leadership and guidance. The development of micro-skills in counselling will enhance a team’s performance as coaches will be better able to motivate, empathise and communicate. 

 

Gain counselling skills to enrich your professional practice and relationships with our Certificate of Counselling Strategies and Techniques. 

Boost Profits With Our Retail Nursery Course

You’re passionate about plants, but can you sell them effectively? Many nursery workers have great product knowledge but lack the skills to assist or engage potential buyers and ultimately nail the sale. Ideal for market stall holders, garden centre workers or nursery sales staff, our Certificate of Nursery Sales is a professional development course that will expand your knowledge of plant identification and classification as well as improve your sales skills.

In our retail nursery course, will learn how to pronounce plant names and learn more about soils, plant nutrition, planting techniques, pest management and how to create different moods using plants. You will also gain insights into the different types of customers, basic sales techniques and procedures, and valuable communication skills including how to successfully open and close a sale.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a retail nursery course include:

  • Understanding plant classification
  • Learning about plant names
  • Exploring the levels of division
  • Gaining an understanding of terminology
  • Studying the pronunciation of plant names
  • Discovering the botanical families of genera
  • Gaining insights into the structure and arrangement of leaves and leaflets
  • Examining flower structure
  • Learning about the different types of flowers
  • Exploring how seed forms
  • Gaining an understanding of basic sales skills
  • Studying products and services the nursery industry sells
  • Discovering the factors to consider including costing, display and spacing
  • Gaining insights into what sells best, sales techniques, and the selling personality
  • Examining how to open and close a sale and add-on sales
  • Understanding how buyers make decisions and the four stages of the decision-making process
  • Learning about heuristic procedures – heuristic procedures, representative heuristic, attitude heuristic and availability heuristic
  • Exploring the types of customers, buyer promotions including timing and customer relations
  • Studying staff training and sales and first impressions
  • Gaining insights into personal style inventory and its interpretation
  • Examining the salesperson, the key rules, the strengths and after-sales service
  • Understanding holding stock and managing plants in retail nurseries
  • Learning how to care for plants – caring for them, preparation, planting, procedures and common mistakes
  • Exploring how to establish woody plants and planting and stake deciduous and bare-rooted plants
  • Studying improving soils, organic matter, composting and mulching
  • Gaining insights into potting plants, trees and shrubs
  • Understanding nitrogen draw-down, soil pH and living plant cover
  • Learning about plant nutrition, the nutrient elements and total salts
  • Exploring plant pests and diseases, integrated pest management and common pest problems
  • Studying fungicides, chemicals and weed control
  • Gaining insights into pruning — winter and annual and in the
  • Examining pruning evergreens and in the home garden and orchard
  • Understanding how to select the right plant for the right place
  • Learning about environmental influences on plant selection
  • Exploring how to select plants for use in horticultural situations
  • Studying colourful year-round foliage
  • Gaining insights into annual and herbaceous plants
  • Examining how to select woody plants

And more!

Popular Ways of Marketing Nursery Products

Marketing can make or break a nursery business, but as you’ll learn in our retail nursery course, there are a variety of ways to market nursery products. They include:

Retailing

  • Shops – These include nurseries or garden centres which concentrate on selling plants. They can also be sections within other retailing businesses like hardware stores, florists and even supermarkets.
  • Online – Products are usually promoted via catalogues, magazine ads or through websites.
  • Specialist nurseries – These businesses concentrate on growing one particular type of plant, which are sold directly to the public.
  • Shows – Home Shows, Trade Shows, Agricultural Field days and other similar events are often used as an outlet for selling plants.
  • Markets – Markets come in all sizes and types, from farmer’s markets to craft and fruit and vegetable markets. Many nurseries find their regular attendance at these can make a significant contribution towards their sales.

Wholesaling

  • Truck sales – This involves vehicles loaded with plants calling on retailers with stock sold directly from the truck, or smaller vehicles with stock samples that allow retailers to submit their orders.
  • Markets -Trade markets can be private markets or run by industry associations. They typically sell to landscapers, retailers and others in the industry at wholesale prices. Those operating the markets will also often charge participating nurseries a commission, a fee or both.
  • Agents – These may sell using one or several of the methods mentioned above, and they generally take a commission from the wholesaler grower. This method can negate the need for marketing, however it can affect profits depending on how good the agent is!

 

Most Common Types of Customers

From customers on a mission to those that are indecisive, retail sales staff deal with a myriad of people on a daily basis. And unfortunately, there isn’t one strategy that will satisfy all of them … or result in a sale. But as you’ll learn in our retail nursery course, there are some common customer types. Here’s how to recognise them and more importantly, how to sell to them!

The Well-informed

Many shoppers these days fall into this category as most do their research before making purchasing decisions. The best way to approach them in-store is to acknowledge their expertise, listen to what they have to say, and then ask questions to see if you can unearth information that perhaps they’re not aware of. Another approach is to provide insights that make them feel like they are gaining insider access or knowledge. Focus on value rather than pricing or features (which they’ll probably already know), and highlight products or services that only your business can offer.

The Showroomer

These types of customers will often view products in-store but then purchase them online if they can get a better price. They can often be spotted with their mobile phone in hand undertaking price comparisons while they are browsing! To convert them to a sale, try and shift their focus from price to value. Emphasise loyalty programs, in-store offers, uniqueness and immediacy (taking home the product straight away instead of having to wait). And if possible, offer them a price-matching deal!

The Wanderer

Ask these types of customers if you can help and they’ll often reply, “No thanks, I’m just looking”, either because they are killing time or something has caught their eye. Make them feel welcome, but don’t go overboard, as they will probably leave immediately! Try to engage their interest in your products by mentioning discounts, sale items, new arrivals or encourage them to browse the store where they may be encouraged to make an impulse purchase.

The Mission Accomplisher

These customers know what they want and just want to purchase as soon as possible and be on their way. The best strategy to dealing with them is to leave them to it. If they ask questions, give them honest answers, avoid up-selling, and make the process as convenient and simple as possible. You should also minimise any barriers (for example, long checkout lines) so the sale is more likely to be done and dusted.

The Confused or Indecisive

These customers either aren’t sure if they want to purchase or can’t decide what they want. Often it is due to being overwhelmed or because they don’t have enough information. Your best approach is to ask questions so you can define their specific needs and then tell them what they need to know. Don’t prod the customer to make a decision that’s not right for them, however, be honest and it may just persuade them to buy.

The Bargain Hunter

This customer is focused on price, ie. the lowest! They are willing to shop around for it and brand loyalty often doesn’t come into play at all. Try to make them feel like they’re getting a great deal — sell them on higher quality, value, a better guarantee or point out that purchasing from you will actually save them money in the long run. As a last resort, try and capture their information so that you can alert them to a sale or promotion in the future via email or text.

The Difficult

These customers are typically combative, condescending or sometimes downright rude. They may have been unhappy with the service in the past, have a complaint about your products, or perhaps they’re just having a bad day. Regardless, you’re in the firing line! Your best approach is to stay calm and do your best to appease the situation by offering an apology, a refund or a credit. If that doesn’t work and the situation escalates, it’s probably time to bid them a hasty farewell (or call security!)

 

Learn how to identify a range of nursery plants, understand basic sales techniques and provide invaluable advice to customers with a retail nursery course, such as our Certificate of Nursery Sales.

Unearth the Magic of Fungi With Our Mushroom Growing Course

Did you know that eighty per cent of Australian households regularly purchase fresh mushrooms? And that mushrooms are also the sixth most valuable horticultural crop grown in Australia? Ideal for self-sufficiency growers, those who work in the commercial mushroom industry or anyone keen to try out a mushroom kit at home, our Certificate of Mushroom Production will introduce you to the most widely cultivated mushrooms and how to produce them.

In our mushroom growing course, you will learn about fungi plant identification, growing mediums for edible fungi, spawn production, how to make compost and the growing methods and techniques for mushrooms. You will also study the pests, bacteria and diseases that can affect them, the ideal growing conditions for mushrooms, and how to harvest, store, use and market them.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a mushroom growing course include:

  • Learning how fungi are named in terms of the system of plant identification
  • Exploring the characteristics of all fungi
  • Gaining insights into the history of mushroom cultivation
  • Studying the three fungi kingdoms – Zygomycota, Basidiomycota and Ascomycota
  • Learning how to distinguish edible fungi – mushroom structure, tell-tale characteristics and the genus Agaricus
  • Gaining insights into the significant edible fungi including Coprinus fimetaris, Flammulina velutipes, Letinus erodes, Pleurotus, Stropharia, Volvariella and Auricularia auricula
  • Examining mushroom species – Agaricus campestris, Agaricus bisporus, Agaricus bitorquis, Coprinus fimetarius, Flammulina velutipes, Kuehneromyces mutabilis, Lentinus edodes Shiitake, Pholiota nameko, Pleurotus spp (Oyster Mushroom), Stropharia rugosa annulata, Volvariella volvaceae (Edible Straw Mushroom), Auricularia spp, Tremella fuciformis, Tuber spp., Tricholoma matsutake, Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) and Grifola frondosa (Hen of the woods, Maitake)
  • Understanding mushroom culture
  • Learning about the options for obtaining spawn
  • Exploring the steps in growing the Agaricus species – preparation, spawning, casing, harvest
  • Studying the growing mediums of mushrooms and understanding soil and compost
  • Gaining insights into acidity and alkalinity
  • Understanding how to cultivate Agaricus bitorquis and Coprinus fimetarius
  • Learning about spawning and spawn production
  • Exploring how to find spawn supplies
  • Studying the process of spawning and the typical rye grain method
  • Gaining insights into storing and using spawn and the problems with spawn
  • Understanding how to compare temperature conditions for spawning and fruiting in cultivated edible mushroom species
  • Learning how to cultivate Pleurotus and Stropharia
  • Exploring how to make and case beds
  • Studying growing methods – caves, bags, houses, outdoor ridge beds, troughs, etc.
  • Gaining insights into casing – biological process, characteristics of casing material and procedures
  • Understanding techniques – spawned casing, ruffling and scratching
  • Learning about Auricularia and Volvariella
  • Exploring the growing conditions for mushrooms

And more!

Common Mushrooms Grown in Australia

Mushroom varieties are covered in varying degrees in our mushroom growing course, but here are some of the more common types produced in Australia.

Agaricus bisporus 

Also known as the champignon, this is by far the most commonly grown mushroom in the world. In some areas, it is known by other species names. For example, Agaricus brunnescens is a former name for Agaricus bisporus, and this name is commonly still used. Agaricus hortensis is a synonym that is applied to the pure white forms of Agaricus bisporus.

The species Agaricus bitorquis has some characteristics that make it more desirable than Agaricus bisporus. For example, it has enhanced virus resistance, resists bruising and has a longer shelf life. These characteristics have led to it being used in breeding programs aimed at producing crops more suited to the fresh market.

Coprinus fimetarius

Sometimes referred to as Coprinus cinerea, this species is suited to canning, freezing and drying, and Coprinus fimetarius has an excellent flavour and the potential as a novelty vegetable. While many species of Coprinus are highly ephemeral (meaning they have an extremely short shelf life), Coprinus fimentarius has enhanced potential as a cultivated mushroom. It is also easy to grow and can quickly produce good commercial yields.

Flammulina velutipes

This fungus is commonly known by names such as Winter Mushroom, Velvet Foot and Velvet Stem. Cultivated Japanese varieties are known as Enoki and Enokitake, but they bear little resemblance to wild populations. Wild varieties are dark in colour, whereas the cultivated Japanese varieties are grown in low-light conditions and have pale skin and flesh. This mushroom fruits in cold conditions, fruiting bodies are small and delicious, and it grows naturally on wood and can be cultivated on sawdust.

Lentinus edodes

The Shiitake mushroom is the most popular cultivated mushroom in Japan. It is grown on logs of Fagaceae trees like Oaks and on various other trees. This mushroom is said to possess many health benefits, including the presence of many polysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein complexes that have been isolated and used for therapeutic purposes.  These include immunity-stimulating properties against viral infections, high cholesterol and even cancer.

This mushroom is usually sold fresh or dried, and although there is potential for commercial shiitake mushroom cultivation, many markets have high-quality standards that must be met.

Pleurotus ostreatus

Known as the Oyster Mushroom due to its appearance, this is probably the most commonly cultivated species of mushroom. It grows naturally on dead wood, but can be cultivated on any cellulose material, including wood shavings, waste hulls from agriculture and even on toilet rolls! This and several other species of this genus are edible and have the potential for cultivation commercially.

Stropharia rugoso-annulata

Sometimes known as the Garden Giant, this species has been grown commercially in Germany and grows wild in parts of Europe. It is cheap and easy to grow, but yields are variable so it is generally not suited to commercial production. It is, however, well suited to outdoor culture in home gardens. Indoor fruitings are possible, but the King Stropharia is slow to fruit and requires an unsterile casing to stimulate mushroom development.

Volvariella volvacea

The edible Straw Mushroom originates from the tropics and sub-tropics and has been cultivated and eaten for centuries in China and other Asian countries. This mushroom is traditionally cultivated on fermented rice straw but due to the nature of traditional cultivation, yields are typically low and variable. However, modern cultivation practices using industrial waste from cotton processing have increased yields and the further development of the industry.

Auricularia auricular

Known as a “jelly fungus”, this species has the common name Judas’ Ear based on a myth that it grew as a result of a curse on the tree that Judas hung himself on! It was eaten in ancient China and cultivated on logs throughout Asia. A dried version of some species of the Auricularia mushroom can commonly be found in Asian grocery stores.

History of Australian Mushroom Production

Early mushroom collections were made by botanists James Drummond and Ludwig Preiss in the early to the mid-19th century. Renowned Australian naturalist, John Burton Cleland, conducted the first systematic review of Australian fungi in a landmark monograph of over 16,000 specimens at the South Australian Herbarium. He was assisted by Edwin Cheel, the keeper of the Herbarium at the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens. This resulted in two comprehensive volumes on South Australia’s larger fungi in 1934, which was reworked in 1997 as Larger Fungi of Southern Australia by mycologist Cheryl Grgurinovic.

In terms of commercial mushroom growing in Australia, it can be traced back to 1933 in the disused railway tunnels under Sydney. In the late 1930s, the mushroom industry moved outdoors to the Hawkesbury district when growers created the first raised beds in open fields. However, crops were fragile and low yields resulted due to the extremes of Australia’s weather conditions.

In the 1940s and 50s, mushrooms were essentially a seasonal crop produced during the cooler months due to growing techniques that were used in 19th century Europe. It wasn’t until the 1960s that modern mushroom farming emerged, and in 1961, a number of growers attended a meeting in New South Wales to discuss the future of the mushroom industry.

From these humble beginnings, the Australian Mushroom Growers Association (AMGA) was formed, and in 2012,

Australian Mushroom Growers celebrated 50 years of growing together. These days, locally grown mushrooms are increasing in popularity, including those sold at local Farmer’s Markets. So now there’s even more reason for you to undertake our mushroom growing course!

 

Gain valuable insights into the most popular mushrooms and how to produce these fun-gi (pun intended), with a mushroom growing course such as our Certificate of Mushroom Production

Hey, Coach! Wellness Coaching Course

Wellness coaches work with clients to create and achieve their wellness goals. Are you a coach wanting to add wellness to your skillset? Or are you thinking about a new career as a wellness coach? Either way, this course is ideal professional development for you.

Wellness coaching helps people take control of many areas of their lives –physical, mental, emotional and spiritual – to achieve happiness, health and fulfilment. If you’d like to be part of this process and make a real difference in people’s lives, then wellness coaching might be for you!

Our Certificate of Wellness and Health Coaching will help you plan and deliver wellness coaching to meet a client’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual goals.

In this wellness coaching course, you’ll discover several concepts and theories that underpin wellness coaching, learn about goal setting and habit-forming principles, and SWOT analysis.

You will also learn practical issues that coaches face, such as establishing a small business, coaching modalities and potential employment opportunities for wellness coaches.

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a starting this wellness coaching course include:

  • How to become a successful wellness coach
  • Theories of wellness and their application to clients to help them understand their perception of wellness
  • Recommend appropriate approaches to coaching
  • Demonstrate how to plan and deliver coaching to a client
  • Explain ongoing action required for maintenance of wellness
  • Discuss ways to work as a wellness coach
  • Different modes of coaching clients
  • Defining and understanding wellness
  • What is wellness coaching
  • Scope and nature of wellness coaching
  • Health and happiness
  • Qualities of a wellness coach
  • Education
  • Industry associations
  • Personal skills
  • Professional development
  • Dimensions of wellness
  • Stress
  • Ways to stay healthy
  • Coaching clients
  • The coaching process
  • Creating a wellness vision
  • How to help a client set goals
  • What is a SWOT analysis?
  • Telephone or online wellness coaching?
  • Asking questions
  • Maintaining wellness
  • Habit formation
  • Ending the coaching
  • Strategies to help the client help themselves
  • Working as a wellness coach
  • Practical issues
  • Modes of coaching
  • Employment opportunities
  • Starting a small business

 

And more!

Are Wellness Coaches Recognised Health Professionals?

In an ideal world, a wellness coach would work alongside dietitians and other health professionals. But it’s not that simple.  Wellness coaching isn’t well recognised in Australia, so no “accredited” course will allow you to claim government or private health rebates for your clients.

The Good News …

You can still build a successful business using your wellness coaching course.

Increasingly, people are investing more time, energy and resources (money) into improving their health and wellbeing, so a coaching business in wellness will be well received.

There are also many corporate health and private practice opportunities and whole-food, specialist and organic catering, and meal planning possibilities.

If you’re creative, why not try freelance writing, online health blogging or social media classes by incorporating what you’ve learnt in your wellness coaching course?

It’s up to you when you finish your wellness coaching course to find your niche, which will require motivation and creativity to build your wellness coaching clientele.

Positively Psychology – What’s It All About?

Wellness coaching finds its origins in positive psychology, therapy, sport – and to some degree – diet. But what is positive psychology?

Positive psychology is the scientific study of what makes life most fulfilling. It explores thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, focusing on strengths and goal setting to achieve more of what makes people happy in life.

Positive psychology focuses on positive events and influences in a person’s life, such as positive experiences, positive traits, or states.

Positive –

Subjective experiences – happiness, gratification, fulfilment, flow

Individual traits – strengths of character, talents, interests, values

Interpersonal relationships – friendship, marriage, colleagueship

Institutions – families, schools, businesses and communities

 

What Are the Benefits of Positive Psychology?

There are many benefits to adopting practices associated with positive psychology, including boosting social and emotional wellbeing, discovering a sense of purpose and in life, achieving flow and attracting positive people and life experiences.

 

What is Flow?

Flow is a state of being immersed in an enjoyable activity. It’s a term that psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi coined. When people can achieve flow states, such as when they’re painting or playing an instrument, it enhances wellbeing and provides a sense of purpose.

 

7 Positive Psychology Exercises to Try  

  1. Kindness counting – keep a record of all the acts of kindness that happened each week in your life, from something small like someone letting you into a lane while you’re driving to receiving a special gift.
  2. Act happy – you might not be feeling it, but research suggests that if we act happy, such as smiling and having relaxed body language, we can trick our minds into elevating our mood.
  3. Funny things – think of three things that made you laugh recently and dwell for a few moments on how you felt.
  4. Self-compassion letter – find a photo of yourself as a child and clip it to a piece of writing paper. Write a letter to this child – share all of the positive traits you see in them.
  5. Learn something new – whether it’s yoga, meditation, gardening or positive psychology, you can achieve a ‘flow’ state (or completely absorbed) and feel your wellbeing elevate.
  6. Forest–bathing – Talk a weekly or fortnightly walk or jog through a forest. Feel the Japanese “Shinrin-yoku” sink into your soul.
  7. Gratitude journal – write down one thing every day that made you feel grateful! There are many great print and online resources to help with this ritual.

 

If you want to start your own wellness coaching business or add wellness to your skillset, enrol in a wellness coaching course like the Certificate of Wellness and Health Coaching. You’ll be glad you did – and so will your clients.

Grow Your Inspiration With a Garden History Course

Studying garden history not only gives us insights into different garden styles and how to design a garden, but also their connection with society, culture and the evolution of civilisations.

Our Certificate of Garden History is a professional development course that is ideal anyone who wants to broaden their garden design perspective, from garden designers, landscapers and horticulturalists to hobby gardeners, ground staff at parks and those who work in councils or heritage trust sites.

In this garden history course you will learn about garden evolution, the globilisation of gardens, and the significant influences on design and landscaping. You will also study public and private gardens, the nature of modern garden conservation, and the crucial role of organisations in conserving heritage parks, gardens and anywhere flora is a primary focus. Gain inspiration and vastly expand the scope of possibilities for yourself as a modern garden designer!

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a garden history course include:

  • Learning about the development of private gardens
  • Exploring the development of public and commercial landscapes
  • Studying great gardens and gardeners of the world
  • Gaining insights into people who influenced gardens
  • Examining the globalisation of gardens
  • Understanding the scope and nature of modern garden conservation
  • Learning about the role of organisations in garden conservation

 

And more!

 

History of Australian Gardens

When studying a garden history course, you’ll gain some fascinating insights into some of the great gardens and gardeners of the world. But what are some of the trends and designers who have helped shaped Australian gardens? Some of the most influential periods include:

The Pre-settlement and “Picturesque” Era

Early explorers often described Australian landscapes as being “park-like” and assumed this was their natural state.  However, this comparison is often deemed ironic given that English designers were hired in the 1700s to create landscapes in a “picturesque” style that encompassed vistas, waterways and rolling green lawns, and Australian’s First Nations people used fire to manage their landscapes — they burnt out scrubby growth and created grassy areas that were suited to hunting!

The Victorian “Gardenesque” Era

Concerned people might confuse “picturesque” gardens with natural settings,  Scottish botanist John Claudius Loudon introduced a garden design theory known as “gardenesque” in 1832. This used exotic plants to highlight man-made elements. In Australia, many of our botanic gardens, including many Melbourne became famous for, encapsulate this style and were built with the gold-rush money of this era. Popular features included rock grottoes, ferneries and conservatories.

Arts and Crafts Era

The Victorian era was often deemed a reflection of man’s dominance on the natural world. However, in the early 1900s, the Arts and Craft era was introduced with an ethos of working with nature. Its key influences were the British Arts and Crafts Movement and an Englishwoman named Gertrude Jekyll, who is credited with inventing perennial borders. It also includes Australian Edna Walling, who designed Melbourne’s Bickleigh Vale garden estate.

Around this time, Marion and Walter Burley Griffin were building another garden-led suburb in Sydney’s Castlecrag with similar Arts and Crafts influences. These were sympathetic to the environment and incorporated only native plants, which echoed the global Garden City movement that began in the UK.

Australian Style

In the mid-30s, Walling hired landscape architect Ellis Stones to build a stone wall for a property she was working on in Heidelberg. Stones was a conservationist, inspired by the bush and sought to bring nature to the cities with his use of native plants. This led to an enduring partnership, and the style was reinforced by others, including Alistair Knox, who is considered to be the pioneer of modern mud brick buildings.

Modernist Style

In the 1940s, the Modernist style was introduced to Australia, and was particularly evident in the work of Robin Boyd and Harry Seidler. This style included buildings with rectangular shapes, flat roofs and lots of large windows to enhance views. Garden designers during this period included Grace Fraser, whose work includes the native gardens at the Monash University campus and at Melbourne’s Royal Park.

Neo-classical Style

The 1980s saw the revival of many formal gardens and a host of features including box hedges, white roses, lavender and mondo grass. A firm believer in this style was Paul Bangay, whose interpretation of Renaissance formality softened to include perennials and clipped hedges.

Post-modern Era

From the 1990s, Post-Modern design has emerged as a landscaping preference. In this style, landscapes and art blur, and features and plants are used to form a “painting”. It can be seen in Andrew Laidlaw’s designs for the renovation of Guilfoyle’s volcano at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. The style was also adopted by Phillip Johnson in his Chelsea Flower Show-winning display garden that featured native plants, huge rocks, a billabong fed by rainwater, and a waratah-inspired metal sculpture that also housed an art studio.

 

Plant Conservation in Australia

As you’ll discover in our garden history course, native vegetation is crucial for the health of environments. It controls erosion, reduces land degredation and supports the biodiversity and the agricultural productivity that is central to our cultural identity. Here are thirteen of Australia’s top plant conservation organisations.

  • Australian Association of Bush Regenerators – aims to promote the study and practice of bush regeneration and encourages and fosters sound ecological practices of bushland management by qualified people.
  • Australian Government Department of the Environment and Water Resources – develops and implements programs, legislation and national policy to conserve and protect Australia’s cultural heritage and natural environment.
  • Australian Tree Seed Centre (CSIRO) – collects and supplies high quality seeds from Australia’s woody flora for research purposes.
  • Bush Heritage Australia – a national organisation dedicated to acquiring and managing high conservation value private land.
  • CSIRO Plant Industry – applies strategic research in the plant sciences to improve natural resource management, develop novel plant products, and promote sustainable and profitable fibre, agri-food and horticultural industries.
  • Ecological Society of Australia – a professional organisation that promotes ecological communication and research.
  • Florabank – aims to improve the quality and availability of native seed for conservation and revegetation purposes in Australia.
  • Greening Australia – works with communities to achieve sustainable water and land resources, primarily through improving vegetation management practices.
  • Indigenous Flora and Fauna Association (IFFA) – dedicated to the conservation of indigenous Australian biota.
  • Land and Water Australia – a national organisation dedicated to managing and investing in research and development to underpin sustainable resource use and management.
  • National Landcare Programme (NLP) – encourages landholders to undertake landcare and related conservation works to sustainably manage natural resources and the environment.
  • Natural Heritage Trust – plays a major role in developing natural resource management and sustainable agriculture, as well as protecting our unique biodiversity through the improved management and delivery of resources.
  • Threatened Species Network – aims to increase public awareness of and an involvement with the protection and recovery of threatened species and their habitats.

 

Gain an insightful understanding into the historical evolvement and globilisation of gardens and the crucial role of garden conservation with a garden history course, such as our Certificate of Garden History.

Plant the Seeds For a Fruitful Career with Our Garden Tourism Course

Popular internationally for years, garden tourism is increasingly making its mark as a tourism trend in Australia. This is a niche area of travel (like agritourism and health tourism) that attracts those keen to explore and absorb nature for its “green” health benefits. And it has significant and underappreciated potential in the sector.

Our Certificate of Garden Tourism is a professional development course that will help you plan, develop and manage tours, events and tourism destinations that revolve around gardening. Ideal for gardeners, garden centre staff and tourism operators, this garden tourism course will give you insights into people who not just travel to see gardens, but spend money in their associated cafes, restaurants and gift shops.

You will also explore the viability of events and their components, learn how to develop effective marketing strategies to sell their benefits, and gain insights into increasing their financial business outcomes.  

Learning Outcomes

Outcomes achieved by undertaking a garden tourism course include:

  • Learning about the scope and nature of garden tourism
  • Exploring the different types of gardens
  • Studying the place of gardens in broader tourism
  • Gaining insights into the who visits gardens or garden events and why
  • Examining problems
  • Understanding garden destinations
  • Learning about financial viability
  • Exploring the types of tourist attractions
  • Studying garden events
  • Gaining insights into add-on income
  • Examining how to create and manage a destination
  • Understanding what makes a viable garden tourism destination
  • Learning about planning a destination
  • Exploring locations, regions and countries
  • Gaining an understanding of managing a destination
  • Studying garden events and the different types
  • Gaining insights into when and where to conduct garden events
  • Examining how to finalise your plan
  • Understanding non-garden related events
  • Learning how to manage garden events — preparation, planning, development and evaluation
  • Exploring how to initiate a garden event
  • Gaining an understanding of set up and pack up/knockdown
  • Studying event issues
  • Gaining insights into managing visitor access

And more!

Seven Famous International Gardens

Throughout history, gardens have been spaces of creativity and contemplation, allowing people to fully immerse themselves in nature. These public spaces involve meticulous planning and careful landscape design, and allow visitors to experience local and exotic plant life while gaining inspiration for their own gardens. Here are seven of the world’s most famous.

#1 – Brooklyn Botanic Garden, USA

Founded in 1910, this 52-acre haven has over 14,000 plants spread across multiple areas. Highlights include its Japanese garden, a water garden, a fragrance garden for the visually impaired, and an English garden themed around plants named in Shakespearean plays.

#2 – Gardens of Versailles, France

This UNESCO World Heritage site sprawls across almost 2000 acres of land, and sits just west of the Palace of Versailles. A classic French garden focused on order and symmetry, the manicured lawns are dotted with flowers, and fountains and sculptures that date back to the time of Louis XIV.

#3 – Kew Gardens, UK

Located in south London, this garden is renowned for housing more than 50,000 living plants. Highlights include  an arboretum, bamboo garden, the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse, and the Princess of Wales Conservatory which contains plants from ten different climate zones.

#4 – Villa d’Este Gardens, Italy

An international favourite beloved for its opulent fountains and terraced gardens, this 16th-century villa is located in Tivoli, outside of Rome. Built for the son of a nobleman, it is a wonderful example of an Italian Renaissance garden, where the landscape seeks to inspire contemplation.

#5 – Keukenhof, Netherlands

If you’re a fan of tulips, don’t miss a pilgrimage to the world famous Keukenhof in Lisse. Seven million bulbs are planted each year including tulips, crocuses, daffodils and hyacinths. It creates a dazzling visual to the more than one million visitors who flock to the gardens during the spring flowering season.

#6 – Butchart Gardens, Canada

Located in British Columbia, this garden covers fifty-five acres and includes twenty-six greenhouses, which have been wowing tourists for over one hundred years. Fifty full-time gardeners tend to this national treasure, and one of its most famous features is the Sunken Garden.

#7 – Ryōan-ji Garden, Japan

Nestled within a Buddhist Temple in Kyoto, this is a the epitome of a a Japanese “dry landscape” (karesansui) garden. This Zen garden is characteristed by large rock formations, and is meant to be viewed while seated. Anyone who can see all of the stones at once is said to have obtained the ultimate in enlightenment.

 

Australia’s Favourite Gardens

According to many tourism experts, garden tourism is the second most popular “niche” travel experience — the first being food-related tourism. Here are seven amazing Australian gardens to offer you the ultimate in green-tinged inspiration!

  • Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha — Opening in 1976, these gardens cover over 52 hectares of land. Guided tours and self-guided walks are on offer and themed sections include the Japanese Gardens, the Tropical Dome and the largest collection of Australian native rainforest trees in the world.
  •  Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Farm Cove — Wrapped around Sydney Harbour, these gardens offer glimpses of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Bucket list exhibits include Palm Grove and the spectacular Succulent Garden and Rare and Threatened Plant Garden.
  •  Royal Botanic Garden Victoria, Melbourne. This garden has been operating for over 170 years and has a truly international approach. Diverse plant collections include roses, camellias, rainforest flora, succulents, herbs, perennials and the Rare and Threatened Species Collection.
  • Botanic Gardens of South Australia, Adelaide. These architecturally stunning gardens feature the International Rose Garden, the First Creek Wetland, and The Garden of Health, where you can learn about the plants that prevent and cure disease.
  •  Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth — This is one of the largest inner-city parks in the world (it covers over 400 hectares) and offers spectacular views as well as bushland walking trails and over 3000 species of the state’s unique flora.
  • Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Hobart — This is Australia’s second oldest Botanic Gardens and renowned as one of the country’s best “cool climate” gardens. It covers over fourteen hectares and has a number of unique collections including the country’s only Subantarctic Plant House.
  •  Australian National Botanic Gardens, Canberra — A heritage-listed Botanical Garden, it was established in 1949 and features over 83,000 individual plants arranged over 40 hectares of themed sections in the glasshouses and nursery.

Open Garden Programs

Although the nation-wide Australian Open Garden Scheme folded in 2015, some states still run their own local “open garden” organisations — which helps ensure the garden tourism sector keeps thriving! They are typically not-for-profit groups run by volunteers who help garden owners open their gardens over weekends to raise money for various charities. They include:

  • Open Gardens South East Queensland – Open Gardens SEQ allows visitors to explore some of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast’s most stunning gardens.
  • Open Gardens Victoria – This organisation runs an open garden program in Melbourne city and in rural locations and country towns across the state. Typically around twelve gardens are open through the spring period of September to November, and others during the autumn season
  • Open Gardens SA – Open Gardens South Australia was first established in 2015, and in its first twelve months opened over fifty private gardens, welcoming more than 20,000 visitors.
  • Open Gardens West Coast – Western Australia’s open gardens scheme launched in 2016 and facilitates the opening of gardens across the state for public viewing. It also promotes garden design, horticultural education and ecological sustainability.

 

Gain the confidence to plan, develop and manage gardening events, tours and popular “green” destinations with a garden tourism course, such as our Certificate of Garden Tourism.

Childcare Professional Development Opportunities 

The early years of a child’s life are the most critical, because this is when they develop motor, social and sensory skills, and start to learn about the world. Hence, many believe those who work in childcare have one of the most essential, yet underappreciated jobs in Australia!

However, a career in childcare can be extremely rewarding, allowing you to make an important and lasting difference in the lives of children. And the industry is booming, so career prospects continue to grow. In fact, early childhood job roles are said to grow by 22 per cent to reach over 9000 jobs by 2023. So now’s the perfect time to up-skill!

Why Professional Development Is Important

Parents, family, friends, health professionals, the wider community and childcare professionals all influence a child’s early years. For those working in childcare, ongoing childcare professional development improves skills and practice and keeps staff up to date with advances in early childhood education and care. This enhances the nurturing of a child’s development, but can also inspire, motivate and support professional networks.

A Combination of Theory and Practice

Working with young children is challenging and complex work. Current research and developments in theoretical approaches to early childhood education are rapidly expanding the theory base and knowledge that can guide practice. Additionally, changes in the national early childhood system continue to impact curriculums, delivery models, licensing and accreditation systems.

Professional development is critical because it enables childcare workers to contribute to developing practices that are guided by current research and theory, and enhances their effectiveness in terms of working with children and families. It also provides professional satisfaction and sustains an employee’s enthusiasm, commitment and their capacity to continually grow both professionally and personally.

Early Childhood Learning Programs

Over the last decade, the childcare industry in Australia has undergone significant changes, which have impacted early childhood learning programs in many ways. Significant changes were laid out in the National Quality Framework (NQF), which was introduced in 2012. It provides a framework for quality improvement in the childcare sector and establishes the formal qualifications required for a childcare practitioner.

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) is a core framework recognised under the NQF. It provides the foundation for ensuring all children aged up to five years receive quality teaching and learning outcomes. It also encourages staff to participate in childcare professional development, and promotes a culture for continuous educational growth.

Features of Effective Professional Development

Childcare professional development takes many different forms, however research has shown there are a number of common features that enhance its effectiveness. These include:

  • The extension of the professional development program over a period of time.
  • The involvement of staff in assessing their own learning.
  • The creation of opportunities for staff to apply new skills and knowledge in their own work settings.
  • The creation of opportunities for staff to have a trusted mentor to discuss developing practice.
  • Providing opportunities for staff to question their own views and experience.
  • Providing opportunities for staff to consider situations and events from different perspectives.
  • Providing knowledge and information about alternative perspectives and practices.

Types of Professional Development

Childcare professional development embraces informal and formal learning towards knowledge or a new ability, skill or process. It affects the quality learning outcomes for children in care and can also influence employment opportunities and ultimately your career! It includes:

  • Certificates and courses
  • Workshops
  • Conferences and seminars
  • In-house training
  • Distance education and online learning
  • Volunteering
  • Work experience
  • Tutoring

Childcare Learning Pathways 

Childcare workers in Australia are required to complete a Certificate III in Early Childhood Care and/or Children’s Services. However, there are also a number of learning pathways that can assist with your childcare professional development. These include:

  • Certificate of Education Support – Early Childhood – This course is an ideal introduction to a career in childcare, which will give you insights into setting the foundations for children’s lifetime learning using play-based techniques.
  • Introduction to Baby and Toddler Care – This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work with babies and toddlers from birth to 22 months in family daycare or a similar setting, and/or pursue further studies.
  • Certificate of Play Therapy – This course will teach you how to apply play therapy to help those with developmental disorders and mental health conditions to regain their motivation and emotional stability. It will also give you insights into how play therapy can help with loss, grief and family issues.
  • Design and Develop Learning Programs – This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge required to conceptualise, design, develop and review learning programs to meet an identified need for a group of learners.
  • Nurture Creativity in Children – This course will give you insights into the fundamental principles of childhood pedagogy that apply to nurturing children’s creativity, including with movement and music, to enhance their physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.
  • Certificate of Child Nutrition – This course will educate you on children’s nutritional requirements, food sensitivities, the differences between adult and child nutrition, and how to encourage children to make positive food choices.
  • Certificate of Child Psychology – This course examines the normal patterns of childhood growth and how they are applied to certain development areas, including offering insights into study theories from experts like Freud, Piaget and Bowlby.
  • Certificate of Child and Adolescent Mental Health – This course explores the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions and disorders (including depression and brain, tic and anxiety disorders), and the treatment options that are available.
  • Certificate of Complex Trauma and Attachment Management – This course is ideal for those working or hoping to work in the areas of family services, child protection, child youth placement or child support education and care.
  • Certificate of Developmental, Learning and Behaviour Disorders (Children and Adolescents) – This course will give you insights into the signs, symptoms, treatment and support options for a variety of developmental and behavioural disorders, including Autism, Asperger’s Disorder, Rett’s Disorder, Anti-Social Personality Disorder, Developmental Dyslexia and Phonological Disorder.
  • Introduction to Speech Pathology Assistance – This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to undertake support work under the supervision of a qualified speech pathologist. You will learn how to help clients overcome swallowing difficulties and speech impediments caused by conditions such as autism, stuttering, cleft palate and Down syndrom

Business Executive Development

Business executives essentially assist with the operation and growth of organisations, however roles can vary dramatically depending on the company and sector. They can range from CEO-level executives and department managers to project managers and even small business operators. A few of the most common business executive roles include:

HR Executive

People in these roles typically perform key HR functions including recruitment, performance and compensation management, and training and career development.  This is often in the context of evolving workforce expectations, dynamic work places and shifting government priorities. They also understand the strategic contributions staff can make with effective management, and provide recommendations for implementing organisational change.

Project Management Executive

This role typically involves managing the output of a new system, object, structure or process, and the development of the Project Brief and Business Case in terms of industry “best practice”. PM executives may also authorise expenditure levels, manage cost or timing changes, ensure risk is tracked and mitigated or resolved, oversee a project’s quality and outcome, and deal with communications and stakeholder engagement.

Management and Leadership Executive

The duties of employees in these roles often depend on the number of staff in the organisation. In smaller companies they may oversee managers in multiple areas, and in larger organisations may direct one specific area such as finance, procurement or marketing. They are often involved in some way in administration, coaching and mentoring and change management. Many also develop business networks with people outside the organisation including clients, suppliers and/or customers.

Entrepreneurial Executive

Small businesses employ over 44 per cent of Australia’s workforce in sectors ranging from the hospitality and marketing industries to the fitness, manufacturing, retail and design sectors (and everything in between)! They typically handle a range of responsibilities from creating business plans, arranging financing and reviewing sales to developing marketing strategies, employing staff and identifying future business opportunities.

 

How Professional Development Benefits Employees

Professional development in your career — including business executive development — isn’t something that’s achieved overnight. It is a work in progress and should be something you prioritise throughout your working life. Your career development is also unique to you and there is no singular or “ideal” path. However, there are a number of traditional markers of success, including excelling in a performance review, getting a promotion and/or securing a pay rise.

Professional development requires planning and the execution of tangible strategies that will not only increase your success rate, but also help you manage the more challenging moments in your career. You should always be guided by a plan that incorporate the three A’s – goals should be adaptable, ambitious and achievable. Your development should also include strategies that detail what you want to achieve and the experience, skills and people required to get you there. The success of your plan and your ability to progress will hinge on being able to seize opportunities as they arise, even if they come as a surprise! Ways you can enhance your career include:

Consistently Being an Asset

Being an asset in every job role you have over your career will enable you to maximise job satisfaction and ensure you learn as much as possible. It also keeps you open to any opportunities that might arise, both financially and from a business executive development perspective. Some strategies to consider include:

  • Regularly fulfilling and exceeding your role expectations
  • Actively collaborating and assisting your colleagues with their job roles
  • Looking for opportunities to further your skills and learning new processes
  • Embracing change and seeking opportunities that add value to your team and the organisation
  • Participating in company-wide working groups and initiatives
  • Always acting as an advocate for your organisation
  • Sharing knowledge externally and internally
  • Consistently promoting positivity
  • Being adaptable, approachable and enthusiastic
  • Following directions and taking constructive criticism on board
  • Exhibiting loyalty to team members and the organisation
  • Being consistently reliable and responsible

Exploring External Opportunities

Professional development and career progression doesn’t necessarily have to be provided by your employer or during work hours. Looking outside your organisation for ways to drive your career forward is part of proactively seizing opportunities. It can also diversify the knowledge and experiences you are exposed to which will help expand your capabilities. Positive external influences that will enhance your career include:

  • Joining business networks to expand your contacts
  • Finding a mentor who works/has worked in a similar role or industry
  • Being aware of market trends and how they impact your role and industry
  • Undertaking external business and management courses

Learning From Your Mistakes

Making mistakes is a critical part of the professional development process. And while it sometimes feels like they are slowing down your career advancement, they can optimise your professional career life. If you manage them professionally and diplomatically, it will show your managers, colleagues and your organisation’s stakeholders that you are flexible, resilient and focused on the best possible outcomes. Ways you can effectively learn and move forward from mistakes include:

  • Reflecting on your mistakes and identifying where you went wrong and why
  • Examining how you felt — for example, frustrated, angry or embarrassed. This will help you manage your responses and emotions in the future. It will also help you be supportive and empathetic when your colleagues experience the same thing.
  • Remembering how you resolved it — for example, with the help of a manager or a solution-based strategy.
  • Detailing the resolution clearly so you can avoid making the same mistake again.
  • Realising that what was a negative can be turned into something long-term and positive!

Reaping the Rewards

When you commit to business executive development and progressing your career, your efforts won’t go unnoticed! You will be seen as a committed, proactive achiever and someone with direction and ambition. It could also result in positive feedback, great references, a fabulous reputation, a promotion and/or pay rise and even industry recognition. Working consistently on your career progression will also provide you with flexibility and options if you decide to apply your skills in a different role or company.

 

How Professional Development Benefits Organisations

Professional development doesn’t just benefit employees. It can deliver a great return for businesses as a whole as well. Savvy organisations invest in staff development and ensure that programs are aligned to their company’s goals so that employees gain the required skills and expertise necessary to deliver on the needs of the business. Business executive development can help:

  • Develop key performers — Investing resources and time in training builds employee confidence, increases staff morale and enhance your employees’ job satisfaction. It can also help the business develop and retain its key performers.
  • Deliver financial gains — If the outcomes of professional development are linked to your organisation’s objectives, then overspending it less likely. This is because your employees will have an increased understanding of the goals, budget and projects that are necessary for the business to succeed.
  • Improve productivity — Training can provide employees with a work focus and make them feel as though they are a valuable part of the team. This will increase productivity and positively impact your organisation’s bottom line.
  • Raise business competence — Professional development plans enable employees to better understand a company’s processes and how to deliver them effectively and efficiently with the right mix of knowledge and skills.
  • Open communication — Business executive development helps promote employee transparency and gives staff clear boundaries in terms of company needs and goals.

Professional Development for Teacher Aides

Teacher aides support teachers and students across a range of services provided in an educational setting. Their role description can vary according to the environment in which they work and the needs of the school. They are different from Assistant Teachers in that they are responsible for general classroom tasks, whereas Assistant Teachers are qualified to provide instructional support.

What Do Teacher Aides Do?

Teacher aides support students’ learning and development by applying learning and teaching strategies. Most work under the direction of a classroom teacher, although some are provided more responsibility and independence than others.

Some teacher aides work in mainstream classrooms, others in specific subject areas, and some provide support to certain groups of students, including those with specific learning needs (such as with literacy or numeracy), disorders, disabilities or those who speak English as a second language. They also assist one or more teachers to undertake logistical tasks to ensure the efficient operation of the classroom or centre.

Many teacher aides implement teaching and learning strategies such as explicit teaching, scaffolding, modelling, cooperative learning, one-on-one instruction and formative assessment. Some even run their own programs under the direction of a teacher or other specialist. General classroom support and behaviour management are also key responsibilities of many teacher aides in Australia.

However, teacher aides are typically not qualified or employed to teach as such, but interact with students under the direct or indirect supervision of a qualified teacher. And although they may have relationships with families as part of a school community, they should not discuss a student’s behaviour or educational progress with parents — only teachers should do this.

What Are Some Of Their Duties?

  • Demonstrating, supervising and participating in activities which enhance the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of children in educational environments, including schools and preschools.
  • Supporting teachers with administration tasks, including preparing teaching resources and materials, photocopying and filing lesson material and distributing and collecting students’ work.
  • Preparing indoor and outdoor areas for learning and recreational activities.
  • Supporting behaviour management by implementing techniques like proximity and rapport building.
  • Organising and maintain learning and teaching resources, as well as ordering the appropriate equipment as required.
  • Assisting children with intellectual, physical and behavioural difficulties with their academic studies.
  • Assisting children individually to learn social skills.
  • Attending staff meetings and parent-teacher interviews as required.

What Does a Typical Day Look Like? 

In a typical classroom, the teacher aide will circulate from group to group or work one-on-one with a particular student. They are not expected to teach the whole class — that is the role of the classroom teacher. They may however teach groups, particularly after several years’ experience and demonstrating competence at implementing strategies.

In many classes, the teacher will direct the teacher aide each day or lesson, such as asking them to target certain students who have been identified as needing additional support. This happens with students with high needs and is commonly found with students with physical disabilities and Autism (ASD).

More competent and well-trained teacher aides may be asked to “run” a program of their own in a separate room such as a numeracy or literacy program, which is typically a targeted remedial or intervention program. However, they are generally not required to plan or develop teaching and learning programs.

Are There Different Types of Teacher Aides?

There are different types of teacher aides, and each will undertake different roles and have different responsibilities. A big factor that often determines what a teacher aide will do from one day to the next is the needs and instructions from a classroom teacher who has a responsibility to direct the support staff in their classroom. Common types of teacher aides include:

Teacher Aide

A general all-rounder, who is often employed to assist a student with special needs but will circulate around the room depending on those needs.

Special Need’s Assistant

Works in an inclusive classroom with one or more students with disabilities or in a special needs school.

Aboriginal & Indigenous Education Officer

Works mainly with students of Aboriginal and Indigenous descent

 

Do Teacher Aides Need Qualifications?

You don’t need a formal qualification to gain employment as a teacher aide in Queensland state schools. Once employed you may be eligible to be paid at a higher level if you possess a relevant qualification. However, those who work in an educational setting with children are required to hold a Blue Card and to undergo a Working with Children Check.

Who Do Teacher Aides Report To?

Depending on the size and structure of the organisation, your line manager could be a Principle, Deputy Principal, one or more teacher or the Business Services Manager.

What Are the Employment Conditions?

The conditions of a teacher aide’s employment are derived from the current, relevant certified agreement that is typically determined by each Australian state’s Department of Education. You can view Queensland’s Teacher Aides’ Certified Agreement 2018 here.

Why is Professional Development For Teacher Aides Important? 

Students’ learning is constantly in flux and as things like technologies, circumstances and societies change, so do students’ educational needs. New curriculums also open up gaps in a teacher aide’s capabilities to meet new needs. Targeted professional development for teacher aides bridges these gaps and is an important component of an educator’s learning journey.  It builds skills, qualities and knowledge, and leads to improved teaching and better student outcomes.

Characteristics of Effective Professional Development

Research shows that professional development with the following characteristics can have the biggest (and most positive) impacts on student outcomes:

  • Professional development acquires relevance when it is grounded in practice and aligned with specific goals. It should be challenging, explicit and realistic, and matched to individual, school-wide or system goals. When it’s clearly understood, it initiates and sustains changes to practice. It also encourages action and enquiry related to real challenges that are relevant to different cultural, geographical and socio-economic contexts.
  • The benefits of professional development are magnified if it connects teacher aides with external experts and to their colleagues within and across schools. For it to be most effective, it should actively involve everyone in its design, participation and evaluation. It should also facilitate support through observation and feedback through mentoring and coaching.
  • Practice-based. When professional development for teacher aides focuses on student learning and teaching practice, it can lead to sustained, positive and significant impacts on student outcomes.
  • Future-focused. If it is focused on the future, it builds a teacher aide’s capacity to adapt to the changes that arise in our rapidly changing world. From innovative techniques, emerging technologies and new learning models, exposure to new developments in pedagogy can help teacher aides deal with the challenges that changes pose. It also encourages adaptability and innovation and helps them to understand what new pedagogies mean, and how to apply and use them.
  • Effective professional development challenges a teacher aide’s existing understanding of learning and teaching. It involves negotiating the meaning of new and challenging learning, and then supports its integration into practice.
  • Professional development needs to have focused and sustained implementation. This enables teacher aides to model and nurture learning and access resources to support and evaluate its impact.

Professional development for teacher aides can also enhance and expand your career further, including allowing you to:

Work with different age groups

All educators play an important role in children’s development, including early childhood educators who help set the foundations for a lifetime of learning using play-based techniques.

Work with special needs children

This includes providing educational support to children with specific numeracy, reading, writing and oral language skills, those with special needs or learning difficulties or those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Work with children of different backgrounds

Australia is a multicultural nation, and professional development can assist teacher aides with supporting, contributing and coordinating educational opportunities for children from different backgrounds, including indigenous students.

Expand your skill set

This includes assisting with school administration tasks like organising and managing a school administration department, understanding school policy and procedures, and collecting and recording information to meet organisational and legislative obligations.

Enhance your learning

Professional development can also enhance a teacher aide’s scope of knowledge, including how to design and develop learning programs, nurture children’s creativity, and help children self-regulate their behaviour in a safe and supportive environment.

 

For many years, professional development for teacher aides was carried out face-to-face in the workplace through activities provided or required by employers. This often formed part of the activities of a range of associations and/or professional bodies and in some cases through further, individual study or qualifications. These days, and with the scope and continual advancement of technology, further study can be undertaken from almost anywhere! Including online with our wide range of Education and Teaching courses!

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