Pre Course Interviewing

Voice over: The intention is to provide some strategies to assist completion of the A-Frame Learner Plan and this will form the basis of the interview questions. We need to be able assess degrees of competency in ability to use technology, travel training, motivation, goals, ability to work with others, problem solving ability, planning and organizational skill, verbal fluency, attentiveness and listening skills. Many people with disability find the concept of testing very threatening but most of these can be assessed quite informally. Sue: Hello, I'm Sue. How did you go  getting in? Anna: I came by bus from Dandenong Sue: Did you come on your own? Anne: Yes Voice over: This could establish travel skills Sue: I'm just going to switch my mobile phone off so we won't be interrupted. Have you got one with you? Anna: Yup Sue: It might be a good idea to turn that one off too. Voice over: This can reveal some competence (or not) with mobile phone technology. [general talking] Sue: I have to photocopy these documents and give you a copy -- do you want to come and give me a hand? Anna: Yup Voice over:  Here Sue could be testing photocopying skills or if not used before some learning skills. Conversation during the exercise might focus on when the student had photocopied before: who and what for. Voice over: Some questions if teased out may give you insight into later questions. For instance: Sue: So Anna, why did you decide to do flower arranging? Anna: I want to work with mum. Sue: Anna. What does mum do? Sue : Anna - Voiceover: This lack of attention can indicate low listening skills Sue: What does mum do? Anna: She makes bunches of flowers. Sue: So she's a florist. Great, so what does Mum do in the flower shop? Anna: She puts labels on and wraps the flowers. Sue: So what do you with her? Do you help her? Anna: I help choose the flowers from the market. Sue: OK. Do you do this on your own? Sounds like fun Anna: I do it with her assistant, Megan. Voice over: So far this brief conversation has indicated motivation, some goals and that Anna is used to working with others Sue: So when you are working with Megan and Mum, what would happen if someone put the wrong label on by mistake Anna: I don't know Voice over: The answer to this can indicate the degree of problem solving the person is capable of. Sue: So. tell me about getting organised for the day. Start with getting up in the morning Voice over: The answers to this question can indicate level of planning and organisation skills. Note also that verbal fluency can be assessed during your conversation but take shyness into consideration. Watch for inattentiveness as a clue to listening skills. Sue: Anna I need you to sign this form for me -- could you sign it and put the date. It's the 4th of December 2013 Voice over: This can give an indication of literacy and numeracy skills Sue: Thank you