[Year 12 IT Apps] Learn PHP and MySQL to make useful websites andsupport your students

Sun Feb 7 17:02:34 EST 2010

Hi Roland,

I was not trying to "have a go" at VITTA about the cost of PD.

I had two main points:

1. The way PD is offered and how this affects "country folk".

2. The basic cost of PD. Anything out of school is so expensive. Even as a full time teacher I could not afford to be a member of all three of MAV, VITTA and STAV. Now I am semi-retired :-(  How the hell can I, or others such as CRTs, contract teachers, teachers on family leave, afford PD at this cost level to retain our VIT registration? Perhaps the government should put more funding in for PD?

Robert Hind (Semi-retired)
Ashwood and Traralgon
robert at yinnar.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Roland Gesthuizen 
  To: Year 12 IT Applications Teachers' Mailing List 
  Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 3:56 PM
  Subject: Re: [Year 12 IT Apps] Learn PHP and MySQL to make useful websites andsupport your students

  We must not forget that all subject associations have overheads to cover, from the office that takes the calls, the booking system, badges and resources. Their stated aim is not to secure slabs of profit or grab the PD market share or private club, but to improve the lot for all teachers and education in Victoria.

  Whilst we all do our best to reduce costs, perhaps as Kent and Cameron points out there are ways we could do better. I recall some VITTA conference grumbles http://www.vitta.org.au/conferenceinfo and am keenly aware of the delicate delicate tension from securing more sponsor donations, nasty venues and over-commercializing a public event. The many helpers at this splendid state event were volunteers. The Moodle workshop that I ran last year was at no personal profit. I see no reason why any subject association would not welcome this dialogue and debate. 

  Graham notes that school funds are limited. Increasingly they are used to fund training to support broader literacy or  numeracy school goals, not maintaining subject specific training for teachers. If you are concerned, it is an issue you must now raise with your local member or AEU.

  Whilst we can all try to ask our schools for more PD money or organise cheaper, in-house courses, there is only a tax advantage to teachers if they pay for their PD. If you are a presenter, there is sometimes also a further discount. Personally, I find it easier now to put up the money myself and negotiate instead with my school for time release from teaching to attend an event.

  This year in April, the http://www.ACEC2010.info "digital diversity" three-day national conference will cost $660 or $220 per day, early bird offer runs out soon so join me and organise your booking :-) .. As an education professional, my annual attendance at a professional conference is as important as those that my doctor attends (and pays for out of his own pocket) instead of relying on updates from peers or snippets from medical journals.

  Meeting friends face-to-face whilst having fun sharing new ideas ..

  .. that is priceless!

  Regards Roland

  Disclaimer: I am a VITTA COM member (on LOA) on the ACEC2010 technical team and notable conference junkie.

  On 7 February 2010 09:51, Kent Beveridge <kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au> wrote:

    Hang on a mo..
    Am I to understand this 'PD' is $600 for ONE DAY?(add the price of a replacement teacher for a day too for participants)

    'scuse me while I pick myself up off the floor...

    (make sure we remember to add accomodation/meal/travel costs for country folk!)

    YEP, I'm back on my price-horse again for 2010.

    Hey Jo, can you cast your mind back to comments I made during our last phone call and you will know what I am going on about.
    Looks like I have to miss out on another potentially useful PD as again, have been priced way out of the ball park!!!(the I.T budget up here aint that big and nor is my wage - thats almost my take home pay for a week - can we start running PD's at an affordable and reasonable price pleeeez??)

    Lets put something in as a parallel...
    A full Cert IV qualification can be obtained for $1500 and takes an average of 3-5 months to complete.

    YEP I know this will upset some readers on this list. Apologies in advance for those such offended! 
    But how are teachers like myself going to get these skills other than self teaching if we simply cant afford to these things. Perhaps VITTA should look at the so called 'education revolution' and source funding to reduce costs of hosting these events to make them more affordable for 'single day PD's '.

    I am all for offering my students programming at Year 12 but if this is the cost of training via our subject organisation then many are going to wonder if the costs of upskilling for the job are worth it. Unfortunately, the students 'may' be the victims of this cost explosion.  
    For what its worth, I wish to introduce Software Devel here at our school in either 2011 or 2012. I wish to provide my upcoming students every opportunity but costs like this make it really a challenge!

    I am happy to take VITTA phone calls to discuss this issue and possible remedies(but dont offer a time payment plan as that doesnt reduce the cost).

    Respectfully closing off..
    Kent.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    From: itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au [itapps-bounces at edulists.com.au] on behalf of Jo McLeay [jo at vitta.org.au]
    Sent: Friday, 5 February 2010 4:51 PM
    To: itapps at edulists.com.au
    Subject: [Year 12 IT Apps] Learn PHP and MySQL to make useful websites and support your students

    PHP and MySQ

    Who is this for?

      a.. All teachers who want to update their programming skills to make dynamic websites 
      b.. Teachers of years 8 to 12 VCE & VET teachers, including at Year 11 for Database Programming 
      c.. teachers who are interested in delivering PHP and MySQL 
      d.. teachers of VCE Software Development 
      e.. The day is tailored to fit the beginner, intermediate or advanced person
    The benefits of PHP and MySQL include:

      a.. PHP is one of the approved programming languages in Software Development 
      b.. PHP can be used to program mobile devices 
      c.. PHP and MySQL are free and open source
    What is included?

      a.. A copy of Kevork’s new book "PHP and MySQL for standard and mobile devices" 
      b.. software installation 
      c.. sample outcomes for teachers who are interested in delivering PHP and MySQL 
      d.. notes and exercises ready for participants at any proficiency level. 
      e.. refreshments are supplied. 
    What should I bring?

      a.. Bring your laptop
    Additional dates are: 2nd March, 9th March, 16th March and 23rd March. Sessions go from 4.30 to 6.30 pm on each day. 

          Registrations Open:  today  
          Registrations Close:    25th Feb 2010  
          Price:    VITTA members $ 600 (Inc. GST)  non-members $750.00 (Inc. GST)

    For details and booking go to: http://www.vitta.org.au and follow the  training events link.

    -- 

    Jo McLeay
    VITTA Professional Learning Officer
    T: +61 3 9495 6836
    F: +61 3 9495 6834
    M: +61 (0) 402 087 017
    E: jo at vitta.org.au
    W: www.vitta.org.au
    Suite 209, 134 - 136 Cambridge St,
    PO Box 1099
    Collingwood, VIC, 3066, Australia

    Slide to Open ~ digital learning
    VITTA Conference 2009
    Mon Nov 23 - Wed Nov 25
    Grandstand Flemington Racecourse

    Follow us on Twitter

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  -- 
  Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
  http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au

  "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead
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  IT Applications Mailing List kindly supported by 
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