Camosun to Host Adult Basic Education Conference
Archived Content
This archived web page remains online for reference, research or record-keeping purposes. This page will not be altered or updated and may contain out of date information. If you’re looking for specific information and haven’t found it, please contact communications@camosun.ca.
Lieutenant Governor will open conference Thursday May 1, 2008.
April 28, 2008
More than 100 teachers, researchers and students from around BC will gather at Camosun’s Lansdowne Campus to discuss teaching and learning excellence at the annual conference of the Adult Basic Education Association of BC (ABEABC) May 1-2, 2008.
“Camosun College is honoured to host this important conference,” says Baldev Pooni, Camosun’s vice president of education and student services. “Basic literacy, numeracy, computer and workplace skills are essential to the social and economic well-being of individuals, families, and to our communities as a whole. It is almost impossible to escape a life of poverty without these basic skills.”
“This year’s conference theme is Teaching-Learning Excellence: Learning Styles, Best Practices and Research in Practice,” explains Nita Jacob, ABEABC president. “The agenda includes excellent national, provincial and local speakers and more than 25 workshops on different topics.”
On Thursday, the conference will be opened by Their Honours, the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Gwen Point, both deeply committed to improving literacy and basic education in BC. They will be drummed up to the stage by the Unity Drummers. Elder Skip Dick will welcome Their Honours and conference delegates to the traditional territory of the Songhees Nation. His Honour will then deliver the opening address for the conference.
Two keynote speakers are scheduled for Thursday, May 1. At 1pm, Ningwakwe Rainbow Woman / E. Priscilla George from the National Indigenous Literacy Association will speak about learning styles of First Nations people. After dinner, delegates will hear Glenda Standeven speak about re-learning styles and retraining adults. As an adult cancer amputee, Standeven is a positive role model for the many adult learners coping with illness, injury or accident.
Her Honour, Mrs. Gwen Point will re-open the conference on Friday morning. Delegates will then hear a panel discussion that includes representatives from three government ministries: Education, Advanced Education, and Attorney-General (Settlement/Multiculturalism) plus the Industry Training Authority. The conference will wrap up Friday afternoon with the ABEABC annual general meeting.
“Bringing these educators together to share ideas is so worthwhile,” says John Boraas, dean of Access and First Nations education at Camosun College. “Adults, and especially Aboriginal people, learn in many different ways. Good teachers need to be innovative, adapting teaching styles to learning styles. Education is far too important to rely on the status quo.”
Contact
Leonne Beebe,
ABEABC Conference 08 Chair
1-888-504-7441, local 2414
Val Mieras,
College & Community Relations, Camosun College
250-370-4236
mieras@camosun.bc.ca
Last updated: April 6, 2011 11:01 am
