Monthly Archives: April 2008

150 years on and still Darwin’s theories cause debate!

Posted on April 29, 2008 by mwalker

“Given sufficient time, the non-random survival of hereditary entities will generate complexity, diversity, beauty, and an illusion of design so persuasive that it is almost impossible to distinguish from deliberate intelligent design.” It’s hard to believe that it’s 150 years … Continue reading →

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Teen Writing – some positive research

Posted on April 28, 2008 by mwalker

  I was reading a recent research report titled: “Teens, Writing and the Internet”. The summary which I have linked makes for easy reading and quotes in my view some positive information: 85% of teens engage in social forms of … Continue reading →

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Composite Classes – a pressure point- at least in East Lothian, Scotland.

Posted on April 28, 2008 by mwalker

  I have just read a post and added a comment on Don’s log which I thought was worth a mention. Don is the Acting Director of Education and Children’s Services in East Lothian, Scotland. School organisation it seems is … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Teaching | 2 Comments

Why use protocols when looking at student work?

Posted on April 28, 2008 by mwalker

We posed this question at a team leadership meeting last year when we discussed the quest to personalise learning more for our students? Perhaps one answer came after we introduced the idea to staff last week – it’s a bit like … Continue reading →

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“iNet” online conferences

Posted on April 25, 2008 by mwalker

I recently posted a comment on an iNet online conference. iNet is an international network of schools committed to innovative change that supports improved student learning.   The online conference had a focus on “curriculum redesign” and posed a question … Continue reading →

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Parent Information Evening

Posted on April 21, 2008 by mwalker

Last week at our parent information evening I spoke for a few minutes on our school’s vision and why we might do things that are different from their personal images of primary school. I used this video to demonstrate how … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, Technology | 1 Comment

Government’s Blueprint Summit

Posted on April 16, 2008 by mwalker

Last week I was invited to participate in the Government’s 2 day summit on the new Blueprint for Education and Early Childhood Development. The move to construct a seamless framework for early childhood education and care so that children can transition into schooling … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership | 1 Comment

A Webinar on Transforming Building Plans into Student Results

Posted on April 15, 2008 by mwalker

I recently enrolled in a webiner from The Leadership and Learning Centre which is located in Colardo, USA. I learnt several valuable lessons: In America most schools are called buildings and so the title refers to transforming school plans into … Continue reading →

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Design meets learning

Posted on April 15, 2008 by mwalker

The teachers in the Years 5/6 team at Elsternwick Primary are faced with many challenges and questions when co-designing learning environments that stimulate and promote both collaborative and individual learning as well as the environment supporting students and teachers living a set of values: … Continue reading →

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Teaching for Understanding

Posted on April 8, 2008 by mwalker

Have you ever struggled with teaching or assessing growth in learners understandings – I do? It’s easier to teach and assess skills. I like the example many people give of coaching a sports team – you teach skills that are observable – … Continue reading →

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