Learning on the edge: Applied between, within, across
Our learners are on the edge — between last century and this one, between school and work, between adolescence and adulthood.
This conference brings together a group of keen educators who are also on the edge — the edge of what is current and what is possible. In their exploration of the four themes of Design, Sustainability, Technology and Narratives of learning they bring grounded knowledge and practical experience in engaging young people through Applied Learning. VALA is delighted to announce the Conference Program for 2010.
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Keynote: 'Engaging at the Edge' with Andrew Douch
Keynote presentation: 'Engaging at the Edge'
Andrew Douch
In this presentation, Andrew will explain why he believes it is necessary for teachers to adopt new approaches to teaching a new generation of learners. His intention is not to promote "high-tech" skills in teachers, but rather to encourage widespread adoption of easy-to-use technologies that are 'high-concept' and have the power to transform classroom interaction.
In the last decade, informal communication between young people has been revolutionised by social networking sites, instant messaging, mobile phones and numerous other technologies that give them instant access to information and people any time, anywhere. In his presentation Andrew will show how any teacher is able to change the way he or she communicates with students, taking advantage of the very same digital communication tools that Gen-Y students use. From podcasting to social networking to mobile phones to virtual classrooms, this presentation will explore the potential in digital communication technologies to challenge where, when and how class members interact, and even who the class members are.
Andrew is adamant in his belief that teachers don't need "computer skills" to transform their classrooms, but a willingness to question their 20th Century paradigms and rethink their role as an educator in a world where information is available on-demand and communication is instantaneous. He will show real-world examples of the ways in which teachers have used the ideas he promotes, across a range of subjects and year levels, to make a profound impact on student engagement and learning outcomes.
Andrew Douch is a practicing teacher of 20 years, and is currently the ICT Innovations Leader at Wanganui Park Secondary College, in Shepparton, Victoria. He has won a number of awards for his work with emerging technologies in education, including a 2007 Australian Government Highly Commended Award for Quality Schooling, the 2008 Victorian Education Excellence Award for Curriculum Innovation and the 2008 Microsoft Worldwide Innovative Teacher of the Year.
Andrew is in demand as a keynote speaker, locally and internationally and is sought as a consultant by schools and Education Departments on the use of online tools in schools. He is also in demand to provide professional learning workshops in schools - showing teachers how they can use freely available tools to transform their classrooms into learning communities, which not only engage Generation Y students, but also lead to significantly improved learning outcomes
Introducing the Marketplace
Conferences are wonderful places for finding out about the latest programs, resources and methods. But sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day. To help you leverage your time, VALA have introduced The Marketplace; an opportunity to engage with a range of presenters around a theme.
How it works
Within the space, round tables will be set up to seat approximately eight people. Presenters have about 10 minutes to explain their work to the small group and answer questions. At the end of the time you move to the next table, and the next presenter. This is a more intimate and relaxed method of finding out about a range or programs and approaches in a short time and it should be fun! For more details see the description below.
Session A 
A2 Searching for SI: Beyond Gardiner’s intelligences
Can we explore another intelligence in the classroom- one that extends and deepens Gardiner’s theory? Karen investigates how to create a learning environment that encourages the exploration of our spiritual or existential nature. This enables young people to improve their dynamic impact in dealing with everyday challenges.
Karen Dymke, Luther College
Karen Dymke is currently the Director of Learning at Luther College. She has a passion for applied, experiential and real learning. Her ability as a facilitator and her engaging approach to learning as fun will help make connections as you explore this theory.
FULL A3 What’s my theme? Integrated literacy and numeracy
Engaging students at different levels within the one classroom can be tricky. An integrated approach can make the difference. During this workshop you will have the opportunity to look at and play with materials that have worked well in the classroom to support Literacy and Numeracy skills within themes such as water conservation, food, diet and population.
Chris Tully & Pauline Morrow, Kangan TAFE
Pauline and Chris taught in the secondary system before moving to TAFE where they teach literacy and numeracy to students of different ages from a variety of backgrounds. Chris teaches in VCE and VCAL programs and presented a very popular session at the VALA Numeracy day in 2009.
Mentors at NETschool re-engage young people (15-19) experiencing difficulties with mainstream schooling but who want to continue their education and assist them in literacy, numeracy, and employability skills They complete VCAL units, sometimes without knowing they are! This active workshop will use the experiences of these learners as a focus and hear from them what they think makes NETschool a success. Julie will also look at the research findings from La Trobe University.
Julie Connell, NETschool Bendigo - Bendigo Senior Secondary College
Julie Connell is a founding member of the NETschool team and has been a mentor to home based and centre based learners. She is currently the Team Facilitator and is a keen advocate of restorative practice as a way of building positive relationships between mentors and learners. NETschool is an off site annexe of Bendigo Senior Secondary College.
FULL A5 E-portfolios: your learning pass-port!
E-portfolios are learner centred, personal online spaces which support lifelong and life-wide learning. They provide a mechanism for individuals to manage their existing knowledge and facilitate new learning opportunities. Allison will show you how e-portfolios enable learners to dynamically create up-to-the-minute records of their own experiences, achievements and evidence of learning using mobile devices (such as mobile phones, digital cameras, smart pens and point of view devices).
Allison Miller, Australian Flexible Learning Framework
Allison Miller is the Business Manager for the E-portfolios business activity at the Australian Flexible Learning Framework. Her previous roles include being the South Australian Innovations Coordinator, and the Project Manager for the Inclusive e-Learning (Youth) Project and the E-Learning Development Co-ordinator for TAFE SA.
No longer available A6 Hands on and hands up! Auslan in the classroom
Join Trish and Darren in this interactive, hands on session and find out why Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is being adopted as a powerful new teaching and learning tool in an increasing number of schools and achieving remarkable outcomes. Experience how it creates a level playing field for learners, improves communication skills, student engagement and literacy and numeracy. Success stories and curriculum ideas included. Put your pens down - and get hands on.
Trish Kruse & Darren Roberts, Croydon Community School
Deaf from the age of four, Darren has overcome educational, social and employment barriers to become a leading edge trainer, educator and inspirational public speaker. Trish specialises in curriculum design and delivery. Her speciality is in working with young people At Risk, who have become marginalised or disengaged from education.
A7 VCAL@TAFE: Challenges and solutions
Many challenges are posed by the delivery of VCAL@TAFE. This session gives an overview of the HVC program, emphasising project work incorporated into the delivery of VCAL strands. It will use the experiences of three teachers and examples from the ISS training in Hospitality, Building Studies at a range of levels.
Jan Lambert, Holmesglen Vocational College
Jan is Principal of Holmesglen Vocational College, which is in its fourth year of operation with more than 250 VCAL students. Much learning has taken place in this time and Jan and her team would like to share it with others.
A8 Developing 21st century learning capacities
This workshop explores the skills and capacities necessary to be successful in a 21st century environment. It will examine and highlight not only where education can head but also some actions teachers and schools can take to create a powerful learning environment.
Dr Adrian Bertolini, Intuyu Consulting
Dr Adrian Bertolini has been training individuals, businesses and schools around Australia in inquiry-based learning for the past 12 years. He redeveloped the ruMAD? (aRe yoU Making A Difference) program for the Education Foundation and took it from being a small Victorian program to one that has national delivery. In 2009 it won the Garth Boomer Award for Curriculum Development.
FULL A9 VCAL and learning in the community
A major component of the VCAL includes the development of skills, knowledge and attitudes leading towards social and civic responsibility, improved self-confidence and self-esteem and valuing civic participation in a democratic society. This workshop will showcase some strong partnerships that have developed with local communities and how community engagement forms a fundamental component of the VCAL learning program.
Cornelia deBrincat, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
Cornelia manages a number of projects in the VCAL unit at the VCAA, including curriculum unit reviews, Achievement Awards, quality assurance and delivery of induction programs. Cornelia has been involved in education for a number of years and has taught within the school, TAFE and Higher Education Sectors.
A10 Parliamentary government and your applied learning project!
Year 2010 is an election year. Students will vote this year, or soon. An understanding of Victoria’s parliamentary systems is important to them. For many students, this can begin within their Applied Learning Program through links to their practical studies (for example, through their market garden project.) This session offers curriculum programs/resources: extensive ESL and adult literacy printed programs, DVDs, posters, online resources (to which teachers and students can add their own local content).
Rod Espie and Daryl Evans, Education Section, Parliament of Victoria
The presenters have a wealth of experience and background in adult literacy, curriculum, resource development and research projects. They are currently employed in the education section of the Parliament of Victoria.
Session B
B1 Marketplace - PYE: supporting school-community partnerships
A chance to find out how all these Partners in Youth Engagement (PYE) support learning both in and beyond the classroom. PYE member organisations offer creative solutions to engage young people in meaningful learning experiences. Many of them have programs that could link to your school’s work. This session will provide an overview and specific examples of school / community partnerships and materials to support youth engagement.
PYE member organisations share a commitment to promoting a youth development model based on the principles of inclusion, empowerment and conscious enterprise. Member organisations are CFA, Red Cross, Awards Victoria, Advance – Office of Youth, Consumer Affairs Victoria, Life Saving Victoria, Scope, Victoria Police, WorkSafe Victoria, Parks Victoria, VCAA, Catholic Education Office and VALA.
B2 Testing the scaffold: theories that support Applied Learning
In this workshop David will lead a discussion on a number of theories that support applied learning and how these theories apply to the VCAL. In addition there will be time to examine how these theories can influence teaching and learning in the 21st century. The workshop will not only include abstract knowledge but also some practical demonstrations of the applications of the theories.
David Gallagher, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
David Gallagher has been involved with secondary education for 40 years. During this time he has been a class room teacher, careers counsellor, Executive Officer for the Geelong Regional Vocational Education Council, the manager for VET in Schools with the Victorian Department of Education and Training and is currently the VCAL Manager with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority.
B3 EMPower: New approaches to numeracy for VCAL Students
This participatory workshop will highlight some of the activity-based strategies offered by the newly released numeracy resource for VCAL and other applied learning students – EMPowerMetric: Giving maths a second chance. It will offer participants an opportunity to experience new practical and contextualised approaches to fractions, decimals and percentages using a benchmark fraction approach.
Beth Marr, Numeracy Education Consultant
Beth Marr has extensive experience in adult numeracy teaching and resource production for learners who have not succeeded in traditional school mathematics programs. During her time teaching in TAFE and University (VET teacher training) she has worked with teams of adult teachers to produce a collection of adult numeracy resources.
B4 Leaping off the edge: School to work transition
This workshop highlights the school to work transition model that has been developed through the ATC Gippsland that has returned an 80% success rate in preparing and supporting students in the transition from school to work. Many of the students have come to the college disengaged with mainstream education and many graduate from the College do so with dual certification (VCE and VCAL). Includes case studies and full descriptions of the model from A-Z.
Kim McKenzie & Terrie Honeysett, Gippsland Technical College
Kim McKenzie has been teaching VCAL since its inception in 2001 and has been part of the team that developed the successful G-TEC model. Terrie Honeysett is a work placement officer.
B5 Take it with you: Using mobile websites for learning
Burgeoning use of smartphones and iPhones has opened the door for mobile websites to be used to deliver information to students and gather input from those students. This workshop will explore mobile websites and show participants how they can build and publish their own mobile sites and questionnaires for free.
Caryl Oliver, caryloliver.com
Caryl Oliver is one of Australia's pre-eminent authorities on how technology is changing the training and learning environment. Awarded a Flexible Learning Leader Scholarship in 2004, Caryl researched mobile learning - an area in which she has now become a recognised leader.
B6 Careers, enterprise and opportunity: Innovative VCAL businesses
Ever wondered how to run an integrated program for VCAL? Lavalla CEO (Careers, Enterprise and Opportunity) Program will provide the answers on how to do this. Students set up businesses and employ their peers within a simulated work environment. Students are involved in 'real world' business with links to Literacy, Numeracy, Work Related Skills and Personal Development Skills.
Brett Van Berkel, Lavalla Catholic College
Brett Van Berkel has been the VCAL Co-ordinator at Lavalla Catholic College for the last four years and is currently studying Masters of Applied Learning at LaTrobe University, Bendigo. He has a passion for applied learning and its role in the wider curriculum.
B7 Digging the soil: Creative media engagement for at risk young people
This workshop will discuss some of the core elements or structural soil required to re-engage the most disadvantaged 'at risk' young people in creative work and learning using the project Youthworx Media as a case study. This is a creative real world media project based around film and radio production and examines some of the underlying ingredients - space, relationships, time, language and voice - that are critical when approaching work with disengaged young people.
Jon Staley, Youthworx Media/NMIT TAFE
Jon is Project Manager for Youthworx Media and is also undertaking a PhD looking at creative media engagement with marginalised young people. Since 2002 Jon has taught part time in Youth programs with NMIT TAFE while also working on a range of projects alongside indigenous filmmaker Richard Frankland.
As a teacher you are always looking out for your learners, but who is looking after you? This session examines some approaches to ensure your work life as a teacher is sustainable and enjoyable, supportive and nurturing. It explores the assumptions that currently guide your reactions to issues within your teaching and raises your own awareness of the challenges you face. The workshop has also scheduled time for the collaborative solution of your current challenges in this area.
Jayne Pitard, Victoria University
At the Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching, Jayne currently facilitates professional development for VET teachers across Victoria and recently completed a Masters research thesis in which she interviewed VET CEOs, managers and teachers to discover the real issues at the heart of teaching in a VET environment.
B9 Totally funked up: Photography, film making and storyboarding for literacy
Students create images and then practice literacy and image reading skills by analysing and explaining their own work. This session will showcase a current program that uses of photography, filmmaking and storyboarding as an engaging and hands on way of helping to develop literacy.
Kamini Singh BA(Comm) Dip.Ed.
Currently teaching VCAL, Kamini Singh has also worked within the NSW system as an English teacher. Prior to her career in teaching, she worked as a visual artist, songwriter and singer and she uses the skills from this experience in her teaching practice to capture the attention of her students and develop her programs.
NEW B10 Armed & Dangerous: Digital film making in the classroom
Can you really make a decent short film AND meet VCAL and other outcomes at the same time???
The two Adams (Whitbread and Cooper) take you through the context and content of Integrated Arts/Media projects and how they can unleash the creative, Interpersonal and problem solving skills of your students.
The session will showcase a number of short films shown at the “Armed & Dangerous” Community Film and TV event over the last 5 years.
Not to be missed!
Adam Whitbread
VCAL Teacher, Writer, Producer, Composer. Adam has worked across the globe with students of all abilities. His groundbreaking work with young people weaves together visual and performing elements with digital storytelling to create projects that work on a number of levels. Adam’s ideas on the connections between Community, Creativity and Technology are sure to inspire and stir your imagination for what is possible in your classroom.
Adam Cooper
Adam Cooper is a Filmmaker, Animator, Artist and Musician. He has over 15 years experience in specialist teaching, focusing on the development of creativity-based programs that offer alternative learning outcomes for a wide variety of students. Adam has a Masters Degree in Visual Arts Teaching as well as a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Certificate IV in Workplace Training.
Session C
C1 Marketplace - TechnologyWhat’s out there? How does it work? How can I use it in the classroom (or out of it)? This marketplace offers a grab bag of technology tools and a snap shot of what’s available plus possible classroom applications to support the concepts and approaches raised in the keynote.
Debbie Soccio will give a snapshot of Cool Tools, Adam Whitbread from Blue SKYS Media will show how film is a powerful medium for engaging learners, and you can find out more about ePortfolios.
C2 Hands up, for hands on: a historical review of 'hands on' learning
This workshop looks at the history and development of applied learning in secondary schools from first emergence through to the present. With the purposes and features of current models in mind, the discussion reviews significant historical influences that have shaped hands on learning for work and attempts to identify similarities and differences between the present and the past.
Mike Brown, University of Ballarat
Mike Brown is a sheet metal tradesman and senior lecturer in education at the University of Ballarat. He is also a member of RAVE (researching
C3 Engaging your VCAL students in maths and numeracy
In order to engage most VCAL students in maths and numeracy the maths taught needs to move beyond the textbook to offer an alternative approach and a chance for ALL students to succeed and enjoy maths. In this hands-on workshop participants will experience a range of games and activities suitable for classroom use. Whole and small group work, the use of real-life materials as well as having fun with maths, will all be part of the experience of this session.
Dave Tout, Australian Council for Educational Research
Dave Tout is an experienced numeracy educator who is particularly interested in making mathematics relevant, interesting and fun for all students especially those students who are disengaged from mathematics. He has worked in a range of literacy and numeracy programs in schools, TAFE Colleges, community providers, university, AMES and industry.
C4 Building learning: all about HOL
Hands On Learning (HOL) is a creative, flexible learning program designed to provide an alternative learning framework for disengaged students to reconnect with school and community. Discover what makes this applied learning project for young people in Years 7-10 so successful in helping them make a difference in their lives. Plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions with Russell will be included in the session.
Russell Kerr, Hands on Learning
Before developing the HOL program Russell specialised in teaching and supporting young people struggling with mainstream education and won the 2003 Westfield Premier’s Education Scholarship. Since its inception, Hands On Learning has become a respected model for reengaging and maintaining disaffected students at school in indigenous, rural, and urban settings.
C5 Anytime, anyplace learning: using iPod technology
We regret this session is no longer available. Consider C1 Marketplace - Technology as an alternative session.
C6 Living history: bringing history to life through stories
In 2009 Catholic College Bendigo transformed their History curriculum to make it more engaging and applied for all students involved. How can this be achieved? This workshop will lead you through the process used and will share the results which can be adopted by your school.
John Tabone, Catholic College Bendigo
John is a passionate advocate for applied learning across the curriculum. He has worked in industry for many years and has a strong interest in the establishment of community partnerships to complement Applied Learning programs. He is actively involved with many VCAL projects and is now focusing on bringing Applied Learning to all domains in his school.
C7 Day in the life: A multiliteracies project
A Day in the Life is a literacy and multimedia project using cartooning and personal experiences as a method of engaging VCAL students. Students wrote a short story based on a day in their life and designed a storyboard The project involved the use of the Adobe Flash, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro and the result was a series of cartoons based on a day in the life of the students in the class.
Damien Neil, Shepparton ACE College
Damien Neil is the Multimedia teacher at Shepparton ACE College. He is also a photographer and a professional musician with years of experience working in community arts programs with at risk learners in a variety of settings.
C8 Feel good, think smart: the role of emotion in thinking
New insights from biology, neuroscience, and sociology come together in this remarkable presentation that explains the primacy of emotion above logic in driving engagement, focus, thinking and learning. This approach suggests that skills and knowledge are not independent of the contexts in which they are used, and builds functional skills through experimentation, explanation, and story construction of real-world contexts. The presentation offers many useful strategies for practitioners to adapt to their own situations.
Mervyn Edmunds, Human Givens Australia
Merv is a teacher, trainer and therapist. He is the first Australian qualified in a new approach to emotional health from the UK that has implications for teaching and learning. Merv has enabled many disenfranchised learners to experience success through innovative practice, and has presented at many conferences both here and overseas.
FULL C9 SAFE-T1 update: OHS resources for students and their teachers
Last year Jan ran a workshop about what was planned for the SAFE-T1 project. 12 months later, the SAFE-T1 website is up and operating and you can find a range of resources to help you deliver OHS. Come along to workshop to find out more about what's on the website, the resources and to have a play with some of them.
Jan Hagston, Victorian Applied Learning Association
Jan is the VALA Project Manager. She has been involved the development of a range of print, online and interactive resources and believes all teaching resources, including the SAFE-T1 resources, should have an applied learning approach.
C10 Effective learning using multimedia as an applied learning tool
Reluctant to use multimedia? Feel it’s too difficult? This presentation will demonstrate how simple student accessible multimedia can make learning more relevant, more engaging and a lot of fun! Consumer Affairs Victoria have a new multimedia resource that will help develop numeracy, literacy, media, film making, drama and personal development skills. Using strong consumer messages for young people as the context see how multimedia can enliven and enlighten your classes!
Shane O’Connor and Roslyn Mullins, Consumer Affairs
Shane O Connor and Roslyn Mullins lead Consumer Affairs Victoria’s popular Consumer Education in Schools (CEIS) program. Shane brings 25 years of secondary school experience and three years of CEIS experience to his current position. Roslyn is a former member of the VCAL Unit at VCAA and brings a wealth of knowledge about Victorian secondary curriculum to her position.
Session D
D1 Marketplace - Pathways
VCAL is one of the ways that allow multiple learning and vocational pathways to be opened up for young disengaged and disaffected learners. This marketplace showcases a range of creatively designed programs to allow flexible and different delivery and offer accessible transitions between school and work.
See programs from such diverse areas as the Construction industry as Jim Johnstone talks about the pre-app program at Incolink; the Community Initiatives Program demonstrate their non-conventional approach to training and Steve Golding explains how Martial Arts Therapy helps learning.
D2 “I’m not really a theory person”: Examining the balance between theory and practise
Students are often drawn to the hands-on aspects of VET studies. However, text based methodology still seems to dominate VET teaching and assessment. This session presents the findings from a research project conducted with final year Certificate III in Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) students and their chef-trainers. These participants were questioned regarding how cookery studies were perceived to have prepared the students for later re-engagement with formal education. The title is taken from one apprentice’s self-description.
Cam Woolcock, Marion College
Cam Woolcock started working in hospitality as a kitchen hand at 14, later obtaining Cookery trade qualifications in his native New Zealand. Cam then cooked professionally in several countries and began work as a food educator in 2002. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Education. He has taught mainstream, special needs, behaviourally challenged and mature-aged students.
Connecting students to numeracy learning Experience and research with students indicates that numeracy learning is most effective when learners can connect with the skills being taught: that is, they can see how the skills will be useful to them. This workshop will engage participants in a variety of activities to promote facility with percentages, as well as strategies to encourage learners to make connections between the skills, their own lives and any potential vocational aspirations they may have.
Beth Marr, Numeracy Education Consultant
Beth Marr has extensive experience in adult numeracy teaching and resource production for learners who have not succeeded in traditional school mathematics programs. During her time teaching in TAFE and University (VET teacher training) she has worked with teams of adult teachers to produce a collection of adult numeracy resources.
D4 Big Deal!: a gambling education program for 16-24 year olds
This workshop will report on a gambling education project funded by the Department of Justice. It will showcase resources and activities contained in the Big Deal! Trainer Kit. These include a DVD, a CD with a digital storytelling project and best practice examples for delivering the Big Deal! program as well as numeracy resources, games and hands on activities. Activities have been mapped to the VCAL and CGEA curricula.
Jean Evans, Council for Adult Education
Currently, Jean Evans works at CAE, co-ordinating the Big Deal! Gambling Education Project and teaching in the Access Education and Training section. Previously, she has worked with TAFEWA, TAFENSW and Qld TAFE to deliver adult literacy, language and numeracy training in WELL Programs, the LLNP program, and in community classes.
FULL D5 More cool tools: Creating engaging e-learning activities
There are countless ways to present material to learners but which ones will encourage high-level engagement, as well as help participants retain the learning required? In this demonstration workshop participants will have the opportunity to experience a range of different technology tools that can be used to enhance or build an integrated, engaging online learning program for young learners. Tools include the use of Nintendo Wii, interactive whiteboards, flip cameras and point-of-view glasses.
Debbie Soccio, e-Works
Debbie Soccio is a senior eLearning consultant at e-Works and the Victorian e-Learning Coordinator for the Australian Flexible Learning Framework. She has worked in the vocational education sector, for 17 years. In her current position, she focuses on embedding e-learning into education and training. Her particular interests are in the field of supporting teachers to develop programs and e-learning resources.
D6 Regenerate and revegetate: a sustainable VCAL PDS project
When hollow-bearing eucalypts in the bushland adjoining Portland Secondary College were marked for removal, Anne-Maree conceived a project to regenerate and revegetate the area. Developed over the last three years, the initiative has involved the College’s Senior VCAL classes, local community groups and government and industry bodies. It has been an outstanding success, yielding a noticeable regeneration of native flora, an increase in populations of local fauna and improved community relations in the Portland region.
Anne-Maree Burgoine, Portland Secondary College
Anne-Maree has been at Portland Secondary College since 1986, teaching areas primarily PE and Outdoor Education. She has a long association with Portland Field Naturalists Club and a deep love of Portland District. She has been teaching VCAL 12 Personal Development for around eight years. This program received a 2008 VCAL Award.
D7 Challenging youth to lead sustainably: VCAL students and Environment Victoria's Youth Eco Challenge
The Youth Eco Challenge (YEC) is an innovative and engaging PDS program integrated across the Literacy, Numeracy and WRS strands. This workshop offers an explanation of how Environment Victoria’s YEC worked with a mixed group of school-based and community VCAL students in Maryborough. It shows how the program fits into the VCAL program, and will demonstrate some of the activities students could undertake while participating in YEC.
Deb Roberston, Goldfields Employment & Learning Centre & Murray Irwin, Sustainable Living - Environment Victoria
Deb has taught and coordinated VCAL since 2005 in both school and community sectors after teaching science and SOSE for longer than she would like to admit! Murray Irwin is passionate about making sustainability issues real to everyday Victorians.
FULL D8 What am I doing?: Behaviour management strategies
This workshop looks at ways of managing behaviour in a classroom that will assist in reducing disruptive behaviours. This session will help in understanding the complexities of young people's experiences and will offer positive strategies to assist young people and professionals to become self-aware of their behaviours and work towards managing them so the learning environment is secure and supportive for everyone.
Tennille Alivizatos, Layered Learning
Tennille has run workshops for schools, organisations and alternative providers for ten years She was Youth Services Development Officer for the City of Whittlesea. She has also worked for TOTeM, an alternative education program for young people at risk at Victoria University and later at Mackillop Family Services, supporting young people disengaged from school and assisting them in the transition into education and/or training.
No longer available D9 Let’s celebrate: Applied Learning Awards Day
The Gateway LLEN VCAL Celebration and Awards Day brought together VCAL students in the local area. This workshop will give an overview of what was involved in organising the day, a snapshot of the day’s activities and the many positive outcomes that were achieved. It will include VCAL curriculum to support the event and other similar activities.
Cate Thompson, Gateway LLEN
Cate Thompson has worked with a wide range of educational and service organisations including schools, TAFE Colleges, adult community education and youth service providers, local communities, government departments LLENs and industry. In all these roles Cate has established innovative programs to assist teachers, facilitators, managers and coordinators to develop programs that engage a range of learners in practical and meaningful ways.
D10 Virtual business: Developing the tools of achievement in an applied learning environment
This workshop will explore a virtual business experience and techniques for reinforcing positive thinking and outcomes within it. The virtual business platform will be demonstrated and teaching styles that support the activity will be discussed. Situations, challenges and opportunities such as this can effectively contribute to students’ achievement and well-being.
Judy Sinclair & Donna Reid, Virtual Enterprise Australia
Judy Sinclair has been involved with Virtual Enterprises (VE) since their introduction to Australia in the mid 1990s and has facilitated in VEs delivering IT and Business VET programs on various Chisholm Campuses. Judy is also employed as a consultant with Virtual Enterprise Australia and has worked with Victorian schools on funded projects, assisting them to establish and manage their own VEs.