1. 2018 ACAL Conference welcomes Aunty Pam Pedersen

ACAL Conference hosted by VALBEC

September 12, 13 and 14, 2018 • Melbourne

We're delighted to announce that Aunty Pam Pedersen, a Yorta Yorta woman and an Elder of the Victorian Aboriginal community will join our international keynote speakers, Dr Jenny Horsman, community based Canadian researcher and Dr. Darlene Ciuffetelli Parker, Brock University, Canada.

Aunty Pam is a very active woman taking part in many community events as well as being on various committees. Her passion is working for her people and is employed by Berry Street Shepparton and Jesuit Social Services working with young people and their families who have come in contact with the criminal justice system as well as working in a capacity building role.

2. 2018 VALBEC Committee

The Annual Report was received and a new committee was elected at the AGM on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

We welcome Meg Cotter and Linno Rhodes as Co-presidents, Rhonda Raisbeck as Secretary and Public Officer with Ann Haynes as Treasurer. General members are Katherin Colgan, Karen Dymke, Lynne Matheson, Rhonda Pelletier and John Radalj.

3. 2018 VALBEC Conference May 18, 2018

Literacy 4.0: preparing for new workplaces and literacy education practices

VALBEC is excited to present a conference with a difference to celebrate 40 years of providing professional development and learning opportunities to members and the adult education sector, both in Victoria and nationally.

The VALBEC conference will challenge and inspire literacy educators, program providers, academics, pathways advisors and industry representatives who are concerned with preparing learners for the future workplace.

Be prepared to engage with new research and consider the implications for literacy educators and as well as participate in conversations around literacy in the workplaces of now and the future.

4. Fine Print next edition

The first edition of Fine Print for 2018 is in press and we hope to have it in members' and subscribers' mailboxes by the end of April. If you've ever wondered how you could use a banknote, a museum or a social media post with your students, you will find the answer in Fine Print Vol41 no.1.

You will also find a thought-provoking interview with Dr Marilyn Kell who challenges us to question our definition of literacy: 'Let's look at what other literacy type skills this person is bringing, not necessarily reading and writing but the negotiation, the oral, the storytelling skills.'

There are many more great articles in Fine Print –  make sure your VALBEC membership is up to date so you don't miss out on receiving your copy.

5. Resources

40 Stories of Adult Literacy Learners

Adult Literacy Stories transforming lives - 4 Stories

Vicky Duckworth is one of those speakers who not only speaks with authority on topics such as; adult literacy policy and practice, violence and empowerment of adult learners, and teacher training, but at the same time manages to exude compassion with passion into a room of more than 500 people. Dr. Vicky Duckworth, from Edge Hill University in the UK, has researched and taught in education for more than two decades and has a strong emphasis in adult education and literacy, challenging inequality with a strong social justice agenda.
The 'Transforming Lives' website she helped establish exemplifies the power of this work.
The Adult Literacy stories that we present this month are in a video format and can be seen here. Other parts of the website are also worth a visit.

Provided by Meg Cotter, Co-President

6. 'I teach computing without a computer'

A teacher from Ghana, who went viral after pictures of his chalkboard-computer alternative were shared on social media, has said he never meant to become an internet sensation. Richard Appiah Akoto, from Kumasi, told the BBC was simply trying to prepare his students for the real world.

Find out more - and see how he transforms his blackboard into the computer program Microsoft Word - by watching the video.

7. VALBEC membership renewal now due

Members receive

• Fine Print three times a year – a high quality journal for discussion and debate about good practice, theory and policy issues. Feedback and contributions are actively sought from members about content and issues.

• eVALBEC – our email communication keeping members informed of professional development activities, general committee activities and more up to date policy changes.

• Discounts for the Annual Conference and other VALBEC statewide professional development.

• Issues-based forums.

• Focus on significant policy issues impacting on the field.

• Free numeracy resources

8. VALBEC Facebook page

'Follow, Like, and Share' VALBEC on Facebook@valbec.org.au