eVALBEC October 2012

valbec.org.au

In this Issue

Committee News

1. Update

2. 2012 is the National Year of Reading

Professional Development

3. 'Understanding and Applying the Foundation Skills Training Package (FSTP)'

4. 2013 VALBEC Conference

5. ACAL conference

2012 - 'Joining the pieces: Literacy and numeracy one part of the picture'

2013 - 'Local practices Global contexts' October 1-2, Sydney

Fine Print

6. Fine Print next issue

Resources

7. Member resources

Other information

7. National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults launch

8. Employment opportunities

9. On and off

10. Contact VALBEC

Committee News

1. Update

The 35th ACAL conference Joining the pieces: Literacy and Numeracy one part of the picture in Hobart, 19 – 21 September, was attended by 8 VALBEC committee members, with four presenting workshops. It was a very successful and enjoyable conference and materials will be available soon on the ACAL website (www.acal.edu.au).

Comments from committee members:

The ACAL conference in Hobart was terrific, engaging and stimulating. Bob Boughton’s keynote on his work in Popular Education on Friday morning provoked a buzz of excitement at morning tea. It was great, he spoke very passionately about his work, I’m looking forward to the transcript being available soon on the ACAL website. (Pauline)
Like all good conferences networking was an important and pleasurable part of the conference - meeting new people, those you haven’t seen for some time and having time to talk to those who you do see more regularly. (Jan)
Attending TCAL/ ACAL conference gave me an opportunity to learn about various responses to funding issues, different perspectives around the current focus on employability or core skills for work, and my favourite - learning about innovative ways to apply theory to practice.(Linno)
The ACAL conference was truly inspiring and very well organised with a variety of engaging sessions that made it difficult to choose. Bob Boughton’s keynote was particularly thought provoking and so was Isabel Osuna’s presentation about Paulo Freire’s pedagogy. It has set me thinking about how I can contribute more meaningfully to Adult Literacy in my community. (Digna)
It’s always a pleasure to hear of different practitioners’ views, but I was particularly taken by Sally Thompson’s “Lifelong and Lifewide” discussion contrasting Australia’s approach to education with that taken by some other countries. This was based on the OECD’s paradigm of lifelong learning, and the four pillars of learning: to be, to know, to do, and to live together. (Sandra)
The TCAL committee and Don MacDowall did a terrific job organising the conference with a great program of interesting and diverse themes. Some lovely touches such as a jigsaw piece on every seat as a way of meeting people to try to make a whole picture and Steps and Stories: Nine Tasmanians and their journeys in literacy and numeracy to take away and read about experiences of Tasmanian learners. (Lynne)

Work has begun on planning the VALBEC conference, 'Literacy in diverse worlds' so we welcome suggestions and ideas.

The next committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 17 October.

We welcome feedback and ideas so please send to info@valbec.org.au

2. 2012 is the National Year of Reading

The NYR is rapidly drawing to an end, however Pauline O'Maley, VALBEC committee member, continues to provide stimulating insights into reading theory and practice.

See Pauline's October reading

Professional Development

3. 'Understanding and Applying the Foundation Skills Training Package (FSTP)'

The October event at Holmesglen is now closed and we're investigating the possibility of an additional forum. Details will be published as soon as they are known.

4. 2013 VALBEC Conference

'Literacy in diverse worlds'

May 17, William Angliss Centre, Melbourne.

5. ACAL conference

2012 - 'Joining the pieces: Literacy and numeracy one part of the picture'

Many of the presentations from the conference will be available shortly.

2013 - 'Local practices Global contexts' October 1-2, Sydney

Fine Print

6. Fine Print next issue

The collection for our last issue for 2012 is building: So far we have a feature exploring the realities of delivering pre-accredited courses; the truth about the figure—46% of Australians have poor literacy—that has become fact; an exemplary report from the Responding to CALD Learners: Cultural Diversity in Action project. Other writers who interrogate and reflect are still busy at their desks. Our ‘Open Forum’ has taken off and some fine teachers have written about what matters to them. It’s terrific to get this reader input, which I think will assist in bringing some cohesion and collegiality to our sector. We have reviews coming in that will entice you to fatten up your library shelves. Make sure you’re a paid up member to get your copy of Fine Print—Fine reading, fine writing, Fine Print

Resources

7. Member resources

Many of our members produce useful resources which are often previewed at conferences or reviewed in Fine Print. See some of these on our new Resources page.
If you're a member of VALBEC (the first requirement) and you would like to have your product listed, contact VALBEC.

Other information

7. National Foundation Skills Strategy for Adults launch

The National Strategy focuses on improving outcomes for working age Australians (aged 15-64 years) with a view to moving more people to higher levels, but with a particular focus on those with low levels of foundation skill proficiency. Australian governments have set an aspirational target for the National Strategy that by 2022, two thirds of working age Australians will have literacy and numeracy skills at Level 3 or above.

Download a copy

8. Employment opportunities

ACFE, ACE, RTO and TAFE managers can post adult literacy, language and numeracy practitioner job ads in eVALBEC. Send your request (50 words limit) to info@valbec.org.au by the 26th of the month.

9. On and off

Subscribe to eVALBEC?

Just send an e-mail to info@valbec.org.au with your name and email address (organisation if you wish) and we'll put you on the list to receive this monthly enewsletter.

Unsubscribe?

Just send an e-mail to info@valbec.org.au with the word Unsubscribe in the subject.

10. Contact VALBEC

eVALBEC is the monthly electronic newsletter of (VALBEC) the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council.

E-mail: info@valbec.org.au

Web: http://www.valbec.org.au

Postal: Box 861 Springvale South VIC 3172

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 http://www.valbec.org.au

Disclaimer: The activities, goods and services mentioned in eVALBEC are not endorsed by VALBEC in any way. People should make their own judgment about the suitability of each item.

How to submit items: http://www.valbec.org.au/05/news.htm