Topics covered in this edition include:

• A new ANSN/CLL Snapshot: Jane Wilson, Supersize Me with Science
• A new KidSmart Snapshot, this one from Western Australia
• Teaching Our Digital Kids – the new ANSN Hub
• Dimensions of Learning – the Learning Management Conference
• Interactive Whiteboards Hub – Invitation to Victorian Principals
• Learning about Protocols
• Suggested reading: BECTA research on IWBs
• Reminders about ANSN activities.

A new ANSN/CLL Snapshot: Jane Wilson, Supersize Me with Science

In July, E-News introduced the first of a series of Snapshots from the Connecting Lives and Learning (CLL) project. If you missed it, David Kinna described a community-based maths project he had co-ordinated, and commented on the perceived outcomes. To catch up with this Snapshot click here.

Andrew Bills, ANSN Networker in South Australia and CLL co-ordinator, has now forwarded the second in the series of CLL Snapshots. Written by Jane Wilson, Assistant Principal and Head of the Middle School at Paralowie R-12 School, it describes Supersize Me with Science, a project that addressed the following research question: “How does authentic assessment, when used with student-centred learning about dietary habits and global food issues, help empower students to become more discerning about their diet and more active participants in society?”

Jane discusses issues relating to the school context, her professional identity, the influence of youth culture, teacher research, science curriculum, pedagogical theory and approach, and some of the findings that have emerged from the project. She also provides examples of the task sheets that were used and outlines some of the future directions that might be taken. To read or download this Snapshot, click here.

A new KidSmart Snapshot, this one from Western Australia

In the previous edition of E-News, we introduced a series of eleven KidSmart Snapshots, developed by IBM and ANSN. The Snapshots share teacher stories of their ICT pedagogical journey, written as reflections after participating in the project.

Having launched the series with the Gracemere story, the second Snapshot we are introducing is from Moorditj Noongar Community College, WA, a school with approximately 140 indigenous students enrolled from K-7.

This Snapshot describes the journey of “digital discovery” undertaken by Ashleigh Evans, an early childhood educator, with her young Noongar students (see above) and their families. To view or download the new Snapshot, click here.

Following up on the KidSmart project, as reported in the previous edition of E-News, ANSN is launching a new PD opportunity for early childhood teachers: the Teaching Our Digital Kids Hub. For details, see the following E-News item.

Teaching Our Digital Kids – the new ANSN Hub

Co-ordinated by Hanan Harrison, ANSN Queensland Networker (see below left, and working with an interstate ANSN workshop) the new Teaching Our Digital Kids Hub focuses on making technology an integral component within a play-based philosophy for teachers of Prep-Year 2 classrooms.

The Hub is based on learning from KidSmart, which involved prep/pre-school teachers from rural or disadvantaged areas, who were supported, through a 12-month action learning PD model, to focus on developing effective pedagogical strategies for ICT implementation. The program has now been modified and is open to early childhood teachers (Prep to Year 2).

Hanan Harrison emphasises that Hub participants do not need any prior computer knowledge to participate, only an interest in exploring technology and how it can be embedded within the learning project.

Currently Hanan is sending out invitations for 3 teachers in a school (or in the case of small schools a cluster team of 3) to participate in a 5-day professional development program spread throughout 2008. To view or download the pdf brochure, including details of costing click here.

Dimensions of Learning – the Learning Management Conference

Hanan Harrison also emailed E-News to say that that the Learning Management Conference went “great”. Held on the Sunshine Coast from 22 to 24 August, the conference was presented by Central Queensland University and supported by ANSN. Hanan reports that a podcast of Professor Robert Marzano's keynote address will be made available on-line shortly, together with reports on other presentations related to Dimensions of Learning. More details in forthcoming editions of E-News.

Interactive Whiteboards Hub – Invitation to Victorian Principals

The Australian National Schools Network (ANSN) in partnership with Commander, is inviting interested principals and teachers to a meeting and demonstration of Interactive Whiteboards, on Wednesday 17 October 2007, at St Albans South PS, Lister Street, St Albans. Participants can choose between two sessions, from 10.00-11.00am or 11.30-12.30pm. They will be able to familiarise themselves with the technology and, if they wish, elect to be part of the proposed Victorian IWB Hub for 2008. To view or download the flier for this event, click here.

To register your attendance at one of the sessions, and your preferred time, please email Andrea Federico, the Victorian ANSN Networker and IWB Hub Co-ordinator, at andrea.federico@ansn.edu.au

Learning about Protocols

Don't forget that ANSN presents Protocols training on a regular basis in major centres – as a five-day workshop for those who want to lead Protocols workshops, as two-day workshops exploring new Protocols, and as an introductory course. And, if you want a course tailored to suit your local needs, this can be arranged.
As is the case with other ANSN professional learning opportunities, the range of options is available for take-up at a system, district, region, cluster, or individual school level. To find out more about Protocols courses and support materials, go to http://www.ansn.edu.au/protocols

Suggested reading: BECTA research on IWBs

Andrea Federico emailed to suggest E-News readers might be interested in an article from BECTA ICT Research, What the research says about interactive whiteboards. The article outlines “key research evidence” under the headings of general benefits, benefits for teachers, benefits for students and factors for effective use. It also has an extensive bibliography and list of further reading. To view or download the pdf, click here.

Reminders of ANSN activities

The following activities have been detailed in previous editions of E-News.

October 2007, Habits of Mind Expo, in Melbourne and Auckland

The Habits of Mind International Expo will be held in Melbourne on 22 October, 2007, then repeated in Auckland, NZ on 25 October 2007. Schools presenting at the Expo include: Waikiki Elementary School, Hawaii; College Street Normal School, NZ; Lindisfarne College, NZ; Southlands Girls High School, NZ; Brisbane Grammar School, Australia; Furlong Main Cluster, Australia. To download the brochure and registration details click here.

April and August 2008, Cognitive Coaching Course

In 2008, ANSN will deliver an intensive 8-day leadership development course in Art Costa and Robert Garmston's “Cognitive Coaching”. The course will be presented by Sue Presler in two 4-day segments, from 7-10 April and 4-7 August, 2008, at the Metro in Melbourne. There is an ‘early bird' rate if you register before 21 December 2007. To download the brochure and registration details click here.

Letters to the editor
Would you like to comment on issues that relate to the work we do as educators? To email a “Letter to the Editor of ANSN E-News”, click here.

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