eVALBEC February 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 OF eVALBEC:
1. Welcome
2. 2010 Conference • “I learn ...YOU learn ... WE learn” • Call for Papers
3. 'Understanding and Applying the ACSF' workshop is full
4. VALBEC Fees for 2010:
5. National VET research priorities: 2010 and beyond
6. Giving novice VET researchers a boost
7. Free resources
8. Enhance Your Skills: Monash University's Bachelor of Adult Learning and Development Program
9. $1.1m funding for e-learning innovation in Victoria
10. Summer Institute
11. Victorian E-Learning Innovations Projects - Applications Now Open!
12. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
13. Unsubscribe?
14. Contact VALBEC
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1. Welcome
Welcome to the first eVALBEC for 2010. We are looking forward to an active and successful year. On January16 the committee met for the annual planning meeting. We worked through a range of items for discussion with a number of ideas to follow up during the year. The committee decided to fund small practitioner based research projects that will focus on teaching and learning or development of resources. More information will be made available soon.
VALBEC committee meetings are generally held on the first Wednesday of the month. We welcome input from members to info@valbec.org.au
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2. 2010 Conference • I LEARN ...YOU learn ... WE learn • Call for Papers
VALBEC Conference 2010 – June 4
Pre-conference workshops – June3
William Angliss Conference Centre
This year the committee is offering support to first time presenters.
Details of the process at http://www.valbec.org.au/conf2010/callforpapers.htm
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3. 'Understanding and Applying the ACSF' workshop is full
We are unable to accept further applications for this workshop on February 9.
More information will be made available for repeat workshop sessions.
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4. VALBEC Fees for 2010:
The fees for 2010 are
• Individual membership - Employed Full-time (0.6 or above) - $90
• Individual membership - Part-time/Sessional - $56
• Full time tertiary student or unemployed teacher - $40
• Institutional membership - Small Organisation (less than 4* EFT staff) - $140
• Institutional membership - Base rate - $200
• Institutional membership - Multi-Campus (includes 6# copies of Fine Print) - $350 (was 5 copies of FP)
Additional copies of Fine Print sent to the same address are available at $15 per additional copy.
Invoices will be sent in February.
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5. National VET research priorities: 2010 and beyond
NCVER will be hosting a free public forum and a webinar to give stakeholders the opportunity to discuss the future national VET research priorities.
The forum will be held on Friday, 5 February 2010 at the Victoria University Convention Centre in Melbourne and the webinar will be held on Tuesday, 9 February 2010. To register for either of these events visit http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/researchpriorities/events.html
or contact June Ingham on 08 8230 8491.
For more information about the National VET research priorities visit http://www.ncver.edu.au/research/priorities2010beyond.html
You may also wish to contribute to a blog at http://futureresearch.pbworks.com/
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6. Giving novice VET researchers a boost
Ten NCVER Communities of Practice scholarships are available for novice researchers working in the VET sector. Successful applicants will receive $4,000 to help them participate in a community of practice where they will receive peer support as well as the assistance of a mentor to guide them through a research project.
Applications close Wednesday, 17 February 2010.
For more information contact Bridget Wibrow on 08 8230 8450.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/research/opportunities.html#Community_of_practice_scholarships_for_VET_practitioners
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7. Free resources
A novel half-hour cartoon-graphics video overview of learning to read and spell is free online at http://www.ozreadandspell.com.au/ Learners watch any time as they like, or download for DVD. Teachers use for reference. It applies all current methods, shows the alphabet, sounds and letters, common words, reading words and songs, explains spelling and its origins and how to put clues together. Viewers sing along with the words and songs, and re-watch what they still need. A checklist shows what you know and what is still to be learned. Not a panacea for everyone, but everyone learns something. Not for groups
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8. Enhance Your Skills: Monash University's Bachelor of Adult Learning and Development Program
The Bachelor of Adult Learning and Development offers a contemporary approach to workplace and community education. Offered by the Faculty of Education at Monash University, this course is designed for people who facilitate or manage adult learning in diverse workplace and community settings, including private RTOs, ACFE providers, TAFEs, industry, human services, and the corporate sector.
The course is structured to be completed in two years of full-time study which is achieved by recognition of prior learning in the first year. The course has flexible delivery options so that participants can manage the demands of work, family and study. Throughout the course, students will examine adult learning theory and methods, workplace learning and development, program design and delivery, flexible learning and multimedia, and innovation and sustainability.
Applications close 5 February 2010. Late applications may be considered on a case by case basis.
For more information visit: http://www.education.monash.edu.au/students/prospective/adult-learning.html
Or contact: Damon Anderson, Postgraduate Coordinator/Senior Lecturer in Work and Learning Studies Ph: 61 3 9905 9193 Damon.Anderson@Education.monash.edu.au
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9. $1.1m funding for e-learning innovation in Victoria
The national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/ is offering Victorian registered training organisations (RTOs) a share of $1,113,900 to develop innovative e-learning solutions and better support the training needs of Victorian business and industry.
Applicants are encouraged to build on existing Framework e-learning infrastructure when developing e-learning solutions, including Flexible Learning Toolbox
(Toolbox http://toolboxes.flexiblelearning.net.au/index.htm ) learning objects, e-standards http://e-standards.flexiblelearning.net.au/index.htm , resources, guidelines and professional networks.
In 2008 and 2009, 68 Victorian projects http://trainingo2.net/eli/search2.php were supported by the Framework to embed innovative e-learning solutions.
Online applications open 1 February 2010 and close on 2 March 2010.
Contact Howard Errey, by phone: (03) 9661 8710 or email: howard.errey@eworks.edu.au to discuss project ideas.
For more information, read the 2010 Victorian E-learning Innovations Guidelines for Applicants http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/files/2010_ELI_VIC_Guidelines_final.pdf
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10. Summer Institute
The Centre for Literacy is pleased to announce this year’s topic for Summer Institute 2010 – Workplace Literacy & Essential Skills: What Counts? and Why? Last year we explored the issues of what works in workplace literacy and essential skills. This year’s institute builds on and enlarges the themes and questions raised at the 2009 Summer Institute which posed the question What Works? and Why? The three-day institute will be held in Montreal, QC, Canada on June 28-30, 2010 and will bring together policy-makers, providers and researchers from across Canada and abroad to consider issues of Workplace Literacy & Essential Skills. Designed as a participatory learning forum, the Institute has invited Dr. Jan Eldred, Associate Director of NIACE and a principal researcher on Catching Confidence, to introduce the tool and offer recent input from the UK. We have also invited Dr. John Benseman, principal researcher of a comprehensive three year study conducted by the Department of Labour, Government of New Zealand to discuss the final results and insights from that study.
See http://www.centreforliteracy.qc.ca/inst/sli2010/CFL_SUM_INSTITUTE_2010_FINAL.pdf
for more information.
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11. Victorian E-Learning Innovations Projects - Applications Now Open!
Just a reminder that applications are now open for the 2010 Victorian E-learning Innovations Projects. (between $10,000 - $50,000) Guidelines and working version of the 2010 E-learning Innovations Application Form can be downloaded from, http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/content/vic-activities.
A number of free information sessions for people interested in Victorian E-learning Innovations funding will be held during the week beginning 1 February 2010. Check the link for more information.
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12. 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. 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