Dusseldorp_Forum_logo

Putting the jigsaw together

What works in alternative learning, and why? Some answers can be found in the eight indepth case studies below, launched in September 2014.
What keeps young people engaged in learning?

What works in alternative learning, and why? Some answers can be found in the eight indepth case studies below, launched in September 2014 after two years of research by Associate Professor Kitty te Riele of Victoria University

Effective organisations have distinctive ways of keeping young people connected, as these studies reveal. Click here for more information on the overall study and to download the main report: Putting the Jigsaw Together: Flexible Learning Programs in Australia 1.7 MB.

Explore what some organisations are doing to keep young people connected to learning in these in-depth case studies. Each of the eight in-depth case studies has a correlating shorter case study below; in total there are 22 shorter case studies.

Beacon program at Cressy District High School (CDHS)

The 36-page case-study report on the Beacon program addresses four dimensions: valuable outcomes, practical actions, underpinning principles and enabling conditions. Remarkable features include:

  • It is less ‘alternative’ and more ‘innovative’
  • Pathways planning is integrated into core business
  • The strength of the Beacon Foundation vision within the CDHS framework
  • Extensive partnerships

Download: Beacon Program case study (1.7 MB)

EREA Youth + Townsville Flexible Learning Centre

This 36-page case study addresses four dimensions: valuable outcomes, practical actions,underpinning principles andenabling conditions. Remarkable features include:

  • The commitment to a personalized education
  • Principled work, through a common ground approach
  • A strong sense of community

Download: EREA Youth + Townsville Flexible Learning Centre case study (1.3 MB)

SEDA Sports Development Program Darwin

This 40-page case study addresses four dimensions: valuable outcomes, practical actions, underpinning principles and enabling conditions. Remarkable features include:

  • Collaborative approach with partner organizations
  • Strong foundations for future pathways
  • Sport as the hook for engagement
  • Using a sports club as the classroom

Download: SEDA Sports Development Progam case study (1.3 MB)

Skills for tomorrow at Hunter

This 40-page case study addresses four dimensions: valuable outcomes, practical actions, underpinning principles andenabling conditions. Remarkable features include:

  • Long-term vision
  • Scaffolding approach
  • Portability of the program
  • Collaboration between many, often large, organizations
  • Intergenerational approach

Download: Skills for Tomorrow case study (781 kB)

St Kilda Youth Services (SKYS) Education: 2Faze and young parents

This 40-page case study addresses four dimensions: valuable outcomes, practical actions, underpinning principles and enabling conditions. Remarkable features include:

  • Safe environment for student engagement
  • Connection between wellbeing and learning
  • Personalised learning and markers of success
  • Being part of a larger youth services organization

Download: St Kilda Youth Services SKYS Education case study (1.3 MB)

St Luke’s educational services unit

This 40-page case study addresses four dimensions: valuable outcomes, practical actions, underpinning principles and enabling conditions. Remarkable features include:

  • Knowing the students
  • Sustainable model for one to one teaching
  • More than a school
  • Extent and stability of activity-based programs
  • Connections to mainstream schools

Download: St Luke’s Educational Services Unit (1.8 MB)

Wirreanda Adaptive Vocational Education (WAVE)

This 40-page case study addresses four dimensions: valuable outcomes, practical actions, underpinning principles and enabling conditions. Remarkable features include:

  • Opportunities to gain multiple qualifications
  • Wellbeing for learning
  • Balance between structure and flexibility
  • Synergies with the host school
  • Community networks

Download: Wirreanda Adaptive Vocational Education (WAVE) case study (1.5 MB)

Youth off the streets, key college, Redfern

This 40-page case study addresses four dimensions: valuable outcomes, practical actions, underpinning principles and enabling conditions. Remarkable features include:

  • The long term view
  • Wrap-around support
  • Long term support
  • Community commitment

Download: Key College case study (1.7 MB)

These eight in-depth case-study reports were written by researchers from The Victoria Institute for Education, Diversity and Lifelong Learning  (part of the Australian Government’s Collaborative Research Network) and supported by The Ian Potter Foundation.

Related Posts

Thriving People and Places

After lots of learning, reflection, and refinement we are very pleased to share with you the vision, values, principles, and work that will take Dusseldorp Forum forward from 2023.

Place-Based Resilience: Community Driven Response and Recovery in a Time of COVID-19

Through the COVID-19 crisis, there are communities across Australia that have demonstrated resilience and innovation, delivering fast and effective action to support children and families when and where they need it most.

Maranguka Cross Sector Leadership Group Case Study

This case study offers important lessons for those wishing to support and respond to Aboriginal community leadership – including politicians, government agencies and philanthropists.