2.1 Quality teaching Indigenous project (QTIP)
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Description
This was a continuing activity in 2008/09 for twenty schools participating in collaboration with local Aboriginal communities and in consultation the NSW and local Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups.
Teachers in school-based action learning teams identifed their professional learning needs drawing from student achievement data and school-based evaluations of Aboriginal student learning needs. The teams engaged in cycles of action learning that have an inquiry-based approach. The NSW model of pedagogy as described in Quality teaching in NSW public schools (May 2003), with a particular emphasis on the dimension of Intellectual Quality, informed the professional learning activities. This approach was inclusive of all student groups and aimed at raising student understanding, engagement and learning outcomes of local Aboriginal cultural knowledge.
The teachers' commitment to developing culturally inclusive curriculum is directly linked to the targets in their school management plans for literacy and numeracy. Teachers participating in school-based professional learning activities focus on deepening their understanding that all students need access to culturally appropriate Aboriginal education. Professional learning resulting from this experience contributes to the capacity of teachers to secure the commitment of all staff to Aboriginal student achievement targets.
School action learning teams were supported to include a focus on ICT for teacher and/or student learning. All teachers participating in QTIP were invited and supported to complete an online self assessment tool for ICT skills. Online self-pace ICT modules at https:detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/ict can be accessed to enhance teachers' capability to use ICT in teaching and learning. This focus was included in the team's professional development design. School teams considered resources such as TaLE, The Learning Federation Objects and online ICT modules.
Each school-based project team was supported by an academic partner from a higher education institution. Academic partners will be involved in working with teachers through action learning to collect, analyse and report on data related to the impact of the activity on teacher professional learning and student outcomes. The academic partners provide support in all aspects of the school team project development.
Contacts
| Kerin Wood email: kerin.wood@det.nsw.edu.au Ph 9244 5635 Fax 9244 5849 Sector: DET |
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Outcomes
Through participation in this project, teachers will in their interactions with students, have an increased capacity to provide inclusive learning environments within which all students can participate as active and engaged learners.
Through participation in this project, teachers will in their interactions with students, have an increased capacity to provide all students with opportunities to access and apply relevant learning in literacy, numeracy and ICT.
Through participation in this project, teachers will have engaged productively in collegial networks that extend and support knowledge and skills.
Access
Targeted NSW Department of Education and Training schools.
Design
This activity continued to link to previous AGQTP activities (phase 1: 2001-2003) supporting teachers of Aboriginal students. The NSW Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy 2006-08 informs the following priorities for improving the learning outcomes for Aboriginal students in Quality Teaching Indigenous Project schools:
* establishing and strengthening partnerships with local Aboriginal communities including the local Aboriginal Education Consultative Groups
* explicit teaching for literacy and numeracy outcomes with a focus on intellectual quality
* engaging students in intellectual rigour using information communications technologies including training on Marvin, interactive whiteboards and digital story making
* engaging Aboriginal students in relevant and stage appropriate curriculum
* embedding and integrating local Aboriginal cultural knowledge
* encouraging and fostering close links with local community Aboriginal networks with a focus on increasing student engagement in learning
* maintaining a relentless focus on the NSW Quality Teaching model to improve teaching and learning experiences for Aboriginal students.
The professional learning strategy for this activity included:
School-based projects to engage teachers in workplace learning that is based on a cycle of continuous improvement model.
Workplace mentoring and coaching aligned to meeting the NSW Institute of Teachers professional teaching standards.
Flexible learning that includes components such as self-paced and facilitated online learning, face-to-face workshops, video and teleconferences, online mentors, and discussion groups.
Local, regional and state workshops and conferences that enable participants to have their work publicly celebrated and critiqued.
Onsite and offsite participation in knowledge building and skill sharing activities
partnerships for formal courses or awards.
Participation in formal courses or awards.
Partnerships with professional associations and higher education institutions to provide expertise in the development, design and/or implementation of professional development activities.
Implementation
The implementation of the activity will be supported by the following personnel: designated project officer, academic partners, regional Aboriginal consultants, Aboriginal education assistants, local Aboriginal community members, sector consultants and school-based action learning teams.
Delivery
Workplace learning; online learning, mentoring, action learning project, workshops/course, conference, resource development
Timeline
Timeline
By May 2009:
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- project officer school visits to support the action learning process and strengthen links with local communities
- planning workshop to review action plans, build project networks and engage in collaborative professional learning processes
- schools submit a progress report
- Progress report submitted in May
By December 2009:
- planning and celebratory conference bringing project schools together to further their implementation and statewide networking
- project officer school visits to further support action learning processes, community links and analysing school data
- schools submit annual reports with evaluation data
Sectors
