Professional Learning
The Victorian Deaf Education Institute offers an innovative professional learning program in partnership with schools, universities and professional organisations.
This Professional Learning Program caters for all Victorian education professionals supporting deaf and hard of hearing students across a range of educational settings as well as those supporting deaf and hard of hearing students with additional needs.
It enables professionals (including mainstream teachers, teachers of the deaf, audiologists, speech pathologists, psychologists, and speech and language support staff) to build their expertise in providing improved learning support to the 3000 Victorian children and young people with a hearing loss. Learning modules dealing with supporting the learning environment at home will also be made available to families of deaf and hard of hearing children.
For 2012 program dates, see: 2012 Professional Learning Program - Save the Date (PDF - 518Kb)
International Speakers Program
VDEI's International Speaker Program brings specialist expertise and best practice teaching and learning strategies to Melbourne. It offers Victorian professionals working in deafness practical insights and the latest in research and methodologies.
An annual program, which consists of seminars with leading global experts, from academics to practising teaching and allied health professionals, it is designed to build knowledge, capacity and connect professionals, parents and families supporting Victorian deaf children and those with a hearing loss from birth to 18 years.
For program details, see: International Speaker Program
Masterclass Program
The Masterclass Series is aimed at early childhood professionals, teachers, education professionals and allied health professionals, who are supporting deaf and hard of hearing children across a range of educational settings.
The series is facilitated by leading academics and practitioners. It has been based on initial input from the sector.
Topics in 2011 have included language and literacy development, mathematic teaching strategies, model approaches to inclusive learning, classroom interpreting challenges and establishing optimal audiological environments.
The Masterclasses are an excellent way to broaden professional knowledge; participate and learn practical skills; discuss the issues with key experts; and network with other professionals. We would appreciate your ongoing feedback with regard to topics and speakers of interest.
For details of the program, see: Masterclass Series
Online Learning
Online learning is run at regular intervals on a variety of topics in an accessible learning format.
For more information, see:
Improving classroom support – mentoring initiative
March 2012
The new year has heralded a new era for professional learning for educational support staff. In 2012, VDEI, in partnership with ASLIA Victoria, is piloting a mentoring program for this group of staff. In response to expressions of interests lodged with VDEI, seven mentoring groups have been formed across both regional and metropolitan areas.
Each of the seven groups – consisting of 6 - 8 mentees - has fortnightly contact with their nominated mentor. The aims of the program are for each individual to:
- receive regular and individual support and feedback in relation to classroom Auslan interpreting and communication activities
- develop and improve their Auslan skills
- try new strategies and approaches to classroom interpreting; and
- gain confidence in their interpreting role and interaction with students and classroom teachers
For further information please contact Kaye Scott on scott.kaye.m@edumail.vic.gov.au
For more information, see: Educational interpreter mentor program
Professional learning for educational support staff - December 2011
The VDEI in association with the Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association (ASLIA Vic) have committed in 2012 to providing professional learning programs for educational support (ES) staff who provide Auslan interpretation in classrooms.
Mentoring program for educational support staff who work with signing deaf children
One of the initiatives that will be available for ES staff in 2012 is a mentoring program. This will be facilitated from a number of deaf education settings in 2012.
The mentoring program, which will be run by ASLIA Vic staff, will include the following components:
- Fortnightly contact between the allocated mentor and ES staff at each facility. This may be in person or via a video link. It is anticipated this will occur outside of school hours.
- Filming each educational support staff member while interpreting.
- Analysis of the video recording by the mentor.
- The mentor guiding the developing of an action plan for each staff member involved in the program focussing on strategies for improvement
- The mentor development and implementing a professional learning program based on the needs identified during video analysis. This should occur during fortnightly contact time.
- Re-filming analysis skills and celebrating success.
- At the completion of the course, participation in a feedback process to aid with future planning.
For further information please contact Kaye Scott on scott.kaye.m@edumail.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9637 3114.
Download: Mentoring Program Flyer (PDF - 425Kb)
Workshop program for educational support (ES) staff
The Victorian Deaf Education Institute (VDEI) has developed another new program specifically tailored for Educational Support Staff within our 2012 Professional Learning Program (PLP). VDEI has is offering two core streams within the Workshop Program for Educational Support (ES) Staff.
ES staff will have the option to participate in either stream, as they will run concurrently and also come together at some times. Every effort has been made to run these programs over recall or pupil free days and with minimum disruption to classroom hours.
Registrations details are provided on each flyer, as they are facilitated by different providers.
Auslan workshops for educational support staff
A second initiative which will run in parallel with the mentoring program is the presentation of the equivalent of four professional learning days to educational support (ES) staff who provide Auslan interpretation in classrooms. The content of these professional learning days was established in collaboration with ES staff, facility coordinators and principals.
This Program will be delivered in partnership with the Australian Sign Language Interpreters Association (ASLIA) Victoria’s accredited staff.
Express your interest to Michelle Ashley, ASLIA at education@asliavic.com.au. Further information can be obtained by contacting Kaye Scott at scott.kaye.m@edumail.vic.gov.au or call (03) 9637 3114.
Download: Auslan Workshops Flyer (PDF - 250Kb)
Or
ELKLAN speech and literacy support workshops for educational support (ES) staff
This program is an accredited ELKLAN speech and literacy support program for educational support staff who provide oral speech and language support in the classroom.
This course is suitable for ES staff assistants working with deaf and hard of hearing children aged between 5 and 11 years, but may be applicable for staff working with older students with delayed language skills.
The program includes the following modules: defining hearing loss; communication; communication and the child with hearing loss; supporting the language and social skills of the child with hearing difficulties; and supporting the listening and phonological development of the child with hearing difficulties
This program will be delivered by Helen Harrington-Johnson, who is an experienced speech pathologist, audiologist and accredited ELKLAN trainer
Express your interest to VDEI by Wednesday 21 December 2011 to Helen Harrington-Johnson, VDEI at vdei@edumail.vic.gov.au or fax 03 9637 2030. Enquiries: please call Helen on (03) 9560 0471
Download: ELKLAN Flyer (PDF - 117Kb)
Auslan courses
March 2012
Video technology delivers Auslan courses
Information gathered from participant surveys is assisting with forward planning for future series of Auslan courses. VDEI staff continue to explore the use of video conference equipment to present Auslan courses where there is specific interest throughout Victoria. Further information about upcoming courses will be forwarded through our distribution list as it becomes available. For more information about Auslan courses please contact Kaye Scott scott.kaye.m@edumail.vic.gov.au
December 2011
With the burgeoning use of technology throughout the sector, VDEI is exploring various ways to present their 2012 Auslan courses throughout Victoria. Further information about upcoming courses will be shared with you as soon as they become available.
For further information about Auslan courses please contact:
- Kaye Scott at scott.kaye.m@edumail.vic.gov.au or
- Karyn Barrasso at barasso.karyn.k@edumail.vic.gov.au
“Amazed at how much we learned in eight weeks!”
- Jillian O’Neill, teacher, Forest Hill College
“The content was great. The level was good for beginners. And the teacher was fantastic - thank you!”
- Kellie Addicoat, Administration officer, Victoria Law School, Victoria University
September 2011
In conjunction with Kangan institute, nine Auslan courses are currently being run by VDEI across the state. Courses are being taught at beginner, intermediate and advance levels for both professionals working in the field and parents of deaf and hard of hearing children. Two of these courses are being presented successfully via video relay to country areas.
One of the parent courses is being held on a Sunday morning to make course accessible for working parents. There have been numerous enquiries about future Auslan courses. Planning for the 2012 professional learning program is underway and further Auslan in 2012 will be considered in this planning.
April 2011
The Victorian Deaf Education Institute (VDEI) in partnership with Kangan Institute is offering Australian Sign Language (Auslan) courses to build the conversational skills and the expertise of professionals and parents working and living with deaf and hard of hearing students.
Courses will be delivered over an 8 week period, between weeks 2 - 9 of Term 3 in 2011 commencing Sunday 24 July. All courses are free of charge. This program is in collaboration with leaders in accredited Auslan and Deaf Studies Centre and Language Centre.
For more information, see: Auslan Course Flyer (PDF - 212Kb)
Scholarships
March 2012
55 teacher of the deaf graduates by 2014!
VDEI’s scholarship program supports the capacity building of teachers working with deaf and hard of hearing children in Victoria. This year enormous interest was shown by teachers employed by DEECD or other sectors, or who are not currently working. A number of scholarships will be awarded to teachers both in metropolitan and country areas. Scholarships are now closed for 2012. It is anticipated that scholarships will continue to be offered in 2012.
We encourage all teachers interested in the area of deaf education who do not have specialist qualifications in the field to consider further study and to apply for scholarships in the future. Please encourage your colleagues to get interested in this important specialist area of education.
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship in 2012, information will be available late in term 3 or early in term 4, 2012. This information will be available on the DEECD website and will be linked to the VDEI website. Information will also be provided directly to you through the VDEI distribution list. If you are not currently on the distribution list but would like to receive further information about scholarships please email your details including email address to: vdei@edumail.vic.gov.au
For further information contact Kaye Scott on scott.kaye.m@edumail.vic.gov.au
December 2011
VDEI’s scholarship program supports the capacity building of teachers working with deaf and hard of hearing children in Victoria. This year enormous interest was shown by teachers employed by DEECD or other sectors, or who are not currently working. A number of scholarships will be awarded to teachers both in metropolitan and country areas. Scholarships are now closed for 2012. It is anticipated that scholarships will continue to be offered in 2012.
We encourage all teachers interested in the area of deaf education who do not have specialist qualifications in the field to consider further study and to apply for scholarships in the future. Please encourage your colleagues to get interested in this important specialist area of education.
If you are interested in applying for a scholarship in 2012, information will be available late in term 3 or early in term 4, 2012. This information will be available on the DEECD website and will be linked to the VDEI website. Information will also be provided directly to you through the VDEI distribution list. If you are not currently on the distribution list but would like to receive further information about scholarships please email your details including email address to: vdei@edumail.vic.gov.au
For further information contact Kaye Scott on scott.kaye.m@edumail.vic.gov.au
September 2011
VDEI continues to support the capacity building of educators, in collaboration with VDEN and other sector contacts. We have actively sought expressions of interest in scholarships to study at the University of Melbourne or the University of Newcastle RIDBC Renwick Centre.
To date 100 expressions of interest have been received. Scholarships will be formally advertised early in Term 4. Please look out for more news on this.
Ongoing consultations with deaf services, schools and deaf facilities
Since VDEI’s inception, our Statewide Program Managers, Kaye Scott and Helen Harrington-Johnson have been visiting services, schools and deaf facilities across Victoria.
These have provided an opportunity to explore connections between the priorities of the Institute and work currently being undertaken in other organisations. They have allowed VDEI to develop an appreciation of the complexities of each setting, to outline appropriate support responses and to commence effective planning processes.
Visits have also assisted with ideas in relation to generating school based projects and the recent resource development projects.
Themes emerging from these conversations are informing the Institute’s strategic plan moving forward. Thank you to those organisations who contributed their ideas.