Case study 4b: E-learning in Furniture and Joinery (Heritage Restoration)

University of Ballarat (TAFE)

Using digital stories for heritage

Before I got into this I had some serious doubts, as I’m a very practical person with my teaching. But it’s fabulous. I’m really enjoying it. I am a convert! - Colin Trembath, teacher

Colin Trembath teaches joinery and furniture making at the University of Ballarat (TAFE), and with no previous computer skills, he has bravely begun to use e-learning in teaching heritage restoration.

With Ballarat at the centre of Victoria’s gold mining past, and other associated historical events such as the Eureka Stockade, the city is very aware of its heritage, and there are many restoration projects happening. Colin is a key player in the heritage movement, and has introduced a new heritage stream in General Construction at Ballarat, the highlight of which is the course in Conserving and Restoring Heritage Buildings.

This course has been designed to expand existing carpentry and joinery trade skills and knowledge in a heritage building context. The target group for this course is qualified builders, skilled carpenters/joiners, technical specialists, project managers or owners who are interested in, or have responsibility for, heritage projects.

The course will also be offered as an elective for fourth year tertiary students. Students’ ages can range from teenagers to sixty years. Students will be able to do the online components from any location at any time and there is the possibility of delivering the course offshore. The practical components of the course will be offered at set times on campus or on location.

Early in 2006 Colin was offered a LearnScope project and he naturally chose the heritage area.

' My first thoughts were that I didn’t have time for learning about e-learning. But I’ve no regrets now. I’m truly excited about what we have achieved'. (Colin)

What convinced Colin was digital storytelling.

'It’s such a powerful medium. For the first time I’ve been able to see a way of teaching the values and the cultural meanings that sit behind the craft, through other than face-to-face delivery'. (Colin)

Heritage work requires attention to detail, an understanding of the history, and careful documentation of the intervention undertaken in the process of restoring, in keeping with heritage principles. This is hard to teach from books.

To do heritage work, you need to be in a totally different head-space to other joinery work. (Colin)

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