[English] Re: o/t: the VIT associated with spam email?

Sat May 3 22:55:45 EST 2008

Beautifully said, Greta. Thank you VATE. 

>>> "Caruso, Greta" <Caruso.G at kingswoodcollege.vic.edu.au> 05/02/08 2:27 PM >>>

Hi all, 

I am yet to be convinced that anything that VIT does has any value. 
So I will not even suggest that this might be useful initiative. But
there are a few things that might help if we are to really be informed. 
First, I am speaking only on behalf of myself, but I have a long
standing involvement with VATE and VATE PD in particular. I have
differences with many of my VATE member friends about VIT and do not
believe that VATE has a unified policy or line. 

John Mildren's statement that Pdi has been developed in response to the
need expressed by 12000 teachers is quite misleading; these teachers
simply responded to a series of questions sent out by VIT that begged
the question What sort of PD do you need? and VIT then took it upon
themselves to set up this hugely expensive and quite unnecessary website
and service. He also fails to mention that the cost to providers is
about $4000 per annum to be registered on the site, so it's not a case
of the VIT finally doing something for members; it's VIT making more
money and APPEARING to deliver a service. 
Some issues
*	There are many very small consultancy companies of 1-4 people
who provide PD services. The $4,000 fee excludes them. This is
especially pertinent when you consider that the supposed aim of the
service is to help provide PD other than the "existing modes". 
*	Why in the world should subject association (who are funded
overwhelmingly by teachers) pay VIT (who teachers directly fund) for a
service supposedly for teachers? So first I pay the be a member of VIT
(compulsory) then I pay to be a member of VATE (voluntary), the VIT
takes money from VATE to give to VIT!!!!
*	What is VIT going to do with the money? 
*	Why do we need this service?
*	I really don't need anymore preaching to the converted spin
about how great teachers are and I definitely don't need to see anymore
photographs of VIT dignitaries, gladhanding someone or another and
giving them a certificate or signing a MOU. I would however like my card
to be plastic coated so that I can get it out of my wallet and in again
without wrecking it, and for my money that does not seem too much to
ask. 

VATE is one of the biggest suppliers of PD in the state. All the money
goes back to the profession. The fees are very low and the feedback is
generally very high. VATE already does VCAA's job for them in terms of
providing support for the new study design especially and a great deal
of this work is actually done for fee. 

And for those with the stamina to still be reading, remind me to tell
you about how they celebrate National Teachers' Day in Cuba. One of the
highlights of my life was to be there for this day last year 22 December
also my 50th birthday. Now there is a country that knows how to
celebrate teachers. 

Greta Caruso

-----Original Message-----
From: english-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:english-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of
stephen at melbpc.org.au
Sent: Friday, 2 May 2008 1:27 AM
To: itapps at edulists.com.au; english at edulists.com.au
Cc: pdi at vit.vic.edu.au; offtopic at edulists.com.au
Subject: [English] Re: o/t: the VIT associated with spam email?

Hmm,

It seems a poor start to a fine Teacher PD initiative.

Under my understanding of Australian law, all emails 'must' have a name 
and valid reply-address, otherwise it's illegal and the sender
actionable.

The email in question was anonymous, and although I'm not game to try
(in 
case it fails) I could bet the sender address bounces, or does not
connect
with a human. If not, failing both counts, it's illegal spam, no
question.

Of deeper concern, I don't remember giving the VIT the right to pass on
my 
email address to some group or other that uses 'xmr3.com' company
services.

By all means, my esteemed VIT, send me all the email you want, but I
will
have it signed by a person, and from a proper VIT email address, thank
you!

And I would much prefer you didn't mess with the good name of our VIT,
and
a fine VIT PD initiative, with what can only be seen as a grubby
promotion.

Anyway, across the three mailing lists I sent my email to, here are
email
responses sent to the lists by colleagues. One can see the response to
the 
VIT email is dismal. 

In closing, I feel annoyed that the VIT has shown unprofessional,
possibly 
illegal, conduct regards what should be a source of pride for VIT
members!

--
"Yes Stephen, and it automatically went to my Junk Folder...!!!" Roslyn

"Yep. Since VIT never sends anything remotely useful or relevant, I just

assumed it was phishing and deleted it." Cameron

"Yes. It seemed to come from a respectable source so I opened it. Didn't
say much though." Robyn

"If you read Circular 7/2008 from VIT you will get a better idea of
what PDi is. I must confess, the eMail confused me as well (and i was
at a briefing recently where it was mentioned ! :( ) Not sure about VIT 
and Spam, possibly just poorly worded releases to inform teachers of new

developments." Max

"Rather than try to work it out, I just deleted it along with a quantity
of spam." Pam

"After finding it in my junk email box, I did have a look. It all
downloaded and I went through the PD lists. Noticed only one VATE PD
there 
which was disappointing so its not a very comprehensive list. VATE gives

great value for its membership fee....and gives you a membership card
that
doesn't crumple!" Jan

Original email:

Hi all,

This strange email arrived today .. did anyone else get one?

--
From: Victoria Institute of Teaching <pdi.vit.vic.edu.au at xmr3.com>
To: stephen at melbpc.org.au 
Date:   Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:53:00 -0400 
Subject:   PDI - The Right PD Choice 

<snip, a very large graphic, which i declined to download>

"As a teacher you constantly reflect on your knowledge and look for new 
ways to engage your students in learning. Professional development is an

integral part of the ongoing commitment to being a better teacher.

Pdi is the new online search engine that makes choosing PD easy. With
the 
most powerful database of PD providers in Australia, you can search by 
course, subject, content or provider. Searching is simple and Pdi
connects 
you directly with providers.

All the PD on Pdi references the standards of professional practice and 
principles of effective professional learning - your assurance of
quality 
and relevance. To make the right PD choice, enter Pdi now."

<snip, another two large graphics, also declined>

<end of email>
--

So it appears the VIT are somehow associated with badly-written
spam-email.

For example, at <http://www.vit.vic.edu.au/content.asp?Document_ID=833>:

--
Pdi the right PD choice
Opening Term 2, 2008

Online access to thousands of PD services, programs and providers. 

Pdi will help teachers meet the new professional development
requirements 
by offering information on a wide range of provider programs and
services. 
Teachers can use Pdi as a one-stop-shop for all their PD needs.

For more information

Email  pdi at vit.vic.edu.au

--

as proud VIT members
tell us it ain't so ..

Stephen Loosley
Victoria, Australia

Message sent using MelbPC WebMail Server

_______________________________________________
http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
VCE English Teachers' Mailing List kindly supported by
http://www.vate.org.au - Victorian Association for the Teaching of
English VATE and
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/english/index.html - Victorian
Curriculum and Assessment Authority 

_______________________________________________
http://www.edulists.com.au - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
VCE English Teachers' Mailing List kindly supported by
http://www.vate.org.au - Victorian Association for the Teaching of English VATE and
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/english/index.html - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority 

CAUTION - This message may contain privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of this message is prohibited. If you have received this message in error please notify St Leonard's College immediately. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of St Leonard's College. 