It has been all systems go here at VALBEC HQ over the last few weeks. Sorting through some amazing presentation ideas and working towards opening conference registration (insert sneaky plug here for the early bird registration! (https://valbec.org.au/page-18203). We are always humbled by the presentation ideas that come forward, and through them we are reminded of the important work that VALBEC does in bringing research, modern teaching practices and novel industry connections to our members and wider community. And our 2024 conference will be no different.
In other news, we have heard that some emails may not be getting through to members. It is important that you ensure ‘info@valbec.org.au’ is in your ‘safe sending’ list, even if you have been receiving some of our emails. Sometimes the title or content of the email might be flagged by your overzealous spam filter system, making us as a ‘safe sender’ will stop this problem from happening (and I am aware of the irony of writing this in a message that you potentially didn’t receive due to a spam filter!).
Lastly, our PL sessions roll on. Our own Chris Tully spoke about financial literacy in late March which held some fantastic instructions on how to use money concepts to help teach low level numeracy students. If her presentation is anything to go by, we’re going to have a year of fantastic presentations ahead of us! Looking forward to seeing you at our conference or other sessions!
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.
Conference registrations are open! Take advantage of our early bird discounts at https://valbec.org.au/page-18203.
The conference is on the 17th of May, from 8:45 to 3:00 at the Angliss Conference Centre, Level 5, 555 Latrobe St, Melbourne, VIC, 3000.
The conference will feature Professor Vicky Duckworth as keynote. Vicky is deeply committed to challenging inequality through critical and emancipatory approaches to education, widening participation, inclusion, and community action. A key strand of work includes addressing the personal/public and intergeneration impact of trauma and violence on learners lives and their communities. Alongside Rob Smith, Vicky led the ground-breaking Transforming Lives project (Smith and Duckworth, 2022) which exposed the benefits of education throughout life. Vicky was a member of the 2019 Lifelong Learning Commission and is a founder member of Right2Learn.
Maths in the VET Sector
VALBEC presents another great Professional Learning Session presented by Ruth Patterson.
From traditional trades, Business and IT courses, Hair and Beauty, and food studies, the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector provides thousands of students with affordable, practical study options which align to industry, and provide pathways to employment. The Maths and Numeracy skills required in these courses can vary from basic calculations to more complex algebra and problem solving.
This presentation will look at some of the different examples of Maths in VET courses, with emphasis on practical applications, and the “number sense” which we all have, and just need to apply it!
Ruth Patterson spent 10 years in the paint, plastics and packaging industries as an Industrial Chemist and technical sales representative. After having 3 sons, she did a Dip Ed and has now taught numeracy in the VET sector for almost 20 years, with some secondary school teaching in the background.
She taught at Victoria University for many years, and with Kangan TAFE in Corrections Education for seven years. She now teaches Maths in the Learning Support area, primarily with the Trades students, at Melbourne Polytechnic.
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Who: |
Ruth Paterson |
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When: |
Tuesday, 23rd April 2024, 5.30 - 6.30 pm AEST |
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Where: |
ZOOM |
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Cost: |
VALBEC Members Free; non-Members $25 |
Englishtenses.com
Englishtenses.com is a website dedicated to the subject of the English verb tenses and grammar.
https://www.englishtenses.com/
English with Jennifer
Learn to communicate confidently and effectively in English.
https://www.englishwithjennifer.com/
The first issue of Fine Print for 2024 will be in members’ mailboxes in April - make sure your membership details are up to date so you don’t miss out.
While you’re waiting, here’s an article from our last issue that is very pertinent given the rapid rise of AI in all facets of society:
The Importance of Digital Citizenship for Adult Learners by Tanya Enright.
1st April – April Fool’s Day
11th April – National Pet Day
19th April – Bicycle Day
21st April – National Tea Day
22nd April – Earth Day
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