Professional Development Update
Latest Update - 27 April 2012
Grants
The first funding round for Professional Development grants closed 30th March 2012. We received 16 applications. The total amount applied for is $231,672.20. Applicants will be advised early May regarding the outcome of their application.
The next funding round closes 10 August 2012. Applications are open.
Maori and Pasifika Professional Development Hui Fono
The fifth national Hui Fono was held at Whakatane with the theme “Funky, Fresh and Futuristic”. There were 65 participants (48 Māori and 17 Pasifika), great keynote speakers, and workshops, including one which was the voice of young learners- inspirational and moving! Photos are now available on the website and our Facebook page.
ACE Sector Conference
Registrations are still open. The conference will be held in Wellington at the Brentwood Hotel from 27-29 June. The theme is Community Solutions, Ako te katoa, tuhonohono te katoa. The Business of Learning. The theme acknowledges the fact that the most effective, enduring solutions come from communities themselves and from the people who live in those communities. The Business of Learning invites us to consider all aspects of learning provision within our sector: the business of good governance, the business of learning and teaching and the business of social enterprise.
Workshops
Thank you to those of you who responded to the survey seeking interest in suggestions for topics to convene workshops. We have also been able to speak with some of you by phone and in person which has helped to identify the following areas of interest:
- developing knowledge and skills in using social media and digital tools in business and teaching/learning
- financial literacy
- fundraising and entrepreneurship
- tikanga and cultural specific training (for/by Māori and Pasifika)
- curriculum/programme design and lesson planning
- tutor training
- articulating outcomes and identifying the evidence, and
- indigenous framework for quality adult education
We will be contacting you again to confirm priority and interest to attend.
You can keep up to date by visiting our website, following us on Twitter or on Facebook.
For more information and assistance, contact the Professional Development and Networks Manager analiese.robertson@aceaotearoa.org.nz or 04 473 6622.
Previous updates:
01 February 2012
With the good news released late last year, we are pleased that the Tertiary Education Commission has confirmed funding to implement the professional development activities in 2012.
We are also getting in touch with previous grant recipients to find out how the grants have helped improve benefits to learners. Some of you may have been contacted by Jo Lynch late last year, if not, keep an eye out for her contact early February.
The Professional Development Steering Group (PDSG) is pleased to announce that the Professional Development Grants are now open. There will be two funding rounds this year. Applications in the first funding round will close 13 April 2012.
Registrations are now open for the fifth Māori and Pasifika Professional Development Hui Fono, 21-23 March in Whakatane. The theme is Funky, Fresh, Futuristic noting the cultural hint on the “fresh” and keeping ahead, the intention is to mix the traditional with digital and a focus on engaging with the younger adult learner. The programme will also provide opportunity during site visits, to get “funky” and learn from successful local service providers. This is an exclusive event for all Māori and Pasifika.
The ACE Sector Conference will be held in Wellington at the Brentwood Hotel from 27-29 June. The theme is Community Solutions, Ako te katoa, tuhonohono te katoa. The Business of Learning. The theme acknowledges the fact that the most effective, enduring solutions come from communities themselves and from the people who live in those communities. The Business of Learning invites us to consider all aspects of learning provision within our sector: the business of good governance, the business of learning and teaching and the business of social enterprise.
We will be convening more professional development workshops this year. To help us ensure they meet your needs, we kindly ask you to take 5 minutes of your time, to complete this survey. Some suggestions sent through last year include: use of social media, blended learning, pedagogy of humour, funding, financial literacy for organisations and good governance. We will keep you updated with workshop details, for your planning.
ACE online continues via the Resource of the Week regular email feed. To receive these regular emails, please contact tai.samaeli@aceaotearoa.org.nz. We will also be starting online workshops again this year so that we can bring some of the knowledge and expertise out there, direct to you. Please keep an eye out for a schedule of presentations coming soon!
You can keep up to date by visiting our website, following us on Twitter or on Facebook.
Noho ora mai rā i roto i ngā manaakitanga katoa
For more information and assistance, contact the Professional Development and Networks Manager analiese.robertson@aceaotearoa.org.nz or 04 473 6622.
25 November 2011
From PD to PD
PD is certainly a metaphor that acts as a double-edged sword! For some, the mention of “PD” would send you running to avoid doing any kind of periodic detention. And for some, professional development provoked comments like “I was told by my boss to come here because they said this will be good for me”. In either case, ACE Aotearoa and the Professional Development Steering Group have worked hard to dispel the feeling that PD would equal punishment, and move towards making PD wanted, accessible, meaningful and relevant.
It has been quite a journey, carrying out the implementation of the ACE Professional Development Strategy and Action Plan. In the evaluation report, it was aptly described as being “unreasonably ambitious”. Albeit, the fruits of that labour are certainly beginning to show the investment made. It is timely that we are now building a bank of learner stories, as they talk vividly about how their lives have changed for the better, as a result.
Some of the highlights from the journey include:
Research into lessons learnt, with the evaluation report by Martin Jenkins, and the soon to be released work on Māori and Pasifika models of sustainability.
Establishment of the online community of practice by providing a space for ACE to connect, share and access resources. Now popular, as many have got over the fear and recently some managers told us how they are now using Dropbox to share documents, You Tube to teach and learn, Skype to meet and Facebook for promotion and marketing.
The grants have certainly contributed widely to improve learner benefit through innovative projects such as: developing a social media strategy for Māori and Pasifika; setting up a mobile professional development unit for rural-based tutors in the Far North and building an “army” of practitioners in the Bay of Plenty. It also enabled many to build knowledge while improving practice in embedding literacy and numeracy, use of technology, tutor training, marketing and communication, governance and management, and engaging with Māori, Pasifika and youth.
The signature events remain an effective PD tool, this year hosting the fourth Māori and Pasifika Professional Development Hui-Fono. And in June, convening the ACE Sector Conference 2011, promoting successful models of collaboration.
We have also been working together with Ako Aotearoa to facilitate workshops in reflective practice. And supporting ACE providers to apply to the Ako Aotearoa funds.
Some of our emerging projects are just about to take off – with the development of an Outcomes Framework that will look to assist the sector with collecting data that demonstrates the value of ACE, and more importantly, learner benefit and outcomes. We are also very excited with the future development of standards for ACE tutors as we continue to build on the marvellous effort by all, including our partners, networks, providers, tutors and learners.
On behalf of ACE Aotearoa and the Professional Development Steering Group – we applaud your hard work, celebrate your achievements and wish you a well deserved rest as we approach the end of another year.
Noho ora mai rā i roto i ngā manaakitanga katoa
You can contact the Professional Development and Networks Manager analiese.robertson@aceaotearoa.org.nz or 04 473 6622 for more information and assistance.
08 August 2011
ACE Aotearoa has continued to work with providers, supporting ongoing monitoring of their professional development activities being implemented through the grants, workshops and knowledge sharing approach.
Grants
The Professional Development Grants have been successfully allocated for 2011. A total of $197,000.00 has been approved. The Selection Panel met 5 July to consider the second and final round of applications. We received a total of applications worth $173,709 with only $100,000 available for final allocation.
Moving online
We are pleased to receive feedback from you that has helped us improve our services online. We are still very keen to hear your suggestions about what future online activities you would like to see. We welcome all ideas on topics of interest, online resources, motivational quotes, presenters or people you would like to hear from through our webinars and Resource of the Week.
Standard Setting for ACE
The Standards Setting is a new approach to develop a framework of standards for ACE tutors that result in improved learner outcomes. A Reference Group has been established, members are Professional Development Steering Group members Dr Airini (University of Auckland), Pale Sauni (Open Polytechnic), Peter Coolbear (Ako Aotearoa) and Board member Atawhai Li (Eastbay REAP). The Reference Group met twice, providing oversight and guidance on this project. Jennifer Leahy has been contracted to carry out the work which to date has included a scope of national and international models of tutor training. It is planned to develop the draft Framework for consultation, contribution and critique by the sector.
Professional Development Strategy Evaluation
The Evaluation of the PD Strategy commissioned to MartinJenkins in 2010, has since been updated and publicly released to the Sector. This is now available on our website.
Hui/Fono Impact Assessment
We have started interviews with participants to seek feedback on the impact of the Māori and Pasifika ACE Professional Development Hui/Fono held in March. The results will be analysed and updated in three months time, to monitor the ongoing impact.
We are pursuing future funding for Adult and Community Education Professional Development. We will inform you as soon as we hear from the Tertiary Education Commission.
11 July 2011
Professional Development Grants
Applications are now closed. Thank you to all who sent in a submission for a Professional Development Grant. We received a number of applications and were oversubscribed for this final round of funding.
The Selection Panel met Tuesday 5 July 2011. We are pleased to advise that all funding was successfully allocated. Applicants will be advised the outcome of their application by 15 July 2011.
For more information, please contact the Professional Development and Networks Manager analiese.robertson@aceaotearoa.org.nz.
Formative Evaluation of the ACE Professional Development Strategy
The Evaluation Report has been released with an update on all professional development activities for the sector. Thank you for your patience.
Click here for the Formative Evaluation of the ACE Professional Development Strategy.
17 May 2011
Grants
The Selection Panel met 28 April to consider the first round of applications received. Successful applicants are now gearing up to deliver workshops and activities on: Tutor Training to deliver Maori Language Learning; Understanding Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Treaty of Waitangi leading to cultural awareness; use of Social Media (Facebook, Twitter) as a tool for reaching, teaching and interacting with learners; development of a Social Media strategy for Māori and Pasifika ACE providers; Practitioners in Planning, Budgeting and Implementation of Learning Programmes.
Moving online!
The ACEnet team is keen to hear your suggestions about what online activities you would like to see. We welcome all ideas on topics of interest, online resources, motivational quotes, presenters or people you would like to hear from through our online webinars and Resource of the Week.
Tutor Training – Good Practice
This is an exciting new project in response to a number of queries and requests from small providers wanting to access quality tutor training. It will focus on developing tutor training which will identify what success and good practice is and looks like and have the ability to reflect and connect with the diverse communities. The Reference Group includes Professional Development Steering Group members Dr Airini, Pale Sauni and Peter Coolbear. Executive member Atawhai Li is also a member of this group. The first meeting was held 26 April. Jennifer Leahy has been contracted to undertake the work under guidance and direction from the Reference Group. It was agreed that this project should acknowledge and build off current provision in the ACE Sector, be open to innovation, develop standards that are descriptive rather than prescriptive, from both a provider and learner perspective. Watch this space for opportunities to contribute and critique.
Back to School
The Schools in ACE are organising the last of a series of PD workshops, to be held in Auckland, 29-30 August. No doubt it will be another information-packed couple of days, and we hear Bronwyn Yates (Literacy Aotearoa) and James Turner (TEC) have been confirmed as keynote speakers.
Ideas for Workshops
To make PD more accessible, we are very keen to hear from you about areas of professional development needed out there. Previous feedback told us that sometimes it’s easier for us to organise things due to capacity and increasing workloads. ACE Aotearoa is expecting to convene workshops later in the year and welcome your suggestions of what would be relevant and a priority. Some of you have already suggested: Financial Literacy; Pedagogy of Humour from a Pasifika worldview; How to develop a Social Media Strategy for your organisations; How to use Social Media Tools (Facebook, Twitter, Skype); Writing Lesson Plans for tutors and Digital Storytelling. Email the Professional Development and Networks Manager analiese.robertson@aceaotearoa.org.nz or call 04 4736622 with your ideas, we look forward to hearing from you.
Martin Jenkins Report
The Evaluation Report will be released in the coming weeks with an update on all professional development activities for the sector. Thank you for your patience.
You can contact the Professional Development and Networks Manager analiese.robertson@aceaotearoa.org.nz or 04 473 6622 or our Contracts Administrator tai.samaeli@aceaotearoa.org.nz or 04 473 6625 anytime for more information and assistance.
5 May 2011
Grants
The Selection Panel met 28 April to consider the first round of applications received. Successful applicants are now gearing up to deliver workshops and activities on: UnderstandingTe Tiriti o Waitangi and Treaty of Waitangi leading to cultural awareness; use of Social Media (Facebook, Twitter) as a tool for reaching, teaching and interacting with learners; development of a Social Media strategy for Māori and Pasifika ACE providers; Practitioners in Planning, Budgeting and Implementation of Learning Programmes.
Applications are still OPEN! Please contact the Professional Development and Networks Manager for more information.
Moving online!
The ACEnet team is keen to hear your suggestions on what online activities you would like to see. We welcome all ideas on topics of interest, online resources, motivational quotes, presenters or people you would like to hear from through our online webinars and Resource of the Week.
Excellence in Tutor Training
This is an exciting new project focused on developing tutor training which will identify what success and good practice is and looks like. The Reference Group includes Professional Development Steering Group members Dr Airini, Pale Sauni and Peter Coolbear. Executive member Atawhai Li is also a member of this group. The first meeting was held 26 April. Jennifer Leahy has been contracted to undertake the work under guidance and direction from the Reference Group. It was agreed that this project should acknowledge and build off current provision in the ACE Sector, be open to innovation, develop standards that are descriptive rather than prescriptive, from both a provider and learner perspective. Watch this space!
Back to School
The Schools in ACE are organising the last of a series of PD workshops, to be held in Auckland 29-30 August. No doubt it will be another information-packed couple of days, and we hear Bronwyn Yates (Literacy Aotearoa) has been confirmed as a keynote speaker!
Ideas for Workshops
To make PD more accessible, we are very keen to hear from you about areas of professional development needed out there! Previous feedback told us that sometimes it’s easier for us to organise things due to your ever increasing workloads. So ACE Aotearoa will be convening some workshops later in the year and welcomes your suggestions of what would be relevant and a priority. Some of you have already suggested: Financial Literacy; Pedagogy of Humour from a Pasifika worldview; How to develop a Social Media Strategy for your organisations; How to use Social Media Tools (Facebook, Twitter, Skype); Writing Lesson Plans for tutors and Digital Storytelling. Email the Professional Development and Networks Manager analiese.robertson@aceaotearoa.org.nz or call 04 4736622 with your ideas, we look forward to hearing from you.
29 March 2011
New Professional Development Steering Group Members
We welcome ACE Aotearoa National Executive co-chair, Erana Brewerton to the PDSG. Erana replaces Peter McNeur as the Executive representative on the PDSG, following Peter's resignation from the Executive. Peter remains a member of the PDSG and chair. Pale Sauni, chair of the Association of Pasifika Staff in Tertiary Education (APSTE) also joins the PDSG, following the resignation of Owen Lewis, formerly Pasifika Education Centre.
Professional Development Grants
Applications are NOW OPEN! Please contact the Professional Development and Networks Manager for more information.
ACEnet Team Head to School
Our ACEnet team, Jan Collier and Jennifer Kipfer, will be facilitating an online workshop at the CLASS (Community Learning Association through Schools) Conference on 9th April. Their workshop – “Two Cs in a Virtual World” will endeavour to demonstrate online tools that will enhance communication and collaboration. Google docs, Flashmeeting, Skype, Twitter and Facebook will be demonstrated and participants will have hands-on practice using these Web 2 tools.
Research
A series of interviews were conducted between November and December 2010, with 4 Māori and 4 Pacific selected ACE providers. The findings show key elements that enable providers to ensure long term sustainability of their service provision in the sector. The research project was undertaken by MAIA (Maori and Indigenous Analysis Ltd) Leonie Pihama, Matewiki Karehana and Analiese Robertson. Thank you to the providers: He Waka Matauranga, Te Waka Pu Whenua, MACE Taranaki, The Learning Centre Whānau Family Support Services Trust, TOA Pacific, Punanga Tauturu Trust, Kaainga Tuvalu and Influence Trust, for participating in yet another research project, and for your generosity in sharing your success with us all.
Future PD Activities
There are other exciting new initiatives coming this year, which will focus on making professional development more accessible to the sector. They will include workshops that meet identified needs, development of tutor training and standards setting, and providing professional support and coaching. Watch this space!
