In this Issue
1. Committee News
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Support for World Indigenous Peoples Conference in Education
2. Resources
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Lesson ideas
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New Parliament of Victoria resources aligned to VCAL and CGEA
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Basic computer skills: incorporating fire safety - free teaching resources
3. Professional Development
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'From LLN to Foundation Skills' forum 28th March
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2014 VALBEC '... and the learning goes on: anytime, anywhere, anyhow, anyone'
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2014 ACAL Conference 'Literacy: a learning spiral for life'
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Master of Education (International) at Charles Darwin University
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Incorporating Digital Literacy PD 22 November 2013
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ACER National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference 2014
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Foundation Skills Assessment Tool (FSAT)
4. Positions vacant
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ESL Manager Position at PRACE
1. Committee News
Support for World Indigenous Peoples Conference in Education
VALBEC provided $250 to support Soraya Daniel, a Torres Strait Islander living and working in the Tanami Desert, to attend the World Indigenous Peoples Conference in Education (WIPCE) in Hawaii in May.
Soraya is very dedicated to supporting Warlpiri people in employment and training. Ros Bauer, Winner - Excellence in Adult Language Literacy Numeracy Practice, Australian Training Awards 2013 has been mentoring her for the past two years
2. Resources
Lesson ideas
VALBEC is observing 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming, as well as celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
In the second of the series, committee member Linno Rhodes offers some lesson ideas utilising the theme 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family.
'The 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family is a perfect time to suggest students discuss/ debate / question the role of families and how we determine or describe our families.
Families come in all shapes and sizes - our cultural beliefs inform our opinions and values around family.
Class-room activities can be safe ways for people to explore and share their thoughts and feelings around same-sex marriage and same-sex parented families.
I have put together a few ideas and included some websites and web based groups for resources.'
New Parliament of Victoria resources aligned to VCAL and CGEA
A new teaching resource is now available through the Parliament of Victoria website … aligned to VCAL and CGEA. It consists of a program of four Units (choose one or more Units) with students engaged in events management (inviting your local State MP as Guest Speaker in your class room, or organising a more critical tour of Parliament House), field research (such as community visits to establish difference in levels of government), complications which arise from this system of three levels of government), and an opportunity for students to be rewarded with $50,000 by finding the stolen Mace!
Basic computer skills: incorporating fire safety - free teaching resources
With many fires on the urban fringe of Melbourne and across Victoria this summer, these computer units are a great way to introduce students to bush and grass fire safety information. The resources have been produced by ANHLC and Multifangeld, specifically for use in Neighbourhood Houses.
They are aligned to the CGEA and EAL curriculums and come with example A-frame documents.
3. Professional Development
'From LLN to Foundation Skills' forum 28th March
VALBEC and ALA bring you a half-day forum that aims to look at the journey from LLN to Foundation Skills and beyond. Keynote speakers, activities and panel discussions will address and explore the expanding issues born out of the 2006 ALLS survey that have culminated in the National Foundation Skills Strategy. Looking at the emerging information (2013 PIACC results), developing frameworks and new tools such as the Foundation Skills Assessment tool (FSAT) and the Core Skills for Work (CSfW), this forum looks at the changing landscape of foundation skills and the implications for practitioners and organisations alike.
2014 VALBEC '... and the learning goes on: anytime, anywhere, anyhow, anyone'
The program committee are now working through the many proposals that have been received - thanks to those who took the time to submit. Decisions will be conveyed to those people within the next fortnight. Then registrations will open.
2014 ACAL Conference 'Literacy: a learning spiral for life'
Surfers Paradise Oct 2-4
Call for papers has now opened. Why not submit your idea?
Master of Education (International) at Charles Darwin University
Our one year full time Master of Education (International) will help you shift your influence and ideas into the institutional realm. The course combines ideas of global learning with hands-on opportunities in four areas: identity, language and culture; sustainability and wellbeing; digital futures; knowledge and science.
Email masterofeducation@cdu.edu.au
Incorporating Digital Literacy PD 22 November 2013
Visit the CGEA wiki for details.
ACER National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference 2014
ACER's two-day National Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Conference is being held in Melbourne in May 2014. The theme is 'Foundation skills and lifelong learning - what does the evidence from international assessments tell us about improving work and life skills?'
Foundation Skills Assessment Tool (FSAT)
The Department of Industry has contracted the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to develop a free online Foundation Skills Assessment Tool (FSAT) to identify and assess an individual's foundation skill levels. ACER is interested in hearing from interested VET and employment services providers to be involved in focus groups in March and April, and to participate in trials in order to provide feedback about the assessment system.
4. Positions vacant
ESL Manager Position at PRACE
PRACE would like to offer the opportunity to a dedicated education professional to take on a newly created management position. You will be part of a dynamic team passionate about helping students to change their lives through effective language, literacy and numeracy programs. As the ESL Manager you will be responsible for the management of all aspects of the ESL classes at PRACE.
Confidential discussion? Contact Libby Barker on (03) 94626077.
Applications close: 5.00pm Tuesday 11th March 2014