Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council
Active, Informed, Committed Practitioners
VALBEC leads and connects the adult literacy, language and numeracy field in Victoria
eVALBEC
December 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.
How to submit items for eVALBEC: http://www.valbec.org.au/05/news.htm
----------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE OF eVALBEC:
1. "Free and Easy" - A masterclass with Prof Colin Lankshear
2. Numeracy resources
3. “Navigating Laneways” Call for Presentations for the 2009 VALBEC Conference
4. Fine Print - Special Student Writing Edition
5. Twilight Forum Nov 25
6. Securing Jobs for Your Future - Skills for Victoria
7. VALBEC Strategic Planning Day
8. End of the year acknowledgements
9. Next issue of eVALBEC
10. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
11. Unsubscribe?
12. Contact VALBEC
----------------------------------------------
1. "Free and Easy" - A masterclass with Prof Colin Lankshear
Presented in conjunction with Learning Matters Symposium, Victoria University
Monday, 8 December, 5:30pm
Room T226, Telford Building, Victoria University, Footscray Nicholson Campus, Footscray
Location: Melway 2S E10 or Map 883
This session is free but booking is essential.
RSVP to info@valbec.org.au by Thursday, December 4
"Free and Easy" will focus on a range of easy to use software that is available free on the internet and that has particular value for promoting learning through collaborative activity.
Colin Lankshear is a freelance educational researcher and writer. A resident of Mexico, he currently does consultant postgraduate teaching in Canada and is a half time research leadership professor of literacy and new technologies at James Cook University.
More at http://www.valbec.org.au/lankshear.htm
----------------------------------------------
2. Numeracy resources
Noyona Chandra, adult numeracy specialist from London South Bank University spoke on 'Strategies and resources for developing language for maths learning' at the VALBEC Spring Forum.
Noyona generously gave lots of resource material to attendees and left some for you! See them, download them at http://www.valbec.org.au/08SprForum/08SpForumactivities.htm
Topics included in the resource material are:
Using negative numbers
Scale
Standard form
Data sorting
Pi
Percentage
Equivalence
Dimensions
Approximation
Shapes and solids
----------------------------------------------
3. “Navigating Laneways” Call for Presentations for the 2009 VALBEC Conference
May 8, 2009 at William Angliss College
The proposal form can be completed online at http://www.valbec.org.au and should be submitted by February 23, 2009
The conference title reflects the many complexities and constraints that practitioners find themselves steering through and around in a changing and increasingly regulated education and policy environment. The signposts and maps of the past that have provided direction to the teaching profession and the wider ACE and adult education fields have been revised and rewritten so that new ways of working are required. The Australian Core Skills Framework, the re-accredited CGEA and the policy decisions rolling out of the Skills Reform agenda have impacted on teaching and learning and program provision.
Teachers, researchers, program managers, project participants and policy analysts working in the field of adult literacy, language and numeracy or involved in ACE are invited to submit a presentation proposal for the ‘Navigating Laneways’ VALBEC 2009 conference.
----------------------------------------------
4. Fine Print - Special Student Writing Edition
This special Summer edition is devoted to students and teachers writing about their learning, teaching and life experiences. The themes and writing will provide stimulus and interest for students in a wide range of classroom settings. Order before January 21?? to ensure delivery for the start of term 1 2009.
Available in class sets of 10 copies for $35
----------------------------------------------
5. Twilight Forum Nov 25
A small group listened with intense interest to Jan Hagston talk about her involvement as the Australian adult literacy representative on the OECD Program for the International Assessment for Adult Competence (PIACC). It will be interesting to hear more as the survey tools are further developed and tested. We commend Jan for her role in this significant program that extends from the ALLS and IALS surveys of the past two decades. We hope to keep members informed as the program develops and trials are conducted. Thanks Jan.
More on PPIACC http://www.oecd.org/document/57/0,3343,en_2649_33927_34474617_1_1_1_1,00.html
----------------------------------------------
6. Securing Jobs for Your Future - Skills for Victoria
http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/corporate/directions/skillsreform
The VALBEC committee will continue to discuss the implications of the reforms at our meetings. A letter has been sent to Minister Jacinta Allan and Sandy Forbes, ACFE General Manager expressing our concerns about the definition of Foundation courses and the implications for programs with the proposed weighting of funding. We recommend that Foundation studies needs to acknowledge the importance of the full range of General Education and Return to Study courses. These courses provide access, pathways and on going support and are often critical for re-engaging people in education and developing their underpinning skills and knowledge. We will continue to engage in dialogue around these key issues.
----------------------------------------------
7. VALBEC Strategic Planning Day
As part of our Strategic Planning cycle of review and reflection the executive committee will have a planning day in mid January. We welcome input from our members as to ways in which we can improve our operations and services and areas in which we can further develop or consolidate. Please contact info@valbec.org.au if you would like to contribute ideas or input.
----------------------------------------------
8. End of the year acknowledgements
Thank you to all the members who supported VALBEC this year by paying their fees, presenting at, or attending our professional development program, writing for Fine Print and keeping in touch through this monthly enewsletter. Thank you to the committed Fine Print editorial team, lead by Sarah Deasey with editors Karen Manwaring (Semester 1) and Tricia Bowen ( Semester 2) who produced yet another year of excellent reading and in particular, the student writing edition.
Thank you to the wonderful VALBEC committee for their commitment and energy – attending the monthly meetings, discussing issues, keeping informed of policy changes and research, organizing and attending professional development activities, representing VALBEC on reference groups, committees and boards, working on Fine Print and many other things along the way. We have a great team ably assisted by the multi talented Don MacDowall and thanks to him for ensuring things go smoothly and efficiently!
Thanks to ACFE for their funding support, liaison and networking opportunities.
We trust the summer break will give people time to relax and recharge and we look forward to working with you in 2009.
Lynne Matheson and Ann Haynes
----------------------------------------------
9. Next issue of eVALBEC
Next issue of eVALBEC is Feb 1, 2009
----------------------------------------------
10. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
Click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=eVALBEC_Subscribe> and we’ll put you on the list to receive this monthly enewsletter.
----------------------------------------------
11. Unsubscribe?
Just click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=eVALBEC_Unsubscribe> (no typing required!) and hit Send or, send an e-mail with the word Unsubscribe in the subject.
----------------------------------------------
12. 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
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.
How to submit items for eVALBEC: http://www.valbec.org.au/05/news.htm
----------------------------------------------
IN THIS ISSUE OF eVALBEC:
1. "Free and Easy" - A masterclass with Prof Colin Lankshear
2. Numeracy resources
3. “Navigating Laneways” Call for Presentations for the 2009 VALBEC Conference
4. Fine Print - Special Student Writing Edition
5. Twilight Forum Nov 25
6. Securing Jobs for Your Future - Skills for Victoria
7. VALBEC Strategic Planning Day
8. End of the year acknowledgements
9. Next issue of eVALBEC
10. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
11. Unsubscribe?
12. Contact VALBEC
----------------------------------------------
1. "Free and Easy" - A masterclass with Prof Colin Lankshear
Presented in conjunction with Learning Matters Symposium, Victoria University
Monday, 8 December, 5:30pm
Room T226, Telford Building, Victoria University, Footscray Nicholson Campus, Footscray
Location: Melway 2S E10 or Map 883
This session is free but booking is essential.
RSVP to info@valbec.org.au by Thursday, December 4
"Free and Easy" will focus on a range of easy to use software that is available free on the internet and that has particular value for promoting learning through collaborative activity.
Colin Lankshear is a freelance educational researcher and writer. A resident of Mexico, he currently does consultant postgraduate teaching in Canada and is a half time research leadership professor of literacy and new technologies at James Cook University.
More at http://www.valbec.org.au/lankshear.htm
----------------------------------------------
2. Numeracy resources
Noyona Chandra, adult numeracy specialist from London South Bank University spoke on 'Strategies and resources for developing language for maths learning' at the VALBEC Spring Forum.
Noyona generously gave lots of resource material to attendees and left some for you! See them, download them at http://www.valbec.org.au/08SprForum/08SpForumactivities.htm
Topics included in the resource material are:
Using negative numbers
Scale
Standard form
Data sorting
Pi
Percentage
Equivalence
Dimensions
Approximation
Shapes and solids
----------------------------------------------
3. “Navigating Laneways” Call for Presentations for the 2009 VALBEC Conference
May 8, 2009 at William Angliss College
The proposal form can be completed online at http://www.valbec.org.au and should be submitted by February 23, 2009
The conference title reflects the many complexities and constraints that practitioners find themselves steering through and around in a changing and increasingly regulated education and policy environment. The signposts and maps of the past that have provided direction to the teaching profession and the wider ACE and adult education fields have been revised and rewritten so that new ways of working are required. The Australian Core Skills Framework, the re-accredited CGEA and the policy decisions rolling out of the Skills Reform agenda have impacted on teaching and learning and program provision.
Teachers, researchers, program managers, project participants and policy analysts working in the field of adult literacy, language and numeracy or involved in ACE are invited to submit a presentation proposal for the ‘Navigating Laneways’ VALBEC 2009 conference.
----------------------------------------------
4. Fine Print - Special Student Writing Edition
This special Summer edition is devoted to students and teachers writing about their learning, teaching and life experiences. The themes and writing will provide stimulus and interest for students in a wide range of classroom settings. Order before January 21?? to ensure delivery for the start of term 1 2009.
Available in class sets of 10 copies for $35
----------------------------------------------
5. Twilight Forum Nov 25
A small group listened with intense interest to Jan Hagston talk about her involvement as the Australian adult literacy representative on the OECD Program for the International Assessment for Adult Competence (PIACC). It will be interesting to hear more as the survey tools are further developed and tested. We commend Jan for her role in this significant program that extends from the ALLS and IALS surveys of the past two decades. We hope to keep members informed as the program develops and trials are conducted. Thanks Jan.
More on PPIACC http://www.oecd.org/document/57/0,3343,en_2649_33927_34474617_1_1_1_1,00.html
----------------------------------------------
6. Securing Jobs for Your Future - Skills for Victoria
http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/corporate/directions/skillsreform
The VALBEC committee will continue to discuss the implications of the reforms at our meetings. A letter has been sent to Minister Jacinta Allan and Sandy Forbes, ACFE General Manager expressing our concerns about the definition of Foundation courses and the implications for programs with the proposed weighting of funding. We recommend that Foundation studies needs to acknowledge the importance of the full range of General Education and Return to Study courses. These courses provide access, pathways and on going support and are often critical for re-engaging people in education and developing their underpinning skills and knowledge. We will continue to engage in dialogue around these key issues.
----------------------------------------------
7. VALBEC Strategic Planning Day
As part of our Strategic Planning cycle of review and reflection the executive committee will have a planning day in mid January. We welcome input from our members as to ways in which we can improve our operations and services and areas in which we can further develop or consolidate. Please contact info@valbec.org.au if you would like to contribute ideas or input.
----------------------------------------------
8. End of the year acknowledgements
Thank you to all the members who supported VALBEC this year by paying their fees, presenting at, or attending our professional development program, writing for Fine Print and keeping in touch through this monthly enewsletter. Thank you to the committed Fine Print editorial team, lead by Sarah Deasey with editors Karen Manwaring (Semester 1) and Tricia Bowen ( Semester 2) who produced yet another year of excellent reading and in particular, the student writing edition.
Thank you to the wonderful VALBEC committee for their commitment and energy – attending the monthly meetings, discussing issues, keeping informed of policy changes and research, organizing and attending professional development activities, representing VALBEC on reference groups, committees and boards, working on Fine Print and many other things along the way. We have a great team ably assisted by the multi talented Don MacDowall and thanks to him for ensuring things go smoothly and efficiently!
Thanks to ACFE for their funding support, liaison and networking opportunities.
We trust the summer break will give people time to relax and recharge and we look forward to working with you in 2009.
Lynne Matheson and Ann Haynes
----------------------------------------------
9. Next issue of eVALBEC
Next issue of eVALBEC is Feb 1, 2009
----------------------------------------------
10. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
Click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=eVALBEC_Subscribe> and we’ll put you on the list to receive this monthly enewsletter.
----------------------------------------------
11. Unsubscribe?
Just click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=eVALBEC_Unsubscribe> (no typing required!) and hit Send or, send an e-mail with the word Unsubscribe in the subject.
----------------------------------------------
12. 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