Indigenous Student Intake Testing (ISIT)
ISIT InformationWhat is the Indigenous Student Intake Test (ISIT)?Kurongkurl Katitjin:’Coming together to learn’ When and where is the ISIT held? What happens at the ISIT? What needs to be done before attending the ISIT? What to bring. What happens after the program? What is the Indigenous Student Intake Test (ISIT)?The Indigenous Student Intake Test. commonly referred to as ISIT, is a means of assessing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for degree courses offered by Edith Cowan University and bridging courses offered by both Edith Cowan University and TAFE. The program is also an opportunity for you to decide if the courses suit your needs and interests.Kurongkurl Katitjin, the School of Indigenous Australian Studies, administers this program. back to top Kurongkurl Katitjin: ‘Coming together to learn’Kurongkurl Katitjin, School of Indigenous Australian Studies, which was established in 1995, builds on more than a quarter of a century of experience in providing educational and support programs to Indigenous Australian peoples. The school is currently part of the Faculty of Education and Arts.The School's aim is to give Indigenous Australian people the opportunity to learn, teach and share knowledge with one another and with non-Indigenous Australians. Kurongkurl Katitjin believes that University courses need to reflect the diverse values, beliefs and practices of the Indigenous cultures in Australia. In particular, Kurongkurl Katitjin has outlined the following objectives:
back to top When and where is the ISIT held?The ISIT will be held at the Mount Lawley and Bunbury campuses and at the Geraldton Centre.Check out the details below: Mt. Lawley Campus Contact: Max Jackson Tel: (08) 9370 6378 Next Test Dates for Semester 1, 2008 at Mt Lawley, 16th October, 13th November and 4th December 2007, 29th January and 12th February 2008 Geraldton Centre Contact: Roni Gray Forrest Tel: (08) 9920 4417 Bunbury Centre Contact: Dellas Yarran Tel: (08) 9780 7777 N.B. some centres may not necessarily adhere to this schedule; variations to suit local circumstances will apply. If you would like to register your interest for the next ISIT, please contact Max Jackson. back to top What happens at the ISIT? The ISIT occurs over one full-day for each applicant: The morning session is the test and the afternoon period is for interviews. If you are unable to stay for your interview, you must make an appointment to return at a suitable time. The program schedule will run like this: MORNING SESSION: Introduction and Testing 9.30am to 1.00pm AFTERNOON SESSION: Interview & Portfolio (approximately 40 minute interviews) The two steps of ISIT You will need to complete these two steps: Step One: Written Test (morning session) For this part of the program you will need to complete the following things: A questionnaire about your current or previous job experiences, any education or training you may have undertaken to this point and any community activities or organisations you may have been with or are currently involved in; One short essay: In this section you will be assessed on your writing skills. You will be required to analyse and comment on a short article by answering questions and writing an essay. A mathematics test is optional. Should you sit this test and score a mark of 80% or more, you can be exempted from this unit if you are assessed to study our bridging course. Please note the maths test takes three hours to complete and usually needs to be sat on another day. Step Two: Interview (afternoon session) At the afternoon session of the program, you will attend an informal interview. Should you be unable to stay for your interview, you will be asked to nominate a time and day that is suitable for you during the week. The interview is a discussion between you and a Kurongkurl Katitjin staff member about your previous experiences and study goals. It will run for around 40 minutes and you will need to bring a portfolio (see below for details about what your portfolio should include). Questions we are likely to ask you include: What kinds of interests to you have have? What would you like to study and why? What kinds of support (eg. family, transport, ABSTUDY etc.) do you have available to you? and What sorts of lifestyle changes are needed to support your study? Questions you may want to ask us could include: What pathway of study do you recommend for my (vocational) goals? When will I be contacted about my application? and How can I get more information on... (i.e. ABSTUDY, public transport, housing etc)? Portfolio When you attend your interview, you will be asked to talk about the contents of your portfolio. The contents should include things like:
The purpose of your portfolio is to provide a point of discussion about your previous skills and experiences. Your portfolio also shows what you can do and forms part of your application. If you don't have any portfolio material you can still attend. back to top What needs to be done before attending the ISIT If you live in the country, or are travelling from rural areas or interstate, you must complete the ABSTUDY 'Testing and Assessment Form' prior to attending the Testing. Spare forms will be available from Kurongkurl Katitjin. An application for testing, Form D, is available from your local Centrelink office or agent. This application must be completed and forwarded to: The Travel Officer at ABSTUDY. Free call 1800 639 109 OR By mail to PO Box 1642, Perth WA 6845 What to bring Portfolio Money - for bus fare, telephone calls etc. Lunch is provided on the day of the ISIT back to top What happens after the program? Once you have completed the above steps, you will be sent a letter informing you of our recommendations from Kurongkurl Katitjin. It must be noted, however, that each course of study has a limited number of places and you will have to wait for a ‘Letter of Offer’ or an invitation to enrol before you go on to the next step. The next step is official entry and unit selection. Indigenous University Orientation Course (IUOC) - If you are made an offer to enrol in IUOC you will be advised whom to contact at Kurongkurl Katitjin for help with your unit selection and timetables (for more info about IUOC, click here). Degree courses - The University will invite you to enrol in a degree course. If you are successful in your application for a degree course you will be required to attend an information session conducted by the School you have applied to eg. Education, Nursing, Business and so on. If you are not invited to enrol in a course, for further information contact: Max Jackson (08) 9370 6378 or phone our toll free number on 1800 648 994 and ask for the Student Support Officer. back to top For more information about this area contact Max Jackson or call Toll Free 1800 648 994. |  |