As a new year opens, it always reminds me on Janus, the Roman god of two faces that January is named after. Janus’ two faces were used as a metaphor of looking back and looking forward; of the process of reflection and planning when the new year approaches. When I reflect on my first year as the VALBEC president, I am encouraged by the things that we were able to accomplish in 2022. An amazing face-to-face conference, terrific online professional learning sessions and some fantastically insightful articles published in Fine Print. It makes me very grateful and proud of all of those I work with in this council.
But what of 2023? Well, planning for our Refocus conference is well underway. In our latest conference committee meeting we have begun to plan some fantastic elements that will make the conference experience unforgettable. We will be announcing our keynote speaker, a person who has researched in the VET sector for over 25 years, very soon. The next edition of Fine Print is in full editorial swing and we’re keeping a finger on the pulse to see what topics you’d like us to cover for our professional learning sessions. Now that restrictions have well and truly lifted, I’m looking forward to a productive year of wrestling with this thing we call education, and being challenged in some of my educational biases.
So, like Janus, take the opportunity to think about where you were and where you are going. Maybe you’d like to present at our next conference? Or remind a student that ticking boxes is never going to be as powerful as pursuing our educational passions? Whatever your reflection is, have a very happy new year to you all and I look forward to seeing you in person or online through VALBEC this year.
Liam Frost-Camilleri
VALBEC President
VALBEC Membership
You can join or renew online.
https://valbec.org.au/membership/
If you join in August, September or October, deduct 50%. Renewal falls due the following February.
Members receive:
- Fine Print three times a year – a high quality journal for discussion and debate about good practice, theory and policy issues. Feedback and contributions are actively sought from members about content and issues.
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eVALBEC – our e-mail communication keeping members informed of professional development activities, general committee activities and more up to date policy changes.
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Discounts for the Annual Conference and other VALBEC statewide professional development.
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Issues-based forums.
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Focus on significant policy issues impacting on the field.
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Free numeracy resources.
CALL FOR PRESENTERS!
VALBEC Conference, 2023 - REFOCUS: Learner Centred Practices
We are excited to announce that we are officially asking for presenters for our next conference to be held on 19th May 2023 at the Angliss Conference Centre. With the COVID pandemic impacting us so greatly, there is no better time than now to start re-focussing on our students and the practices that help us engage and connect with them. We are excited to showcase all the exciting things that are done in our educational spaces.
If you are interested in presenting, please submit a proposal at: https://valbec.org.au/SubmitProposalPresent
Applications close 19th February 2023.
Excel Easy
Want to learn much more about Excel? This site offers tutorials on how to use excel.
East side literacy
Conversation starters and English language skill topics.
http://www.eastsideliteracy.org/tutorsupport/ESL/ESLTalkTimeTopics.htm
The
most recent issue of Fine Print is full of great ideas for the
classroom and thoughtful reflections on teaching, for example, this great interview with Joanna Osborne and Sarah Deasey about a Learn Local and TAFE partnership that generated a successful food handling course.
Do you know an educator who would make a good interview subject for Fine Print? Email your suggestions to Editor Deryn Mansell
fineprintvalbec@gmail.com
ACAL has a resource page for numeracy professional development.
Some interesting sessions and information.
Safer Internet Day
Organisation: Cyber Smart
Safer Internet day encourages families, libraries and schools to learn and connect together. Take positive actions and teach each other about staying safe online.
National/State: International
Website: www.saferinternetday.org/
eVALBEC
eVALBEC is the monthly 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
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: https://www.valbec.org.au/evalbec