A VALBEC (Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Educational Council) Professional Learning session presented by Stephen Robertson.
VALBEC presents another great Professional Learning Session presented by Stephen Robertson.
This presentation is designed for you to understand literacy task development across CGEA levels I, II and III, whilst highlighting task complexity, appropriate terminology, and useful tools you can utilise throughout the process.
We will be looking at what types of terminology are used for each of the 3 levels. We will then be analysing the reading, writing, and oral structure of tasks aimed at the 3 different levels.
With understanding the structure used, we will then be reviewing some example tasks for reading, writing and oracy across the 3 levels. After this, we will be discussing ways you could create and deliver more engaging and well thoug-thought-sks for your students. Finally, at the end, we will be recapping the key points about literacy tasks at each certification level, task creation, terminology used, and tools we could use to create a more engaging classroom experience.
Stephen has been teaching CGEA for over 6 years at all 3 levels. He started off as a graphic designer, then studied and worked in the IT internet security field. He then studied a diploma in community services which allowed him to learn about the CGEA and VCAL educational field. He started to then work as a support worker whilst going back to university to do a double degree in health sciences and secondary teaching. Whilst studying this course from 2018 onwards, he started to teach CGEA units and when he completed in 2021, he then started to teach CGEA full time.
Who: Stephen Roberson
When: Thursday, 22nd August 2024, 5.30-6.30 pm AEST
Where: Zoom
Cost: VALBEC Members Free; non-Members $10
When: Tuesday 23rd July 2024 Where: Zoom |
Numeracy
in the pandemic is a fast-growing, well-recognized field and is the
most exciting modern application of mathematics. It helps us to
understand the dynamic processes involved and in making practical
predictions.
The application of numeracy in an epidemic can be helpful to the public health policy makers in taking the right decisions for controlling the rapid outbreak of infectious diseases.
To present this interesting topic we have Dr. Harkaran Singh, Educator in Maths/Numeracy at Chisholm Institute, Dandenong.
He has done PhD on Mathematical modelling in population biology from IKG-Punjab Technical University, India. He has published 10 research papers in the journals of international repute. He is co-author of the book titled “Mathematical Population Dynamics and Epidemiology in Temporal and Spatio-Temporal Domains” published jointly by Taylor & Francis Group and Apple Academic Press.
He is recipient of an Award for Young Investigator from India and Southeast Asia presented by International Society for Infectious Diseases in association with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Who: Dr Harkaran Singh
When: Thursday 6th October 2022, 5-6 pm AEST
Recording:
The
teaching context of TAFE schools is English as a medium of instruction
(EMI). However, a large cohort of students have language levels lower
than the required ones. Research has shown that in EMI contexts,
students’ language can only be improved if they get explicit language
support or corrective feedback during the course ( Do & Nguyen,
2019, Nguyen et.al, 2018, 2019). The question is how to best address students’ needs of language and literacy improvements while teaching other contents and vice versa.
This presentation will provide a brief overview of the Language and Content integrated learning theory (CLIL), then provide examples of how to design a CLIL lesson in a TAFE course.
Ha has been teaching and doing research in language learning, TESOL and literacy for more than 20 years. Content and language integrated learning is one of her main interests.
Who: Ha Do
When: Tuesday 16 August, 5-6 pm
Catherine Bunard has been teaching English as an Additional Language to adults for over thirty years... and still finds it hard to pronounce the word "rural" even though she knows exactly how to write it using phonetic symbols!
Funnetics aims to demystify phonetics for teachers who need a little encouragement using pronunciation activities with students. This is followed by 'Funnetic' participation in breakout rooms where teachers try out Catherine’s pronunciation activities. Whatever you thought of phonetics before, this webinar is going to be PHON!
Who: Catherine Bunard and the VALBEC PL Forum Team
When: June 15, 5-6 pm
Recording: Available to Valbec members
Join Clare Harris, Bernard Miles and Lauren Piovesan; three independent Australian publishers, writers and designers of adult learning resources, talking about their resources and the stories behind writing them.
In our first MtM session for the year, Clare, Bernard and Lauren will talk about their LLND resources, the stories behind writing them and answer questions from the audience.
Facilitated by: The VALBEC Professional Learning Team
Date: Wednesday 6 April @ 5pm
Recording: Available to Valbec members
Participants are encouraged to ask questions and share ideas with colleagues during the session.
Nurturing your Numeracy practiceNurturing your Numeracy practice with Dave Tout and Chris Tully. What are the challenges to teaching numeracy? Do you sometimes struggle finding different ways to teach numeracy?
It is an interactive session with opportunities for small group discussions about the particular contexts and issues you face. Join numeracy experts Dave Tout and Chris Tully who will provide guidance and feedback to build confidence and strengthen your numeracy teaching practice. Facilitators: Chris Tully (Melbourne Polytechnic) and Dave Tout (ACER) |
A conversation with Jo Medlin, Adam Nobilia, Liam Frost-Camilleri and colleagues about SBS documentary ‘Lost for Words’Join Valbec and the teachers behind ‘Lost for Words’ for a free, BYO ‘drinks & nibblies’ discussion about documentary making and literacy learning Panelists: Jo Medlin, Adam Nobilia, Liam Frost-Camilleri and colleagues ‘Lost for Words’ is SBS’s heart warming documentary about learning to read as an adult. Jo and Adam spent a significant part of 2021 advising and appearing in this 3-part series about the challenges and triumphs for adults overcoming reading difficulties. Episode #1 of ‘Lost for Words’ airs on SBS 8.30pm Wednesday 22 September. Participants should watch Episode 1 before attending this interactive session. You’ll be invited to have a chat with a group of colleagues from around Australia to share impressions of episode #1 and discuss some practical ways to use the series in your literacy education work. It’s an informal gathering. Participants can ask questions and share ideas throughout the session. The session will not be recorded. Certificates of attendance are not available. |
Webinar – Unpacking numeracy in a pandemicPresenter: Tina Berghella Recording: Available to Valbec members Every day we receive updates of COVID19 data, restrictions and risk advice that is rich in mathematical information. How do we make sense of it? How can we support our learners to make sense of it? Join Tina in a discussion about some of the numeracy demands embedded in public health texts. Tina Berghella is an independent VET consultant with a science and manufacturing background and an interest in numeracy in the workplace and in real life. | ![]() |
Webinar – Neurodiversity in Adult LearningPresenter: Linno Rhodes Recording: Available to Valbec members Dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia and dysgraphia are perhaps the most common specific learning differences we encounter in the adult learning environment. In this webinar, participants will be guided through the manifestations of these learning differences and learn some strategies to expand their teaching toolbox. We will revisit the adult learning principles and look at teaching though a strength-based approach. Linno Rhodes is an adult literacy educator. She is interested in the transformative power of education and the wonders of the brain and learning. |
Webinar - Teaching Literacy to Adults with a Mild Intellectual DisabilityPresenter: Christina Evans Recording: Available to Valbec members “Teaching Literacy to Adults with a Mild Intellectual Disability” and more specifically, some useful activities, resources, teaching methods and strategies.Christina has been teaching adult students with mild intellectual disabilities since 2008. Her first job was with La Trobe Lifeskills, teaching the Certificate I in Transition Education. After that, in 2009 she taught at the then Kangan Institute for three years, in their Foundation Studies, Work Education and VCAL Departments. All the while, she was teaching literacy to students with various disabilities. In 2013, she taught VCAL (Literacy focus) at what is now Melbourne Polytechnic’s Heidelberg campus, as well as at Olympic Adult Education in West Heidelberg, as an Adult Literacy teacher. Her next move was to Box Hill Institute, in their Work Education Department and then finally, she landed a job (in 2015) at the now Melbourne Polytechnic Preston Campus, where she is currently teaching a variety of subjects, including Literacy, within their Work Education Programs. |
Webinar - English language learners: what works for traumatised students, and everyone else too!Presenter: Victoria Wilson This presentation, by veteran ESL/EFL teacher and PhD candidate Victoria (Tori) Wilson, presents the latest research about trauma-informed English language teaching of adults. Tori will describe how trauma affects learning, and outline trauma-informed principles backed by both neuroscience and social psychiatry. She will also introduce her doctoral research into post-traumatic stress and the adult ESL learning environment. Privileging student voice, this research is based on data from a broad range of adult ESL students in Australia. Uniquely, it includes the experiences and insights of both traumatised and non-traumatised students, with participants falling along various points of the post-traumatic stress continuum. Drawing directly from this qualitative data, Tori will explain how trauma-informed, humanising practices are universally beneficial for all second or other language learners. |
2021 AGM and presentation by Pip WilliamsOnline meeting: Wednesday 21 April 2021, 6:30pm AEST Members and friends are invited to join the VALBEC Committee for our Annual General Meeting, followed by a presentation by PIP WILLIAMS, author of the highly acclaimed historical novel, The Dictionary of Lost Words. |
ALA and Valbec webinar: What does it mean to be numerate?Presenter: Chris Tully Recording: Available to Valbec members This webinar is designed for teachers of literacy who also teach some numeracy. It will discuss what are important concepts to understand. The webinar will look at the common issues learners have with numeracy and mathematics. It will explore some teaching tips on how to help students gain confidence with their numeracy skills. It will also hopefully make numeracy fun for you and the students. Come along with any numeracy concepts that you want to discuss. Chris Tully has been teaching Numeracy for over 30 years. She has taught in a number of different areas including foundation courses, to first nation peoples, in industry and to VET students in trade areas. Chris has also been involved in the accreditation and re-accreditation of various programs including CGEA, CIALLN, Bachelor of Information Technology and ACSF. She has also delivered a range of professional learning workshops to numeracy and literacy practitioners, Bachelor of teaching students and VET teachers. |
Webinar - Shame: Barriers in Adult EducationPresenter: Holly Armstorng Recording: Available to Valbec members This presentation is designed for adult educators and anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the ways that shame may be one of the biggest obstacles for adults in the classroom. Learn practical strategies to help students navigate those obstacles while building shame resilience based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown and the experiences of real adult learners. Holly Armstrong has supported adult learners in multiple contexts, and for the past 5 years specifically worked with non-traditional and struggling college students. She has also seen shame impact learners in all levels of the U.S. education system as a remedial reading teacher, instructional coach, director of literacy and curriculum, and creating instructional intervention programs. She is now the Head of Student Success for AdvanceEDU, a U.S. nonprofit that aims to increase college and career access by providing personalised and flexible support for students who need it most. |