Module content

The content of the 12 TEL modules was developed in consultation with DSPs, and is designed to be practical and easy to apply in everyday life.

Each module is built differently, but includes a mix of the following content:

• Information based on research
• Realistic scenarios
• Videos
• Reflection questions
• Resources for people seeking more information
• Links to research referred to throughout the module
• The ability to print or email answers you type in response to reflection questions
• Printable certificate of participation

Module content is based strongly on real life. Most scenarios in the modules are based on real stories, unless referred to as an ‘imaginary scenario’. This means that these scenarios have happened to real people with disability and real DSPs, though some details have been changed to protect people’s identities. Likewise, almost all videos feature real people with intellectual disability and DSPs, not paid actors.

How to print your reflection question answers

At the end of each module, you can print your answers to the reflection questions. It’s a simple process. Click on ‘Print your answers’ and a dialog box similar to the one below will appear. Choose the printer that you are connected to and click ‘Print’.

How to email your reflection question answers

Instead of, or in addition to printing your answers to reflection questions, you can email them to yourself. The best way to email your answers depends on what type of email account you use.

If you have Outlook installed

Click on ‘Email your answers to yourself’. A new email message should open with your answers attached. Type in an email address to send your answers to, then click ‘Send’.

If you use a supported mail account

If you do not have Outlook installed on your computer, the following box will open when you click ‘Email your answers to yourself’. Click on the account type that you use, then log into your account to send an email with your answers attached.

If you do not use a supported email account

If neither of the above options work for you, the best way to send an email containing your answers is to save them as a PDF.

Instead of clicking on ‘Email your answers to yourself’, click on ‘Print your answers’.

If you are using a Mac, a window similar to the one below will appear. Click on ‘Open PDF in Preview’, then save the document to your computer. You can now add this document as an attachment to an email, or save it later for your records.

If you are using a Windows computer, a window similar to the one below will appear. 

Choose the appropriate printer option according to your version of Windows (shown in the table below) and click ‘Print’. This will create a PDF document of your answers which you can now save to your computer. You can add this document as an attachment to an email, or save it later for your records.

More information about these options can be found on the following website: https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/print-pdf-windows/

Order of completing modules

The TEL modules have been designed so each can be completed as a stand-alone module, or you can complete multiple modules in any order. You should focus on the modules that are most important for your situation. For example, if you do not know how to start talking to clients about end of life, you may begin by completing modules in the ‘How do I do this?’ section. Alternatively, if you are confident about having end-of-life conversations, but have a client that has just received a life-limiting illness diagnosis, you may decide that ‘Managing feelings’, ‘Dying’ and ‘Care when dying’ are the most important modules to start with.

Time per module

Each module takes approximately 20-30 minutes when completed alone, or 30-40 minutes as a facilitated group session. More specific times for facilitated group sessions are given in the facilitator’s guide for each module.

Your data privacy

The modules on this website include the option to answer reflection questions in a text box. At the end of each module, you can print these answers or email them to yourself for future reference. Once you exit the module your answers are completely wiped from the website and cannot be accessed again. No one else has access to the answers you type in the text box, or any other user information, as per the privacy statement in our Terms of Use.

How to make the module fit your screen

The TEL modules are designed to fit a majority of computer screens. However, due to the large variation of screen sizes, you may need to either zoom in or out to make the module fit your screen.

The easiest way to zoom is by clicking on ‘View’ on the top row of your internet browser, then clicking ‘Zoom In’ or ‘Zoom Out’. 

An additional step is required if you are using Firefox. As shown below, in Firefox you need to click on ‘View’, then ‘Zoom’ then ‘Zoom In’ or ‘Zoom Out’.

Research within the modules

The TEL modules include a lot of information based on academic research. Links to this research have been given throughout for users who are interested in learning more about the topic. 

In the example below, a research article relates to talking to people about their cultural beliefs and personal preferences regarding end of life. A user can look at a summary of the article by clicking on the [1], which is linked directly to the published abstract. The text on the bottom of the page shows that this article was written in 2017 by McKenzie and colleagues.

You do not need to read the research articles to understand the information in the modules. Reading the research is entirely optional and in many cases, requires a subscription or payment to read more than the abstract. Having free access to the full article often depends on whether it was published as “Open Access” (freely available) or not.

More information about the research referred to on various slides can be found towards the end of each module on a slide called ‘Research supporting this module’. This slide provides the full reference for each piece of research cited and a brief description of what the article or book is about. 

Respecting a range of beliefs

You may notice that the TEL modules tend to avoid referring to specific religious ceremonies or places of worship. Religion is not specifically addressed in the TEL modules in recognition of the vast array of religious beliefs that exist within Australian society, and the variety of beliefs that can exist within a single religion or denomination. 

In designing this training package, we decided that describing the range of religious beliefs was too complex. We did not want to risk excluding or alienating anyone. As described in the modules, the best and only way to truly know an individual’s beliefs and how these relate to end of life practices is to ask. We encourage you to ‘check in’ with someone’s beliefs before talking about end of life.