I just came across DEECD Research Paper last night.
Using student assessment for professional learning: focusing on students' outcomes to identify teachers’ needs
http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/publ/research/publ/timperley_using_student_assessment_for_professional_learning.pdf
This paper outlines a ‘cycle of inquiry’ which systematically builds teacher knowledge to improve teaching practice for students and teachers. The paper shows how principles of student assessment can be applied to evaluate not only student outcomes, but also the learning needs of teachers. The inquiry cycle asks teachers to evaluate their own performance through evidence gathered in the classroom and then assess whether their current teaching practices are meeting the needs of their students. Through this process, teachers are better equipped to identify their own needs for professional learning.
I've only skim read it so far, but I did like its organisational model.
Why? Because it was a good structure for the lunchtime ICT / eLearning Professional Learning sessions I am organising at my school. As outlined in earlier posts, I have been running sessions every Tuesday lunchtime this year. I was happy with the direction and content of those sessions and the responses of my colleagues. However, I not sure how much of the content I covered got through the classroom door [ i.e. the skills taught at the sessions were not becoming part of classroom practice]
So hence, a new action learning model for these PD sessions. Here's the outline.
BYO Project! Do some action learning with your students and learn some ICT skills along the way. ICT / eLearning Professional Development -Term 3, 2011
This term’s optional lunchtime PD [1:00 – 1:40, Tuesdays, ICT Room] will focus on action learning.
The idea is that in these sessions you come along with an idea or a project for ICT / eLearning that you are interested in completing with your class[es]. This project can be an individual or a PLT project. These sessions will provide the input and support that you need to complete the activity with your students. In between these sessions you teach the activity with your students. At subsequent sessions you can discuss the work that you have taught, seek further resources, support etc. [ It’s big on coaching and peer support!]
Hopefully should be fun and educational too!
In this first session we will discuss your project is terms of the following:
• How does this project fit in with your PLT term planner?
• How does this project fit in VELS ICT and the other VELS Domains?
• What equipment will be needed to complete this activity?
• What software / Web 2.0 tools will be needed to complete this activity?
• What skills will you need to teach this activity?
• What skills will your students need to complete this activity?
• How can the Ultranet be used in this project?
• How will you assess the activity?
• What other support will you need to complete this activity? [Maybe this is me taking a skill tutorial with you students or making some screencasts.]
Here are some of my ideas for projects that you could do, [but don’t be limited by these]. And don’t be overwhelmed, you would only be picking one of these!
• Digital Video making with Flip Cameras
• Movie Editing with iMovie • Exporting Movies
• Stopmotion animation with iStopmotion
• 3D modelling using Kahootz or Google SketchUp
• Making great publications with Pages
• Interactive Whiteboards, [Beginning / Intermediate / Advanced]
• Multimedia Presentations with Keynote [much, much better than PowerPoint]
• Incorporating Ultranet [Release One] into Teaching and Learning
• Shooting and manipulating digital images
• Making websites with iWeb
• Using Purple Mash in the classroom [P-4]
• Using BrainPop in the classroom [3-6]
• Using Moodle with students
• Teaching CyberSafety with my students
• Making Podcasts
• Making Music with GarageBand
• Research skills and web searches
• Setting up a personal or class blog
• Using online spaces in the classroom [Voicethread, Glogster, etc]
or
• An idea you have already!!
As I wrote before, don’t be put off by this big list! If you are interested in doing an interesting eLearning activity with you students come along next Tuesday lunchtime and we can work out a project for you! If you have an idea already, still come along, so we can talk about resources and getting you started quickly.
Will write an evaluation at the end of the term!
