November 2016 | VALBEC | Web version

In this Issue

1. Professional Development

2017 VALBEC Conference 'Teaching and Learning: Reflecting on Practice'

Webinar on the Foundation Skills Professional Standards Framework

YouMeUs -achieving inclusion

2. Fine Print

Next edition

From the Vault: Given the opportunity to be amazing

3. Resources

New free ACAL resources 'Resilience: Stories of Applied Learning'

Numeracy

A Fuller Sense of Self - book and video

4. And also

Learn Local Network Brand Survey 2016

1. Professional Development

2017 VALBEC Conference

Save the date - Friday 19th May, 2017

"Who dares to teach must never cease to learn. John Cotton Dana

As teachers, we are continually learning from our students and working to improve our practice and learner outcomes. At the same time, we seek to expand our knowledge about teaching and learning in adult language, literacy and numeracy.

This conference will explore how and what we learn as teachers and how this is transferred into the classroom.

The following questions will be explored:

  1. What informs our decision-making and practice in learning about teaching?

  2. What does evidence-based research tell us about teaching adults?

  3. How do we know we have made a positive impact on adult LLN learning?

  4. How do we continue to learn about different approaches to learning and teaching?

This day will also provide us with lots of information sharing and new skills from workshops, networking and keynote speakers.  At the 2017 conference, we encourage teachers to reflect on their own learning as well as the learning of their students.

More information and a call for presentations will be launched in coming months. In the meantime think about what you may like to learn and share with others.

Webinar on the Foundation Skills Professional Standards Framework

Free webinars in November

This information is circulated by VALBEC but as the webinar is not run by VALBEC we are not in a position to answer any questions about it. We suggest you register using the link provided.

Learn about practical solutions for navigating the complex landscape of foundation skills provision in stand-alone and integrated delivery contexts.

The range of foundation skills provision – across education, workplace and community contexts, learner cohorts, skill levels and support needs – means that no one can be an expert in all aspects of foundation skills. There are multiple fields of expertise and many niche areas of specialisation.

The Foundation Skills Professional Standards Framework is being developed to allow practitioners and managers to consistently describe professional capability in a way that supports individual career pathways and targeted workforce development.

What will be covered in the webinar

The webinar will introduce participants to the Foundation Skills Professional Standards Framework and explore how it might be used to:

Date and time

Register your interest at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FSPSFwebinar

This information is circulated by VALBEC but as the webinar is not run by VALBEC we are not in a position to answer any questions about it. We suggest you register using the link provided.

YouMeUs -achieving inclusion

Free Online Disability Awareness training course for Neighbourhood Houses.

This training course has been developed for staff and volunteers who wish to learn how to make their centres more welcoming and inclusive.

It may also be of interest for those working in other settings. http://www.youmeus.info

2. Fine Print

Next edition

In the final edition for 2016, we continue the Practical Matters series of successful activities that you could adapt for your students. Have you considered using gentle exercises to start your lesson or to break up a long day? Do you give your students time to practise casual conversations in class? In Numeracy Matters you will find some activities based around measurement and estimation that will engage your students. How many times can a lolly snake be stretched before it breaks?

Thanks to all the teachers who contributed their tried and true activities this year.

Consider writing for Fine Print about a project you have been working on or provide some teaching tips or maybe just a good news story about the work being done at your learning centre. Send your contributions to info@valbec.org.au

From the Vault: Given the opportunity to be amazing

Each month a VALBEC committee member selects a specific article from the Fine Print archive that illustrates good teaching practice, describes theories related to a ranges of literacies, explores a particular topic of interest or has some synergy with the present environment.

Fine Print Vol: 38 #1, 2015, Page 14

This article by Lynne Matheson and Jane Davey, 'Given the opportunity to be amazing', describes the VCAL program at PRACE (Preston Reservoir Adult and Community Education) which was designed to enable young mothers, marginalized and disadvantaged young people to complete a secondary school certificate. I have a particular interest in the success of VCAL, as I was involved in the trials and the setting up of VCAL across the State.

I was keen to see how this VCAL program was progressing.

I am pleased to report that the program is very successful. There are now two VCAL groups with both Foundation and Intermediate VCAL being offered. A Pre-Cal program is also offered in term 4 of each year as a preparation for moving into the VCAL class the following year. This helps to settle the students in and prepare them for what is expected of them the following year.

Part of the course is delivered online which enables young mothers, those with chronic illness and mental health and anxiety issues to gradually be involved and commence to face-to-face classes when they are ready. They are required to meet with the online teacher regularly.

The program has the support of a youth worker and case management support through 'Reconnect' funding. Lunch is provided every day and breakfast if needed. The program is constantly evolving and responding to the needs of the students. Student outcomes have been positive with the majority moving into other accredited training.

Partnerships with Rotary and the INLLEN have added to the features of the program. Jane Davey and her team are doing a wonderful job and it is great to report that through the work of dedicated staff a number of disadvantaged young people are still getting the chance to be amazing.

Ann Haynes

3. Resources

New free ACAL resources 'Resilience: Stories of Applied Learning'

Resilience: Stories of Adult Learning is an anthology of adult learner stories, a testament to the resilience of human lives, the critical role of lifelong learning, and how adult literacies weave through our journeys, visibly and invisibly.

The editors gathered the authentic voices of learners across many different adult learning environments in Australia and the UK, collecting over a hundred stories and publishing them in a collection in multiple formats, including paperback, e-book and PDF.

Available as a free digital downloaod or order a printed book version.

More

Numeracy

'Building Strength with Numeracy' - practical, tested resources for teachers to use in a range of settings and made accessible online. Each section of each topic is a PDF allowing immediate downloading, printing and use by teachers and students.

The first six topics are provided as a free download for all numeracy practitioners.

** The topics 'Decimals and 'Measurement' are free to VALBEC members and available for a small charge for non-members.

Building Strength with Numeracy

A Fuller Sense of Self - book and video

Six people described why they returned to education and how that decision shaped and changed their lives for the better. The stories illuminated their lives and learning experiences, describing the challenges they faced, the events that provoked their return to 'school', and ultimately how their lives had changed and shifted following that decision.

Five years on we revisit these students and their stories, to find out where they are now and to discover if and how learning continues to influence their life journey. We tracked down three of our original storytellers - Linda, David and Sue.

A Fuller Sense of Self

4. And also

Learn Local Network Brand Survey 2016

To assist the ACFE Board redevelop their brand guidelines for the Learn Local network, please share your ideas and complete this survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DLBXHLP