eVALBEC
April 2008
This
is the electronic newsletter of VALBEC, the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education
Council, and is sent to about 850 practitioners on the first of each month (other
than January). It is also available in the ‘News’ section of our web
site http://www.valbec.org.au
Disclaimer: The activities, goods and services mentioned in eVALBEC are not
endorsed by VALBEC in any way. People should make their own judgment about the suitability
of each item.
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IN THIS ISSUE OF eVALBEC:
1. VALBEC Annual Conference 2008 'Still glides
the stream'
2. Thirty years of VALBEC Celebration Dinner
3. Free pre-conference workshops
4. Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Literacy and Numeracy Teaching in VET)
5. VALBEC congratulates Helen Macrae on her induction into the Victorian Women's
Honour Roll
6. Implementation Guide for the new CGEA
7. Join the committee for dinner
8. Seeking a Volunteer Tutor
9. 2008 Victorian Training Awards
10. The Advanced Diploma of Language Literacy and Numeracy Practice in VET
11. 'Working from strengths: Venturing towards strength-based adult education' NCVER
12. 23 Things You Can Do On the Web
13. Innovative e-Journal seeks editor
14. More on adult literacy levels – an industry view
15. The New Zealand experience
16. Addressing the training and assessment needs of adults with low basic skills
in Australia
17. Ooops ... I forgot ...membership renewal
18. Want to put something into eVALBEC?, Subscribe to eVALBEC? Unsubscribe? Contact
VALBEC
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1. VALBEC Annual Conference 2008 'Still glides
the stream'
William Angliss Conference Centre, corner La
Trobe and King Sts, Melbourne
Friday May 16 8.30am-4.30pm
Seventeen sessions to choose from plus keynotes
plus dinner!
Still glides the stream’ is a motif for endurance that typifies the spirit,
commitment and passion of VALBEC in its 30th year and provides the theme for the
annual conference.
The VALBEC conference will provide practitioners with a forum to explore new ideas
and effective approaches to deal with changing student cohorts, challenging workplace
conditions, variations in curriculum and compliance requirements.
Full session details http://www.valbec.org.au/conf08/sessiondetails.htm
Online registration or download a form http://www.valbec.org.au/conf08/reg.htm
Early Bird Member Rate finishes on April 18, 2008
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2. Thirty years of VALBEC Celebration Dinner
Thursday May 15, 2008
7.00 – 11.00 pm
RACV Club Restaurant, 501 Bourke St Melbourne
Cost $75 – three course meal with drinks at bar prices
VALBEC invites members past and present, colleagues and friends from around Australia
to join us for a celebratory dinner. The 30 years of VALBEC Celebration Dinner will
provide a special occasion for people who have been associated with VALBEC over three
decades to come together and celebrate.
Details, online registration or download a form at http://www.valbec.org.au/conf08/dinner.htm
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3. Free pre-conference workshops
These interactive sessions will focus on numeracy,
science and ICT.
Thursday May 15 , 3.00 – 5.30pm
Four practical sessions at the William Angliss Conference Centre, corner La Trobe
and King Sts, Melbourne
Full session details http://www.valbec.org.au/conf08/sessiondetails.htm
Online registration http://www.valbec.org.au/conf08/reg.htm
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4. Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Literacy
and Numeracy Teaching in VET)
Swinburne are offering a new course, the Graduate
Certificate of Social Science (Literacy and Numeracy Teaching in VET). For more information http://www.swinburne.edu.au/postgrad or
contact Sharon Templeman, School of Social Sciences Incubator, Swinburne University
of Technology (TAFE Division) at STempleman@groupwise.swin.edu.au or
by phone (03) 9214 6848
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5. VALBEC congratulates Helen Macrae on her induction
into the Victorian Women's Honour Roll
The Age of March 8, in reporting Helen’s induction
quoted her ‘My primary paid work for the last 30 years has been in the field
of adult and community education. Beginning in the '60s, there are now about 500
learning centres and neighbourhood houses across Victoria. In 1974, 1 was employed
as the co ordinator at the Diamond Valley learning centre and in those days we did
an enormous amount of work with women who were wanting to get back into the workforce
after having children. I also worked at the Council of Adult Education for 13 years
in adult literacy. A lot of adults needed a private and supportive environment because
they were exceedingly self conscious as learners. Now I'm on the committee of the
Venus Bay Community Centre; with a community of only 300 people, the community centre
is an even more important part of the little town’s infrastructure.'
Congratulations Helen.
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6. Implementation Guide for the new CGEA
Are you using the CGEA Implementation Guide? Can
you suggest any improvements? During 2008, the CMM will be reviewing and revising
the CGEA Implementation Guide. They are conducting an online survey to get feedback
on the Guide. It only takes a few minutes to complete. Go to
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qJwf8RDqPhjm4OCgdWMPWg_3d_3d
Your feedback on the guide can also be sent to the CMM via email to sicmm.generalstudies@vu.edu.au.
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7. Join the committee for dinner
The VALBEC Committee normally meets on the first
Thursday of each month at 6pm at The Royal Standard Hotel, 333 William St West Melbourne,
VIC 3003
VALBEC members are welcome to attend as observers. Join us for a meal (at your own
expense) and a chat.
The next meeting will be at 6 pm on April 10. (we know it’s not the first Thursday
but we’re avoiding the school holidays)
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8. Seeking a Volunteer Tutor
Holden Street Neighbourhood House run an "English
for Pleasure" class for older Italian women to improve their English skills.
The class is an informal and friendly group of 10 women, and offers English conversation,
reading and writing for pleasure and social activities.
The informal nature of the class allows the Tutor flexibility in running the class
and materials used. Access is available to the resources in the House, including
basic literacy, numeracy and ESL materials, computers, television, data projector,
CD player, etc.
When: Monday’s during school terms, 10am-12 midday, 128 Holden Street, North
Fitzroy
Call Kim for more info on 9489 9929 or kim.hsnh@internode.on.net
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9. 2008 Victorian Training Awards
Nominations for the 2008 Victorian Training Awards
are now open and information and nomination forms are available online at http://www.otte.vic.gov.au/awards Nominations
close on Monday 12 May 2008.
The Victorian Training Awards recognise outstanding students, innovative training
providers and programs, and exceptional commitment and talent among teachers, trainers,
support staff and industry partners.
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10. The Advanced Diploma of Language Literacy and
Numeracy Practice in VET
In 2008 CAE will commence delivery of this national
qualification that has been designed to provide the required learning and career
pathways for specialist educators and VET Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) practitioners.
This will include delivery of the four core units, initial assessment, literacy,
numeracy, TESOL. (RPL and Credit Transfer available for all units.) May to
September 2008.
This course is an approved for WELL and LLNP.
For more information please contact Philippa McLean philippa@cae.edu.au
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11. 'Working from strengths: Venturing towards strength-based
adult education' NCVER
NCVER has just published 'Working from strengths:
Venturing towards strength-based adult education', this new resource introduces adult
literacy educators to the principles of strength-based practice, a technique that
concentrates on the strengths, capacities and aspirations of individuals and uses
these as a catalyst for change and growth.
Copies of the resource can be purchased for $40.15 or downloaded, free of charge,
from http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1956.html
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12. 23 Things You Can Do On the Web
This program encourages people to take control of
their own learning through exploration and play, becoming familiar with Web 2.0 tools
such as blogs, wiki, flickr and podcasts.
http://nswpubliclibrarieslearning2.blogspot.com/
Highly recommended
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13. Innovative e-Journal seeks editor
The Knowledge Tree: an e-Journal of Learning Innovation,
published by the national training system's e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible
Learning Framework (Framework), is seeking an editor who will oversee the production
of two editions of The Knowledge Tree in July and October 2008.
Expression of Interest from Cathy Baxter, Project Officer, Access to E-learning Knowledge
and Know-how: cathy.baxter@cit.act.edu.au
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14. More on adult literacy levels – an industry
view
See the views of the Industry Skills Council
http://www.tpdevelopment.com.au/clients/isc/display_page.php?id=4
“... Individuals are facing increasing literacy
and numeracy demands both at work and at home due to greater use of information technology,
increasing regulation, documentation and information provision, and ever-expanding
consumer choice.”
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15. The New Zealand experience
“Facing the Challenge: foundation learning
for adults in Aotearoa New Zealand” is the first book that focuses exclusively
on adult literacy, language and numeracy teaching in New Zealand. Written by experienced
tutors, managers and researchers, the book describes and analyses the different contexts
in which foundation learning tutors work and the teaching and learning issues they
face. Order copies from books@dunmorepress.co.nz
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16. Addressing the training and assessment needs
of adults with low basic skills in Australia
Just released on the OECD website is the Country background report at http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/38/11/40015669.pdf
The Australian report is a text downloadable document from the OECD website and written
by Josie Misko, member of the SACAL executive. The background paper forms part
of a larger international study: Teaching, Learning and Assessment for Adults: Improving
Foundation Skills
http://www.oecd.org/document/42/0,3343,en_2649_37455_40026026_1_1_1_37455,00.html
This study looks specifically inside the programmes for adult LLN learners, with
a focus on formative assessment – referring to the frequent assessment of learner
understanding and progress to identify needs and shape teaching and learning.
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17. Ooops ... I forgot ...membership renewal
Is it there underneath the last staff bulletin,?
Beneath the to do list?
VALBEC membership renewal invoices were sent out about three weeks ago. Many have
been returned with payment. Has yours?
You can renew online at http://www.valbec.org.au/08renewal/index.htm
Many thank to those who have renewed promptly.
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Contact VALBEC
eVALBEC is the monthly electronic newsletter of
(VALBEC) the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council.
E-mail: info@valbec.org.au
Web: http://www.valbec.org.au
Postal: Box 861 Springvale South VIC 3172
Ph: 03 9546 6892
Fax: 03 9546 0421