These are our 5 key questions tonight: Engagement and compliance – how do they compare? Why is student engagement an important consideration? What factors inhibit engagement in learning? What strategies and tools foster student engagement? How is task design a factor in engaging students in their learning? Continue reading Student Engagement on #lsalearn

Tonight at 8pm ACST we have the first #lsalearn Twitter chat. Here are the questions we will focus on: Q1 How do schools make new students welcome? Q2 What strategies have you observed or used to give students ownership of their learning environment? Q3 How do schools foster connections with parents in the beginning of the school year? (esp new families) Q4 What communication strategies … Continue reading #lsalearn Questions on the topic Starting A New Year

With the first #lsalearn chat coming up here are a few tips to help you in participating – Before the chat begins ensure you have the #lsalearn back channel open. Do this simply by typing in #lsalearn in the search window and pressing enter. If you get keen, you might want to get a Twitter platform installed like Tweetdeck. This is not necessary but it … Continue reading #lsalearn Participating in a Chat On Twitter 

An innovation which has taken place at my current school was commenced last year. It was decided that we would have a greater focus on allowing staff to use allocated PD days to pursue their own passions and needs rather than keep the one PD for all approach. This became a project for each staff member. From personal experience it has resulted in a significant change … Continue reading PD that works – A Personal Project Approach

Being given the opportunity to change the direction we take with the technology we use in the classroom has come with it the opportunity to evaluate how we used technology in the past and how we can better use it in the future. As with all change, it is important to consider collaboratively why we are changing and to outline the vision of what we … Continue reading Introducing Change in Technology

When working towards a 1:1 iPad program, it is necessary to give significant thought to a number of factors. Whilst not exhaustive, here is a starting point. Click here to access a copy of the spreadsheet. Continue reading Planning for 1:1

Something that freaked some of my Yr 4 students out recently was the use of Google Docs with my iPad and the class interactive whiteboard. We don’t have Apple TV in classes yet (working on that!) Our work laptops have docks and it is a bit tricky to run a class/large group discussion on the IWB. My handwriting looks atrocious because the projector doesn’t quite … Continue reading Google Docs In Class

This post is part 2 of the outline of my study into catering for students with higher abilities. Although my focus has been on differentiation within the inclusive classroom, it has become obvious that I need to consider the Australian Curriculum and what it states about the importance of student diversity. In light of this, I am also considering the means of providing appropriate programs for these students, and … Continue reading Identification of Gifted and Talented

After witnessing another great day with grandparents visiting our school, I was struck by the hum of positive activity around the school. Particularly striking were the number of difficult to engage students engrossed in the variety of activities. There are often other times when I get the same sense of active learning but it begs the question, what was special about today? Out of the … Continue reading Influential Grandparents