eVALBEC July 2010
This is the electronic newsletter of VALBEC, the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council, and is sent to about 850 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
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In this Issue
1. VALBEC Twilight Forum: Exploring teaching philosophies and practices in adult education
2. ACAL Conference - Darwin
3. Community Services Workers & Volunteers Working with LLN Needs   
4. Unnecessary evil, tool for understanding or ethical responsibility A Brazilian experience
5. I Learn You Learn We Learn • 2010 VALBEC Conference
6. PM Congratulations
7. National Literacy and Numeracy Week
8. Hard to reach learners: What works in reaching and keeping them?  
9. NCVER free webinars • TAA... the friendly way?
10. Social capital approach into the teaching of adult literacy and numeracy
11. 2010-11 Victorian Women’s Leadership Grants
12. Vocational Education and Training
13. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
14. Unsubscribe?
15. Contact VALBEC
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1. VALBEC Twilight Forum: Exploring teaching philosophies and practices in adult education
Catherine Jenkins (CAE)
Details http://www.valbec.org.au/TWForumSep10.htm
Tuesday 3 August
North Fitzroy Star Hotel, The Garden Room
32-36 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North (near the corner of Newry Street)
5.30 – 7.30pm
Cost: Free but booking is essential; RSVP info@valbec.org.au  by July 31
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2. ACAL Conference - Darwin
'Hands up ... Hands on...'
Conference sessions
Over fifty presenters from Australia and New Zealand will join our key note speakers
HE. Kirsty Sword Gusmão, Chairwoman of the Alola Foundation and Goodwill Ambassador for Education, Timor-Leste
Professor Joe Lo Bianco, Chair of Language and Literacy Education and Associate Dean (Global Engagement). The University of Melbourne
Bill Atweh, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at the Science and Mathematics Education Centre at Curtin University of Technology
Details of conference sessions and speakers are now available at
http://www.acal.edu.au/2010conf/sessions.htm
Pre-Conference Forum 'At the front line: context, pedagogy and practice'
Thursday, Sep 9, 2010
More at http://www.acal.edu.au/2010conf/forum.htm
Discounts
Register now and take advantage of the Early Bird Discount (must pay by 5.00pm AEST, Tuesday 27 July 2010)
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3. Community Services Workers & Volunteers Working with LLN Needs   
National Consultation Forums
The CS&H ISC is preparing to undertake (free) national consultation forums in each State and Territory and an online survey to obtain industry feedback on draft additions and changes to the Community Services Training Package to incorporate LLN competency. The draft changes are intended to assist;
- volunteer tutors who provide adult LLN support, and
-workers in community services who work with clients with low LLN skills
There are two individual industry consultation sessions on each day at each location. The first session (morning session) is to review draft units of competency for workers in community services who work with clients with low LLN skills. The second session (afternoon session) is to review draft units of competency for volunteer tutors who provide adult LLN Support.
More details and dates at https://www.cshisc.com.au/index.php then ‘Language, Literacy and Numeracy Competency Development Project’
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4. Unnecessary evil, tool for understanding or ethical responsibility A Brazilian experience
Professor Lynn Mario T. Menezesde Souza
Wed, July 7, 2010, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM, Monash University Clayton Campus
In educational research, theory is seen by some to be an obstacle, only useful when addressing issues of choice and implementation of methodology. Focusing on specific experiences of educational practice in Brazil, this presentation discusses the role of theory in contributing to or hindering the understanding of the issues and policies involved and emphasises the political and ethical nature of educational research.
More http://myuminfo.umanitoba.ca/index.asp?sec=1238&too=200&dat=7/7/2010&sta=2&wee=4&eve=8&epa=43567
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5. I Learn You Learn We Learn • 2010 VALBEC Conference
See the website for Conference feedback, pictures and presentations
http://www.valbec.org.au
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6. PM Congratulations
Congratulations to the new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard and the new
Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, and Social Inclusion, Simon Crean.
We will watch with interest the impact of the increased Federal government funding through the Foundation Skills Package. Visit the DEEWR website for more information
http://www.deewr.gov.au
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7. National Literacy and Numeracy Week
August 31 to September 6
Find out more
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/NationalLiteracyandNumeracyWeek/
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8. Hard to reach learners: What works in reaching and keeping them?  
The ACFE Board commissioned the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) to undertake research into national and international best practice reach and retention of hard to reach learners. The research report includes practical examples of best practice as well as case studies demonstrating innovation in reaching hard-to-reach learners.
As part of the New Learner Markets – Reaching Hard to Reach Learners project, ACFE are conducting a World Café. This event for all ACE practitioners will explore innovative ways for extending ACE services to hard-to-reach learners.
The World Café will take place on 15 July 2010 in the Melbourne Town Hall.
Details http://www.acfe.vic.gov.au/web11/ACFEMain.nsf/allDocs/RWPB3E4B1BB85417629CA25763300165128?OpenDocument
Or if that link doesn’t work try http://www.acfe.vic.gov.au   then  “Information for Course providers” then “ACFE funding and resources - what is available.” then  ACFE Capacity Initiatives then “ ACE Capacity Memos”.
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9. NCVER free webinars TAA... the friendly way?
Register now for the free NCVER webinar series • TAA... the friendly way?
Berwyn Clayton will discuss the findings from 'Practitioner experiences and expectations with the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAA40104): A discussion of the issues' on Friday, 13 August 2010.
Register and get more details at http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/events.html
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10. Social capital approach into the teaching of adult literacy and numeracy
There’s a new publication Bringing a social capital approach into the teaching of adult literacy and numeracy: Good practice guide
The guide suggests ways VET practitioners can adopt a social capital approach to their teaching practice.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2252.html <http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2252.html>
social capital approach into the teaching of adult literacy and numeracy
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11. 2010-11 Victorian Women’s Leadership Grants
Applications close on 3 August 2010
The Women’s Leadership Grants are part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to creating a community where women have equal representation and can fully participate in all aspects of community and public life. Grants of up to $20,000 will be available to local councils, non- profit community and women’s groups in Victoria for projects and activities that: increase the capacity of women to participate in decision making, increase opportunities for women’s leadership, increase diversity among Victoria’s female leaders; in particular women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and Indigenous communities, rural and regional areas.
Details: http://www.women.vic.gov.au or call the Grants information line on 1300 366 356
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12. Vocational Education and Training
Australian Government Productivity Commission
Education and Training Workforce: Vocational Education and Training
Have your say by submitting a response by 30 July 2010
http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/study/education-workforce/vocational
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13. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
Click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=eVALBEC_Subscribe> and we’ll put you on the list to receive this monthly enewsletter.
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14. Unsubscribe?
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15. 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
Ph: 03 9546 6892
Fax: 03 9546 0421