Page Title

Text Box: As well as contacts at Vic Uni for POLT, we have been developing some connections at Latrobe in the education and IT systems area around the use of concept mapping to construct and reflect student understanding;. One of the senior lecturers has requested that he be introduced to the cluster schools in Term four, with an interest in developing research projects across the cluster. . APPLYING FOR GRANTS I assisted the Science faculty to write an application for funding under the Australian School Innovation in Science, Technology and Mathematics scheme around the development of an Environmental Resource Centre. SCHOOL VISITS I have been investigating visits of some Maths staff to visit Lara secondary college to look at Numeracy and Maths teaching, and other other staff to Lyndhurst Secondary, to discuss negotiated curriculum and Habits of Mind. These visits have emerged from discussions with interested staff and PoLT groups in the cluster. WhiteHills primary school is also planning to visit Apollo

Text Box: has been opportunity to assist staff in coming to terms with VELS. This has been in a range of forums, from curriculum review working parties at Weeroona, to whole staff discussions in some of the Primary Schools through to individual teachers. (There is obvious overlap with student negotiated curriculum, Habits of Mind, Polt and Learning Teams). ONLINE CONCEPT MAPPING I have developed a tool that blends traditional concept mapping with web publishing. This started from a previous QTP project and I presented a prototype at the VITTA conference last year. It has continued to be an interest in my “spare time”.; students in some of the cluster schools are beginning to use this as a presentation and planning tool. (www.thinkingcurriculum.com/cmap) CLUSTER ICT ACTIVITIES We are trialling the use of www.think.com for cross age tutoring activities. Think.com is an excellent interactive online publishing tool for schools. I am also supporting teachers in class with a range of activities (Inspiration, concept mapping, think.com and web quest development). I’m happy to be booked for any ICT support in class, or follow up on any of the workshops or for general planning etc. RESEARCH CONTACTS

Text Box: Parkways. TEACH TO THE FUTURE I attended this five day course, with 3 others cluster staff, looking at how ICT can be intertwined with good pedagogy. The staff involved have looked at arange of delivery options in the cluster, including one for MAC schools based at Epsom, a primary based one at Whitehills. Secondary PoLT staff are discussing possible ways to deliver this to interested staff at Weeroona and other primaries. THINKING CURRICULUM After being involved with some PD activities last year, the PoLT program has indicated that the general “Thinking Curriculum” was already reasonably well developed in many of the primary schools. The Thinking Curriculum will continue to be supported through the general PoLT focus on learning and teaching, in Learning Teams and via the VELS “Thinking Domain” Further information from: costello.rob.r@edumail.vic.gov.au i www.thinkingcurriculum.com

Text Box: FUTURE UPDATES While I work with a selection of staff in the cluster and report to the Principal’s meetings, this is an overdue update and so it is a brief overview of the range of areas and activities. I’d like future updates to expand on some of these initiatives and other activities occurring within schools. Interview Update reporter : what’s your biggest challenge? ROB : I’d say, finding ways to mix in new things in a way that doesn’t overload already busy teachers, who can feel a little overwhelmed with everything from curriculum change to reports to teaching 20+ classes a week. I must say I sympathize, and try to find reasonably low stress ways to integrate approaches with current agendas and provide some time release if possible.