VET Chat: Learning without shame - supporting returning learners to persist
This is a 30 minute interactive discussion focused on adult and returning learners who experience doubt, fear of exposure, or impostor feelings when re-entering study.
Description
This is a 30 minute interactive discussion focused on adult and returning learners who experience doubt, fear of exposure, or impostor feelings when re-entering study. The session considers how these experiences can shape engagement, help seeking, and persistence, even among highly capable learners.
Using Mentimeter prompts and guided discussion, participants will explore a small set of practical, dignity preserving teaching and assessment approaches that strengthen belonging and confidence without lowering standards. The session will also briefly acknowledge that impostor feelings can be a normal experience for educators, and that consistency in approach supports both learners and staff.
Topics Covered
- How shame and impostor feelings commonly present for returning learners in VET
- Two practical levers to support persistence: participation without exposure and dignity preserving assessment and feedback
- Normalising doubt as a shared experience in VET, and why consistency in educator approach matters
Learning Outcomes
- Recognise key indicators of impostor feelings and shame responses in returning learners
- Identify two practical strategies they can implement to increase engagement and persistence while maintaining standards
- Leave with one concrete change they will trial in their teaching, assessment, or learner support practice
Audience
- VET teachers, trainers and assessors
- Teaching and learning leaders, coordinators, supervisors and team leaders
Session includes
- Certificate of attendance
- Session recording