1. Conference Early Bird closes July 6

There's still time to get the best value for your dollars by registering for the conference BEFORE JULY 6.

Early bird discount ends July 6!

2. Fine Print

Winter is a great time to catch up on the professional reading you didn't do earlier because the weather was too nice - and what better place to start than Fine Print. Here's something from Dr Marilyn Kell in the last edition of Fine Print to get you thinking and talking with your colleagues:  '...it's a mantra taken up by politicians, that if you can't read then you're going to have a terrible life. Ask Richard Branson if he has had a terrible life.' (p.6)

The next edition of Fine Print is in press and should reach you by late August. If you would like to suggest an article for a future edition please email fineprint@valbec.org.au

3. Opportunities

2018 VET International Practitioner Fellowships now open

Ten (10) Fellowships of $13,000 each are available to VET practitioners who are employed within Victorian Government contracted Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), including TAFEs, private RTOs and Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board registered Learn Local Organisations (LLOs).

International Specialised Skills Institute Fellowships contribute to building the Education State by stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship within the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, and reducing educational disadvantage.

Fellows will explore innovative responses to VET related challenges in industry and the classroom. Key areas are student engagement and participation, quality teaching and learning, VET pathways to employment and industry productivity.

Applications close at 4pm, 20th July 2018.

SEE Coordinator required for Olympic Adult Education

3 days per week $35 ph

Expressions of interest addressing the selection criteria should be sent to linno.rhodes@oae.vic.edu.au or phone 9450 2665. Closing date July 30.

4. Resources

40 Stories of Adult Literacy Learners

Here are two podcasts to listen to these holidays

Dick Adams could not read and write when he left school and it took several years of night classes before he learned. After working as a shearer and meat worker he became a Federal MP and then a local councillor. He is also a passionate advocator of adult literacy learning. Listen here.

After a childhood of orphanages, boys homes and detention centres and 10 years living as a hermit, Gregory Smith now has his PhD and is a popular teacher. His research Listen to this remarkable story here.

If you are new to Podcasts there is some information here.

Provided by Meg Cotter, Co-President

Studiosity

Formerly My Tutor, Studiosity is on-demand study help - from subject specialists - with academic literacy skills and core subject support. It has been taken up by a lot of academic institutions and used the provide support to students for a range of subjects. It does provide assistance for Foundation Skills and might be appropriate for your organisation. It contains the following services.

The 'Writing Feedback' service

Feedback is a spotlight, showing students where they might focus attention and add more thought. Whether for future accountants, nurses, or aeronautical engineers, English language skills are critical to success and part of the integrity of a university or high school qualification.

The 'Connect Live' service

A student formulates their own question, then works with one of our study experts in the interactive classroom - with chat, collaborative whiteboard, and file sharing. Because timely feedback drives confidence and perseverance

English 

Sunday - Friday, 3pm-12am 

Support for core English skills and concepts from all school levels through to tertiary bridging/ access/ foundation levels including: core skills (punctuation, grammar, structure); essay and report writing; creative writing; speeches and generic text analysis. 

Does not cover course, curricula-specific content.

Maths 

Sunday - Friday, 3pm-12am 

Covers: General, Intermediate, Specialist/extension support for mathematics from all school levels through to tertiary bridging/ access/ foundation/ pathways levels.

Does not cover tertiary level course content.

Provided by Committee member Kathrin Colgan

VALBEC conference 2018 presentations

Thanks to all the presenters and those who attended this year's conference. It was a very successful day with some interesting discussions and positive feedback.

The afternoon followed with many practical workshops.

5. VALBEC Conference Feedback

Thanks to all the attendees who completed the feedback survey. Overall feedback indicated that people were pleased with the day with the mix of presentations, discussions and practical workshops. The format was successful in providing a focus to the morning session and gave a

'Big picture overview of changing face of Literacy teaching and understanding of the gig economy'

Most people felt that the keynote was engaging and relevant and that the panel members contributions added to their understanding of the key points. The group discussions added to people's understandings and gave a sense of connection in that many people are grappling with similar issues in their teaching and professional learning.

'Understanding of the barriers faced by students and educators in engaging in Industry 4.0. The need to collaborate across sectors to pool expertise and resources. Networking with different LLN providers';

We hope that people came away with information and ideas to further explore with their students and colleagues.  Thanks to all our presenters who gave so generously of their time, knowledge and skills.

Check the website for presentations and resources.

Thanks also to the William Angliss team who effortlessly provide such a great setting and catering par excellence!

Over half the respondents to the survey said that they found out about the conference through eVALBEC which validates our efforts to utilise this format to keep members and the wider sector informed.

6. Adult Learners Week 1st – 8th September