ACAL state representatives have been considering aspects of adult literacy and numeracy that are presented in two conversation starters. The papers are the views and perspectives of the author and the ACAL committee encourages you all to have a read and use this as both a means of professional development as well as an opportunity to start conversations. We hope they stimulate your thinking and provide an opening for discussions with others to explore the issues.
Conversation Starter 1
‘VET Literacy Teachers: Our Unique Value Proposition’ by Debra Urquhart
In her paper, Debra Urquhart, NSW State Representative, discusses the identity of adult literacy teachers within the vocational education and training (VET) sector. Debra examines this unique position through a debate on qualifications, professional development, curricula as well as regulatory frameworks.
Conversation Starter 2
‘The Deficit Model of Education – Impacts on Learners and Teachers’ by Rhonda Pelletier
Rhonda Pelletier, Victorian State representative has prepared a paper on the deficit approach. This is timely indeed, with many speakers at the conference referring to issues around the deficit approach to adult literacy and numeracy. Rhonda has explored the history of the approach and considered how it is reflected in Australia today.
Have you read it?
A review of documents relating to adult literacy and numeracy
This month Jo Medlin has reviewed three papers of interest to adult literacy and numeracy educators and provided the links to access them:
- Ai Group 2018 Survey report on Workforce Development needs Skilling: A national imperative (Sept 2018)
- ALA: Re-imagining WELL in the 21st Century (June 2018)
- ACTA: Problems in the Adult Migrant English and SEE Programs (May 2018)
Workplace Literacy in Australia– A Joint Position Statement
from Community Colleges Australia, Australian Industry Group, Reading Writing Hotline, Australian Council for Adult Literacy and Adult Learning Australia here
The second cycle of PIAAC – what’s the story?
The OECD’s Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) conducts the Survey of Adult Skills. The survey measures adults’ proficiency in key information-processing skills – literacy, numeracy and problem solving – and gathers information and data on how adults use their skills at home, at work and in the wider community. PIAAC was conducted by ABS in Australia in 2011/12 and was an extension of the earlier International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS) and the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey (ALLS) surveys. Australia participated in IALS in 1996 and ALLS in 2006.
2017 Conference
‘Resilience – Stories of Adult Learning’
This anthology of adult learner stories is testimony to the resilience of human lives and the critical role of lifelong learning. More