Let you light shine before all St. Joseph’s, Hillston Let you light shine before all LTLL Mid-point Meeting Hay Monday, 9th of August, 2010

21st Century Learners

22nd & 23rd of March LTLL Staff evaluation Focus 1: The Transformed Learner Focus 4: Ethics Focus 5: Educative Leadership Focus 2: Teacher as Leader Focus 3: Values From the LTLL Framework two focus areas were identified to focus on as a school community for our project. Focus 6: Authentic Learning

LTLL Project IT for Teaching and Learning Focus 3: Values Focus 5: Educative Leadership IT for Teaching and Learning Focus 3: Values Excellence Professional Dialogue Focus 5: Educative Leadership Educative Leadership through collegiality Educative leadership through professional learning Two areas of our project are looking at Focus: Values- Excellence, Focus 5: Educative Leadership. With red lights identified most frequently here.

What did we set out to do? Goal: To provide excellent education for our students by raising the competence of staff and students in using Interactive Whiteboards (IWBs) for learning and teaching. Focus 3: Values - Excellence IT for Teaching and Learning

Why was ICT our focus? Up-skilling staff 21st century learning for students Supporting our belief that education needs to be transferable in order to transform learners and learning. To engage students more effectively in their learning We want our school to be the best it can be in Technology Focus 3: Values - Excellence IT for Teaching and Learning

What have we actually done?

How successful have we been? All staff are feeling more competent with exploring IWB’s and using them more frequently in the classroom. Staff feel a sense of individual achievement Staff are more positive towards using Technology Staff willing to take risks Students are actively engaged and having fun while learning. Students and staff are becoming more skilled in various uses of Technology Team Teaching- Using other teachers’ strengths in their areas of expertise with various forms of Technology. Focus 3: Values - Excellence IT for Teaching and Learning

Evidence Work Samples Learning Resources Assessment Resources Classroom Programs Staff and Student Evaluations Students using ActiveExpressions in the classroom Classroom programs Assessment samples- PAT,Scaffolding Maths,Activeexpressions, Mathletics, Student engagement Student surveys Student generated activities on interacted white board printed as work samples. Eg flip charts Power point presentations Trial of resources e.g. skwirk, Tess, Teacher use of web resources Coaching for teachers with IT teacher Photos of students and teachers using Technology There have been many positive reports from parents about the use of the Interactive White boards and the children coming home excited about various lessons. P&F are very supportive of 21st Century learning and have provided funds to purchase licences for various sites the children and teachers use. Newspaper articles and school newsletters provides information about what has been happening at the school with Technology. IT teacher works with various classes to teach the children various skills on the computer Focus 3: Values - Excellence IT for Teaching and Learning

Three Challenges Continual upgrading of Technology Time to prepare and resources Equitable access to technology Focus 3: Values - Excellence IT for Teaching and Learning

Three things we have learnt Search and you will receive- there are so many resources and websites available 21st Century learners are here to stay Self-assessment leads to authentic learning We are 21st Century Learners Be prepared and take risks Focus 3: Values - Excellence IT for Teaching and Learning

Three Questions How can we tap into all the wonderful ready made resources of teachers in our diocese? What more should we be doing to cater for 21st Century Learners? How can we ensure staff are continually supported and motivated in Technology? Focus 3: Values - Excellence IT for Teaching and Learning

2nd Goal Professional Dialogue Professional Dialogue Focus: We want to provide opportunities to develop staff collaboration on educational issues and sharing expertise, building leadership through collaboration. Professional Dialogue Focus 5: Educative Leadership – for professional learning – for collegiality

Why professional dialogue was a focus? Make sure all staff share an explicit view of what constitutes good teaching and learning. To support new teaching staff in developing a professional identity. To recognise and draw on each staff members talents and expertise. To provide opportunities for collaborative learning in curriculum, professional development and policy. Focus 5: Educative Leadership – for professional learning – for collegiality Professional Dialogue

What have we actually done? Changed our weekly staff meeting cycle agenda: - general - curriculum - professional development Staff in-services for addressing key school issues' Aspergers’, Accessing professional development resources e.g. podcasts, websites for discussion. Curriculum sharing ideas at staff meetings. Contributing LTLL Wikispaces page ITC PD Professional dialogue is now a regular occurance in the school Professional Dialogue Focus 5: Educative Leadership – for professional learning – for collegiality

How successful have we been? We have changed our weekly staff meeting cycle to provide opportunity for professional dialogue and collegiality: - general - curriculum - professional development All staff are feeling more competent with exploring IWB’s and using then more frequently in the classroom. Staff feel a sense of individual achievement Staff are more positive towards using Technology Staff willing to take risks Students are actively engaged and having fun while learning. Students and staff are becoming more skilled in various uses of Technology Team Teaching- Using other teachers'' strengths in their areas of expertise with various forms of Technology. Professional Dialogue Focus 5: Educative Leadership – for professional learning – for collegiality

Evidence Staff using Wikispaces Teacher resources-websites, books, ideas are passed around/shared Staff have opportunity and obligation to share curriculum ideas Lead teacher/ITC/LST teachers working more collaboratively Staff evaluation of meeting changes All staff are developing more active roles in staff meetings Staff are open to change Staff place a high value on ongoing teacher professional development Some staff attended an Asperger’s conference Professional Dialogue Focus 5: Educative Leadership – for professional learning – for collegiality

Three Challenges Implementation and passing on of knowledge gained at in-services Fitting all items on staff meeting agendas – what is the best way to make this a priority? Availability of in-servicing for whole staff Professional Dialogue Focus 5: Educative Leadership – for professional learning – for collegiality

Three things we have learnt More is achieved by following a set cycle of staff meetings Don’t lose sight of the fact that the children are why we are here The best educators are those who are educated Professional Dialogue Focus 5: Educative Leadership – for professional learning – for collegiality

Three Questions How can we ensure that the busy school environment doesn’t impact on staff professional development in our small school? Once the funding for our lead teacher expires, how do we maintain a teacher in this important role? How can we ensure implementation of new programs remain sustainable with continuous staff changes? Professional Dialogue Focus 5: Educative Leadership – for professional learning – for collegiality

Where to from here? TRANSFORMING Continuing staff meeting cycle LEADERS Inclusion and education of the school community in the LTLL process, action plan… TRANSFORMING Continuing staff meeting cycle LEARNERS Staying positive and motivated Where to from here? Evidence collection LEARNING AND