Learning Works 2008

Acknowledgement

Thanks to the support of the South Australian Government, through the ACE and Community Partnerships Unit of the South Australian Department of Further Education Employment Science and Technology, Learning Works continues on PBA FM in 2008. In addition, selected items from Learning Works will be forwarded each month to some 20 community radio stations around Regional South Australia.

The Learning Works website ensures that adult educators and lifelong learners around Australia have access to most interviews, as mp3 audiofiles. Go to www.learningworksradio.com For further information, contact Tony Ryan on learningworks@pbafm.org.au

Week Beginning Monday 29 September

PBA FM – 89.7 on the FM band in Adelaide - 8.30pm Mondays, repeated 9am Fridays
By mid-week, these three items (minus any music used in the broadcast, for copyright reasons)
should be available online as mp3 audio, on www.learningworksradio.com

A Learning Society

Let's Talk Secret Codes – Program 2 of 7

Despite our assumptions about the literacy skills of Australians, not all adults have the skills they need in order to participate fully in the emerging knowledge economy and to build these generic literacy skills. The findings of a national adult literacy survey were released at the end of 2007, revealing that almost half of the adult population does not have adequate literacy skills for everyday life and work. (Making Literacy Everybody's Business. Report and Action Plan, September 2008, Government of South Australia. The full report is available on http://www.saworks.sa.gov.au.)

In the second of this new seven-part radio series, produced and presented by PBA FM’s Tony Ryan, and launched by the Honourable Paul Caica MP, South Australian Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education on Monday 8 September, we continue our exploration of some of the outcomes of the Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey (ABS 2007). Contributors to this second program are Fran Edwards, Judy Perkins and Dr Sue Shore. The programs will be broadcast fortnightly from 15 September, and be available online as mp3 audiofiles later in the week of broadcast.

We have ten give-away copies of the CD containing all seven programs. If you would like one copy, email Tony Ryan on learningworks@pbafm.org.au – first come first served!

A Learning Society

Connecting Faces, Places and Spaces - Community Learning

Many communities come together for common action – for example, local people fighting to save the Murray. Communities learn in many ways, including learning how to work together and develop action in support of a cause. This is just one example of community learning. And many of us learn through joining common interest groups on the internet and sharing our knowledge and skills. The Convener of the Australian Learning Communities Network National Conference, Jeff Green from the ACE and Community Partnerships Unit of DFEEST in South Australia, speaks about the many faces of community learning across Australia, and about the Australian Learning Communities Network National Conference, to be held in Adelaide in late October. For details, see www.alcnconference.com

Arts, Literature and Music

A Good Read – How Books Help Babies and Toddlers

"When children start school, they are already five years old, and the years where they learn the most information, that is 80% of all the information they will ever use, have already passed. The most important work that children do to develop literacy skills must start when they are born, and their parents are their first teachers." So says Sandhya Burton, from the Salisbury Library Service who presents A Good Read this week – not so much a review, but more a reflection on the important role of parents in developing early literacy in babies and very young children.

Week beginning Monday 22 September 2008

PBA FM – 89.7 on the FM band in Adelaide - 8.30pm Monday, repeated 9am Friday.
As an mp3 audiofile, this program will be online later in the week – on www.learningworksradio.com

A Learning Society

A Visit to Aldinga Community Centre

Aldinga is a beachside outer suburb south of Adelaide, with a changing population served by a vibrant Community Centre. For Learning Works, PBA FM’s Tony Ryan speaks to Community Development Officer Jane Taylor and to several volunteers, and finds out about two aspects of the centre – the role of volunteers working in the adult literacy program, and the work being done to build a large community shed, 21 metres by 9 metres, to be used for mature men in the area and also for the wider community, including people with disabilities. The health and community benefits gained by the volunteer members of the Aldinga community are discussed in this full Learning Works’ program.

Week beginning Monday 15 September 2008

PBA FM – 89.7 in Adelaide - 8.30pm Monday, repeated 9am Friday.
As mp3 audiofiles, most items will be online by mid-week.

A Learning Society

Let's Talk Secret Codes – Program 1 of 7

The ability to communicate ideas and information in the right way at the right time, to use computers and other types of technology and to use mathematical and other problems solving techniques, are all critical to full participation in the economic and social life of our State. Knowledge and skills such as these are at various times called essential skills, basic skills, generic skills and employability skills. Literacy underpins an individual's ability to participate fully in modern society.

The Honourable Paul Caica MP, SA Minister for Employment Training and Further Education (left) with PBA FM's Tony Ryan

The Honourable Paul Caica MP, SA Minister for Employment Training and Further Education (left) with PBA FM's Tony Ryan

In this new seven-part radio series, produced and presented by PBA FM's Tony Ryan, and launched by the Honourable Paul Caica MP, South Australian Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education on Monday 8 September, we explore some of the outcomes of the Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey (ABS 2007). Contributors to this first program are Ann Burgess, Fran Edwards, Frank and Lorna Lestar, Judy Perkins and Dr Sue Shore. The programs will be broadcast fortnightly from 15 September, and be available online as mp3 audiofiles later in the week of broadcast.

A Learning Society

So what is the Digital Economy?

The phrase Digital Divide is often in use these days. But we can look at this issue in another way. The Digital Bridge Unit, in the SA Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology, has been set up to explore the ways in which people are marginalised by not being able to access and confidently use technology. The Unit runs programs aimed at helping ‘bridge' the digital divide created by lack of access and understanding of Information Communication Technology. From the Digital Bridge Unit, Alison Kershaw is interviewed this week for Learning Works; she will also be presenting a workshop during the Australian Learning Communities Network National Conference in Adelaide in late October. For conference details go to www.alcnconference.com

Cinema

Film Review – The Bank Job

Join John J McGowan for a review of an absorbing yarn which is said to have some basis in real events. The Bank Job is a thriller which is currently doing good business at the box office. The Bank Job is a very British movie, with even a touch of whimsy here and there which perhaps brings to mind the faintest recollection of another fine British robbery movie from years gone by, The Ladykillers. However, despite a light touch or two, The Bank Job is, at times, an uncompromisingly violent movie.

Monday 8 September / Friday 12 September 2008

PBA FM – 89.7 in Adelaide - 8.30pm Monday, repeated 9am Friday.
As mp3 audiofiles, most items will be online by mid-week.

Health Wellbeing and Relationships

Mental Health First Aid

We all know what is meant by First Aid, but a more recent initiative is the Mental Health First Aid Training program now being offered to Community and Neighbourhood Houses and Centres in South Australia. "Mental Health First Aid is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or in a mental health crisis.

The first aid is given until appropriate professional treatment is received or until the crisis resolves" (Mental Health First Aid Manual, by Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorm, ORYGEN Research Centre, Melbourne). Through Relationships Australia, Naomi Madsen recently presented the Mental Health First Aid course at Hackham West Community Centre, to a group from several Community and Neighbourhood Houses in and around Adelaide.

In this interview with Naomi Madsen and three course participants, recorded at Hackham West by PBA FM's Tony Ryan, we hear about the beginnings of the Mental Health First Aid course, and how participants are better able then to work with clients who may exhibit signs of a mental health concern.

PBA FM always welcomes your comments on Learning Works – learningworks@pbafm.org.au

Monday 1 September / Friday 5 September 2008

PBA FM – 89.7 in Adelaide - 8.30pm Monday, repeated 9am Friday.
As mp3 audiofiles, most items will be online by mid-week.

A Learning Society

Perspective – Adult Literacy in Australia Today

The data in the Adult Literacy and Lifeskills Survey (ABS Nov 2007) raises many questions about literacy levels in Australia, including our understandings of multi-literacies, including document, prose and health literacies. Dr Sue Shore, from the Centre for Literacy Policy and Learning Cultures at the University of South Australia, reflects on Adult Literacy in Australia today.

A Learning Society

The Economic Benefits of Lifelong Learning

Following the release of some interesting New Zealand figures on the economic benefits of lifelong learning, CEO of Adult Learning Australia, Peter Peterson, discusses some of the lessons for Australia about the economic benefits of adult learning and the growing importance of the concept of social inclusion.

Language Literacy and Music

A Good Read - The Bone Man of Kokoda, by Charles Happell

Kokichi Nishimura was a member of the 2nd battalion, 144th Regiment of the Japanese Imperial Army. In 1942 he fought along every foot of Kokoda as the Japanese attempted to take Port Moresby. He was the only man from his company to survive the campaign. As he was evacuated to safety he made a promise that one day he would return to his comrades and bring them home to Japan for proper burial. From the Salisbury Library Service, Teresa O'Grady reviews this book for Learning Works.

PBA FM always welcomes your comments on Learning Works – learningworks@pbafm.org.au

Week beginning Monday 25 August 2008

PBA FM – 89.7 in Adelaide - 8.30pm Monday, repeated 9am Friday.
As mp3 audiofiles, most items will be online by mid-week.

A Learning Society

Meet Julia Gane – National Co-ordinator of Adult Learners’ Week

In the lead-up to Adult Learners’ Week in early September, Julia Gane speaks about lifelong learning, the importance of adult community education, Adult Learners’ Week Awards across all states and territories, and how to access the Adult Learners’ Week national website.

A Learning Society

Streets of Learning – Tea Tree Gully

The two Streets of Learning bus tours in Adelaide’s north eastern suburbs during Adult Learners’ Week is an opportunity to celebrate, promote and advance the many and varied forms of adult and community learning within the City of Tea Tree Gully.

A Learning Society

Meet Michelle Rudd – Award-winning visual artist

In the Adult Learners’ Week Art Competition Awards in SA in 2007, the People’s Choice Award went to Adelaide visual artist Michelle Rudd. In this interview, recorded in her home, Michelle speaks to Tony Ryan about how her passion for art came into its rightful place in her life, how she approaches her work as a visual artist, and the joy she gets from working with her students, one of whom, Natalie, joins us to talk about the pastel work she is doing right now and how Michelle is able to bring out her hidden talents as an aspiring artist.

Monday 18 August / Friday 22 August 2008

PBA FM – 89.7 in Adelaide - 8.30pm Monday, repeated 9am Friday.
As mp3 audiofiles, most items will be online by mid-week.

A Learning Society

More about - Learning @ Work

In the lead-up to Adult Learners' Week in early September, in Learning Works this week, we look at another organization where a focus on learning, continuous improvement and empowerment of its employees are key organizational targets in a changing workplace. Tony Ryan is speaking with Adelaide-based education consultant Jenny McCormick, and to Steve Newman, Manager Human Resources Satisfac Credit Union, and to Rachael Randell, Training and Development Coordinator, also with Satisfac Credit Union in South Australia.

A Learning Society

Older workers – we need them in the workplace

Continuing the theme of the changing workplace, what do we know about the workforce of today, and the needs of workplaces into the future? In this extended interview from the Learning Works archives, Tony Ryan speaks with Annie Ferguson, from the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, about some work being done to make sure that workplaces do value the contribution that mature works can bring to their organizations, in terms of both their skills gained over many years, and their role in mentoring younger workers.

Cinema

Film Review - The Dark Knight

Learning Works' regular film reviewer John J McGowan looks at The Dark Knight – Health Ledger's last movie.

30 June 2008

Audio Extract from Learning Works - www.learningworksradio.com

The Interviewer is Tony Ryan

Debbie Jeanes - Adult Educator of the Year, South Australia 2007 (download mp3 | 2.83MB)

Glenna Lear - In retirement, now fulfilling a dream to return to tertiary study (download mp3 | 2.87MB)

Associate Professor Barry Golding - Researching Men's Sheds in Australia (download mp3 | 2.98MB)

Leanne Isaacson - An ambassador for learning in rural South Australia (download mp3 | 2.32MB)