eVALBEC 
February 2015 | VALBEC | Web version
In this Issue
Committee news
Professional development
1. VALBEC 2015 Conference - Call for presentations
'Streams of potential: what lies beneath' Friday May 15, 2015
Publications
2. Fine Print
3. A Fuller Sense of Self
4. Building Strength in Numeracy
Resources
5. The International Year of Light - lesson ideas
6. Free LLN assessment - participate in trials of the new Foundation Skills Assessment Tool (FSAT)
Event calendar
7. Numeracy workshop: Engaging all Students in Maths and Numeracy
8. ACER's 2015 national adult LLN assessment conference
9. Call for papers: 24th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference 'No Frills'
Help us find you
Committee news
The VALBEC committee had their annual planning meeting on Wednesday 21 January at the Holmesglen city campus meeting room. It was an informal meeting, with committee members contributing a range of ideas for professional development and projects that we will continue to discuss as we make plans for the year. We will continue to provide high quality reading in Fine Print. We plan to conduct a series of interactive and relevant forums scheduled across the year, as well as the annual conference, What lies beneath on 15 May.
The committee reluctantly agreed to some slight increases in membership fees after several years of fees remaining relatively static. We are confident of ACFE support and providing our members and the wider LLN field with excellent information, advocacy and services.
Next committee meeting: Wednesday 18 February.
Professional development
1. VALBEC 2015 Conference - Call for presentations
'Streams of potential: what lies beneath'
Friday May 15, 2015
The theme of the 2015 VALBEC conference, Streams of potential: what lies beneath, seeks to encourage exploration of the sometimes hidden elements that inform delivery of language, literacy and numeracy in a wide a range of contexts: community, workplace, accredited and pre-accredited programs.
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How are the new voices in analysing the goals and processes of language, literacy and numeracy delivery reframing the professional persona of the LLN teacher?
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How are teachers designing courses in ever changing contexts and conditions?
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How are teachers and programs recruiting, retaining and reconnecting students from diverse backgrounds?
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How are teachers negotiating with the differing needs of students while maintaining the standards of funding requirements?
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How can the Language, Literacy and Numeracy field continue to tap into the potential of its workforce to bring to the surface learning that is transformative?
Submit a proposal by February 18
Publications
2. Fine Print
The first edition copy deadline is fast approaching and there is a full list of interesting feature articles due, as well as a variety of contributions to the regular features sections. The editorial committee met recently to start the process of commissioning articles for the second edition.
If you have suggestions for themes and topics or would like to write about teaching and learning practice or projects, or if you are interested in joining the editorial committee contact the Fine Print editor info@valbec.org.au
3. A Fuller Sense of Self
These stories illuminate the lives and learning experiences of adult literacy students, while describing the challenges they faced, the events that had provoked their decision to return to 'school', and ultimately how their lives had changed and shifted following that decision to undertake adult education. Their stories reflect a changing sense of personal identity and growth in self confidence to engage with the world.
4. Building Strength in Numeracy
'Building Strength in Numeracy' revises and improves on the iconic numeracy resources 'Strength in Numbers' and 'Breaking the Maths Barrier', and other tried and true numeracy teaching resources developed by Beth Marr and other experienced numeracy teachers.
The resource is a collection of activities that builds on and updates elements of the previous resources, as well as including many new, previously unpublished ideas, activities and student practice exercises. The resource is accessible online for teachers to use in a range of settings.
Resources
5. The International Year of Light - lesson ideas
VALBEC is observing 2015 as the International Year of Light (and light based technologies). Each month a VALBEC committee member will provide some resources, inspired by the Year of Light, for the classroom or of general interest to students to use as a springboard for thinking, researching, talking or writing.
Co-President Sandra Wolfe kicks us off with a train journey and some reflections on Melbourne public art!
6. Free LLN assessment - participate in trials of the new Foundation Skills Assessment Tool (FSAT)
ACER is developing the comprehensive Foundation Skills Assessment Tool (FSAT) for the Department of Industry. Trials of FSAT have now commenced, and we have also released new skill areas including Listening and Learning from the ACSF and skills from the new employability skills framework - the Core Skills for Work. The trials will continue until at least the end of Feb 2015. Providers receive reports of each learner's performance against the skill in the relevant framework. Suitable for your 2015 pre-training LLN assessment. There are also some free half-day workshops about the new CSfW and its assessment in FSAT are being planned for late February or early March. These sessions will enable you to become more familiar with both the CSfW and FSAT.
Event calendar
7. Numeracy workshop: Engaging all Students in Maths and Numeracy
Tuesday, March 17th
In order to engage most students successfully in mathematics and numeracy classes, teaching needs to move beyond the textbook, worksheets and chalk and talk to offer an alternative approach and a chance for all students to succeed in and enjoy mathematics learning. The hands-on activities in this workshop will focus on the development and practice of core mathematics skills through a wide range of approaches such as games, whole-group and other cooperative group work, as well as on enjoyment and having fun with mathematics. The workshop will be run by Dave Tout.
8. ACER's 2015 national adult LLN assessment conference
Adelaide on May 14 and 15
Early bird registrations are now open, key note speakers have been announced for ACER's 2015 LLN conference, and two full-day pre-conference workshops have also been added to the program. Keynote speakers include the Hon. Gail Gago MLC: Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, South Australia; Prof. Geoff Masters AO: CEO, ACER; Ros Bauer: Adult Literacy Services, Australian and 2013 Training Awards Winner - Excellence in Adult Language Literacy Numeracy Practice; Tony Dreise: Principal Research Fellow, Education Policy and Practice Indigenous Education, ACER; and Anthony Kittel: CEO and Managing Director of REDARC Electronics and one of the National Foundation Skills Strategy Project Workplace Champions.
9. Call for papers: 24th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference 'No Frills'
6-8 July 2015 in Sydney
We seek informative, relevant and thought-provoking presentations that showcase quality research based on sound evidence, a focus on findings and recommendations which can be applied to the wider VET sector. Presentations can highlight research which is either in-progress or complete, and we strongly encourage early career and established researchers, as well as employers, industry, providers and practitioners to present.
This year's conference will highlight (but is not limited to) research across three themes: Youth, Pathways and Skills.
Submissions close 16 February 2015
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