Education and Training (past quotes in a PDF file)

'The new internet access solution will offer a far more streamlined browsing, downloading and communicating experience, enabling functionality on applications not previously available.' From an email to Deakin University Staff, 20 July 2010. Thanks to Colin who asks: 'What is an internet access solution?'

'... progress through time, via application of innovative communication processes and praxis a city-wide transformation and transition. Such process involves enhancing and empowering the interactions between business, industry, researchers, governments (local, State and Commonwealth) and schools through an interwoven range of communication process in order to invigorate the way the community interact with each other, work together or respond.' Lecture: 'Operationalising Sustainability in Townsville:Integrating community, utility and local government through innovative communications and processes.' The Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU. Thanks to Greg Hood.

'Instead of teachers there are learning advisers, instead of classrooms there are open-plan spaces with ottomans, and instead of rigid timetables the school is open from 7am to 7pm every week of the year.' Lucky learning advisers. From 'Innovative little city school has big plans' by Jewel Topsfield, The Age, 24 June 2010.

'Background: Key driver is to have a physical and organisational infrastructure in place that can best support student centric outcomes.' From an internal document. Thanks to anonymous.

'We are a multimedia college looking to start a brand identity project to streamline our corporate image to match our brand values.  We would like to engage professional designers who can assist with redesigning our brand identity.' Academy of Information Technology Sydney. Thanks to Karen who says: 'I believe that what she really means is: " We are looking for a Sydney based designer to design our corporate logo."'

'The Ultranet is a student centred electronic learning environment that supports high quality learning and teaching, connects students, teachers and parents and enables efficient knowledge transfer. It will establish a schools environment for the future that improves the educational outcomes of all Victorians. . Objectives of the Ultranet ... adopt an enterprise approach to intranet development, exploit previous ICT investments.' Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Thanks Peter.

'The MBA-Technology Management provided me with the ability to reason on technical issues from a multi-dimensional position. I'd recommend it to anyone seeking a solid MBA from a reputable institution...' From the APESMA Member Benefits Directory. Thanks to Tony.

'We are primarily concerned with application-driven research that is strategically positioned to be capable of opening up new vistas in the healthcare, mining, energy and logistics industries as well as marketing, management, accounting and finance through bringing the networked economy and information infrastructure into these domains.' Curtin University of Technology Digital Ecosytems and Business Intelligence Institute objectives. Thanks to anonymous.

'Business Units: Any cost centre established by the University to provide goods and/or services, whether in conjunction with private partners or not.
Commitment Point: means the point that an Approving Authority or Incurring Officer commits the University to pay for goods or services.
Corporate Visual Identity: refers to how the University is depicted in such mediums as publications, the Internet, retail and non-retail merchandise and memorabilia, flyers, banners, overheads, PowerPoint presentations, stationery, pro-forma, advertising, uniforms and signage.
Curtin Brand: includes, but is not limited to, the expression, reputation and related attributes of the organisation. Literally, it means the distinctive representations in design and stylistic requirements such as image types, footers and fonts that are used to create a strong visual identity which distinguishes Curtin from its competitors and indicates the source of goods or services.' From Curtin University's Policy Preferred Definitions document (32 pages). Thanks to Alan.

'A typical planning document, from King's College London, explains that the institution must “create financially viable academic activity by disinvesting from areas that are at sub-critical level with no realistic prospect of extra investment.”' Britain: The Disgrace of the Universities, Anthony Grafton, New York Review of Books blog. Thanks to Neil Short.

'With the introduction of Positive Education and our innovative  Handbury Centre for Wellbeing, we give our students the best start for the rest of their lives ... Our ongoing collaboration with Professor Martin Seligman and his team from the University of Pennsylvania has resulted in the development of Positive Education.' Geelong Grammar School, Victoria
'Seligman himself explicity rejects social change, writing of the role of "circumstances" in determing human happiness: "The good news about circumstances is that some do change happiness for the better. The bad news is that changing these circumstances is usually impractical and expensive." This argument -"impractical and expensive" - has of course been used against almost very progressive reform from the abolition of slavery to pay equity for women.' Barbara Ehrenreich in 'Smile or Die: How Postive Thinking Fooled America & The World.

‘This hothouse will ask how do we create a rhetoric of sustainment and specifically, how do we present new ways of thinking informing design as futuring action.' Queensland College of Art. Thanks to Jay Browning

'The Client Services Unit is committed to enhancing your experience as a client with MAS ... Your feedback will be handled promptly and used in our continuous improvement process.' Monash Animal Services, Monash University. Thanks to Maria O'Sullivan

Monash Residential Services Higher Degree Research Merit Scholarships - Overview
One of Monash Residential Services' (MRS) mission goals is to provide and develop an environment within each location on campus which provides care, support and enrichment for the residential community in academic, cultural, personal, social and recreational matters.
The Monash Residential Services Higher Degree Research Merit Scholarships are provided to further the above divisional mission goal and to promote and engender a high academic environment at all Victorian on-campus residential sites. Thanks to Maria O'Sullivan who wonders if a 'High academic environment' is on the 10th floor of a very high building.

'... our Corporate Values:   
We are a fun, fast and energetic team
We are the best at what we do
We set our sights high and we make it happen
We are open and honest
We care about our clients and always do the right thing.' SELMAR Institute of Education. Thanks to George M.

2010 SENIOR MANAGEMENT SUMMIT - Monash University

On Monday and Tuesday this week the senior management of Monash University gathered at the Peninsula campus for the 2010 Senior Management Summit. The Summit provided an important opportunity to build a consensus on our general direction and set the stage for an appropriate platform of evolution and improvement for the next few years. The two days of discussion and engagement were characterised by a spirit of collegiality and a shared commitment to building a culture of excellence ... We can be very pleased with the outcomes and the exciting direction in which our University is heading. The Senior Management Summit’s agenda followed on from the endorsement of the Monash Futures Agenda and the establishment of task forces on the themes of academic strengthening, campus enhancement, improved services, grand challenges and Passport Mark II. The first three of these themes were focal points of discussion at the Summit, while other sessions considered the University’s approach to marketing and communications and how to embed social and cultural inclusion into the full-range of our operations ... I trust that each Monash University staff member will make an important contribution to the ensuing process that will turn our vision into reality.' A Message from the Monash Universty Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ed Byrne. Read the rest of the email. Thanks to Damon.

'In this final exercise, you are going to use all of the devices of academic writing that you have learnt about to rework a piece of text in order to increase its academic tone.

This is wrong: "Women earn less than men and own less than men. ...? Thanks to our online course you will be able to reject normal conventions of clear communication to produce "Sophisticated" writing like this: "The relative disadvantage of women with regard to their earnings and levels of asset ownership indicates that within classes there is further economic inequity based on gender..."' Uni Learning Academic Writing.

'The summer schools literacy emphasis is on discussing the meanings of texts and on making judgments about topic sentences and word choices rather than on coding and decoding ... Teachers are encouraged to read texts aloud so that learners can concentrate on the higher-order thinking involved in making reliable inferences. Teachers are also able to annotate their students' work where necessary, so that encoding difficulties do not prevent students from showing what they understand and can do.' 'Poor readers made to catch bugs', Justine Ferrari, The Australian, 13 Feb 2010. Thanks to Geoff Hudson..

'Subject:  English Project
  Good afternoon!
  Simon has been working very hard on a final project for To Kill a Mockingbird. This project is a powerpoint presentation that covers the plot, characters, themes and settings of the novel. Simon's project is due this Thursday, and I know he is very close to completion. He may have one or two more slides to do.  Unfortunately, he cannot find his flash drive, which is where the project is saved. If you could both help Simon look around, I would greatly appreciate it. He put a lot of effort into this project.' From a private school in New York

Our school will be implementing an age appropriate structured career education program that will support the development of a positive self-concept, deep understandings of the world of work and a positive attitude to learning through integrated learning, feedback, reflection and goal setting.' Judy Harrison, Principal of Kurri Kurri PS in a letter to parents. Thanks to Phil.

'The Examinations Officer has the specific responsibility for delivering a high quality customer-focused, thesis examination service and administration for examinations of Research Higher Degree students.' Job at the University of Melbourne School of Graduate Research. Thanks to Kieran Crichton

Expedition leaders: the name for teachers at the Remarkables Primary School, Queenstown NZ. According to the principal Debbie Dickson: 'Through our curriculum the children are going through learning pathways … and as learners there are many pathways – the expedition leaders guide them through that learning.' Head teachers ... are to be "learning community leaders", and will each oversee a group of four classrooms, known as a "learning pod". ... It had not been decided whether pupils would address their expedition leaders using traditional honorifics or their first names. "We need to talk about that as a whole staff. At the present time it is conventional names but it's something we will discuss further as we journey forward." Remarkables School, remarkable titles, The Southland Times. Thanks to Keith Carmody.

'...more effective use of external advice, already available, in strengthening financial management – and setting out a clear future role for central and local government and expert School Improvement Partners in supporting frontline delivery.' Department of Children, Schools and Families, UK. Thanks to Tony

'...a simple style will detract from your credibility... tentative language indicates that the writer is a thoughtful person who is aware of the limits of simple assertions... Resist the temptation to make bold statements.' From the style guide recommended to Masters students at Monash University. Thanks Shane.

Had your enabling capacity reviewed recently?

'The Faculty Futures Project Team values the hard work administrative staff do but it is imperative that we provide a strategic integrated service delivery model that optimises resource allocation, and integrates and standardises our systems more effectively. We are focused on providing a framework for staff engagement within a flexible, strong and adaptive culture that values performance that supports the core business but one that also provides staff with professional development and career progression that meets their needs and those of the Faculty.

Your valuable input to the review can help us identify:
•  a vision of what we want to look like in the future;
•  a clear sense of our identity;
•  flexible organisational structures to support our core business; and
•  creative and innovative ways to consider ongoing change.

The Project Team understands that the process of change is confronting and some staff will feel anxious about what the future will look like for them. We feel confident that the process of reviewing our enabling capacity and rebuilding it in an integrated service delivery model will be a rewarding experience for all.' Tim Murray, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University. Read the rest of the email.

'11. No animals, regardless of mortality status, may be brought into the auditorium (companion animals for disabled persons are accepted).' University of New England Theatre policies user notice. Thanks to Bruce Menzies

'As your role is not now significantly altered, the proposed Staff Transition process which has been the subject of recent consultation, is also [sic] no longer applies to you. Of course this does not preclude staff from considering options available under the ERP process, for example for flexible leave and working arrangements, Voluntary Redundancy Program or Enhanced Retirement Options.' From an email from the Executive Director, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne to staff. Thanks to Angela Altair who spotted this on Crikey.com.

'Can fully apply and discuss patterning strategies in problem-solving situations.' National Post (Canada) editorial board: Bad report cards. 14 Oct.

'Validation of Vocational Competence'
Swinburne TAFE, Sep 2009. Thanks to Valerie Lester

'This approach is known as Next Practice. The Next Practice Innovation Model (see also Appendix 1) uses three diamonds to capture the sequential life-span of a next practice project. Each of the three stages is represented visually by a diamond: that seeks to capture the movement within each phase from an initial focus broadening to a wider set of generated possibilities, which subsequently become refocused.

The system level reflection and intervention stage involves generating options for areas of innovative research. Local level action involves incubating innovation within the system, at which stage ‘next practice’ is active. System learning is the point at which methods are developed for accelerating system learning and scaling up innovative practice.' Progress report of the Next Practice Design Teams Project undertaken by the Victorian Department of Education. Thanks to Susan who says: 'After working there for four months no one was able to tell me what "next practice" was (and I am still none the wiser).'

'My 5 year old daughter, who attends prep school in Queensland, talked about an activity the class undertook the other day - there were two boys however who were not permitted to do the activity, because they had made inappropriate choices which is the new way of saying they had been naughty in class.' From Mark Stroppiana.

'The transition to a sustainable economy can be facilitated through a commitment to sustainable environmental values, application of appropriate knowledge and skills, and the deployment of innovative technologies and practices across energy generation, production, consumption, conservation, and waste management activities. These key commitments and capabilities will help reduce adverse impacts on Australia's environment while increasing national productivity, international competitiveness, employment growth, and living standards.' National VET Sector Sustainability Policy and Action Plan (2009-2012) Thanks to Nicholas Pavlovski who notes that the Action Plan doesn't have Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), it has Key Result Areas (KRAs).

‘The strategic national project initiative aims to describe the vocational training sector under a united umbrella of meaning.' Thanks to Ange Bryon who spotted this on the bus: 'It was the mission statement for some project plan that the very important weasel in charge sitting next to me was proof reading'.

'Head of Learning Area - Mathematics - Rockingham Senior High School …
Have you got the winning formula to improve student outcomes in Mathematics?
To be successful you will be an inspirational leader, providing support and direction to all senior school mathematics learning team teachers for whom you will have line management responsibility.
Our unique location enables easy access to industry and the marine environment, with strong community partnerships providing clear pathways for all students.'

And from Gilmore College also in Western Australia:
'Our vision for the future is to create a Learning Community where there is a strong commitment to bringing together individual, institutional and community stakeholders to provide the resources to enhance the life opportunities of all young people in a process of lifelong learning. We aim to provide an inclusive, safe and stimulating learning environment that will enable students to develop as self managing learners with the skills to act in a socially responsible manner and make a contribution to their community.' From job ads spotted by John Ford.

'Meredith Jackson Marketing and Communications specialises in education marketing and works across all marketing platforms including news media. We work with in-house staff on integrated planning and brand-building strategies and specialize in streamlining communications. Our results are measurable and our innovative ideas mean higher brand recognition, lower recruiting costs and more cut-through for our clients. We take carefully researched steps to ensure messages are on target, reinforce the brand, and work hard for you in the global education marketplace. Our advice on marketing is simple: Plan it. Brand it. Get in online. It's our recipe for strategic and holistic marketing.'

'Partnership Self-Assessment Report - April 2009. The information in this report is based on data that the Strategic Partnership Group members of the Banyule Nillumbik Primary Care Alliance provided when they completed the Partnership Self-Assessment Tool 1 questionnaire in 2009 and is compared with the 2007 results... Partnership Synergy Score : An indicator of the success of the BNPCA Collaborative Process. The Partnership Self-Assessment Tool assesses the success of a partnership's collaborative process by measuring its level of synergy... The Strategic Partnership Groups overall synergy score is 3.7 (out of a 5). This is in the Work Zone, meaning that more effort is needed in this area to maximize the partnership's collaborative potential.'

'Our Vision is to be a world class Institute delivering quality
education and training beyond expectations. Underpinning the
Institute’s Vision are strategic principles which focus on the Institute’s regional economic development contributions, a whole of person approach to training, the fostering of entrepreneurship and continuous improvement, and the creation of long term alliances and partnerships.' Peter F Ryan, Chief Executive Officer; Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

'The ten values listed in the Strategic Framework 2004-2008 will continue to underpin the activities of Monash University for the next five years. Thus, although the University has made great progress towards achieving excellence in education, research and management, much remains to be done. The University will continue to have a strong international focus. It will continue to value fairness, innovation and creativity, diversity and integrity and to strive for increased engagement with governments, industry and the community and for a greater degree of financial self-reliance.'

'If you require any information regarding your child‘s progress please feel free to contact your child‘s Student Learning Manager (classroom teacher).' From Patrick Wren's 8 yr old daughter's school newsletter (Caroline Springs College). Patrick says: ' I believe the bit in brackets is for the benefit of those who are not fluent in Weasel.'

Social inclusion framework and arena of social exclusion and division. A linguistics professor speaking about the benefits of speaking a second language

Early years learning framework - ABC Radio

'An overarching national improvement strategy will drive up quality and performance underpinned by specific plans for strategically significant areas of activity, such as workforce and technology.' 'Impenetrable' university department slammed for jargon report'. Jordan Campbell, 28 January 2009, Student Newspaper.org

'When is a school not a school? When it is “a place for learning”. Watercliffe Meadow Primary in Sheffield has adopted the new phraseology because it thinks that the word school may have negative connotations for pupils and parents.'
'Don't use the S-word. This is a place of learning, not a school', Alexandra Frean, Education Editor, Timesonline.

'As the Monitoring & Evaluation Adviser the key focus will be to support the ongoing implementation of ECBP monitoring and evaluation frameworks to meet reporting requirements ... applicants will need to demonstrate significant experience in best pratice monitoring and evaluation ... An understanding of mainstreaming gender and HIV/AIDS in this context will be well regarded.'
As the Strategic (HROD&TSC) Adviser, your role will be to support the PNG Department of Education in the development of organisational capacity to establish strategic direction and operational leadership at national and sub-national levels in human resource management.' Education Capacity Building Program, Port Moresby. Thanks to Roy Stall.

Speaking in tongues

'MY SON is in grade four. His school report was almost incomprehensible to his parents with multiple tertiary qualifications. "He uses reading strategies that include selecting key ideas, paraphrasing and visualising the more complex sentences, reading on and drawing on some contextual cues." Did they mean he makes a good guess?

"He is able to apply evidence from the text and his general knowledge to display literal, inferential and evaluative comprehension skills." I had trouble explaining exactly what this meant to my 10-year- old and why it was written in this manner. I am only wondering how parents whose first language is not English (many at this school) will make sense of such nonsense.' Louise Steb, Essendon, letters to the editor, Melbourne Age, 15 December 08.

Seeking traction on intractable problems for socially just schooling: Revisiting the reproduction-recognition tension
...We place these approaches and their logics on an analytic continuum that highlights a core tension across them all: between (1) a redistribution impulse to provide cultural capital needed for ‘mainstream' academic success to learners who do not inherit such capital from families and communities; and (2) a recognition impulse to build teaching-and-learning around ‘funds of knowledge' from learners' cultural lifeworlds.
November Research@Work seminar at the Center for Studies in Literacy, Policy and Learning Cultures.

'A new full-time position called director, procurement, was created at one university after a year-long review, the official announcement saying in the best of weasel words that "one of the major solutions developed was the development of a strategic sourcing model for procurement"'. Caron Dann, Times Higher Education.

(past quotes in a PDF file)

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