April+2011+Newsletter

= What is Happening in Term 2? - Issue 1 April 2011 =

** Welcome ** to the first newsletter of the year from the Teaching and Learning Coaches. We are really pleased to be able to share with you some of the work that the coaches have been undertaking in Term 1. We are delighted to see that the number of teachers engaging with coaches has significantly increased compared to the same period last year. Whilst we acknowledge the increased impact of the program, we are aware that it is vital that we communicate and share our work with you.
 * Teachers engaging with coaches in Term 1 2011 compared to Term1 2010. **

** OnDemand Testing ** The coaches have continued to support teachers in testing Literacy and Numeracy for students in years 7 to 9. The Year 7 students have been tested in Term 1. The year 8 and 9 students will be tested during Term 2 within their English and Maths classes.The results of these assessments will be shared with teachers via email and through the SPA Program. We would like to thank the English and Maths KLAs for their support. The data gathered from these assessments will be invaluable in providing teachers with an up to date indication of the level at which their students are currently working. We will be exploring ways in which this data can assist teachers in catering for diversity across the school. In Term 2 the coaches will be launching a wiki site that will have lots of teacher focussed information and resources.
 * Wiki **

The eLearning team as been formed this year. It consists of members of leadership, the IT team and teachers. The team is responsible for reporting on ICT initiatives to the Curriculum Design Team. In Term 1 the eLearning team has been resourcing areas of the school that are still without a screen to display teaching and learning content. You will have noticed some large screens in your KLA areas. More screens are planned for Term 2. The eLearning team supported LOTE with the purchase of Interactive Whiteboards for use in the Year 8 Integrated Studies Program and in other LOTE classes. In Term 2 the eLearning team will be continuing to develop a school eLearning plan. They will also present scenarios to the CDT on how the school will meet the requirements of the National Secondary School Computer Fund across Years 9-12. The eLearning team will also be investigating the relocation of the school network servers.
 * eLearning **

In Term 2 coaches will be working with teachers to explore the Powerful Learning Strategy through the delivery of targeted PD. Development of resources to assist teachers to engage with this strategy will also be a priority. Coaches will facilitate the involvement of teachers and students in a pilot programme with the University of Indiana to explore the possibilities of game-based learning through involvement with the Quest Atlantis Virtual World. This is a really exciting initiative that we hope will enable us to differentiate our curriculum in a way that has not yet been explored. [|Click here to view Quest Atlantis YouTube video.]
 * Innovation and Next Practice **

A number of teachers and their students will be undertaking this questionnaire. The questionnaire investigates student work, skill development, classroom culture and organisation. The teachers’ and students’ perceptions of these aspects are compared and teachers can then use this information to reflect on their teaching practice.
 * AiZ Feedback Questionnaire **