Professional Learning

Summary of Programs
Braille Corresspondence Course
Technology Workshops
Professional Learning 2008
Past Papers and Presentations

Summary of Programs:

Educational Support for Students Who Are Blind
Introduction to the braille literary and mathematics codes, tactual graphics and technology for blind students. Workshop the new Unified English Braille (UEB) code to find out the implications for your students. Participants can follow-up with the new Braille Correspondence Course if they wish to continue to learn braille or update to the new UEB.
Participants: Visiting Teachers and school community members who support brailling students in specialist, primary and secondary settings.
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $44.00
Where/When: Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC) February 2009

Educational Support for Students With Low Vision Prep to Year 8
Low vision simulation workshops, explainations of low vision and the educational implications of low vision, strategies for adapting the classroom to ensure educational access for students with low vision.
Participants: School community members who support students with low vision.
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $44.00
Where/When: Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC) - March 14 2008

Educational Support for Students with Vision Impairments (low vision and blind students – Years 9, 10, 11 and 12)
Focusing on the preparing for the final years of schooling (VCE) and preparing for the transition to work or further study, this exciting day is crammed packed full of ideas for teachers, parents and students! Hear about Special Provision and career options for students with vision impairments.
Participants: teachers, integration teachers and aides, therapists, parents and visiting teachers. Students welcome!
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $44.00
Where/When: Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC) April Thursday 17 2008

Educational Support for the Student with a Vision Impairment and Additional Disabilities
Guest speakers include an ophthalmologist with paediatric experience, an educational psychologist as well as ideas from teachers and visiting teachers working with this population of students. 
Participants:  School community members who support students who are blind or  vision impaired who have additional disabilities e.g. Teachers, Parents, Support Staff, and Therapists from specialist, primary and secondary settings.
Duration: 1 day
Cost: $44.00
Where/When: Statewide Vision Resource Centre (SVRC) May 7, 2008.

Visiting Teacher Professional Development Days - various topics, one day per term
Participants: Visiting Teachers who support students who are blind or vision impaired in specialist, primary or secondary settings.

• Visiting Teacher PD Day February 18, 2008
• Visiting Teacher PD Day June 3, 2008
• Visiting Teacher PD Day August 13, 2008
• Visiting Teacher PD Day/Expo Friday 23, November 2007

Braille Correspondence Course:
This course is available to support staff and parents of students who receive Department of Education Visiting Teacher, Catholic Education Office Visiting Teacher Service or staff in the Independent Sector who support brailling students. There is no charge for the course but there is a considerable commitment required 'time wise' to complete the course. The Braille Correspondence Course has been updated to include the UEB code. For further information contact Maria Elford.
There is a "Braille for Educators" course run from The Renwick Centre. It is offered in semesters one and two each year, and is a training program in the UEB code. Josie Howse of the State Braille and Large Print Service DET NSW and Nicola Stowe of RIDBC are the instructors, and the prescribed text is the new Unified English Braille Primer: Australian Edition. Distance and on-campus options are offered, however the on-campus course is dependent upon enrolment numbers.The course is open to teachers and transcribers working in the area of braille – please note that Braille for Educators it is not a “transcription course”, as it does not include specific training on the use of Duxbury and transcription skills.
For more information contact Frances Gentle at francesg@start.com.au

Technology Workshops
Workshops are open to Visiting Teachers and other members of the school community who wish to find out about this specialised area of technology.
Quantum Technology
Workshops are held at the SVRC in conjunction with Trevor Boyd and Brett Scarr from Quantum Technology. These workshops offer hands on instruction in the use of various products from Quantum including the Mountbatten Brailler, JAWS, Zoomtext, Magic and PAC Mate.
Humanware
Ramona Mandy will be demonstating products from Humanware Australia during the year. Workshops for Spot Dot, BrailleNote and Window Eyes are scheduled. We also have a range of equipment on loan from Humanware for students to try at the SVRC!

Complete List of Professional Learning for 2008
http://www.visiontech.svrc.vic.edu.au/pd2008.htm