Lead Teachers Day

The Term 3 Lead Teachers' Day started with discussion on embedding the Key Competencies into the Inquiry process.
We watched Rose Hipkins video and followed up with discussion on the main points she makes.
Two important aspects were discussed -
1. Curriculum cohesion - Rose mentions this and it is a ongoing issue for many schools. Pressures of timetabling and balance make it difficult for the full inquiry process to take place often resulting in unfinished and shallow outcomes, leaving both teachers and students frustrated.
2. Assessment of Inquiry - a matter of ongoing discussion - what do we actually assess, and what does that assessment look like. What is the purpose of the assessment, and what does it mean? More questions than answers, I'm afraid.

We also watched the Yoram Harpaz series of videos on thinking. A wonderful resource and one that kept us in discussion for a long time.

The afternoon was spent looking at podcasting. We made audio files in Garageband or Audacity, and uploaded them to Podomatic. These podcasts were then able to be subscribed to through Apple Store in iTunes.

Also view our Bucklands Beach cluster wiki for more resources and information.

Sharing our Ideas

Teachers are wonderful people who happily share their work and ideas. I am always truly amazed at what teachers can do, and how they are willing to share whatever level they happen to be at.

In August, the Bucklands Beach Cluster held an afternoon where teachers from all schools showed, shared and talked about what has happening in the classroom to all cluster members.

The focus was on digital story telling, but there was a variety of work being shown including animations, power point presentations and work done in garage band.

See our wiki for some of the pd ideas we have done in these areas.