Tag Archives: Adult Literacy and Numeracy

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Certificate IV qualification for the delivery and assessment of foundation skills – update

Throughout June Innovation & Business Skills Australia (IBSA) conducted a consultation process to scope a proposed certificate IV qualification that would equip VET practitioners with the skills and knowledge to address the foundation skills needs of learners.

 Scoping process and findings

Targeted consultations were held in a number of locations and more than 50 written responses to the scoping discussion paper were received from individuals and organisations representing a wide range of stakeholders.

Key findings from the scoping process were:

  •  widespread acknowledgement of a gap in VET workforce capability, but little support for a new certificate IV qualification as an appropriate workforce development solution
  • many suggestions for a more narrowly focussed product, such as a skill set or qualification stream, to extend the skills and knowledge of vocational practitioners
  • questions about the fitness for purpose of the current TAE certificate IV and diploma qualifications in relation to equipping VET practitioners with the ability to address the foundation skills needs of their learners.

Recommendations for development

Findings from the scoping process were considered by IBSA’s National Project Reference Group (NPRG) at a meeting on 16 July 2012. After considering a number of options, the NPRG recommended that IBSA should:

  • develop a new skill set within the TAE10 Training Package comprising the existing units TAELLN401 and TAELLN501 and new units focused on sourcing specialist expertise and resources, working collaboratively with LLN specialists and effective instructional strategies for building foundation skills within a vocational training context. Units developed for the new skill set will be made available as electives in both the TAE40110 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and the TAE50111 Diploma of VET providing a developmental pathway between the two qualifications.
  • continue to monitor the fitness for purpose of the TAE40110 and the TAE50111 to ensure that they meet the needs of the VET workforce. The NPRG noted that the structure of both of these qualifications will be changed in 2014 to move current LLN elective units into the core – TAELLN401 into the core of the TAE40110, and TAELLLN501 into the core of the TAE50111.

Development work on the new skill set will be conducted between August and November 2012.

Further information about the project will be added to the IBSA website as the project progresses.

Thanks to all the members of the WA Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALaN) Network that contributed to this result. This was the most popular topic on the CGEA Network Google Group this year.

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‘Literacy and Numeracy Studies’ free journal

Literacy and Numeracy Studies  is a free journal published by the University of Technology Sydney.

The  latest issue  Vol 20, No 1 (2012) includes:

  • Editorial – Keiko Yasukawa, Stephen Black
  • Developing Social Capital In ‘Learning Borderlands’: Has the Federal Government’s budget delivered for low-paid Australian workers? – Maree Keating
  • Health Literacy as a Complex Practice – Judy Hunter, Margaret Franken
  • Methadone, Counselling and Literacy: A health literacy partnership for Aboriginal clients – Stephen Black, Anne Ndaba, Christine Kerr, Brian Doyle
  • ‘Passivity’ or ‘Potential’?: Teacher responses to learner identity in the low-level ESL classroom – Sue Ollerhead
  • Book Review – Phonetics for Phonics by Ross Forman

You can subscribe to the journal here

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Certificates in General Education for Adults Review

The Certificates in General Education for Adults are being reaccredited during 2012/2013. The reaccreditation will take into account any impact of the Foundation Skills Training Package, currently under development.

Phase 1 of the reaccreditation process focused on research and consultation with key stakeholders and was completed in June.

The project is now entering phase 2 which will involve the redevelopment of the curriculum. The reaccredited curriculum is scheduled for publication on the Training Support Network website in April 2013. A focus group was held in Melbourne on 9 August to consult on potential changes to the curriculum.

For more information contact the Curriculum Maintenance Manager (CMM) Service General Studies and Further Education at sicmm.generalstudies@vu.edu.au or by phone on 99195300/5302.

Watch the CGEA Network Google Group for opportunities to contribute to the Western Australian input.

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2012 NSW ALNC Conference 10 December, 2012

Reading the digital word, to read the digital world?

2012 NSW Adult Literacy and Numeracy Council  (NSWALNC) Conference 10 December, 2012

The theme of the 2012 NSWALNC conference is: Reading the digital word, to read the digital world. The conference will work with a ‘twist’ of Paulo Freire’s idea of literacy – that we read the word in order to read the world we live in.  Conference participants will consider what this means in our contemporary context, as forms of reading have expanded dramatically with the introduction of new media and technologies. What has changed about literacy, what hasn’t? What does this mean for literacy teaching? (And of course,what does this mean for numeracy?)

The conference will feature keynote addresses by Professor Robyn Jorgensen on numeracy, and Helen De Silva Joyce on visual literacy.

For further information, email nswlanc@gmail.com

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25 years helping with driving licences

Rachael Marriette is now back on the road after completing Karrayili Adult Education Centre’s Driver Education programme. Rachael enrolled in the programme over a year ago to help her pass her theory test, acquire a Learner’s Permit, get professional driving lessons and pass her driving test.

The Driver Education course was delivered under the Certificates in General Education for Adults (Introductory) and gave Rachael the opportunity to slowly work through all the licensing requirements getting the literacy support she needed.

“This course really helped me to work on my licence,” Rachael said. “If I didn’t get help from Karrayili it would’ve taken me longer to do it. It was really good and the teachers made sure I kept going and didn’t give up. I’m happy now that I’ve got my licence back so that I can drive my kids around and use it for my new job.”

Fiztroy Crossing AustraliaKarrayili has been delivering Driver Education for the last 25 years supporting Fitzroy Crossing, town communities and communities of the Fitzroy Valley. For more information contact General Education Coordinator, Emilia Biemmi Beurteaux on 08 9191 5333.

 

First published in ACAL eNews

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ALaN Network Facilitators appointed for 2012

The Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) has once again provided some paid time to support the WA Adult Literacy and Numeracy (ALAN)  Network.  Seven facilitators were appointed for 2012 and they will undertake a range of functions designed to develop our membership and services.

Facilitators will focus on keeping up to date in a particular area (eg Adult literacy, Indigenous education, adult numeracy, online tools, ESL) as well as providing more general assistance to members to help us get the most from our online community.

The 2012 ALaN Network Facilitators are:

Chantal Adams – Kimberley Training Institute

Jo Hart  – C.Y. O’Connor Institute

Matthew Highman  – Polytechnic West

Dani Murray – independent, ex-Centacare Employment and Training

Helen Smith – Durack Institute of Technology

William Griffiths – Great Southern Institute of Technology

Sue Brennan – Central Institute of Technology

You can communicate with this group by responding to this blog or by posing questions on the CGEA Network Google Group (members only).  They will respond as availability allows. Each facilitator brings a unique set of expertise so by posing your question to all of us, you can get information from different perspectives: urban, country, different class types and funding sources, and different backgrounds and experience.

Other members are encouraged to contribute as well – and if you enjoy it, perhaps you would like to nominate yourself for next year’s paid roles.

Submitted by Cheryl Wiltshire, WA ALaN Network Coordinator

 

 

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New feature: In the media

It’s about confidence and trust in teachers

Emma Alberici on ABC TV’s Lateline talks to Pasi Sahlberg, director-general of the Ministry of Education in Helsinki, about why Finland consistently beats most of the rest of the countries in the OECD in maths, reading and literacy at all levels of primary and high school. The secret, according to him, is to be found in Finland’s highly educated teachers.

Teaching in Finland is a respected and prestigious profession, and it’s paid accordingly. Gaining entry to study teaching is extremely competitive, and nearly every teacher in the country has a master’s degree.

Video and transcript at   http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2012/s3441913.htm or available as a Vodcast from the ABC website archives.

 

Reporting teacher performance using student scores

20 March 2012

The  article, Teacher Performance Abusers of Statistics,   was written in response to the recent publication of the names of teachers and their “performance scores” by the New York Post (February, 2012).

 

 

 

 

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Conferences! WA, Interstate, or International?

WAALC Conference • 11-12 July, 2012

Central Institute of Technology Perth

At the heart of the matter – identity and trust in adult learning

As the OECD becomes convinced that the best performing education systems are those that strive for equity and quality, Australia continues to put its faith in the power of measurement and accountability to deliver ‘market changes’ that will improve outcomes in all our education sectors. This conference will place people – teachers and learners – at the heart of educational quality.  We want to move away from framing debates around policy imperatives, economic outcomes and abstractions such as ‘core skills’ or ’employability skills’.  We are asking the question: what makes learning work for people?

What causes a person to be able to learn? How do people develop resilience? What does it take to build confidence? What is it that teachers need to know and understand about their adult learners and their learner’s lives? How do differences between the identities of teachers and those of their learners impact on relationships and learning? How can teachers develop relationships with learners that enable them to understand how a person thinks and feels and does things? How will they use this understanding to create environments in which people can more successfully learn?

And what of the people who are teachers? What do teachers need from the system so that they can continue their own learning? What skills and knowledge do beginning teachers need – does initial training provide these? How can teachers use the variety of strengths they find in their students to harness learning energy? How can teachers consciously build social capital in their learning environments as a basis for and outcome of learning? How can teachers get support from their peers?

Develop a proposal now if you have information to share that will renew our focus on the heart of the matter: ways of working that meet the needs of learners and, as a natural result, achieve better outcomes for the wider society as well.

Call for papers closes 24 April 2012

http://www.waalc.org.au/12conf/callforpapers.htm

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ACAL Conference – Joining the Pieces: Literacy and Numeracy – one part of the picture

19-21 Sept • Hobart

The 2012 ACAL conference will explore three key questions about adult literacy and numeracy. These questions are about how we connect, co-operate and create.

Submit a proposal for a session that will:

  • stimulate thought and discussion on relevant issues and practice
  • be interactive and encourage dialogue
  • display innovation and flexibility in practice/research
  • demonstrate effective practice in a range of settings
  • exemplify adult learning principles
  • critique changes in state and federal government policies and priorities
  • communicate developments and findings in research and research practices.

Proposals are due by 12 May, 2012

http://www.tcal.org.au/12conf/index.htm

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VALBEC Annual conference  ‘Read the word, Read the world •  May 25 2012

Venue: William Angliss Conference Centre Melbourne

The program offers plenary sessions and a choice from fourteen workshops. Keynote speaker is Rowena Allen ACFE Chair.

Registrations are now open

http://www.valbec.org.au/2012conf/index.htm

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Australian Council of TESOL Associations International TESOL Conference (ACTA) •  Cairns •  3rd to 5th July 2012

‘TESOL as a Global Trade – Ethics, Equity and Ecology’

http://www.astmanagement.com.au/acta12/

Pre-conference symposium Monday 2 July 2012 at the Cairns Convention Centre

‘Teaching and learning pronunciation: Local and global perspectives on research and practice’

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION CLOSES 20th APRIL 2012

Complete your registration and payment now to be eligible for the Early Bird discount registration.
Registration fees will be increased by $100 after the 20th April.
Registration to the Pronunciation Symposium held on the 2nd July is an
optional extra. Special discounts are offered to those attending the
conference.

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International Conference of Adults Learning Mathematics

The 19th International Conference of Adults Learning Mathematics – A Research Forum (ALM19) is to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from Tuesday June 26 to Friday June 29 2012.

ALM is an international organisation which brings together practitioners and researchers who are involved in mathematics and numeracy education for adult learners in order to inform policy and practice. Information about the conference, the call for papers and registration are available at: http://literacyandnumeracyforadults.com/Professional-Development/Conferences/2012-ALM19-Conference

 

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ALaN WA Online Newsletter No2 February 2012

Welcome to edition 2 of the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Network of Western Australia Newsletter!

Views expressed by contributors to the newsletter are their own and unless expressly stated do not reflect the opinions of their employers/organisations.

This contents page links individually to each article enabling you to go immediately to those of your choice. Alternatively if you go to the main blog link you can access the articles by scrolling down the page.

We welcome your comments and contributions to our newsletter. If you are an Adult Literacy/Numeracy practitioner in Western Australia or indeed anywhere in the world we invite you to subscibe and comment. If you interested in joining the GoogleGroup for our network please visit our “How to join” page and complete the online form.

Lots of dates for your diary in this edition – we hope to have a calendar available soon!

1. Teach Me Grammar!

This highly successful action learning PD program is now available for 2012

2. Supporting the ALaN Network

Becoming a network facilitator

3. Numeracy professional development resource

Take a look at the numeracy/maths of the workplace

4. Fitness & Sports resource

A great review of this resource from Southern Grampians Adult Education

5. CGEA extension to end 2012

6. Entry to General Education (EGE) moderation date

7. WAALC Conference 2012

8. 2012 ACAL conference in Hobart

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Teach Me Grammar!

In the second half of 2011, twelve intrepid language and literacy teachers joined the Teach Me Grammar Project – an action learning project investigating the ins and outs of teaching grammar to various adult learner groups (CaLD, native speakers, ATSI, Deaf).

The aim was to identify the value of teaching grammar and of finding the most productive and effective ways of doing so. The participants attended ten, four-hour PD sessions to learn the grammar themselves (or ‘plug the gaps’ in their grammar knowledge) and to consider and learn about a variety of techniques for teaching it to their own learners.  Between the sessions, the participants were  expected to teach at least some of what they had learned to their own students, and then reflect on the experience through a specially designed blog.

The great success of the project has led to a slightly extended program and a second, more intensive program being organised for 2012. If you are interested in participating (or simply finding out a little more about it) contact Geoff Pearson on 9330 8989.

Teach Me Grammar is an Action Learning Professional Development Program funded by the WA Department of Training and Workforce Development (DTWD) open to all adult literacy and English language teachers working in Western Australia.

Applications for 2012 are open now 

What the 2011 participants said about the Teach Me Grammar (TMG) Program… 

  • “Vastly improved my understanding of grammar.  I came away with not just a better knowledge of grammar but as importantly, a lot less fear, and dare I say a bit of confidence. I look forward to using all I have learnt with my students in the future.”  – Jenni Wieland, Challenger TAFE, Fremantle 
  • “I now firmly believe that grammar [teaching] must be embedded in the material that students are learning and I’m beginning to understand why some of my earlier ‘grammar’ lessons made no impact on students, because they had no context.” – Gillian Pow Chong, Curtin College and CentaCare, Perth 
  • “I have learnt to integrate grammar with reading which helps me see the relevance of teaching the grammar and, I believe, makes it more real for the students.” – Chesson Henshaw, Polytechnic West, Perth 
  • “My ability to teach grammar to my students has improved to the extent that it has become so much easier, in fact exciting, to teach grammar in class.” – Silvano Fasolo, Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison, Kalgoorlie 
  • “TMG opened my mind to a whole new ‘grammar world’.” – Charmaine Marshall, ATA Training, West Perth 
  • “One student missed out an article and preposition.  He wrote “I felt hero.”  I used the terms ‘article’ and ‘preposition’ when discussing his editing with him.  He corrected his mistake very easily. It was really good to be able to use these terms with him and have him know what I was talking about.” – Sharyn Dauti, South Western Institute of Technology, Bunbury 
  • “Although I was a complete beginner, I have gained invaluable skills… [Grammar] is now one of my favourite hobbies!” – Susan Bates, Emmanuel Centre, East Perth 
  • “I have a better understanding of an approach to teaching grammar – the starting points and pathways from the points. I also have great ideas of how to make it fun!” – Nola Cigulev, South Western Institute of Technology, Bunbury 
  • “I found that my delivery including changes as learnt from the course has raised [my students’] motivation and awareness. There has been a marked improvement both in their writing and speaking.” – Seema Mazumdar, Polytechnic West, Balga 
  • “I can make ESL / literacy teaching more interesting, practical and effective by implementing new grammar concepts learned in the TMG Program.” – Maria Bunn, ATA Training, West Perth 
  • “An awesome course that was presented in a fun, enjoyable and informative way [and] modelled excellent learning techniques.” – Diane Vosganoff, WA Institute for Deaf Education, Belmont 

In their Program Exit Surveys, all participants said they would highly recommend the Teach Me Grammar Action Learning Program to other ESL / Literacy Teachers.