ANSN enews vol 4 no 8

ansn_members at ansn.edu.au ansn_members at ansn.edu.au
Thu Oct 8 13:35:49 EST 2009


enews header


        *8th October, E-News Vol 4, No 8*

    *Edited by Keith Redman*

    Topics covered in this edition include:

        * Advanced Hub in Mooloolaba, for Dimensions of Learning (if
          you're very quick!)
        * Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) Hubs in 2010: training and
          discounted equipment
        * Last chance for an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) briefing on
          2010 Hubs (VIC)
        * Book your place at ANSN's 4th National Forum, to be held on 17
          November
        * Register now for Cognitive Coaching training, to be held in
          Perth, 2009-2010
        * Reminder: /Integrating ICT pedagogy in School Community/ workshops
        * Check out the Coalition of Essential Schools website**
        * Some interesting reading
        * Reminders of ANSN activities, introduced in previous editions
          of E-News

    *Advanced Hub in Mooloolaba, for Dimensions of Learning *
    *(if you're very quick!)*

    Tina Doe (below) reminds us that a second Advanced Hub for
    Dimensions of Learning (DoL) will be held in Mooloolaba over the
    following three days:
    *12 and 13 October, and 11 November*.

    *image*

    If you are very quick you can still register and participate.
    Contact Tina urgently, at *tina.doe at ansn.edu.au
    <mailto:tina.doe at ansn.edu.au>* or by mobile at 0421 440 725.

    For an idea of what you might be missing, read Tina's report
    (following below) from Day 3 of the first Mooloolaba Advanced Hub,
    which was completed with great success in September. The Showcase
    Criteria for Day 3 of the Hub were

        * related to improving student learning outcomes
        * specific to identified issues
        * achievable
        * within the capacity of the participant/team to instigate
          change in behaviours or the situations associated with them

    Tina comments that the range of projects shared on the day was
    impressive. It bore testimony to the capacity for this professional
    learning experience to build personal and professional capability,
    specific to individual learning contexts.  The topics presented were
    as follows.

    Immanuel College: /What does a 10/10 DoL classroom: look like; feel
    like; sound like?/
    College participants reported on the whole project and on its
    development and implementation at Year 1.

    The Lakes College: /How do we 'sell' Dimensions of Learning to the
    Lakes College community?/ This presentation focused on Year 3 unit
    planning.

    Deception Bay SHS: /Leading in Learning/
    Participants reported on: how the project was designed overall, to
    address the attitudes and perceptions of the school community to
    learning; how the DoL framework was used to design and implement the
    project; how DoL was demonstrated to staff as a planning tool; and
    how they used Dimensions in their curriculum. More specifically, a
    member of the team spoke about how to improve complex/higher order
    thinking in classes and/or students -- addressing issues related to
    unit planning and delivery.

    For further details, or to discuss the possibility of future
    participation in Dimensions of Learning Hubs, email
    *tina.doe at ansn.edu.au <mailto:tina.doe at ansn.edu.au>* or contact Tina
    by mobile at 0421 440 725.

    * *

    *Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) hubs in 2010: training and discounted
    equipment*

    In 2010, the highly successful ANSN IWB Hubs will again operate in
    Victoria, facilitated by Andrea Federico and Kate Cooper (below right).

     image   image

    Membership of an IWB Hub provides five days (over the year) of
    intensive training in the classroom uses of IWBs. It also gives
    schools the opportunity to purchase packages, including the
    Promethean ACTIVboard (above left), at reduced prices negotiated by
    the ANSN.

    Andrea Federico reports that Hub Members of the 2009 Hubs are
    currently preparing for exhibitions of their work, which they will
    share with their fellow-members on Day Five of the Hub activities
    (see below for photos from previous Hubs).

    image image image

    In 2010 ANSN plans IWB Hubs in a number of areas around Melbourne,
    including:  St Albans/Keilor, Moonee Valley, Melton, Ashwood and
    Williamstown. Current feedback shows that participants will include
    new schools as well as additional members of staff from previous
    member schools.

    Detailed costings for Hub membership and equipment packages are
    currently being finalised and are scheduled for inclusion in the
    next edition of E-News. In the meantime, remember that places for
    these Hubs always fill quickly, so talk to your staff and *register
    your interest now*, for your preferred Hub location.

    For further information or to register your interest in Hub
    membership for 2010, email *andrea.federico at ansn.edu.au
    <mailto:andrea.federico at ansn.edu.au> *For a final chance this year
    to attend a briefing session about the Hubs, see the following
    E-News item.**

    * *

    *Last chance for an Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) briefing on 2010
    Hubs (VIC)*

    Following IWB Hub briefing sessions for potential 2010 members, in
    the St Albans/Keilor, Moonee Valley and Melton areas,**there is only
    one more briefing this year. If you are very quick, you still just
    have time to book in to attend the session on */Thursday 15 October,
    9.30-10.30am at /**/Ashwood Secondary School/*, Vannam Drive,
    Ashwood 3147,

    To register for the 15 October IWB Hub briefing, please email as
    soon as possible to *kate.cooper at ansn.edu.au*
    <mailto:kate.cooper at ansn.edu.au>.  

     

    *Book your place at ANSN's 4th National Forum, to be held on 17
    November*

    If you haven't yet booked your place at ANSN's fourth national
    forum, remember that it's being held on Tuesday 17 November, in
    Canberra. That doesn't give you much time, and there are very
    limited places, so register now.

    Participants will consider the first two years of the Federal
    Government's /Education Revolution/, and discuss its impact on
    school education. The Forum will be launched by the Deputy Prime
    Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard.

    The venue is the Old Parliament House in Canberra and the cost is
    $100 per person, including lunch. To register for the Forum, email
    your details as soon as possible to cathy.danaher at ansn.edu.au
    <mailto:cathy.danaher at ansn.edu.au>. For further background
    information, *_click here_*
    <http://www.ansn.edu.au/4th_annual_national_forum_2009_the_education_revolution_two_years_on>.*//*


     

    *Register now for Cognitive Coaching(sm) training, to be held in
    Perth, 2009-2010*

    Register now for the Foundation Training program in Cognitive
    Coaching(sm), which will be held from 1--4 December 2009 and from
    16--19 March, 2010, at Canning Vale College, Perth, WA. The program
    will be presented by the ANSN National Cognitive Coaching Team, in
    partnership with the Center for Cognitive Coaching.

    Cognitive Coaching(sm), designed by educators for educators, was
    pioneered in the USA by Art Costa and Bob Garmiston. Participation
    in this intensive workshop will equip you and/or members of your
    team with a set of strategies for thinking, and a way of working, to
    help you shape and reshape your thinking and problem solving
    capacities, to achieve learning success.

    For details, */contact gavin grift -  gavin.grift at ansn.edu.au
    <mailto:gavin.grift at ansn.edu.au>// /*

     

    *Reminder: /Integrating ICT pedagogy in School Community/** workshops*

    As reported in the previous edition of E-News, in a national
    initiative, funded by DEEWR, workshops are being organised around
    Australia to explore teaching and the facilitation of student
    learning through the use of ICT. These professional learning
    opportunities are designed for regional/rural school teachers at
    both primary and secondary level. The project is managed by
    Education Queensland International (EQI), with assistance from ANSN
    and engagement from Australian Government Quality Teacher Program
    Project Officers. To participate in these workshops, contact your
    local State-based ICT Coordinator:

    NSW - Joe Wickert - joe.wickert at ansn.edu.au
    <mailto:joe.wickert at ansn.edu.au>
    VIC - Mark Richardson - richardson.mark.m at edumail.vic.gov.au
    <mailto:richardson.mark.m at edumail.vic.gov.au>
    SA - Neil Tregenza - neilt at leadingdigital.com.au
    <mailto:neilt at leadingdigital.com.au>
    NT - Serge Komadina - serge.komadina at ntschools.net
    <mailto:serge.komadina at ntschools.net>
    WA - Leith Hogan - Leith.Hogan at ansn.edu.au
    <mailto:Leith.Hogan at ansn.edu.au>
    TAS - Craig Tyeson  - Craig.tyeson at education.tas.gov.au
    <mailto:Craig.tyeson at education.tas.gov.au>
    QLD - Hanan Harrison - hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au
    <mailto:hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au>

    For further information, you can also contact:

        * Hanan Harrison, the Learning Mentor facilitating the
          workshops, by email at 
          <mailto:h.harrison at optusnet.com.au>hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au
          <mailto:hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au>

     

    *Check out the Coalition of Essential Schools website*

    In his most recent weekly email, John Hogan (ANSN National Coach)
    reminds friends and colleagues of the long-standing connection that
    ANSN has had with the Coalition of Essential Schools, in the USA. In
    particular, he suggests we revisit the book /Horace's Compromise/
    (below left) -- written in the 80s by Theodore (Ted) Sizer (below
    right) and still highly relevant to improving professional practice
    in teaching and learning.

    image  image

    John also suggested we look again at the 10 principles that underpin
    the Coalition's work, and to reflect on how they fit with current
    practice in our schools.

    1. Learning to use one's mind well

    2. Less is More, depth over coverage

    3. Goals apply to all students

    4. Personalization

    5. Student-as-worker, teacher-as-coach

    6. Demonstration of mastery

    7. A tone of decency and trust

    8. Commitment to the entire school

    9. Resources dedicated to teaching and learning

    10. Democracy and equity

    To read about the principles in greater detail, go to: 
    http://www.essentialschools.org/pub/ces_docs/about/phil/10cps/10cps.html

    * *

    *Some interesting reading*

    A Brotherhood of St Laurence research paper -- /The cost of a free
    education: Cost as a barrier to Australian public education,/ by
    Sharon Bond and Michael Horn -- was published in August 2009 (see
    below for cover pictures).

    image  image  image  image

    Sharon Bond, co-author and Brotherhood Research Officer, reported to
    E-News that the paper canvassed *the cost burden to parents of
    education in a government school*. Applying a social inclusion lens,
    the researchers allowed for subject fees, uniforms and textbooks and
    also took account of related expenses, such as transport, sport or
    music costs and (a share of) home computer and internet access.
    Comparing these School Education Expenses (SEE) with the incomes and
    educational assistance available to three hypothetical disadvantaged
    households showed that such families would struggle to afford the
    education taken for granted by most Australians. The researchers
    concluded that to achieve 90 per cent Year 12 attainment clearly
    will require educational policy reform. The paper can be read or
    downloaded for free from the 'Recent Research Reports' page at
    www.bsl.org.au <http://www.bsl.org.au/main.asp?PageId=132>. Hard
    copies can be purchased from the Brotherhood of St Laurence bookshop
    for $6.00.

    Hanan Harrison emailed from Queensland, suggesting that some readers
    might like to check out the following item (the title is
    self-explanatory).
    http://bwatwood.edublogs.org/2009/09/15/why-dont-students-like-school/

    Further items of interest, via Australian Policy Online, include the
    following.

    Orsetta Causa and Catherine Chapuis, from the OECD Economics
    Department, have written a paper focusing on the *inequalities in
    learning opportunities* that are experienced by individuals from
    different socioeconomic backgrounds across the OECD member states.
    In their paper, published in September 2009 by the OECD, Paris, they
    explore the role played by policies and institutions in shaping
    relative positions in the various countries. To read or download the
    paper, go to Equity in student achievement across OECD countries: an
    investigation of the role of policies
    <http://apo.org.au/research/equity-student-achievement-across-oecd-countries-investigation-role-policies>

    Readers of ANSN E-News will know that the National Assessment
    Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests are conducted in May
    each year for all students across Australia in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9
    -- over one million students nationally. All students in the same
    year level complete the same test items in the assessment domains of
    Reading, Writing, Language Conventions (Spelling, Grammar and
    Punctuation) and Numeracy. 

    To explore the most recent NAPLAN results, displayed in relatively
    simple tables and graphs, download the pdf text of National summary
    report: achievement in reading, writing, language conventions and
    numeracy 2009
    <http://apo.org.au/research/national-summary-report-achievement-reading-writing-language-conventions-and-numeracy-2009>
    (see below, left). The photo below right shows students at the
    launch of National Literacy and Numeracy Week, in August 2009. 

    image  image

     

    *Reminders of ANSN activities, introduced* *in previous editions of
    E-News*

    */Cognitive Coaching -- Research Circle/*
    The 2009 Cognitive Coaching Research Circle helps member schools
    build reflective communities, using action learning and cognitive
    coaching to support changes in teacher pedagogy. For further
    details, email the Research Circle Co-ordinator at
    *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 started in Term 1, the remaining session
    dates are:
    /Group 1:/    12 November 2009
    /Group 2:/    19 November 2009
    /Group 3:/    26 November 2009
    For further details, contact *andrea.federico at ansn.edu.au*
    <mailto:andrea.federico at ansn.edu.au>


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