July+2011+Newsletter

** What is Happening in Term 3? - Issue 2 July 2011 **
** Welcome ** to the second newsletter of the year from the Teaching and Learning Coaches. We would like to share with you some of the work that the coaches have undertaken and our plans for Term 3. ** Innovation and Next Practice ** In 2011, Eltham High School is participating in an Innovation and Next Practice Division pilot that is looking at the role that computer gaming plays in student learning. Quest Atlantis (QA) is a 3D multi-user learning environment designed to immerse children, ages 9-13, in meaningful inquiry tasks. Quest Atlantis combines strategies used in the commercial gaming environment with lessons from educational research on learning and motivation. [|Click here to view Quest Atlantis YouTube video.] This project is unique in its goals to combine the best aspects of learning, playing, and helping, as a means to motivate and engage students. The software is developed by Indiana University and has recently been the recipient of a significant Gates Foundation Grant. In Term 2, a pilot group of students from Year 7 were selected to participate in the Quest Atlantis program. Teachers identified twenty-five students for inclusion in the program and each week for four weeks they worked in the QA environment during their Integrated Studies time. The potential of this environment is enormous. It presents an alternative but not a replacement for the work that students are currently completing in Year 7. In Term 3 we shall be running an afterschool class for students wishing to engage with the QA environment. Outside of school hours, access to computers and bandwidth will be less restrictive and we shall continue to monitor how this new and innovative approach to inquiry based learning impacts our students. There will be an information session presented at one of the upcoming staff meetings for staff interested in knowing more about this pilot. Staff wishing to know more about this program or who might be interested in taking on the training required to be a QA instructor are encouraged toattend. Information will also be provided for staff wishing to apply for Innovation Next Practice Division grants in 2012.

This program will be extended this term and will include sessions on the Ultranet, concept based unit planning, Integrated Studies, Powerful Learning, preparing for 1:1, ICT and some KLA specific PD. ** Peer Observation ** Coaches will be available to support staff develop their peer observation focus. Staff are encouraged to use the Powerful Learning capabilities of: ** AiZ Feedback Questionnaire **A number of teachers and their students undertook this questionnaire in Term 2. The questionnaire investigates student work, skill development, classroom culture and organisation. The teachers’ and students’ perceptions of these aspects are compared and teachers then use this information to reflect on their teaching practice. The questionnaire will again be administered in Term 3 and will be available to all interested teachers. ** Wiki ** The Coaches are developing a wiki site that has lots of teacher-focussed information, resources and information related to the work Coaches are doing. Check out the wiki on this link: http://elthamtlc.wikispaces.com/ and tell us what you think.
 * In House PD **
 * Learning Intentions
 * Pace
 * Tasks
 * Questions and/or questioning
 * Reflections/Feedback

** eLearning ** The eLearning team will present a draft copy of the eLearning plan to the CDT for feedback during Term 3. The team will continue to develop a 1:1 program and will be sharing this soon. An investigation into eBooks will begin. The team will also look at software programs that will increase the efficiency of current work practices. In response to staff feedback, the team will focus on delivering PD that will enable teachers to engage with ICT in ways that help to create efficiencies. The team will continue to support LOTE with developing content for their interactive whiteboards.

** Sub School **** support ** Coaches continue to work closely with Sub School teams to support the work Sub Schools do in identifying and responding to areas of particular focus. Some of this work may include further developing the understanding and use of available data, such as VCE data, SPA, NAPLAN and On Demand test data. Other examples include providing or sourcing specific PD as required for Sub School teams or Home Group teachers or working together with Home Group teachers to support teaching and learning.