eVALBEC June 2013eVALBEC June 20131. Annual General Meeting
2. Building Strength in Numeracy - new free resources
3. 2013 International Year of Statistics
The Joy of Stats
4. Reading
5. Literacies in a Diverse World conference
6. ACAL conference 'Local practices, global contexts' - Sydney Sep 30-Oct 2, 2013
7. End of financial year sale
The AGM was held at the conclusion of the Literacies in a Diverse World conference on Friday 17 May, 2013. Sandra Wolfe spoke to the 2012 report and some of the highlights of the year including the Numeracy Resource Project with Beth Marr and The National Year of Reading theme to the conference, Fine Print and other activities. The proposed version of the new VALBEC constitution was approved by the meeting and will submitted to Consumer Affairs.
The Committee elections resulted in the appointment of
Sandra Wolfe as co-president; Linno Rhodes as co-president; Lynne Matheson as secretary/public officer; Ann Haynes as treasurer.
General committee members:
(returning) Pauline O'Maley, John Radalj, Jan Hagston, Sandie Forbes, Shanta Nazareth, Digna Libera
(new) Barb Van Leest, Tracy Pearman, Rhonda Pelletier, Allison Pote, Lindee Conway.
Retiring committee members Ann Irving, Natasha McCormick and Paul Rawlinson were acknowledged and thanked for their role and contribution to the committee.
Next committee meeting: Wednesday 26 June
These resources are now available on the VALBEC website. Please send any feedback to info@valbec.org.au
'Building Strength with 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 new 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of activities that builds on and updates elements of the previous resources, as well as including many new, previously unpublished ideas, activities and student practice exercises.
Road casualty statistics make headlines whenever there's been another of those horrific crashes – or when some new research is dramatic enough to hit the headlines. Using articles and editorials about road safety can raise awareness of some of the risks on our roads – and the stats help to bring the point home.
If you want to students look at crash stats in their area have a look at the unit 'Crash stats' in the VicRoads VCAL Road Safety Units. Although aligned to VCAL, the units are relevant to students in CGEA classes.
Statistics provided by Jan Hagston
The Joy of Stats
This YouTube clip from the BBC takes viewers on a rollercoaster ride through the wonderful world of statistics to explore the remarkable power thay have to change our understanding of the world, presented by superstar boffin Professor Hans Rosling, whose eye-opening, mind-expanding and funny online lectures have made him an international internet legend.
We have asked the VALBEC committee to share what they are reading each month as a way of keeping the theme of reading every day as an integral part of our lives.
Like many people I've made the move to a Kindle. I love my Kindle. I can store so many books on it, it's light and easy to read BUT I find when asked what I'm reading I describe it – 'the book by Jeanette Wintersomething – the one about the witch trial in England' (of course I mean The Daylight Gate by Jeanette Winterson). Another book I recently read was the book by an Australian guy – the one with the young boy as the narrator and one of the main characters (Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey).
I think this problem is due to not seeing the cover every time I pick up the 'book' (at least that's my excuse). Instead of having the title and author reinforced when I pick up the book, I need to make a conscious effort to remember them.
So what am I reading this month? A book about photographers in Spain during the Spanish War – one of them's called Cappa. And the book – Waiting for Robert Cappa by Susana Fortes (Adriana V. Lopez, Translator).
Jan Hagston
Thanks to all the presenters and those who attended the conference. It was a very successful day with some positive feedback in the evaluations.
Papers and resources will be added to the website for those who were not able to attend.
Cemile, our delightful singer has provided some information about her songs.
Sydney Sep 30-Oct 2, 2013
Registrations have now opened and you can take advantage of the early bird offer.
The call for papers closed a few days ago and people who submitted proposals have now been notified.
The program details are likely to be announced in the next couple of weeks.
TELLS Publications are having an end-of-financial year special!
They're offering a 15% discount on the total cost of purchases ordered before 30 June 2013. (Discount does not apply to postage).
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eVALBEC is the monthly electronic newsletter of (VALBEC) the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council.
E-mail: info@valbec.org.au
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This is the electronic newsletter of VALBEC, the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council, and is sent to about 1000 practitioners on the first of each month (other than January). It is also available in the 'News' section of our web site
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