ANSN enews vol 5 no 1
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Fri Feb 19 08:54:45 EST 2010
enews header
*18th February 2010, E-News Vol 5, No 1*
**
*Edited by Keith Redman*
*Topics covered in this edition include:*
* Professional Learning in the Pilbara
* 1:1 Laptop Learning Hub
* Cognitive Coaching SM: Training programs in Northern Territory
and Victoria
* Dimensions of Learning Hubs in 2010
* Feedback from DoL Staff Development Days around Australia
* Act quickly to register for the 2010 Interactive Whiteboard
(IWB) Hub in Victoria
* An external program of interest: Share-a-Book
* A contact of possible interest for on-line computer training
* Some interesting reading
Welcome to the first ANSN E-News for 2010.
*Professional Learning in the Pilbara*
OnslowStarting the year with a "good news" story, Leith Hogan
reports that she has been working with teachers in the remote Onslow
and Pannawonica schools in the north of Western Australia. These
schools are several hours from Karratha and her long drive to reach
them was through dry, dusty but beautiful countryside, littered with
prospective mine sites and mineral exploration.
Leith helped support teachers in the building of partnerships, in
and between their schools and across their broader context, where
distance is a key factor. Pannawonica Primary School -- whose
children are mostly from families involved in iron ore mining -- is
over 2 hours by road from Onslow, its closest school. Staff members
in the two schools are now working together in teacher partnerships,
planning their work, using Action Learning research circles and
focusing on improving their students' learning, on both campuses --
specifically in literacy and numeracy. This was a key topic in
teacher conversations.
The teachers and support staff work in complex circumstances. In
Onslow, for example, factors such as student transience, truancy and
home/school language impact greatly on the teacher's ability to
deliver the curriculum to the students. Leith comments that the
first challenge is to get their students to school and then to keep
them engaged whilst they are there -- since only then does the
school have a chance of improving the children's literacy and
numeracy outcomes.
Leith reports that the Commonwealth's My School website was launched
while she was working with the schools and this was a talking point
in the community, with questions raised about how much the data
reflects what is happening within these schools and how it will
inform their teacher practice?
Leith was impressed with how the remote Onslow and Pannawonica
schools are building vibrant professional communities -- and how
they used the Teacher Partnership workshop both to build upon their
existing work and to help induct newly arrived but experienced
teachers -- all in a setting where everyone was focusing firmly on
the *work*. Back in Perth, she has used the story and her
reflections on it with her University students, to emphasise the
value there will be for them, of working in respectful partnerships
with their colleagues in schools when they graduate.
*1:1 Laptop Learning Hub*
Registration is open for ANSN's new 1:1 Laptop Learning Hub which,
in a series of four sessions, will explore opportunities for
innovative teaching and learning using laptop computers. The Hub
will help groups of teachers -- from primary, secondary and special
settings -- to design engaging and rigorous learning experiences for
their students, and to share and develop resources, whilst
supporting one another in the learning. The Hub will be led by Jill
Reading -- an experienced classroom teacher, passionate about the
use of ICT in schools -- who has spent most of her career in
Melbourne's western suburbs, currently as an Ultranet Coach for
Western Metropolitan Region.
In 2008, Jill Reading (below) was named the ICTEV Leader of the Year
in Victoria and was also awarded a UNESCO commendation for ICT
leadership.
enews51
The Hub will be run from the ANSN work site at Williamstown Primary
School in Melbourne and will meet on the following dates:
Day 1, Tuesday 16 March
Day 2, Wednesday 5 May
Day 3, Wednesday 2 June
Day 4, Wednesday 28 July
For details of the Hub's aims and program content, and for
registration, go to
www.ansn.edu.au/1_1_laptop_learning_hub_2010
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/1_1_laptop_learning_hub_2010> or email Joe
Wickert at joe.wickert at ansn.edu.au <mailto:joe.wickert at ansn.edu.au>
or call him at (02) 9590 5341.
Cognitive Coaching SM: Training programs in Northern Territory
and Victoria
Cognitive Coaching SM was devised by Art Costa (co-developer of
Habits of Mind) and Robert Garmston. It focuses on the "maps" and
"tools" that are needed to mediate another's thinking, the three
"maps" being: planning; reflecting; and problem-resolving -- which
interact with each other. The main tools of Cognitive Coaching SM
are: rapport; mediative questioning; response behaviours; pacing;
and leading. The training focuses on learning these tools and using
them with the maps.
In 2010, ANSN will continue to offer both Foundation and Advanced
training programs for Cognitive Coaching, in association with Hawker
Brownlow Professional Learning Solutions. The teams of presenters
for the Foundation programs will vary in composition between
locations but are drawn from the following accredited trainers (left
to right, below) Gavin Grift, Sue Presler, Abby Graham and Janelle
McGann.
gavin sue pressler abbey Janelle
The dates and locations for the FOUNDATION programs are as follows
*/8-Day Cognitive Coaching FOUNDATION Training in Darwin, Northern
Territory/*
29th March--1st April 2010 and 18th--21st June 2010
For further details, and to register, *_click here_
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/cognitive_coaching_foundation_training_darwin>**//**/
/*
*/8-Day Cognitive Coaching FOUNDATION Training in Bendigo, Victoria/*
19th--22nd April, 2010 and 5th--8th July, 2010
or 13th--16th August, 2010 and 15th--18th October, 2010
For further details, and to register, *_click here_
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/cognitive_coaching_foundation_training_bendigo>
**//***
*/8-Day Cognitive Coaching FOUNDATION Training in Brighton, Victoria/*
27th--30th July 2010 and 20th--23rd September 2010
For further details, and to register, *_click here_
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/cognitive_coaching_foundation_training_melbourne>**//***
In addition, an ADVANCED program will be presented by Sue Presler
(below left), with Michael Dolcemascolo, formerly Assistant Director
of Staff Development for the 23 school districts surrounding the
city of Syracuse in central New York. Now an independent consultant,
Michael specialises in mentoring coaches.
*sue michael*
The location and dates for this program are as follows.
/5-Day Cognitive Coaching ADVANCED training in Brighton, Victoria/
*Tuesday 29th June to Saturday 3rd July 2010*
For further details, and to register, *_click here_
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/advanced_coginitive_coaching>**//***
If you have questions about any of these programs, or wish to
discuss the benefits for you, please email Gavin Grift at
ggrift at hbe.com.au <mailto:ggrift at hbe.com.au> or by mobile at 0458
094 050.
Dimensions of Learning Hubs in 2010
The ANSN Dimensions of Learning (DoL) hubs are established as a
highly successful element in the Network's program of professional
learning. They focus participants on exploring a comprehensive
learning framework -- a "thinking" approach to learning and
pedagogy. DoL uses what researchers and theorists know about how
students learn to improve learning outcomes, as well as providing an
effective tool to align assessment, pedagogy and curriculum planning.
The Dimensions of Learning Hubs are offered in two-day or five-day
Action Learning workshops, Introductory and Advanced (which can be
followed through progressively). Together with ANSN's Setting the
Stage Hubs (which focus on particular Dimensions, including Habits
of Mind), they provide opportunities for participants to address the
National Professional Standards for Teachers (MCEETYA, 2003). In
particular, they address the key elements, Professional Practice,
Knowledge, Relationships and Values.
For Queensland teachers, these ANSN Hubs tailor the learning,
providing opportunities for participants to develop skills and
knowledge that will help them address the three key facets of the
Professional Standards for Queensland Teachers framework: Teaching
and Learning; Professional Relationships; and Professional Growth.
*Locations and venues already scheduled for 2010 DoL Hubs, in the
Northern Territory and Queensland, are shown below*
*DoL 5-Day *Introductory***Hubs*
Location
Day 1 & 2
Day 3 & 4
Day 5
Darwin
18th & 19th February
7th & 8th June
9th August
Kenmore SHS (Brisbane)
4th and 5th March
22nd & 23rd April
June 3rd
Mooloolaba SS
8th & 9th March
19th & 20th April
31st May
Toowoomba
17th and 18th March
27th & 28th April
19th August
Gold Coast
24th and 25th May
23rd & 24th August
11th October
*Setting the Stage Hubs *
(Dimension 1: Attitudes & Perceptions and Dimension 5: Habits of Mind)
Location
Day 1 & 2
Day 3 & 4
Day 5
Mooloolaba
10th & 11th March
19th & 20th April
31st May
*DoL 3-Day *Advanced* Hubs *
(Prior DoL knowledge is required)
Location
Day 1 & 2
Day 3
Mooloolaba
22nd & 23rd February
4th May
Toowoomba
29th and 30th April
20th August
Darwin
9th & 10th June
10th August
Gold Coast
26th & 27th May
12th October
/(Editor's note: Some of the Darwin dates have had to be changed, to
avoid clashes with NAPLAN testing -- please disregard dates in
previous fliers that you may have received. The dates in this table
are correct at time of distribution.) /
If none of these options for time and place suits you, but your
school is interested in hosting a Dimensions of Learning Hub or a
Setting the Stage Hub in your area, contact us to explore the
options for 2010. We are happy to deliver programs across Australia.
To discuss this, or for more information about any of the scheduled
events, contact:
Hanan Harrison (below, left): *hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au
<mailto:hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au>* 0407 464 472, or
Tina Doe (below, right): *tina.doe at ansn.edu.au
<mailto:tina.doe at ansn.edu.au>* 0421 440 725
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For more details about the Hubs and their value for schools, go to
the ANSN web site, at *www.ansn.edu.au <http://www.ansn.edu.au>*
*Feedback from DoL Staff Development Days around Australia*
/Hanan Harrison and Tina Doe report that ANSN's work to develop
schools' awareness and understanding of the Dimensions of Learning
has had a busy start to the year. /Nationally, they have worked with
five schools that engaged in action learning opportunities on their
Student Free and Curriculum Days. This focused either on the Five
Dimensions of Learning as a set or on Setting the Stage (which is
specific to Dimension 5, Habits of Mind, and Dimension 1, Attitudes
and Perceptions). Brief descriptions follow.
/*Trinity*/* /Catholic/** /College/**, /Lismore, NSW/*
Key members of the curriculum steering committee attended Setting
the Stage Hubs in 2009, and since then have utilised that learning
to lead staff in shorter sessions and promote a basic understanding
of attitudes and perceptions and Habits of Mind. On 28th January,
the school's student-free day focused on developing a common
understanding and enhanced learning for all staff, to help build
capacity for their future journey.
On a scale of 1--5 (low to high), 76 of the 78 participants rated
their previous knowledge of the topic as 3 or below (with 30 saying
1/"Low"). With only one day available, time was short and the
program more fast-moving and crowded than would usually be the case.
This was reflected in feedback from some participants who emerged
from the day saying they were "tired". The photo below left shows
groups in hands-on activities while, centre and right, staff members
share information about themselves as a way to demonstrate Dimension
1, Attitudes and Perceptions -- developing positive classroom climate.
lismoreenews51 lismore
As well as a consistent theme in the feedback of wanting more time
to learn, absorb, try out and work on the material, among the things
that people liked about the session were:
new input to the learning process; the expertise, knowledge and
passion of the presenter; sharing of ideas; role modelling; group
activities; being encouraged to use the skills that had been
displayed; and the inclusion of humour. The comment at the top of
the feedback items about what they had liked was: "It will take time
but it is worth the effort to improve student habits".
*/Mooloolaba State School, Sunshine Coast/*
Mooloolaba SS, in Queensland, is a "site of action" school for the
ANSN. In 2009 the principal, David Turner, was part of an Advanced
DoL Hub and a team comprising the Deputy Principal and other key
curriculum team members attended a Setting the Stage Hub. In
2010, Mooloolaba SS is embarking on a whole-school journey to align
its curriculum, pedagogy and assessment through the DoL framework.
David used the student-free day to engage all staff in professional
discussions and learning around DoL. Participants constructed an
understanding of the framework and made connections to their current
practice. This will be followed up with a series of professional
conversations with ANSN members during 2010, to enhance their journey.
*/Trinity Lutheran College/**/,/**/ Ashmore, Queensland/*
Trinity College, Ashmore, has been implementing DoL actively for a
few years. Key staff members have participated in both introductory
and advanced DoL Hubs in previous years and have developed a
dedicated team to help guide the rest of the staff forward in the
implementation process. The student-free day was used to develop a
greater depth of understanding for teachers, particularly with the
middle school team who spent all day unpacking and exploring key
components of Dimension 1, 2 and 5. In the photos below,
participants work in groups, undertaking hands-on activities.
enews51 enews51 enews51
*/St Stephen's College, Coomera, Queensland/*
st stephensRoz Comport, Assistant to the Headmaster, Curriculum, has
been a key figure in helping develop a culture of lifelong learning
among the staff at St Stephen's College. The curriculum focus for
the last few years has been on developing a curriculum that promotes
thinking dispositions. Throughout 2009, staff had opportunities to
connect with the DoL steering committee and also to attend a range
of professional learning through ANSN. The student-free day focused
on small group learning (see photo) where participants identified
aspects of Dimensions 1 and 5 that would be embedded into their
curriculum and pedagogy planning for the semester.
*/Osborne Primary School, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria/*
Liz Klein, the Osborne Primary School principal, received a grant to
investigate learning opportunities that would enhance teacher
practice for her staff. She elected to attend a Setting the Stage
Hub and was so inspired by the professional learning she experienced
that she booked a curriculum day for her staff. Fifty participants
worked through the DoL framework and focused specifically on how to
help students develop more productive attitudes and perceptions, in
terms of both classroom climate and classroom tasks. They also
looked at how to use the Habits of Mind as a school-wide thinking
framework.
These short descriptions provide examples of how ANSN's DoL
Networkers, Hanan Harrison, Tina Doe and Jacquita Miller tailor
programs to local needs while helping schools focus on quality
teaching through reflective practice and professional renewal. Their
workshop activities are designed to help educators: develop a deep
understanding of how students learn; understand how to develop an
environment that fosters successful thinking dispositions; and put
DoL learning into action.
For further details, contact Hanan Harrison by email at
hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au <mailto:hanan.harrison at ansn.edu.au> or by
mobile at 0407 464 472.
*Act quickly to register for the 2010 Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)
Hub in Victoria*
The aim of ANSN's Interactive Whiteboard (IWB) Hub, which has run
successfully for several years, is to enable teachers to use IWBs in
designing, engaging and implementing rigorous learning experiences
for their students. The hub caters for teachers in primary,
secondary and special settings. Membership of an IWB Hub provides
five days of intensive training (spread over the year) in classroom
use of IWBs.
The program includes opportunities for collaborative design and
development of programs and materials, for sharing of ideas, for
classroom trials and evaluation, and for peer-based exhibitions of
work completed during the year. It also gives schools the
opportunity to purchase packages, including the Promethean
ACTIVboard, at reduced prices negotiated by the ANSN.
The Hub starts its operations soon. Dates for the IWB Hub in 2010
are Friday 12 March, Friday 19 March, Friday 23 April, Friday 23
July and Friday 3 September. Sessions for this Hub will all be held
at University Park Primary School (formerly known as St Albans South
PS), Lister Street, St Albans. For further details or to register,
act now and *click here*
<http://www.ansn.edu.au/ansn_interactive_whiteboard_hub_2010_victoria_now_open>.
*/ /*To enquire about opportunities to participate in an IWB Hub
later in the year, or for other queries about this Hub, contact
Andrea Federico at: *federico.andrea.l at edumail.vic.gov.au
<mailto:federico.andrea.l at edumail.vic.gov.au> ***
To explore the possibility of having an IWB Hub in your area,
contact Kate Cooper by mobile on 0402 848 364 or email at
kate.cooper at ansn.edu.au <mailto:kate.cooper at ansn.edu.au>
An external program of interest: Share-a-Book
Hanan Harrison emailed E-News about Share-a-Book, a project run by
the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation. The project asks
Australians to donate/collect pre-loved or new children's books,
which the project workers will then distribute nationally, to
disadvantaged and marginal community libraries and schools. You can
donate books at any Officeworks store -- there will be bookcases
labelled "Share a book", where books can be left. If you find a book
on the shelf that you would like to keep, you may also take it, in
exchange for a gold coin donation. Hanan reports that the project
runs from 3rd Feb to 31st March. For further details, go to
*www.alnf.org <http://www.alnf.org>* or *www.officeworks.com.au
<http://www.officeworks.com.au>*
A contact of possible interest for on-line computer training
E-News was contacted by a company called Dynamic Learning On-line,
which offers on-line computer training for schools -- for example,
in use of Windows, Vista, Excel, Word and PowerPoint. The company
literature notes that its on-line training was developed with the
assistance of an R&D Grant from the Federal Government, and that it
was also contracted to develop on-line introductory computer
training for the Federal Government's Broadband for Seniors'
project. The company offers school site licences. ANSN does not
endorse companies or products, and we have no direct experience with
this one, but readers might be interested to know that such services
are available. If you want to explore this further, the company's
website is at www.learnoffice.net.au
<http://www.learnoffice.net.au/>. *//*
Some interesting reading
In November 2009, Melbourne City Mission and Brotherhood of St
Laurence (BSL) co-hosted a forum in Melbourne on /Partnering to
learn: the role of community organizations in supporting
disadvantaged students/*, *to explore learning support programs
(homework clubs and tutoring programs). Anne Pate from the Mission
and Sharon Bond from BSL have written a summary of the proceedings.
For details,* *or to review any of the papers from the day, visit
either www.mcm.org.au <http://www.mcm.org.au> or www.bsl.org.au
<http://www.bsl.org.au> * *Anne contacted E-News to advise that the
Mission and BSL have formed an alliance to advocate on this issue
and that Hanover Welfare Services has joined the partnership. For
more information or to join in this work contact Anne Pate at: (03)
8625 4469 or apate at mcm.org,au <mailto:apate at mcm.org,au>.
BSL is also about to launch the new Life Chances study report,
/Turning 18: pathways and plans/, based on its longitudinal
research. More of this in the next edition of E-News.
John Hogan has been reading and enjoying The Illusion of Leadership:
Directing Creativity in Business and the Arts, by Piers Ibbotson,
which starts with statements such as the following: /Nothing comes
from nothing. We are always starting from somewhere .... There are
always initial conditions./
Australian Policy Online draws our attention to the following
items. To read or download the full text of an item, use CTRL
+ click to follow the link.
Measuring what matters: student progress
<http://apo.org.au/research/measuring-what-matters-student-progress>
Ben Jensen, from the Grattan Institute, writes in the context of the
launch of the Federal Government's 'My School' website. His report
discusses how to measure school performance accurately, and comments
on the significance of incorporating these performance measures into
managing each level of school education systems. Among other things,
he argues that the school performance measures published on the 'My
School' website are prone to mismeasurement and may be biased
against schools serving lower socio-economic communities.
Inspiring Australia: a national strategy for engagement with
the sciences
<http://apo.org.au/research/inspiring-australia-national-strategy-engagement-sciences>
Published by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and
Research, this report outlines a national science communication
strategy, drawing on consultations with a wide range of science
communicators, educators, journalists and scientists in all states
and territories. Its key findings relate to: national leadership and
coherent action; reward and recognition in the sciences; development
of potential and interest across the country; development of a
capable science workforce; and a national framework with local action.
A flying start for Queensland children
<http://apo.org.au/research/flying-start-queensland-children>
Published by the Department of Education and Training in Queensland,
this 'Green Paper' on the future of education is part of the state
government's plan to provide all Queensland children with a "flying
start" in life. Queenslanders are being encouraged to provide
feedback on the proposals. Suggested discussion questions address
issues such as support for families; the role of volunteers; and
whether Year 7 should be in secondary school (in line with other
states and territories) rather than primary.
Let's Start: Exploring Together - an early intervention
program for Northern Territory children and families
<http://apo.org.au/research/lets-start-exploring-together-early-intervention-program-northern-territory-children-and-fa>
Gary Robinson, and colleagues from the School for Social and Policy
Research at Charles Darwin University, present an evaluation report
on the Let's Start project. This was a trial to implement the
Exploring Together Preschool Program (ETPP) in the Northern
Territory, a program for managing behaviour problems in Indigenous
and other children. The report's findings include "statistically
significant reductions in problem and risk behaviour among
participating children according to multiple measures".
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