eVALBEC October 2006
This is the electronic newsletter of VALBEC, the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council, and is sent to about 900 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 e-VALBEC:
1. CGEA Re-accreditation
2. Course Contacts Update
3. 2006 Literacy - It's Everyone's Business – ACAL National Conference
4. NCVER forum and Reframing the Future forum - 5 October 2006 (Two half-day pre-conference sessions)
5. Conference Dinner
Journalist Jeff McMullen will deliver the Arch Nelson Address
‘Challenges of Literacy and Health in Indigenous Communities’
6. VALBEC Spring Forum – Show me the money!
7. ACAL AGM
8. Community Newspapers
9. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
10. Unsubscribe?
11. Contact VALBEC
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1. CGEA Re-accreditation
Corinna Ridley, Jacinta Agostinelli and Lynne Matheson met with Lynne Fitzpatrick and Liz Davidson on Friday Sept 29, (12.30 -3.30) to provide ‘critical friends’ input to the draft documents. Written feedback from three TAFEs was discussed as were general concerns raised by VALBEC committee members. Specific units were examined for consistency, clarity and accuracy with amendments and changes being noted and actioned. Notes from this meeting will be tabled at the PSC meeting on October 12. The CMM professional development sessions in October and November will provide opportunities to examine to documents with their practical implications and we urge members to attend.
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2. Course Contacts Update
One of the most popular pages on our web site is the one that gives the public information about local courses. http://www.valbec.org.au/ then ‘Course Contacts’.
We need to up date it again. So you can help us by going to that page, checking your details and letting us know of any changes by a short email. If there are many changes there’s a form (online and print versions) you can use.
If you’re on the list we’ll shortly be sending you a request for updating the information.
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3. 2006 Literacy - It's Everyone's Business – ACAL National Conference
Quick links
Main conference page: http://www.sacal.sa.edu.au/conf06/
Conference Program: http://www.sacal.sa.edu.au/conf06/?pid=7
NCVER Pre-Conference Forum: http://www.sacal.sa.edu.au/conf06/?pid=8
The ACAL national conference is fast approaching on 6-7 October in Adelaide - preceded by a national forum convened by NCVER and Reframing the future (see below). Please note that the forum requires an additional registration. There’s a packed program - over 30 workshops by practitioners, researchers and administrators, as well as guest speakers including Margaret Somerville, Dave Tout, Louise Wignall, Jill Sanguinetti, Wing-Yin Chan Lee, and the Arch Nelson Address speaker at the annual dinner will be Mr Jeff McMullen. There will be the opportunity to explore a range of issues with ACAL executive and ACAL members including specialist strands on numeracy, panels on 'making partnerships work' ... and lots more. The SACAL Executive committee warmly invite you to joins us for the national forum followed by the ACAL national conference in October. Registrations to http://www.sacal.sa.edu.au/. Enquiries Adelaide@literacy.sa.edu.au
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4. NCVER forum and Reframing the Future forum - 5 October 2006 (Two half-day pre-conference sessions)
Registrations to http://www.sacal.sa.edu.au/
Training and assessment for adults with low literacy skills: a workshop for adult literacy teachers, trainers and managers.
In this NCVER forum you will have an opportunity to listen to a brief review of what is happening nationally and locally to improve the literacy skills of adults with low basic skills. There will also be an opportunity for you to join discussions about current challenges you experience in your work and to learn from others about effective ways to address such challenges. Officers from national government literacy programs will also be on hand to discuss and respond to questions about any current initiatives.
Hand in Glove - developing LLN practices in a Training Package context
This Reframing the Future forum provides an opportunity to hear about good practices in literacy and numeracy development in VET training package delivery and assessment processes. Exemplars drawn from three of the fourteen LLN focused professional development projects funded by Reframing the Future in 2005 will be used to stimulate professional conversations between the forum participants. You will have the opportunity to explore innovative practices and ways to adapt, adopt and apply them within your own practice environment.
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5. Conference Dinner
Journalist Jeff McMullen will deliver the Arch Nelson Address
‘Challenges of Literacy and Health in Indigenous Communities’
Friday 6th October 6:30pm Hilton Hotel Adelaide
(You can attend this dinner even if you aren’t attending the conference).
Bookings essential via http://www.sacal.sa.edu.au/conf06/
Jeff is the CEO (gratis) of Ian Thorpe’s Fountain for Youth Trust.
‘Many years work with Indigenous communities has convinced me that Australia’s greatest civil rights challenge is closing the racial gap in learning. It is the first step towards closing the gap between black and white life expectancy.
In this sense, literacy is about life!
Our projects involving Aboriginal parents, teachers, doctors and health workers view literacy as a process of empowerment that enables adults to make critical choices about nutrition, health, employment, family and community. To develop such life skills Aboriginal adults living in deep disadvantage need education that addresses their needs and aspirations. Education is not a “white thing” and it does not have to be dominated by a “Gubba” approach, ignoring or erasing culture and Indigenous history.
Learning is empowerment for all human beings and one of our most important human rights.’
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6. VALBEC Spring Forum – Show me the money!
September 18th NMIT,Preston.
The forum was attended by 22 members and the program provided food for thought on a range of issues related to teaching and learning.
Understanding Money
Gillie Kirk, Senior Adviser Education and Training, Financial Literacy Foundation spoke about work of the Foundation making quality financial literacy education more broadly available and gave participants a pack of information. She was interested to hear from numeracy practitioners and to suggest possible ways of incorporating units from training packages.
To join the network download a form at http://www.australia.gov.au/understandingmoney
Multiple copies of their kit are available upon application
Check out the website for more information http://www.understandingmoney.gov.au/content/education
Multi-literacies Inside and Out
Gerri Pancini from Corrections, Kangan Batman TAFE, presented a colourful and inspiring account of her work with the Certificates of in Learning Pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at Port Phillip Corrections facility. She did much to dispel some assumptions about working in corrections and with students whose experiences she shared so generously and with us.
Developing a Circle of Professional Research Practice (Why do it / How to do it)
Libby Barker, PRACE and Jacinta Agostinelli, Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre gave an account of the circles from the perspective of a manager and a participant. The intersect between theory and practice was not always clear and the demands on time and limited resourcing were clearly problems for the project.
Thanks to the presenters and those who gave up their time to attend. Also thanks to NMIT for the use of their facilities, John Radalj, Ron Munro and Elaine Cannard for their assistance on the day.
VALBEC / Fine Print History Project
The project reference group had their first meeting on Sept 29 and Bev Campbell will begin a program of interviews with significant people. Members of the reference group are re –reading past issues of Fine Print – always good value to gain perspective on the ALBE field- to begin a selection process of significant articles.
Contact Bev for information or if you have something you would like to conrtibute info@valbec.org.au
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7. ACAL AGM
Members and friends of ACAL are invited to the the Annual General Meeting to be held on Friday, 6 October 2005 at 4.30 pm
during the National Conference at the Hilton Adelaide, 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide
The agenda for the AGM is:
1. Confirm the minutes of the previous AGM
2. Receive and adopt an annual report from the Executive
3. Receive and adopt the audited accounts of ACAL
4. Elect new office bearers and Executive Committee for the coming year.
President
Vice President (to be based in a state or territory different from that of the President)
Honorary Secretary
Honorary Treasurer
5. Announce state and territory representatives
6. Appoint an auditor
7. Close meeting
RSVP by October 2, 2006
acal@pacific.net.au
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8. Community Newspapers
The Community Newspaper Association of Victoria will have its inaugural conference at Latrobe University in Bendigo on Saturday 18th November 2006.
This conference is for anyone who produces or works on a community newspaper, anyone who is thinking of setting up a community paper and anyone who wants to know more about community papers.
Topics at the conference will include:
-The role of the community newspaper
-Legal issues and structures: working within the rules
-Production: working with technology
-Working with volunteers
-Advertising and marketing
More information about the conference and registration details are posted on the CNAV website at http://www.cnav.org.au where you can download appropriate forms.
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9. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
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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