Pre-congress education conference

Friday, 11 June 2010 07:45

Home Economics Victoria will be hosting its annual education conference on Monday 16 July 2012 at the IFHE World Congress venue, prior to the commencement of congress (concurrent with IFHE Council meetings). All congress participants will be cordially invited to register for this separate education conference. (In a reciprocal fashion, all Home Economics Victoria members will be encouraged to attend some or all of the separate World Congress program.)

This pre-congress education conference will be of particular interest to secondary school teachers and other educators. It will feature a stellar cast of international presenters, addressing the conference theme Education megatrends – a global perspective and local interpretation.

For more information please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 

2012 Home Economics Victoria Pre-congress Education Conference

Monday 16 July 2012

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

Convention Centre Place, South Wharf

 

Registration: 8:30am — 9:30am

Keynote session: 9:30am — 11:00am

Morning tea: 11:00am — 11:30am

 

The Home Economics Victoria Annual Conference preceding the IFHE World Congress 2012 will draw educators from around Victoria and the world. The day’s focus will be on home economics from an educational perspective. 

To attend this conference, delegates must register for congress package E, F or G (that is, for five or two days). 

This education conference will include a dynamic keynote panel presentation and an extensive selection of elective workshops addressing issues of home economics education from local and global perspectives.

Theme: Education megatrends — A global perspective and local interpretation

The school landscape as we know it is changing. Analysis of global megatrends predict that the future will be about the individual, the ‘digital native’ whose very existence began in a world dominated by technology. 

Join us at the Home Economics Victoria 2012 Annual Conference to discover the tools required to navigate through changing and dynamic curriculum. Learn what can be taken from traditional education and used to make your home economics teaching current, relevant and future ready.

Keynote panel

Professor Donna Pendergast is Dean and Head of School, Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University, Queensland. She is Vice-President of IFHE, representing the Pacific region and is editor of the e-journal, International Journal of Home Economics. She is the author of numerous books and her research projects have covered many aspects of school education. 

Dr Kaija Turkki is a lecturer in home economics in the Faculty of Behavioural Sciences at the University of Helsinki, Finland. She is responsible for home economics study programs and research from bachelor to doctoral levels. Kaija has devoted her teaching and research to extend understanding of home economics as a multidimensional knowledge base and forum for practice that is rooted deeply in societies and guides our way to the future. Over the last 20 years she has shared her expertise widely through international organisations and networks worldwide.

Yvonne Dewhurst is a lecturer in education at the School of Education, University of Aberdeen, Scotland and champions home economics on several levels. She recently chaired the national Food and Health Excellence Group, tasked by the Scottish government to advise the teaching profession on transformational change in the learning and teaching of food and health and to consider partnerships and key messages to drive, innovate and create excellence within this curriculum area. 

Dr Taemyung Yoo is a professor in the Department of Home Economics Education, Gyeongsang National University, Korea. She received her PhD in Home Economics Education at the Pennsylvania State University, USA. Her research interest areas are philosophy of home economics as a critical science, practical problem-focused curriculum development, and practical reasoning teaching-learning method. Dr Yoo has served in an editorial role with several Korean and international journals, including the International Journal of Consumer Studies. She is currently an editorial board member for the International Journal of Home Economics and a vice president of the Korean Home Economics Education Association.

 

Session 1 

11:30am — 12:45pm

Home economics in action: Contemporary teaching resources

Code: 1.1 Home Economics Victoria has produced two Home economics in action resources that introduce grassroots concepts such as health and safety, food preparation, seasonality of produce, the design process and the responsible use of resources. Chrissy Collins, Greensborough Secondary College, will demonstrate how these resources can be implemented to enhance and support your teaching. The session will include teaching strategies, learning activities and practical suggestions. The publications will be available for purchase on the day.

Addressing cultural differences in home economics and nutrition education

Code: 1.2 Cultural practices influence food consumption patterns and food preparation methods. What is often not so readily considered is that generational distinctions also affect responses to nutrition education based on culture and ethnicity. How does nutrition education in home economics address cultural dietary behaviours that can impact people’s health and longevity? Presented by Dr Irja Haapala,  Public Health Nutritionist and Senior Lecturer in Home Economics from the University of Eastern Finland.

Wearable design — textiles brooch

Code: 1.3 This hands-on workshop will be delivered by Miriam O’Donoghue, deputy director of the City of Dublin Curriculum Development Unit, former head of home economics teacher education at St Catherine’s College, Dublin, and writer of more than 20 craft/textiles activity books. Participants will create a contemporary wearable fashion accessory suitable as an introductory design brief activity for junior textiles students. With a focus on recycling/reusing, this activity can include introductory techniques. Kit with materials and teacher/student worksheets included. BYO buttons.

Behind the scenes at the Melbourne Convention Centre

Code: 1.4 This tour is a unique opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes peek at the extensive kitchens and food and beverage operations at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Marc van der Meer, Director of Food and Beverage at the MCEC, will take you through the food and beverage back-of-house facilities at the first 6-star environmentally rated convention centre in the world. Julian Gibbs, Kitchen Administrator at the MCEC, will then take you through the kitchens and serveries, explaining use of space and food production methods. 

Limited enrolments

Never better, or getting worse? Patterns and trends in health and wellbeing

Code: 1.5 Today’s ready availability of mobile phones, internet and email has transformed our access to health information and our ability to communicate with others. Has this access to technology improved patterns and trends in the health and wellbeing of society? There are two sides to every story, and today’s economic and social conditions are transforming families and communities to include long working hours for some and underemployment for others. Megan Bourke from the Global Education Project Victoria will examine the patterns and trends in population health.

Embroideries of India

Code: 1.6 Dr Ela Dedhia has a depth of experience as an educator in undergraduate and post-graduate home economics and textiles courses at various universities in India. She also has a unique wealth of skill and knowledge in regional Indian embroidery. In this session she will show and demonstrate a range of rural and urban regional techniques, typically intricate and used for bright, colourful clothing such as wedding costumes and festival and party wear. 

When eating your greens can green the world

Code: 1.7 Food is central to everything — the environment, culture, community, health, and of course, pleasure. Tammi Jonas is an advocate for sustainable, ethical food production, distribution and consumption. She is a former teacher and is currently completing her PhD candidature at the University of Melbourne. By looking at a broad range of Melbourne households, Tammi will explore attitudes and practices in Melbourne’s kitchens to find out whether ethical consumption and awareness of ethical food production is rising.

In the kitchen: Edible artistry

Code: 1.8 Tami McAdam has worked in the food industry for over 20 years as an industrial home economist, food stylist and freelance culinary consultant. During her career she has worked with everything from cooking with gas to developing new recipes and seasonings for consumers and sauces for the fast food industry both in Australia and Asia. Tami will demonstrate edible artistry while reflecting on her professional experiences, recipe writing, food styling, photography and her transition to running her own company, Edible Artistry.

Major trends affecting families in the 21st century

Code: 1.9 The family is a basic fundamental unit in society. This session explores future trends and issues affecting families and their implications for individuals and families. It will be presented by Dr Carol Darling, two-time Fulbright scholar and Professor of Human Sciences, Department of Family and Child Sciences, Florida State University, and Docent in Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Helsinki. Dr Darling has extensive experience in international research and education relating to families, including past presidency of the National Council on Family Relations, an international organisation linking family research with education, practice, and policy formation.


Session 2

2:00pm — 3:15pm

Practical activities without a home economics kitchen

Code: 2.1 Think you need a kitchen for practical activities — think again! Presented by Chrissy Collins, Greensborough College, this session will provide lesson ideas and activities to engage students in your theory room in a practical way. Activities include sensory analysis and ways to bring Q & A analysis alive in your classroom. You will leave this session inspired and ready with great activities to immediately apply in your teaching.

Nutrition empowerment

Code: 2.2 This session is presented by Dr Janet Reynolds, who has extensive experience in curriculum development with Education Queensland and a doctorate in school-based nutrition education. Janet will consider key approaches, units of work and resources that embed motivation, change and rigour in effective nutrition education. Her focus will be on action oriented, empowering approaches to healthy eating behaviours. 

Textile cupcakes

Code: 2.3 Prue Barridge from Opendrawer loves to inspire others with creativity and sewing. Prue will teach you how to create these cute and creative cupcakes of a different kind, an opportunity to practise some beading and embroidery skills and translate them into an inexpensive gift. This is a quick and innovative lesson idea that is designed for you to enjoy and adapt to your classroom. 
Limited enrolments

In the kitchen: Magnificent mousse

Code: 2.4 Michael Belcher, executive pastry chef at the MCEC, will demonstrate one of his favourites, the magnificent layered chocolate mousse cake complete with garnishes, passing on special tips and techniques. 
Limited enrolments

Sustainable health and development programs

Code: 2.5 Key issues of literacy, food security, HIV/AIDS and malaria, safe water and sanitation are fundamental in addressing the needs of developing countries. Professor Judith Cornelissen from University of the Western Cape, South Africa, will provide case studies and describe sustainable programs that are being delivered in developing countries to improve global health.

Oh sew easy: Folded fabric bag

Code: 2.6 Brother International will host this ‘sit and sew’ hands-on activity. The folded fabric bukoru is a simple project designed for everyone from beginners to more experienced sewing enthusiasts. Complete this bag in less than an hour and with instructions to take away you can revisit the project in your classroom and at home, adding embellishments and your own personal style. The Brother team will take you through the tips and tricks that make sewing easy.

Active learning methodologies using images

Code: 2.7 Engage students in their own learning with images and objects. This session presented by Miriam O’Donoghue, deputy director of the City of Dublin Curriculum Development Unit, incorporates fun activities and lesson plans to encourage discussion, critical thinking, problem solving and decision making. Activities focus on home economics, personal consumption and climate change, financial literacy and resource usage. Each participant will receive a set of Images and Objects resource books, an initiative of the Partnership for Education and Research about Responsible Living (PERL).

In the kitchen: Dynamic ideas using fresh produce

Code: 2.8 How do you encourage students to cook and eat vegetables? Presenter Vikki Leng, fondly known as ‘Vikki the Vego’, will show you how. Vikki is passionate about fresh produce and has written fourteen cookbooks and healthy eating manuals. She has also created strategic communications and marketing campaigns for Australian grower groups. Vikki currently holds the position of Marketing Co-ordinator at Growcom, ‘the voice of Queensland horticulture’. She will demonstrate how to make vegetables interesting using quick and easy innovative recipes and different cooking methods for side dishes, snacks and main meals. Tempt the taste buds and discover how easy it is to present vegetables with flair.

Comparing Australian curriculum with the UK: Implications for future directions 

Code: 2.9 For years now, the home economics community has looked with great interest to developments in education in the United Kingdom. We heard about the introduction of compulsory hands-on cooking classes in schools and saw the spotlight being shone on ‘school dinners’ and the increasing obesity problem among children. Hayley Allen, an Australian home economics teacher, has just returned from several years of teaching in England and will give us her perspective on what’s changed, how it’s working and what the implications might be for Australian curriculum.
 

Session 3 

3:15pm — 4:30pm

Home economics digital trends 

Code: 3.1 Donna Stalker from Ivanhoe Girls Grammar uses a wide range of ICT/iPad applications in her home economics classes. Donna will demonstrate how to incorporate digital learning and ICT activities in the home economics classroom and share how teachers of home economics can adjust their teaching programs to use a range of digital technologies. Stimulating activities and strategies will be outlined to take away the ‘fear factor’.

The Mediterranean diet as an educative tool

Code: 3.2 The Mediterranean diet gained recognition and worldwide interest in the 1990s as a model for healthy eating habits. Dr Suzanne Piscopo from the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta conducted research to study the effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet as a nutrition education and health promotion tool. Suzanne will share the results of this and other studies, discussing how and for whom nutrition education on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet can be an effective strategy for protecting against and treating a variety of diet-related diseases.

Exploring sustainability in textile design practice

Code: 3.3 The Bachelor of Arts (Textile Design) course at RMIT University was awarded in 2011 the Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Award and a Green Gowns Australasia Award for learning and teaching. The course was recognised as a leader in this field through its curriculum change to embed sustainability in the learning/teaching approach to textile design practice. Textile design lecturer at RMIT University, Dr Jenny Underwood, will address how creative thinking and a willingness to explore new ideas and approaches can incorporate and apply sustainable practices as a standard across all aspects of design. Jenny will showcase this successful model with practical approaches that can be used or adapted into your classroom.

In the kitchen: Canapes and appetisers

Code: 3.4 Dale Vocale, chef de cuisine at the MCEC and one of the venue’s most promising up-and-coming young chefs, will demonstrate a selection of canapes and appetisers and pass on special tips and ideas that reflect a true passion for food. 
Limited enrolments

Ideas for an interactive health classroom

Code: 3.5 Discover how ‘claymation’ videos, an interactive Who wants to be a millionaire? nutrition quiz, health wordles and Prezi.com can create active and engaging learning environments for your students. Pam Hyden from Bendigo Senior Secondary College will present engaging interactive activities that provide a break from routine for your students and enable them to manipulate simulation data to see instant results.

Beyond the thinking used in MasterChef Australia

Code: 3.6Like her students, Christine Wintle, Head of Home Economics and Hospitality at Methodist Ladies’ College, Melbourne, was captivated by the television phenomenon that is MasterChef Australia. Christine, who is a strong advocate for home economics education in Victoria, will share how she and her colleagues used the concept of MasterChef to design a new subject for their Year 9 curriculum. Christine will highlight her exploration of the use of mystery boxes and invention tests to develop students’ creative solutions to design problems.

How social media helps promote health

Code: 3.7 Darryl Jackson is CEO and co-founder of Healthshare, a new social networking website. He will share his experience and insights into social media as a resource for promoting health awareness and connecting people with shared health concerns. How do we benefit from active social media engagement and how can it be used to accurately present health issues? This session will explore the social media health landscape internationally and in Australia, looking at the challenges of social media promotion and the provision of health information. 

Harnessing the power of role models to inspire food skills

Code: 3.8 Glenda Gourley, a food and nutrition educator, is well known in New Zealand — along with her daughter Claire — for successful websites and publications dedicated to teaching practical food skills. Glenda will share her experiences of two parallel strategies for kids and adults. Harnessing the power of role models, her approach is fun yet down-to-earth, practical and stand-alone. Parents are empowered to support their children gain food skills that will last a lifetime. Glenda will demonstrate how a range of tools and resources can be used to instigate change.

In the kitchen: The unique flavours of Australian indigenous foods

Code: 3.9 For over a decade Julie Weatherhead from Peppermint Ridge Farm has been cultivating indigenous foods and developing exciting recipes designed to showcase the unique flavours of our Australian plants. Julie will apply her extensive horticultural and culinary knowledge to make this session relevant to your curriculum needs. This demonstration will provide invaluable information about the uses of Australia’s native edible plants.