Author Archives: mwalker

Here’s one creative teacher using technology in classrooms

Posted on December 24, 2009 by mwalker

Sometimes I stumble upon really creative ways to use technology in classrooms with kids. Chris Betcher prepared this for an online conference and it goes for about 20 minutes. There’s so much in this presentation that it’s useful to come … Continue reading →

Posted in Instruction, Teaching, Technology, Video Clips | Tagged | Leave a comment

Reflections on a year just finished – what changed and what’s ahead.

Posted on December 23, 2009 by mwalker

Photo courtesy of Bayside leader At the end of a school year I generally get a little reflective – after a day or two on holidays that is and after I’ve spent some time catching up on the uncompleted tasks … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, Instruction, Leadership, reflections, school, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

How far have we come as teachers in using technology to engage learners?

Posted on December 23, 2009 by mwalker

Have a quick flick through this presentation as we in Australia shut down for the summer school holiday period. I’m reminded of a now famous quote “Yes we can” when I see this. I remember as far back as the … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Collaborative Communities, Instruction, Reading, school, Teaching, Technology, Uncategorized, Video Clips, Walkthroughs | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Does a school transition program make any difference to parent concerns about student class placements?

Posted on December 22, 2009 by mwalker

Certainly one of the by products of an effective school transition program we hoped was the easing of parent concerns about the student class placement for the following year. An earlier post on school transition described the program that we have … Continue reading →

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Face Book a dad’s dilemma

Posted on December 2, 2009 by mwalker

I’ve been following one dad’s dilemma about allowing his 12 yo daughter to use facebook. For those interested in this please click on the link below Dave Sherman

Posted in Technology, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Facebook dilemmas

Posted on November 26, 2009 by mwalker

Recently we faced a dilemma as school leaders about students using Facebook and in posting this I’m seeking feedback from a wider audience. To explain we were alerted to a situation about a young student who had a Facebook page. The police had been involved … Continue reading →

Posted in cyberbullying, school, Teaching, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

National Standards – do they improve teaching and learning?

Posted on November 22, 2009 by mwalker

Thanks to Greg Carroll I came across this video where John Hattie makes a case around issues like accommodation, retention [repeating classes] or dumbing down learning surrounding National Standards. National Standards are due to be introduced in Australia next year. He concludes … Continue reading →

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School Transition Programs – Do they make a difference?

Posted on November 22, 2009 by mwalker

During our school review we identified student transition as an area to improve student engagement and connectedness to school. Our transition program aims to provide smooth pathways for students moving from one year level to the next or from location to … Continue reading →

Posted in school, school structures, Teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged | 4 Comments

Is assessment for learning one of the keys to personalising learning for students?

Posted on November 12, 2009 by mwalker

I want to repeat the question posed in the title on assessment for learning as its been raised by teachers and parents recently as we complete our strategic plan for the next 4 years. What is personalised learning and is … Continue reading →

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Do we have inclusive schools?

Posted on November 2, 2009 by mwalker

Over the past month I have stopped blogging about leadership or learning as I completed a major piece of research work for my Masters. On campus last week I attended a lecture on inclusive education. I heard about how most … Continue reading →

Posted in disability, Masters in Education Course, school, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Amazing new smart pen for schools

Posted on October 14, 2009 by mwalker

 Whilst attending a session at University last week I was shown the Pulse Smart Pen which I thought was amazing. The pen records your writing or drawing on a special notebook using an infrared camera positioned just below the nib. … Continue reading →

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School Regeneration Projects

Posted on October 14, 2009 by mwalker

School regeneration projects engage schools and their local communities developing a sustainable educational provision plan that covers educating young people from birth to adulthood. The school communities usually agree to reduce the number of sites and organise the provision of education … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Networks of Schools, school, school structures, Teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Children See ….. Children Do

Posted on October 8, 2009 by mwalker

I saw this short clip by NAPCAN for a “Child Friendly Australia” and thought it worth posting for its very clear and powerful message to us as teachers, parents, grand parents and any adult who is responsible for kids. It’s worth a look.  Thanks to Donald MacDonald … Continue reading →

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“teacher roles defined as covenants should be at the centre”

Posted on October 6, 2009 by mwalker

Sergiovanni in this book gave me one of those precious light bulb moments, as a school leader, when he defined roles as “the most sacred obligations and commitments we have towards each other, toward the school and toward its purpose” [p … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Masters in Education Course, Monash University, school, school structures, Teaching | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Web 2.0 tools and communication expectations?

Posted on September 17, 2009 by mwalker

Thanks to Greg Carroll from New Zealand for the link. I’m talking more and more in the staff room and off the cuff comments about the social medium of web 2.0 at staff meetings these days. There seems some tensions … Continue reading →

Posted in Protocols, school, school structures, Video Clips | Tagged | 5 Comments