eVALBEC November 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. 'Whose knowledge counts? A Canadian Perspective'
2. Help shape the national VET research agenda
3. Fine Print – just around the corner
4. ‘Reading The Fine Print’
5. Enhance e-learning opportunities
6. ACAL Conference – Fremantle 2009
7. ACAL Conference – Darwin 2010
8. Member offer
9. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
10. Unsubscribe?
11. Contact VALBEC
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1. 'Whose knowledge counts? A Canadian Perspective'
Twilight Forum
Guest speaker Tannis Atkinson
Tuesday 17 November,  5.00 – 7.00pm North Fitzroy Star Hotel, The Garden Room, 32-36 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North (near the corner of Newry Street)
VALBEC has established links over the years with Canadian adult literacy practitioners through visiting academics and the journal 'Literacies'. Tannis Atkinson will present her perspective on the Canadian situation for adult literacy programs and practitioners that will most certainly have resonance with current trends in the adult education environment in Australia.
Refreshments provided, purchase own drinks
Cost: Free but booking is essential
RSVP by November 13 to info@valbec.org.au
More details and map http://www.valbec.org.au/TwForumNov09.htm
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2. Help shape the national VET research agenda
If you are interested in putting your ideas forward on the national VET research priorities, then the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) wants to hear from you.
Download the discussion paper, National VET Research Priorities 2010 and beyond http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2195.html and then send us your written submissions or contribute to a blog.
Written submissions must be received by Friday, 18 December 2009 and can be sent by email to renee.lukeman@ncver.edu.au. The blog can be found at http://futureresearch.pbworks.com.
For further information about the consultation process contact Jo Hargreaves on 08 8230 8678 or joanne.hargreaves@ncver.edu.au.
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3. Fine Print – just around the corner
Features include
The Power of ‘e’: Extending the ‘E’ in ACE By Delia Bradshaw
An educational evolution has been redefining our understanding and practices of ACE.  The name of this transformation is e-learning.
Groping towards our Field By Rob McCormack
Raising fundamental questions regarding the very nature of our field.
Strengthening Family Literacy Practices: Experiences of the Family Literacy Project, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa By Snoeks Desmond
Detailed insights into the South African-based Family Literacy Project
Never too early - Assisting ESL students on the pathway to their careers By Margaret Hanrahan
Encouraging students to think about, research and plan for their future careers.
Practical Matters
Mary-Ann Tonini and Sue Neale, together with Diane Walker, reflect on the ACE Capability Building Project, via their involvement in the Community of Practice initiative.
Technology Matters
Julia Hanna shares some practical ideas for teaching Information Technology to ALBE students, with vastly different levels of computer skills.  
Beside the Whiteboard
We feature a profile of Amber McLeod, a teacher based in regional Victoria, currently working at the Education Centre Gippsland.
From Over the Border
Alex Williams, a literacy tutor working at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre, offers some insights about the challenges, limitations and joys of working within a custodial setting.
What’s Out There
Rosie Wickert reviews Reading the Fine Print: a history of the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council (VALBEC) 1998-2008, by Beverley Campbell, Michael Chalk shares his thoughts on Digital Literacies: concepts, policies and practices, edited by Colin Lankshear & Michele Knobel, while Nic McLean, Julie Palmer and Tricia Bowen review some teaching resources: Keys to Work: A teaching kit for developing the employability skills of CALD learners produced by AMES and written by Jacky Springall and Sound English – Reading Resources for pre-literate adults developed by Rosemary McKenry and Bruce Mitchell.
Fine Print is provided free to members
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4. ‘Reading The Fine Print’
'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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5. Enhance e-learning opportunities
conVerge09 will held at Frankston Arts Centre and Chisholm Institute of TAFE (Frankston) on December 3-4.  This conference is designed to enhance e-learning opportunities and knowledge within VET, community and business
The theme for conVerge 09 is Create Stimulate Integrate – with the following themes represented:
* Collaborative Approaches
* Web 2.0 Technologies
* Partnering with Business
* New Applications and Resources
* Access, Equity and Diversity in e-learning
For all the latest information on conVerge09; including Program, Presenter Information and Registration please go to www.eworks.edu.au/converge <http://www.eworks.edu.au/converge> .
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6. ACAL Conference – Fremantle 2009
Many of the presentations made at the conference are now available online.
Visit http://www.waalc.org.au/09conf/presentations.htm
Our thanks to WAALC for a great event.
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7. ACAL Conference – Darwin 2010
Stunning, vibrant Darwin – September 2010
Get your sunnies out. More details in eVALBEC.
Want to suggest some sessions or speakers? http://www.acal.edu.au/regint.htm
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8. Member offer
Snoeks Desmond, our guest speaker at the Twilight Forum on 13 October, kindly donated copies of the book Family Literacy Experiences from Africa and around the world.
We are offering a copy of the book to the first two members to contact us by typing “family literacy” in the subject line.
The Twilight forum was a lovely evening at which Snoeks shared the story of the South African-based Family Literacy Project highlighting the challenges and successes of supporting adults to develop their own literacy skills and to be role models for their young children. We were pleased to be joined by people from several other organisations such as Berry Street, Lady Gowrie and the HIPPY program http://www.hippyaustralia.org.au
Snoeks referred to the Dolls for the children of Kwazulu-Natal project http://www.uthandoproject.org
People will find this project of interest and perhaps take up as a project with their students to make dolls to send to Africa.
You can see Snoeks’ presentation to the ACAL conference in Fremantle at http://www.waalc.org.au/09conf/presentations.htm
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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