Research overview
John Guenther's primary research interests focus on education and learning and communities. John's interest in IT intersects these research interests at two levels. First, as a practitioner of VET assessment and training in the IT field, he has first hand experience working with learners, both formally and informally. Second, as a highly competent user of a number of IT applications, statistical analysis packages, qualitative analysis tools, mapping programs, reporting and presentation tools are used to maximum advantage.
Recent consultancy projects include
Role of VET in 'Welfare to Work' (2006-2007)
This project managed by CDU, funded by NCVER, is designed to address the question of how vocational learning can meet client (people with disabilities, mature aged people and parents returning to work) needs in their transition from welfare to work. The research involves six 'intervention cases' in different jurisdictions around Australia--three with a focus on clients, three with a focus on providers. Project documents will be available on the NCVER website.
Central Coast Council Communication Survey (2006)
Cat Conatus was contracted to find out how effective a strategic part of the Central Coast Council's communication strategy was working. A telephone survey of 200 Central Coast Municipality residents was conducted. The resulting database and report of findings were provided to Council for consideration as part of a review of its communication strategy.
Communities for Children and Invest To Grow evaluations (2005-2008)
Cat Conatus is partnering with Charles Darwin University's Learning Research Group and University of Tasmania's Department of Rural Health to conduct a number of Communities for Children (CfC) and Invest To Grow (ITG) evaluations in Tasmania and the Northern Territory. These programs include an ITG program being developed by the NPY Women's Council (Alice Springs) and CfC projects coordinated by the Salvation Army (Hobart), Centacare (Burnie), Red Cross (Palmerston and Tiwi Islands) and Anglicare (East Arnhem). Further details are available on request.
Evaluation of NT Government's Family and Domestic Violence Strategy (2005-2006)
Cat Conatus is a partner with a team from CDU's Learning Research Group in an evaluation of the NT Government's whole of government approach to family and domestic violence across the Territory. The evaluation involves capturing the views of a range of stakeholders from government and non-government agencies.
Evaluation of Learnline at CDU (2005-2006)
Learnline is Charles Darwin University's online learning management system. Cat Conatus was contracted to conduct an evaluation of staff perceptions and a literature review on issues around quality of web-based learning and what influences staff to use or not use web-based resources. 80 staff from all locations and faculties were involved in surveys and focus groups. The report will be available from the CDU Learnline site some time after November 2005. A second survey of student perceptions is being conducted in October 2006.
VET/ACE connections in northern Australia (2005-2006)
This project conducted by CDU and funded by NCVER considers the connections between the formal 'VET' sector and the less formal 'ACE' (adult and community education) sector to determine the impact of the partnerships formed between the two sectors on community capacity. The three sites include Central Australia, Kakadu and the Bowen Basin. Cat Conatus is managing the Bowen Basin site and providing additional support throughout the project. AVETRA 2006 paper on this project available for download.
Professional Learning Communities (2005)
As part of its Building Better Schools policy, NT DEET have allocated funds to the establishment of 'Professional Learning Communities'. In support of this, CDU has funded its Learning Research Group to conduct a pilot study to investigate 'what works' for teachers undertaking professional development. John Guenther of Cat Conatus has been engaged to assist with the pilot, interviewing staff from two schools in the Darwin region and preparing a 'findings' paper, which will be published on completion of the research. AVETRA 2006 paper on this project available for download.
Oakleigh House Redevelopment Project (2005)
Oakleigh House is a crisis accommodation facility managed by the Salvation Army in Tasmania. Cat Conatus was contracted to conduct a consultancy for The Salvation Army to a) develop protocols for Oakleigh House in relation to mental health services, b) develop tenancy policies and procedures, and c) develop a skills-based activity program for Oakleigh and its clients. The project was conducted between April and October 2005. Further details available on request.
Evaluation of the Information Technology Training Project (2005)
The Office of Post-Compulsory Education and Training contracted Cat Conatus to conduct an evaluation of the DEST funded ITT Project involving six IT skills programs in Tasmania. This summative evaluation involved gathering data from reports and stakeholders to consider the outcomes against the stated objectives of each program. The project was conducted during May and June 2005.
Growing the desert (2004-2006)
This project, conducted in conjunction with the Desert Knowledge CRC, Charles Darwin University and the Centre for Appropriate Technology researches: the extent to which Indigenous VET students progress from enabling courses to Certificate and higher level courses and onto work, and how these progressions can be improved; the impact of CDEP on early school leaving of young Indigenous students; and the barriers that hinder or prevent students from accessing education and training options that enable them to progress to higher educational levels and/or employment, including how these barriers may be overcome. Download a flyer. Download the Stage One Report from the Desert Knowledge CRC website. This is a DK-CRC NCVER funded project.
Evaluation of Break O'Day Volunteer Resource Centre (2004)
Cat Conatus was commissioned to conduct an evaluation of the BODVRC and consider options for future sustainability. The project considered the impact of the Centre on the community and community groups in the region. Download the report.
Pathways to employment and training for the employment disadvantaged (2004)
This project, in conjunction with Charles Darwin University was commissioned by NTCOSS (funded by NT DEET) to consider options that might be used in the Northern Territory to improve employment and training opportunities for mature aged, long term unemployed, people from a non-English speaking background and youth. Cat Conatus provided support in the form of interviewing/focus groups and the preparation of nine profiles of employment disadvantaged groups in the Northern Territory. Report is available for download from the NT DEET website.
Review of trends in religious affiliation in Tasmania: 1986-2001 (2004)
The paper reviews trends in religious affiliation in Tasmania using ABS Census data from 1986 to 2001. It tests propositions that suggest that not only is organised religion in decline but that there is a trend toward a spirituality that does not align with mainstream denominations. It considers factors that contribute to changes as well as regional differences and concludes that the statistics do support a view that with a few exceptions mainstream religion is in decline and, subject to regional variations, that there is a switch to religious affiliation apart from traditional organised religious groups. Download here.
FarmBis Annual Industry Survey (2002 and 2003)
This project included design of a survey instrument, setting up an electronic recording system, training of interviewers, collation and analysis of data and writing a detailed report.The surveys involved interviewing over 150 land managers from rural industry organisations throughout Australia. The 2002 report is available from the Department of Forestry, Fishing and Agriculture web site as a PDF.
Kentish Survey of Broadband and Computers (2003)
This project involved a review of literature relating to Broadband and computer use in Australia and a survey of 200 residents and organisations in the Kentish Municipality in Tasmania. The survey was used to inform the Kentish Council on the adoption of Broadband technology in the region.
Northern Territory Public Service flexible workplace practices (2003)
The NTPS commissioned the then NTU to prepare discussion papers relating to flexible workplace practices in the Northern Territory. My involvement in the project was to provide a literature review and include relevant statistics relating to family-friendly work practices in Australia.
Student flows (2003)
The Student Flows project, orgnanised by the NTU's Centre for Learning Research and was used in part to inform the NTU's Secondary Review project. The project considered a range of statistics to identify trends in education in the NT over a 15 year period and movement of students from primary to tertiary education across and from the Northern Territory.
Poppy grower survey (2002)
A survey was designed and developed for GlaxoSmithKilne (GSK) to assess grower perceptions about the industry and the company. The project output is a report that analyses responses from 60 growers and that makes recommendations on the basis of the research findings.
ALNARC Online Forum (2002)
Building on the data from the Role of VET project (see below) a paper was prepared for ALNARC Queensland, discussing regional issues for literacy and numeracy provision, as a part of an online forum. The paper concludes with some principles, derived from the Role of VET data, that suggest ways that literacy and numeracy provision is effective.
Literacy and numeracy for the new world of un/employment (2002)
This ALNARC project forms the basis of ALNARC research for the 2001/02 period and is designed to review research about the role of literacy and numeracy in the context of the changing world of work. The product is a book co-written with Prof Ian Falk. My role was to provide a statistical framework for the book and to provide an editorial role.
Role of Vocational Education and Training (VET) (2000 - 2001)
In 2000, a statistical profile of ten rural and regional sites was prepared to inform the CRLRA’s ANTA funded research about the role of VET in regional Australia. ABS census and population projection data was accessed and analysed to produce a series of profiles indicating where changes were likely to impact the provision of VET and how VET might address the changes experienced by regional communities.
In 2001 a series of 10 case studies was prepared detailing the findings from each of the study sites. The case studies examined each 'configuration' of VET in terms of changes that they faced, the needs of the communities, how VET responded to needs and factors which contributed to VET's effectiveness at the site. A summary volume was also prepared drawing conclusions about the project as a whole.
Pyrethrum survey (2001)
A survey was developed in conjunction with Botanical Resources Australia. Interviews among a sample of 40 growers and 40 non-growers was conducted by CRLRA. Data was analysed highlighting issues that inhibited growers from committing to pyrethrum. The potential for growth of the crop was also reported on.
Circular Head Skills Audit (2001)
Data collected by a community education and training group was analysed to determine skills needs of the Circular Head business community. The report included analysis of relevant ABS data and gave recommendations on the basis of survey findings.
Trust and Community Capacity (1999 - 2000)
A recently completed project conducted through the CRLRA analysed the significance of trust and the development of community in two rural communities in Australia. Existing literature was reviewed and resulted in the development of an appropriate methodological framework within which to conduct construct a survey instrument. The consequent survey of the two towns yielded results which demonstrated a number of key factors that contribute to the sustainability and well-being of regional communities facing external change pressures. The final report statistically validates a number of quantitative measures that are relevant for ongoing work in the area of the development of community well-being and capacity indicators. Results are summarized at http://www.crlra.utas.edu.au/
VET in schools (1999 - 2000)
Launceston Workplace Learning commissioned CRLRA to assess parent perceptions of VET in schools programs conducted in Northern Tasmania. A literature review and survey of parents were conducted, results were analysed and a detailed report was prepared.
George Town Industry Skills Audit (2000)
Data from a survey conducted by George Town Council was analysed and reported on to determine the skills needs of industries in the George Town area.
Review of User Choice in Tasmania (1999).
The Office of Vocational Education and Training required a detailed analysis of the impact of User Choice for vocational education and training in Tasmania. The project involved the development of a survey and an interview procedure for each of the major stakeholders, statistical analysis and reporting of the findings.
North-East Education and Training (1998 -1999).
Break O’Day Business Enterprise Centre commissioned a project designed to determine the skills and training needs of businesses throughout North-East Tasmania. The project involved development of a skills and training audit, training of interviewers, analysis of results, presentation of a report and preparation of a user-friendly database, which has been used extensively since.
Contact:
Phone: 03 6425 9016 (within Australia)
Mobile: 0412 125 661
Email: john@catcom.com.au
PO Box 469, Ulverstone, Tasmania 7315, Australia
Research
