ANSN enews vol 4 no 2
ansn_members at ansn.edu.au
ansn_members at ansn.edu.au
Mon Mar 30 15:20:53 EST 2009
enews header
*30th March, E-News Vol 4, No 2*
*
Edited by Keith Redman
*Topics covered in this edition include:
* Action Learning with Cognitive Coaching hits the road
* Hanan Harrison in Melbourne for workshops and meetings
* Making the right choice for your professional learning
* Upcoming dates for Dimensions of Learning and Setting the
Stage workshops
* Register NOW for Dimensions of Learning Hubs in Brisbane and
Cairns -- starting in April
* Dimensions of Learning: Ongoing work with St Stephens College
(Qld)
* Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) -- New Hub in Victoria, starting
in April
* An IWB Hub for more experienced users, starting in Victoria in May
* First IWB Hub for NSW, starting in April
* Introducing Big Picture Schools
* ANSN technology update and invitation for expressions of interest
* Early Childhood and Technology: Digi Kids Hub for Tasmania
* Two Bee Bots workshops in Tasmania
* Some interesting reading
* Reminders of ANSN activities, covered in previous editions of
E-News
Action Learning with Cognitive Coaching hits the road
Gavin Grift reports that in February he and Leith Hogan (see photos
below) drove through bushfire-scarred regional Victoria to join
members of the ANSN Cognitive Coaching Hub in Echuca.
Leith HoganGavin Grift
Gavin comments that, despite the sombre mood left from Black
Saturday, twenty-five enthusiastic participants from seven
neighbouring schools (state and independent) worked collaboratively,
using the ANSN's Reflective Teacher Action Learning Frames. The
group, comprising classroom teachers, leading teachers and
principals, worked collaboratively for two days (see photos below) to:
* establish a research circle where colleagues come together to
support one another in their work;
* develop deeper conceptual understandings of Cognitive Coaching
and explore its use to build the capacity for higher-level
professional conversations;
* use Cognitive Coaching conversation structures for planning
and reflection, to help participants address learning,
teaching and leadership in their schools.
cc 1cc 2
The journey continues. Over time, the Hub/Research Circle members
will build their capacity to observe and support each other, with
the long term intention of enhancing teacher practice in schools.
Kylie Lipscombe, the Research Circle Leader/Coach, has planned two
follow-up sessions, to generate further support for the work
identified within the first two days. A third day is set to take
place on 29 May to reflect, celebrate and plan for further work.
Participants reflected positively on the first two days and examples
of identified areas include:
* building a sustainable coaching culture into the school;
* designing innovative curriculum for newly established learning
studio; and
* embedding effective literacy practice across the school with a
focus on reading
For further details of the Hub/Research Circle's work contact
gavin.grift at ansn.edu.au <mailto:gavin.grift at ansn.edu.au>
Hanan Harrison in Melbourne for workshops and meetings
Hanan Harrison (below, left) flew into Melbourne for Dimensions of
Learning (DoL) workshops on 23 and 24 March, at ANSN's offices in
Williamstown Primary School.
HananVivKeithAndrea
She took the opportunity to catch up with Viv White and Keith Redman
(above, centre two photos) about progress with her book, Teaching
Our Digi Kids -- which Keith is editing -- so keep your eye out for
promotional material in the very near future. She also met with
Andrea Federico (above right), to discuss possible involvement in an
exciting national project (about which there will be more in
forthcoming editions of E-News) and with senior staff at
Williamstown's Bayside P-12 College, to explore the possibilities
for professional development work on campus. To find out more about
Hanan's work, email her at hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au
<mailto:hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au> or call on her mobile, at 0407
464 472.
Making the right choice for your professional learning
In the busy working environment of schools, teachers need to be
selective and strategic, to maximise their professional learning in
the most efficient and effective ways. Currently, ANSN is offering a
number of professional learning opportunities that are designed to
help teachers construct meaning through the framework and lens
provided by Dimensions of Learning (DoL). Current research findings
indicate that using DoL as a common language for learning design can
shift the learning paradigm -- at individual school sites and more
broadly at an education district/cluster/region/zone level.
ANSN offers two distinct professional learning pathways to learn
about DoL, and a choice of 2-day workshops or 5-day action learning
Hubs. In both cases, the presenters and Hub coordinators facilitate
participant learning through reflection and shared practice. If you
want to focus on exploring the DoL framework, our /*Dimensions of
Learning*/ opportunities are most suitable. For schools wanting to
develop a supportive and productive climate for learning that
develops thinking dispositions (Habits of Mind) within the
curriculum, then */Setting the Stage/* would be the right choice.
ANSN E-News will keep you informed about opportunities across
Australia -- see the following news item for upcoming dates and
locations.
*
Upcoming dates for Dimensions of Learning and Setting the Stage
workshops*
Dimensions of Learning, Smithfield (Cairns) -- 21 and 22 April.
Click here for details
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/dimensions_of_learning_smithfield_cairns>
Dimensions of Learning, Brisbane -- 28 and 29 April. Click here for
details <http://www.ansn.edu.au/dimensions_of_learning_hub_brisbane>
Setting the Stage, Darwin -- 14 and 15 May. Click here for details
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/setting_the_stage_through_the_habits_of_mind_darwin>
Dimensions of Learning, Perth -- 2 and 3 June. Click here for
details <http://www.ansn.edu.au/dimensions_of_learning_perth>
Dimensions of Learning, Canberra -- 9 and 10 June. Click here for
details
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/dimensions_of_learning_setting_the_stage_canberra>
Setting the Stage Canberra -- 11 and 12 June. Click here for details
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/dimensions_of_learning_setting_the_stage_canberra>
Setting the Stage -- NSW (Lismore) -- 16 and 17 June. Click here for
details
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/setting_the_stage_through_the_habits_of_mind_lismore>
For more general information about Dimensions of Learning click here
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/hubs/dimensions_of_learning_hub> or for
Setting the Stage click here
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/habits_of_mind_hub>. If you have queries or
want to organise professional learning that will address needs
specific to your local context, contact Hanan Harrison
hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au <mailto:hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au> or
Tina Doe tina.doe at ansn.edu.au <mailto:tina.doe at ansn.edu.au>
*Register NOW for Dimensions of Learning Hubs in Brisbane and Cairns
-- starting in April*
Participants in ANSN Dimensions of Learning Hubs explore the five
dimensions -- attitudes and perceptions about learning; acquisition
and integration of knowledge; extension and refinement of knowledge;
meaningful use of knowledge; and productive habits of mind. Using
action learning as a vehicle, they build knowledge and skills to
help identify how students learn. Participants work together to
translate this information into implementation programs, which they
can use to help their schools plan curriculum, assessment and
instructional strategies.
Hubs will be starting very soon in Brisbane and Cairns, each with
five days of workshop sessions spread over the year. The time for
registrations is now, given the tight timeline, with Easter in
between. For more information and the registration forms, click here
for Brisbane
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/dimensions_of_learning_hub_brisbane> and
click here for Cairns
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/dimensions_of_learning_smithfield_cairns>
If you have queries, contact Hanan Harrison by email at
hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au <mailto:hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au> or by
mobile on 0407 464 472.
Dimensions of Learning: Ongoing work with St Stephens College
(Qld)
St Stephens College in Queensland is one of many schools nationally
that are taking up the Dimensions of Learning framework. To help
guide their professional journey, the school has partnered with the
ANSN to develop a personalised training and support program,
specific to their school context. A group of 23 motivated educators
from their school joined Hanan Harrison on a recent Saturday to
explore the DoL. The day was full of hands-on activities and
reflection strategies that modelled DoL in action. Among other
things, the teachers gained awareness of the Habits of Mind (HoM),
as one of the 5 Dimensions for developing a strategic thinking
framework (see photos below).
st stephens 1St stephens 2
Below, left, a group of teachers discussed a possible future
implementation focus for the school. Below, right, teachers
identified and reflected on the thinking dispositions that were
evident in a case study they had analysed.
st stephens 3st stephens 4
If your school is interested in finding out more about DoL, or the
Habits of Mind/Thinking Dispositions -- or if you want to explore a
tailor-made package for your school or cluster -- then contact Hanan
Harrison by email at hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au
<mailto:hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au> or by mobile on 0407 464 472.
Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) -- New Hub in Victoria, starting
in April
Over a hundred schools have now taken part in ANSN's IWB Hubs, since
they started in 2006. For an example of the benefits they have
discovered, click here to read Dean Stafrace's Snapshot, based on
his experience in 2008
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/snapshot_no_1_2009_dean_stafrace_vic_on_learning_to_use_interactive_whiteboards>.
The Hubs run by Andrea Federico and Kate Cooper (below left) in 2008
and Term 1, 2009, were oversubscribed and very popular with those
who attended (see photos below, centre and right).
Kate SeabrookIWB 1IWB 2
If you have been on the waiting list, or if you have been looking
for a chance to participate, register now for the new Hub, which
starts in Term 2. Act now, as Day 1 of the Hub sessions is on
Thursday 23 April. For full details, and to download the
registration form, click here
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/victorian_interactive_whiteboards_hubs_starting_term_2>
An IWB Hub for more experienced users, starting in Victoria in May
A new Hub, exploring the theme of Embedding IWBs into the
Curriculum, will be starting on 14 and 15 May, with further sessions
in August and October. Based at St Albans South PS in Victoria, the
Hub is designed for educators (Prep-Year 9) who are already using an
interactive whiteboard and want to develop their skills and
practices further, to use IWB in designing engaging and rigorous
learning experiences for their students. During the Hub sessions,
participants will develop an inter-disciplinary unit of work that
incorporates rich IWB activities. This Hub is best suited to
participants who have already completed ANSN's basic IWB training.
For full details, and to download the registration form, click here
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/embedding_iwbs_into_the_curriculum>
First IWB Hub for NSW, starting in April
ANSN is starting an IWB Hub, based at its new training centre at St
Johns Park High School. ANSN has been running successful Interactive
Whiteboard Professional Development for the last three years in
Australia, with over 350 teachers taking part Click here to see more
on our website including Snapshot reports from participants.
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/projects/interactive_whiteboards>
Our aims for the Hub are
* to build a learning and sharing community where ideas and good
practice can be shared in a supportive environment
* deliver a comprehensive training program so you will have
confidence using your Interactive Whiteboard and ACTIVstudio
software
* explore a full range of IWB capabilities and good IWB pedagogy
* share resources with other teachers to use back at school
The times and dates for the five days of Hub activities are from
9.30am to 3.30pm on 6 April, 7 April, 18 May, 31 August and 27 October.
For further details, click here
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/nsw_interactive_whiteboard_hub_2009>
Introducing Big Picture Schools
A Big Picture school is based on the premise that each child has
unique interests, needs and abilities that the educational program
must take into account. The key achievement in a Big Picture school
lies in fostering students' individual interests, encouraging their
active participation in the learning process, and developing their
ability to apply knowledge and skills to real life experience and
challenges.
A brief introduction to Big Picture Education Australia was held on
Wednesday 25 March at Williamstown Primary School in Victoria. The
speakers were Viv White from Big Picture Education Australia and
John O'Meara and Carolyn Bamberg from Yea High School. For details
of Big Picture sessions in Queensland and South Australia see
Reminders of ANSN activities, later in this E-News.
ANSN technology update and invitation for expressions of interest
ANSN has a proud 30-year history of working side by side with
school, tertiary education institutes and education departments in
response to the needs of the teaching profession. Our network has
grown a reputation built on honouring and valuing teachers -- we
listen to what you want, reflect upon it, and tailor professional
learning opportunities to support your context. Most of our support
materials are written by or co-authored with teachers, and the
audience for our materials and training are teachers and schools.
Based on our past work on both national and district initiatives and
research projects, the ANSN has been asked to partner with Education
Queensland to develop and implement an innovative national pilot for
integrating technology within schools. One of the tasks will be
identify schools nationally, in rural or regional areas, that would
be interested in being part of the project. More information about
this project will be released shortly, but in the meantime
interested ANSN schools may wish to register interest in the
project. Contact Hanan Harrison by email at
hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au <mailto:hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au> or by
mobile on 0407 464 472.
Early Childhood and Technology: Digi Kids Hub for Tasmania
The ANSN Digi Kids Hubs offer opportunities for teams of teachers to
explore how integrating technology in classroom activities can be
used to motivate young learners. Participants explore the use of
various tools and link this to providing stimulating experiences for
students. Participants report that this "hooks" many reluctant
learners into the learning process.
The first Digi Kids Hub for Tasmania will be launched in Term 2.
Dates and location for the 5 day hub are as follows:
* Days 1 & 2: 12 and 13 May
* Days 2 & 4: 14 & 15 July
* Day 5: 7 October
Venue: Rokeby High School, 170 Mockridge Rd, Rokeby
If your school is interested, contact Hanan Harrison by email at
hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au <mailto:hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au> or by
mobile on 0407 464 472.
Two Bee Bots workshops in Tasmania
ANSN invites early childhood educators in Tasmania to attend a
one-day workshop, /*Bee Bots -- Make, Play and Take.*/ (Bee Bots can
best be described as robotics for young learners). This hands-on
workshop (see below, left) provides the opportunity for participants
to explore and develop strategies for using Bee Bots across the
early years curriculum. There is a particular focus on literacy,
numeracy, science and music. All participants at the end of the
workshop will receive their very own Bee Bot to take home (see below
right, valued at rrp $88 each), as well as numerous curriculum
resources and ideas to support Bee Bots within the curriculum. For
more information about Bee Bots and workshop activities, click here
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/bee_bots_robotics_for_young_learners>
Bee bots 1bee bots
We have two workshops coming up in May for Bee Bots in Tasmania --
one in Launceston and one in Hobart. To register for either of these
workshops, click here
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/bee_bots_robotics_for_young_learners>
*Launceston location:*
St Leonard's Primary School, 330 St Leonards Rd, St Leonards,
Launceston 7250
Date: Monday 25 May
*Hobart location:*
Rokeby High School, Hobart, 170 Mockridge Road, Rokeby 7019
Date: Tuesday 26 May
Some interesting reading
Viv White, ANSN National Coach, recommends An Ethic of Excellence:
Building a Culture of Craftsmanship with Students, published by
Heinemann. The author, Ron Berger, has been a teacher in
Massachusetts for 25 years and works with the Expeditionary Learning
Outward Bound school network, Harvard Project Zero, and the Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He argues for a paradigm
shift in educational reform, to transcend standards, curriculum and
instructional strategies, and to achieve whole-school embrace of an
"ethic of excellence". Quoted on the back cover, Howard Gardner
comments: "For a reminder of what education can and should be, read
this passionate book -- and give it to every policymaker whom you know".
https://books.heinemann.com/products/E00596.aspx
<https://books.heinemann.com/products/E00596.aspx>
Hanan Harrison draws our attention to a new report published in
Psychological Science, which has found that simple gestures not only
help people recall information, but also can help them create new
ideas. By adding appropriate gestures to their classes, teachers
were able to significantly improve student achievement on
mathematical problems involving new concepts. This research
connects to Dimensions of Learning, in particular Dimension 2 --
Acquiring and Integrating Knowledge. This phase has a strong
emphasis on using non-linguistic representation to help students
obtain, organise and store information.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090224133204.htm
Finally, Hanan notes that McREL's best-selling book, Classroom
Instruction that Works (ASCD, 2001), is one of the most widely used
professional development manuals in education today. In a recent
blog post, ASCD asks readers how they would rewrite Classroom
Instruction that Works today. The post also invites readers to share
their own blog posts or Web sites related to Classroom Instruction
that Works. If you want to be part of this on-line discussion or
forum view the ASCD site.
http://ascd.typepad.com/blog/2009/02/classroom-instruction-that-works-for-the-21st-century-learner.html
Reminders of ANSN activities, covered in previous editions of
E-News
New Hubs in 2009 for Improving Science Literacy
As reported in the previous edition of E-News, ANSN Hubs are
currently being planned, for all states and territories across
Australia, to bring together research, theories of learning and
practical activities in the area of science literacy. The aim is to
help educators make meaningful and sustainable changes in their
practice and also find ways to engage their communities in a science
curriculum, assessment and pedagogy journey. For further
information, or to register your interest, click here and download
the flier. <http://www.ansn.edu.au/improving_science_literacy_hub>
Cognitive Coaching -- Research Circle
As reported in previous editions of E-News, Gavin Grift has been
busy founding the first Cognitive Coaching Research Circle, which
will be presented by ANSN and The Center for Cognitive Coaching. The
research circle has been designed to assist schools to build
reflective communities, using action learning and cognitive coaching
to support changes in teacher pedagogy. To read or download a flier,
click here.
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/cognitive_coaching_research_circle> For
further details email, gavin.grift at ansn.edu.au
<mailto:gavin.grift at ansn.edu.au>
Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) Hub, Victoria -- Reminder of dates
For the three IWB Hubs that have started in Term One 2009, the
remaining session dates are as follows:
* Group 1: 21 May, 27 August, 12 November 2009
* Group 2: 28 May 2009; 3 September; 19 November 2009
* Group 3: 2 April, 4 June 2009; 10 September, 26 November 2009
For further details, contact andrea.federico at ansn.edu.au
<mailto:andrea.federico at ansn.edu.au>
Big Picture Education Australia -- PD in Queensland and South
Australia
Educators in Qld and SA have the opportunity to explore Big
Picture's personalised approach to education, combining academic
work with real-world learning and characterised as a model of
educating 'one student at a time'. Sessions are:
*
Queensland: Mooloolaba State School*
* Option 1 -- One-day intensive workshop on 15 April
* Option 2 -- Two-day advanced, 'foundation' course on 16-17 April.
Click here to download a Queensland flier or to register.
<http://www.bigpicture.org.au/big-picture-education-queensland-professional-development>
*South Australia: Enfield High School*
* Option 1 -- One-day intensive workshop on 22 April
* Option 2 -- Two-day advanced, 'foundation' course on 23-24 April.
Click here to download a South Australia flier or to register.
<http://www.bigpicture.org.au/big-picture-education-south-australia-pd>*
*
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