Info on the CEP eKids Framework

1. eKids Science Initiative
“addressing the needs of rural primary students
through the eKids digital learning approach”
November 2010
A project supported by the Innovation and Next Practice
Division of DEECD and facilitated through the Country
Education Projects “ekids initative”

2. Country Education Project
“ a leading voice for country areas on educational issues”
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BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The Country Education Project has supported a range of education initiatives
that utilise digital learning approaches to enhance learning in rural
communities over the past twenty years. Examples of these initiatives include:
 LOTE programs,
 VCE programs,
 Science and technology programs
 extension learning programs
 music programs.
In 2007, CEP Inc, in partnership with funding from the Helen McPherson-Smith
Trust, developed the eKids Digital Learning approach to enhance learning
provision and opportunities within rural communities.
eKids is based on a capacity building, decentralised approach and involves four
key aspects including:
 Learning Development and Delivery
 “Pool” of Curriculum Resources
 Teaching and Learning Support
 ICT Support and Advice
Over the past three years a number of specific initiatives have been developed
including:
 extension learning within the upper primary area
 science learning within the upper primary area
 music program within the middle years
 technology learning within the middle years
The introduction of the Ultranet also provides a great opportunity for rural
education communities to explore in great depth the potential that digital
learning approaches can provide in supporting and broadening the provision of
quality learning for students within these communities.
eKids Science is about to enter its 2nd
year and is looking to further its ability
to provide quality learning opportunities to rural students and teachers. Within
2010, eight rural schools collaborated on the program that has been
recognised for its innovation within the Listen2Learners Expo, hosted by
internationally renowned educator Professor Stephen Heppell. Students and
teachers have participated within Elluminate Sessions and organisations such
as Scienceworks, Parks Victoria and Bug Blitz have agreed to provide online
conferences.
Within 2011 the CEP in conjunction with rural schools wish to further develop
the programs and refine its online delivery by inviting new schools into the
process. The learning environment is being redesigned to provide easier access

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and engagement for users. We also hope to continue with the partnerships
joined with Scienceworks etc.
SPECIFIC PROJECT
This project is looking for interested and enthusiastic teachers from
rural schools that are keen to work with other rural schools and in the
development and provision of a blended leaning approach.
This is an exciting opportunity.
Its aim is to involve a number of rural schools who have minimal student
numbers who wish to include science within its curriculum in 2011.
It will involve the development of a “rural learning cluster” of schools from
across the state where rural teachers work collaboratively in the development
and provision of online science across this cluster.
The project has two main focus areas:
1. Enhancing and broadening the learning of science for
students from rural schools.
2. Supporting teachers involved in delivering science, in gaining
the skills and knowledge of utilising an online learning
environment and a 21st
Century approach.
The project will have two key components. (It is important to say here the
specific activities and arrangements will be determined by those rural schools
that make up the cluster)
(i) Learning Program:
Students from a number of rural schools will form a “rural
learning cluster” to undertake their studies together utilising a
blended learning approach.
Within this collaborative approach, the students will undertake
science units online. The student learning will be supported by
the teachers form the participating schools through two levels:
1.By the teachers hosting the unit. This teacher will
provide the work, extension and assessment of the
participating student.
2. By the students classroom teacher in a mentoring role and
providing encouragement and access to the project.
The program will be provided through digital learning approaches
including podcasts, vodcasts, elluminate sessions with teachers
and professional organisations, forum discussions.
The program will be developed between the participating schools
utilising the online resources and approaches developed by the

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CEP over the past couple of years and the individual expertise and
knowledge of the participating teachers.
It is expected that between 100 and 140 students from up to 10
schools will be involved.
It is also expected that the project will involve people with
expertise from interested organisations to compliment the
learning program and provide a value add to the learning.
As part of the student learning program, it is expected that CEP
will facilitate a couple of occasions where the teachers involved
will come together in one location and be involved in a learning
activities aimed at enhancing the learning provided. This could
involve guest speakers, group discussions face to face, and the
like.
(ii) Teaching Support and Provision:
A key element of this project is that it will provide information,
professional development and support for those teachers
involved; to gain an understanding and potential digital learning
provides rural students with the support and mentoring of a CEP
Project Leader and Technical Officer.
Teachers will work collaboratively across the “rural learning
cluster” in the development and provision of the learning program
and in partnership with the CEP. Through this collaborative
approach it provides the added potential for teachers to develop
and share enhanced learning in areas that they have a passion or
expertise within.
Not only will they support the students learning within their own
school, but also support the learning of all the students across the
“rural learning cluster”.
The project leader will provide a valuable mentoring and support
role for teachers involved.
(iii) Teacher and School Expectations
Schools involved within eKids Science for 2011 will need to agree
to and meet the following expectations:
 Teachers involved will attend the PD on Friday, December 3rd
2010. All teachers are invited to attend dinner with the CEP
on Thursday night and if anyone needs assistance with
accommodation you can contact Jason Whiteley on 0408 197

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861. During the PD teachers will:
o Learn about eKids Science and how to use the site.
o Learn about virtual classrooms and working within a
virtual environment.
o Develop Science Curriculum within the eKids Science
Framework.
 Each Teacher involved will be responsible for the
development, provision and assessment of learning in
a science area they have chosen. This involves:
o providing a unit outline using the eKids
Curriculum framework and the 5e’s instructional
model,
o the development of online learning resources
that meet the requirements of the eKids
framework,
o the documentation of ongoing assessment for
each student undertaking their online unit.
(Assessment will be about the student’s scientific
development and not based on a final product).
 Teachers will need to dedicate time each week to the
provision of eKids science. The breakdown of the time looks
like:
o 1 hour each week of student access. This is class time
where the students can complete activities, update
their blog etc. It should be student driven with them
identifying the work they need to complete. Teachers
will need to mentor their students at this time.
 Part of this time will be organizing student
access to online conferences in alignment with
their studies.
o 1 hour of teacher access. This time doesn’t need to be
a single block and can be managed across the week.
Within this time teachers must:
 review student work and document learning
 update curriculum
 communicate with student’s and guide their
learning
 Teachers will be required to participate within the eKids
Admin discussion forums where they will discuss and resolve
any ongoing issues within the project.

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Suggested Timeframe:
The following timeframe is proposed (only a suggestion):
Term IV 2010 Identify the schools to be involved
Term IV 2010 A professional development forum for participating rural
school teachers to develop the program, delivery
approaches, etc.
Term I 2011 Delivery begins
Term II 2011 Face to face forum for both students and teachers –
students involved in a day of learning activities and
teachers involved in professional development forum
Term III 2011 Face to Face forum for teachers.
Term IV 2001 General reflection of project and development of report of
project.
INTERESTED???
If you are interested in being involved in this exciting opportunity, or are
wanting more information, then please contact Jason Whiteley on
0408 197 861 or email whiteley.jason.mr@edumail.vic.gov.au.
The face to face forum will provide a valuable opportunity to hear more details
of the project and to explore how it might work through a blended
collaborative approach.
If at the end of the professional development forum you don’t think it would be
something you would like to be involved in, you are not committed.
Just come and explore the potential of the project, how you can contribute and
be involved, and how it can enhance what you are providing within your rural
school.
The general details of the forum are:
Dates: Thursday, 2nd
December beginning with dinner and a social
evening of meeting with others interested. There will be an
opportunity to explore the project and to ask questions about
what it might look like.
Friday, 3rd
December exploring the project and how it will work in
2011.

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Costs: CEP will cover the costs associated with the forum including the
dinner, accommodation, breakfast and lunch.
Venue: A venue is still being finalised and details will be provided to those
interested in attending.
More information and Registration:
Contact Jason Whiteley on 0408 197 861 or email
whiteley.jason.mr@edumail.vic.gov.au
If you would like to check out eKids as it stands in 2010 then go
to www.ekids.org.au.