Mark's Learning Log- Should we worry about socioeconomic segregation in Australian schools? December 23, 2024As we enter the Christmas Holiday period in Australian Schools it’s time to reflect on some trends and wonder are we getting better. I know that’s a broader query but a recent Google link on my phone this morning got … Continue reading →mwalker
- Wondering if all teachers in training and graduate teachers are being taught to instruct all students in reading as though they were in the red? September 29, 2024I have this wondering that we are teaching all students in the class – as a whole class lesson – in the junior years as though they all needed the intensive phonic instruction and frequent repetition. Yes some explicit instruction … Continue reading →mwalker
- Should we worry about socioeconomic segregation in Australian schools? December 23, 2024
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Category Archives: Uncategorized
Old Man Take a Look at Yourself – Graduation
At the start of each school year we, in the broadest sense of community, plan a series of activities and events for the coming year that are connected – connected to students, their learning, their families and some of the challenges … Continue reading
Interactive Whiteboard Sites
Tonight I stumbled upon Bill Gaskins blog which lists some tremendous sites for teachers who have interactive whiteboards. I really like the edheadsites as well as the national geographic sites – they are well worth a visit – thanks Bill Sites … Continue reading
Posted in Collaborative Communities, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips
Tagged http://bloggingonthebay.org/
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Fires continue to burn amid questions what if that was a school day!
Every meeting I attend recently at some point has conversations about the ongoing – yes that right, 2 weeks later and I still say on going – bush fires. Today was no exception at the first network principals meeting where … Continue reading
Shiftables: A part of the future with us now
http://www.ted.com/talks/view/id/457 Thanks to Mrs Durff’s blog I found this TED talk by David Merrill from MIT who has made these small interconnected computerised blocks that enable us to explore and create. Just watch!
Breaking down silos to make sense of networks.
As a principal of a school we all know about the benefits of breaking down the walls of classrooms or silos so that the teachers can learn from each other and question each other so that we build the collective professional … Continue reading
Fires burn Victoria
No doubt many people have heard about the horrific fires that have raged over large parts of Victoria over the weekend. With a rising death toll expected to reach over 200, 700 homes lost, whole towns destroyed it certainly is … Continue reading
Wordle Art
I created this wordle using my blog’s main words. Its quite easy to create the picture although I had to use paint to edit the image before I could put it on my blog. Those wanting access to the site … Continue reading
Wordia
Last week I found a site that might interest teachers of older students. Its an online dictionary that has videos uploaded from people trying to explain the word. It’s interactive and encourages people to leave comments. It uses youtube so … Continue reading
Posted in Collaborative Communities, parenting, school, Uncategorized
Tagged http://www.wordia.com/
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School Year finishes.
As I finish the school year, wind down for Christmas and look forward to a holiday I found this cartoon which puts a premium on dialogue. To all my readers have a Merry Christmas and I will return in the … Continue reading
Posted in school, Technology, Uncategorized
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Using video is a cultural shift for us as teachers
Thanks to Judy O’Connell I found Howard Rhiengold’s short video which as Judy says summarises some pretty significant shifts taking place and makes a challenge for teachers. Again this would be a good clip to start some conversations with teachers … Continue reading
Posted in Leadership, school, Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips
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TIMMS test results spark controversy
This past fortnight I have talked about my schools performance on national tests to school council [NAPLAN] and now I’ve seen lots of editorials and responses in newspapers about Australia’s performance in the recent international tests in maths and science for years … Continue reading
Posted in Accountability, Assessment, politics, school, science, Teaching, Uncategorized
Tagged 00.html, 23739, 24777327-5016679, 24778101-7583, 24779000-2702, 25197, http://www.acer.edu.au/documents/TIMSS_2007-AustraliaHighlights.pdf, http://www.acer.edu.au/ozpisa/, http://www.acer.edu.au/timss07/images/uploads/MR_081210-TIMSS.pdf, http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2008/dec/11/primary-maths-science-politics, http://www.naplan.edu.au/, http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0, http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0
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School is about more than tests
I have just spent some time this week with school council looking at our year 5 student results for this years national tests [NAPLAN]. I publish the performance data of year 3 and 5 students on these tests each year … Continue reading
Parent input into and understandings about school structures and class lists
Each year I invite parents to contribute information into the class list formation for the following year. I have felt that we as teachers do not know everything about students and an opportunity to have additional information was valuable. Of course I … Continue reading
Posted in school, school structures, Uncategorized
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Elephants on the Table!
Ever been to a meeting where some “elephants” were raised from under the table? Well at a recent staff meeting two elephant type issues were raised: student’s repeating classes and teacher roles and how allotment decisions are made. I have previously made … Continue reading
Posted in Repeating Classes, school, school structures, Teaching, Uncategorized
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Parramatta Catholic Education Office tours Elsternwick
This week I have had colleagues from the Catholic Education office in Parramatta NSW visit Elsternwick Primary to look at the use of flexible learning spaces, how technology is embedded into facilities and the curriculum, as well as a model of … Continue reading
Posted in construction, Leadership, school, Uncategorized
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