Evolving Digital Learning for Strategic Impact at TAFE Queensland Michelle Roberts & Sophie Nguyen TAFE QLD, Brisbane

Let's discuss the Evolving Part

My role commenced in Learning & Development in 2015
My Adobe journey began with meeting Kev Lavery (AEL) & later Dr Tim Kitchen (Adobe Senior Education Specialist)

Jerry bridges the gap!!!

Senior Customer Success Manager earns his title!!!

Slow Burn to Begin

  • Developing Relationships
  • Targeting Specific Areas
  • Lots of Hits and Misses
But it was a foot in the door
My personal Adobe PD opportunities paved the way!
  • Expanded my general knowledge
  • Opened up opportunities for discussion with educational staff
  • Shifted my thinking from focusing mainly on creatives
  • Inspired by my peers and presenters

What Changed?

Pandemic = Opportunity
  • Created learning opportunities
  • Creativity Increased
  • Refresh of current practice
  • Increased uptake in PD
  • Minority of workforce struggled

A Learning Transformation???

The word 'overwhelmed' doesn't begin to describe the feeling or experience (so much information in such a small time frame, sudden dependence on systems ie; internet, zoom). One of the difficulties for me was that suddenly, I couldn't help my students in the way that I had been used to. But in having to deal with that, many of my students discovered their own strengths.
I have absolutely loved the challenge of moving to online delivery. Initially I felt like my head was going to explode as I was learning so much in such a short space of time....but I felt alive and excited to be challenging myself and my students to try new ways of teaching and learning.

Societal Business Disruption took Place and we Rode the Wave.

Relationships & Foundations were in Place for CHANGE

Educational and Administration Staff Implemented New Processes

From Forms to Frames: Staff Animate the Loan Process

Deb's Video Concept Brief:

  • Learning Objectives: What the viewer will learn - small, precise pieces of information about student loans.
  • Format/Style: Short, engaging videos similar to Bluey episodes.
  • Creative Inspiration: Use of Adobe Express voice-to-animation and animal characters.
  • Design Principles: Inclusive, Universal & Non-biased (gender, religion, culture)
  • Audience Engagement Strategy: Making content fun, relatable, and easy to digest.
I really love them. Engaging and adorable characters. Simple but informative instructions and explanations. Ticking all the boxes!
These VET Student Loans videos are like my brain took an unexpected detour into a land where bureaucracy meets entertainment. I came for the info, but stayed for the surprisingly charming breakdowns of loan caps and eligibility rules. Cute!
These short videos have added a fun and engaging new element to our suite of training materials for what is usually a very dry topic on legislative compliance.

Shift in Focus

In Semester 2 2020 - sessions increased by 107% & participants increased by 263%

Interesting Fact: English Language & Migrant Education Faculty had the most attendance across the state.

Present Impact

A Joint Initiative

PROJECT: Use Interactive and Engaging Adobe Express Tools to Make Learning Fun

A Creative Classroom Experiment
  • Timing: 10 week initiative
  • Date: April to June 2025
  • Objective: Enhance digital literacy among ESL students by using Adobe Express
  • Target Audience: Approximately 18 – 20 ESL students with pre intermediate English proficiency
  • Resources Provided: Adobe Express accounts, technical support, tutorials and computer access.
  • Expected Outcomes: Increased digital literacy, enhanced creativity, and alignment with workforce demands, as most jobs now require foundational digital skills.

Lesson Outline

Students, who are migrants and refugees, explored Adobe Express to create animated characters, video clips and web pages. Each student developed their own Adobe web page, proudly showcasing their stories, voices and creativity.

Introducing Yourself using webpage

Daily Routines, Describing Places, Food, Travel, Hobbies & Shopping

Character Animate Introduction

Create a short animation on returning a laptop - Transactional Exercise

Create a Resume and Cover Letter using Express templates

Resume Cover Letter with hyperlink to webpage and QR code

Challenges

  • Initially logging on using TQ email then signing up for Adobe Express
  • Ensuring content met the student expectations

Sophie Nguyen

An Educators Perspective

Showcase of Students Work

Shir's Resume

WHY Digital Literacy Skills are important to the English Language & Migrant Education Faculty?

Simple tools works for building digital literacy skills.

  • Access is online to many government services including health, education and employment agencies. Digital skills are required to fill in forms, navigate websites etc.
  • Most jobs require basic digital literacy skills
  • Digital tools can enhance English language learning
  • Builds confidence and independence and reduces reliance on others to complete tasks like appointments, banking etc.
  • Actively participate in online social platforms
  • Protection and safety online

Feedback

Survey Questions:

  1. How would you rate your overall experience using express: Most users had a very positive experience.
  2. How easy is it to use: Majority found it easy to use, though a few were neutral.
  3. How easy it is to create and edit content: Most users found content creation and editing manageable.
  4. How relevant do you think Express is to your studies: All respondents found Adobe Express relevant to their studies.

Most Beneficial Activites

  • Resume creation
  • Web page design
  • Animations and cartoons
  • Video mixing
  • Presentations

Most Useful Features

  • Resume
  • Web Page
  • QR Codes
  • Images
  • Animations

Outcome

  • Successful integration of technology into current curriculum.
  • Attendance increased
  • Creation of portfolio of work
  • Improved students digital literacy
  • Sparked additional uses of technology outside the classroom
  • Created further professional development opportunities for staff

Future Vision

Turn digital tools into powerful learning outcomes
  • Delivering project outcomes to the English Language Professional Learning Community.
  • Encourage and ignite technology use in class.
  • Conducting faculty training by sharing our outcomes then building educator digital literacy skills.
  • Consider appetite for Community of Practice to share peer practice.
  • Incorporate Express into faculty social activities eg. making flyers and posters eg. Harmony Day, international food days etc.
  • Embed digital practice into new educator training to influence others.
CREATED BY
Michelle ROBERTS

Credits:

Created with images by Marvin Meyer - "untitled image" • Jon Tyson - "untitled image" • visuals - "Coronavirus has no race" • EpicStockMedia - "Surfer on Blue Ocean Wave" • GG Kenji - "Ultra Realistic Roundabout Signboard Illustration Concept on Adobe Stock Photo" • tatomm - "movie clapper on orange color table ; film, cinema and video photography concept" • Lumos sp - "student education class lecture university college school classroom study woman group learning young lesson studying man female sitting classmate learn generative ai" • New Africa - "Light bulb drawing as symbol of idea on chalkboard" • Mangostar - "Multiracial group of students training in computer class. Line of man and women in casual sitting at table, using desktops, typing, looking at monitor. Training center concept" • Mediteraneo - "Photo of candidates waiting for a job interview. Selective focus" • pathdoc - "Thoughtful woman in glasses with many ideas light bulbs above head" • Farknot Architect - "Closeup image of a woman making thumbs up and thumbs down hands sign" • G-Studio - "Wooden blocks spelling 'RESULT' with a loading progress bar on a blue background, outcome and success measurement concept" • Anwar Fauzan - "Up skill and personal development concept. employee pointing arrow to upskill or reskill, kill training, education, learning, ability, knowledge and competency for digital transformation." • Wilhelm Gunkel - "untitled image" • Cagkan - "Magnifying glass on the acronym Q&A questions and answers."