Upcoming Events
11 March: World Kidney Day - http://www.kidneys.co.nz/
14-20 March: Brain Awareness Week -
16 March: Westie Brain lecture, Ak Museum, 7pm -
20 March: Brain Day ,9am - 4 pm, Owen G Glenn Bldg, 12 Grafton Rd, Ak.
On Wed 23 March at 7pm in the Events Centre, Ak Museum the 2011 Royal Society of NZ Distinguished Speaker Professor Robin Clark will be speaking on "Science meets art: investigating pigments in art and archaeology" at four locations around NZ. Professor Clark is an internationally celebrated UK scientist and an expert in forensic archaeology. The lectures are free and open to the general public. Please register online to ensure a seat. http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/events/annual/distinguished-speaker/2011/
Professional Reading
Reshaping the secondary school curriculum: Building the plane while flying it? Findings from NZCER National Survey of Secondary Schools 2009 - Rosemary Hipkins
This report draws on data from the NZCER National Survey of Secondary Schools 2009. The final version of the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) was released in late 2007 and the survey carried out in 2009 so the findings are a snapshot of the thinking and changes in practices that had occurred to that time. The report focuses mainly on secondary teachers and their views of curriculum change. It explores their professional learning and how they have changed or plan to change their teaching as they delve more into the intent of NZC.
The title of this report reflects both the complexity of the process of giving effect to NZC in secondary schools and the ongoing, evolving nature of curriculum change. Schools cannot stop, take stock, redesign and then start again. They have no option but to “build the plane while flying” if they perceive that significant change is required. NZCER, 2010
Although the report is pretty long there is an Executive Summary at the beginning and a comprehensive index which means that you can just look up the bits that you are interested in.
e-learning Strategy:
Are you using digistore? Digistore has been created by the NZ Ministry of Education and is a storehouse of digital content to support learning across the curriculum, from early childhood through to senior secondary. You need an Education Sector login to be able to access the resources. The site tells you how to get one if you haven't already.
How to use digistore: On the digistore wiki (http://digistore.wikispaces.com/) there are examples of how you can use the digital content in your classroom.
- http://digistore.wikispaces.com/Science+Snaphot1 - Teachers and students at MRGS have explored how an online learning environment can enhance learning opportunities. Teacher Alison Cook created learning paths to support her Yr 9 science students and shares how she has integrated digital content to support learning. Useful tips for teachers exploring using learning paths with their school's learning management system.
- A Secondary English example: Using a learning path to support the teaching and learning for close reading of a visual text - This learning path is designed to be used to prepare students for the new Level One NCEA English Achievement Standard 1.11 Show understanding of visual and/or oral text(s) through close viewing and/or listening, using supporting evidence.
- There are also examples for The Arts, Careers, Health and PE, Languages, Maori, Mathematics and Statistics, Social Sciences and Technology.
I'm not sure if this link will work but it is well worth reading edutecher's February newsletter for updates on new online tools. These include:
- WebTool of the Month: Popplet
Popplet is a wonderful engaging web tool that allows for a collaborative mind-mapping experience. With lots of great features, a slick interface, and easy to use note-taking or organizing tool. This is a full-featured site that can be used with multiple subjects and for myriad reasons. This is a must-try site and there is also an incredible iPad app available (Lite and Paid versions).
Click here to check out Popplet - Resource of the Month: Lesson Writer
Lesson Writer is a fantastic free resource tool for teachers. Using this site, educators can automatically pull vocabulary words, create exercises, create questions using Blooms Taxonomy and then quiz students. The site lets teachers customize the lessons based and even allows scaffolding for students of different abilities. While no tool is able to automate lesson writing altogether, this comes in as a very handy helper to allow provide a lot of assistance.
Click here to check out Lesson Writer
from http://www.edutecher.net/
General Resources
‘From Good to Outstanding’: Tips for Teachers
Based on extracts from an extended interview with the series’ Inspector, Clare Gillies (CG)
Planning For Individual Learning - Contributed by Dr Alan Davison, Pivotal Behaviour Management Trainer
Curriculum planning is the point at which educational philosophy meets practical teaching and learning.
So... what is your philosophy?
Do you see your learners as empty bottles waiting to be filled up with your knowledge, beliefs and perceptions? Or are they active bundles of potential awaiting the opportunity to burst into learning and develop dormant skills?
Is pedagogy dead?
Things have changed so much that we no longer hear school masters mutter, "If you can't beat pupils, why teach?" as they look back on cheerier days the world has left behind.
There are now very different values woven into our educational structures, many given shape and meaning through "Every child matters". The elements "be happy", "enjoy and achieve", and, "make a positive contribution", are reflected in what have become key learning targets.
1. Teach learners as individuals, and enable them to become independent learners.
2. Enable learners to develop their awareness and management of their social and emotional skills.
3. Enable learners to internalise positive reinforcements and motivation through a growing sense of belonging and purpose.
4. Ensuring all learners have a voice in planning and evaluating their learning opportunities and the issues based on their own safety and well being.
5. Develop a form of independence that encourages learners to know when and how to do things for themselves, and when, how and where to find support and help when they need it.
Curriculum planning which both incorporates these elements and supports a teacher training programme which ensures staff understand how to achieve these aims, will prove effective for school, college, teachers, but most of all, in meeting the aspirations of the learners.
© Pivotal Education Ltd 2001-10
