eVALBEC June 2009
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:
http://www.valbec.org.au/05/news.htm
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IN THIS ISSUE OF eVALBEC:
1. AGM & Twilight Forum
"Community Wide Study Circle Programs - Dialogue to Change"
2.‘Reading The Fine Print’ now available
3. Fine Print 2009 Teachers’ and Students’ Writing Issue
4. Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma in LL&N
5. ‘Navigating Laneways’ 2009 VALBEC Conference
6. Policy forum, Young people: Finding their way in a new era
7. Informal learning: At a glance
8. CGEA Assessment PD Day
9. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
10. Unsubscribe?
11. Contact VALBEC
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1. AGM & Twilight Forum
Victoria University, Flinders Street Campus
Thursday June 18th 2009, 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Members and friends of VALBEC are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Council that will be preceded by a Twilight Forum
Victoria University, City Flinders Campus,  300 Flinders Street, Level 9  Room C9.15
Map:
http://www.vu.edu.au/campuses/city-flinders
A light supper will be provided
Twilight Forum
"Community Wide Study Circle Programs - Dialogue to Change"
Mark Brophy was awarded a Ph.D. from Victoria University for research into Swedish study circles, then under a Fulbright  visited Everyday Democracy in the US who use study circles to address issues such as race, terrorism, educational reform and interfaith tensions; often with hundreds and even thousands of participants. Mark consequently founded the Australian Study Circles Network which builds upon Swedish and US models.
Annual General Meeting
Reports on the 2008 VALBEC year will be presented and the new Executive committee will be elected.
The VALBEC committee is a dynamic and collaborative group who meet once a month to discuss, plan and take action on behalf of members and the ALBE field.
New members are welcome.         
Nomination forms
http://www.valbec.org.au/05/docs/AGMnomforms.pdf
RSVP by June 14th 2009 info@valbec.org.au
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2.‘Reading The Fine Print’ now available
'Reading the Fine Print: A history of the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council (VALBEC) 1978 – 2008' by Beverley Campbell is now on sale.
Cost: $30 plus $10 postage and handling (in Australia)
Overseas and bulk purchase - email us for a price
Purchase and payment options
http://www.valbec.org.au/RTFP/purchaseoptionsRTFP.htm
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3. Fine Print 2009 Teachers’ and Students’ Writing Issue
Thanks to those who have sent us their work – imaginative and inspiring!
Deadline: June 19th, 2009
The Fine Print editorial committee wants to celebrate the learning and insights of ALBE students and to celebrate the work of teachers through publishing their writing.
Students, we ask that you use the broad theme of “memory’, as an inspiration. This theme could include memories of people, places, life turning points, precious objects, holidays, emotions, or any significant event that you want to write about. Both poetry and prose are welcome.
Teachers, we ask you to write about how you help your students with not only the processes and mechanics of writing but also how you inspire, build confidence, and help your students find a voice.
Electronic texts only
Word limit for students 250 words
Word limit for teachers: between 250 and 500 words
Please include a title for the piece, your name, learning institution, and place where you live.
The editorial committee will select pieces that best fit the guidelines and represent a diversity of learners and teachers.
Please email all contributions to VALBEC at
info@valbec.org.au
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4. Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma in LL&N
See VALBEC’s response at http://www.valbec.org.au
Two new qualifications- a Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma in LL&N are being developed by the Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) for LLN practitioners  delivering  to adults in and beyond the VET sector. The qualifications will be additions to the Training and Assessment Training Package (TAA). The Vocational Graduate Certificate has a teaching design and delivery focus and the Vocational Graduate Diploma a policy and research focus.
For a full explanation of Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diplomas in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) please visit
http://www.aqf.edu.au/vgc_vgd.htm
IBSA is keen to gather feedback on the qualification structures and unit content which are now available for viewing at http://www.ibsa.org.au/content/currentprojects/Voc_Grad_LLN.html  until May 30 2009.
To provide feedback on the IBSA feedback register please select Review & Feedback Register on the IBSA page listed above.
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5. ‘Navigating Laneways’ 2009 VALBEC Conference
Our thanks to those wonderful presenters who challenge, charmed and informed us.
Some presentations and pics are on the VALBEC website.
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6. Policy forum, Young people: Finding their way in a new era
10 November 2009, Melbourne Park Function Centre
Drawing on findings from a range of research using data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), the event will seek to inform policy makers on how they can improve education outcomes for young people.
Those with an interest in youth transitions policy will not want to miss this event.
Details
events@ncver.edu.au
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7. Informal learning: At a glance
This ‘at a glance’ considers the learning that goes on everyday: from the workplace to the home, and through technology and the mass media. This type of learning offers a bridge to formal learning for a variety of groups, including older workers, migrant groups, refugees and people who are disengaged from learning. To download this publication visit NCVER’s website: http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2140.html
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8. CGEA Assessment PD Day
A date for your diaries - Monday 7 September 2009
The CMM General Studies and Further Education will be conducting a one day PD on the CGEA and Assessment on Monday 7 September 2009 at Rydges on Swanston, 701 Swanston Street Carlton. The day is intended for classroom teachers and practitioners involved in the development of assessment tools for the CGEA.
More details Liz Davidson and Nadia Casarotto, CMM General Studies & Further Education, Victoria University
Phone 03 9919 8327  / 9919 8347
Email
elizabeth.davidson@vu.edu.au
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9. 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.
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10. 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.
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11. 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