Learning Difficulties including Dyslexia

As part of the Department of Education and Training’s Inclusive Education Agenda to deliver professional learning, advice and resources to Victorian government school staff, the Learning Difficulties including Dyslexia professional learning program will be offered again throughout Terms 1-3 in 2019.

All participants require an edumail address to register. Those attending need to self-register so accurate registrant details are obtained.

The professional learning program consists of full day workshops appropriate for primary and secondary school teachers, visiting teachers, school leadership and student support service officers. Education support staff may attend with a teacher from their school. CRT funding for two classroom teachers per school is available to assist schools with teacher participation in the workshops.

The workshops are designed to build the capacity of Victorian government school staff to undertake student assessments, understand the background of Learning Difficulties including Dyslexia (LDiD) including theories, interpret data, and implement appropriate intervention supports for students.

Sixteen workshops will be offered from March-July 2019 across metropolitan and regional Victoria locations.

Please click the register button to see the dates and venues of the workshops.

Workshop Information

Term 1 SWVR workshops (Ballarat, Caroline Springs, Geelong, Footscray)

Term 2 SEVR workshops (Dandenong, St Kilda, Pakenham, Traralgon)

Term 2 & 3 NEVR workshops (Glen Waverley, Mooroolbark, Wodonga, Shepparton)

Term 3 NWVR workshops (Preston, Greensborough, Bendigo, Mildura)

An additional workshop for Ballarat has been scheduled on Thursday 29th August, 8:45am – 3:45pm

The workshops have been developed in partnership with La Trobe University. They will focus on four central areas across three modules. The foundations of how we learn according to the Information Processing Model will frame the entire workshop and as a means for examining what underpins learning difficulties. As reading and related literacy difficulties (or dyslexia) form the majority of learning difficulty subtypes, we focus on the fundamentals of learning to read and spell as the basis for exploring evidence-based (research-based) literacy instruction and intervention. This will be relevant to students across all year levels. The final part of the workshop will target effective instructional and intervention practices that have been drawn from cognitive sciences.

The workshops are designed to be interactive and case-based scenarios are included to apply content into practice. Participants will receive a hard copy of the slides, a manual and an extensive readings and resources list.

Webinar Information

Five webinars will be offered from August-September 2019 to further build the capability of school staff supporting students with LDiD. These 45 minute, after-school sessions look more closely at particular skills required for literacy learning. The webinars will be live streamed and recorded. Those registered will obtain the link to connect to the webinar. The 2019 LDiD Webinar Series follows on from the 2018 LDiD Webinar Series.

1. Webinar 1: Tuesday 6th August, 3:45-4:30pm Reading comprehension: A web of different skills

2. Webinar 2: Thursday 15th August, 3:45-4:30pm Sight words, high frequency words and words in general

3. Webinar 3: Thursday 22nd August, 3:45-4:30pm Word Reading Analysis including reading rate and accuracy

4. Webinar 4: Thursday 5th September, 3:45-4:30pm Reasonable adjustments in the classroom: What, why and how

5. Webinar 5: Thursday 26th September, 3:45-4:30pm Topic Assistive Technology