2. Introductions
Write a paragraph introducing yourself to
me, including some details about yourself, your
interests outside school and your experiences over
Semester 1 at school this year…
3. Semester 2 Timeline
Term 3:
1. Context Writing – “Encountering Conflict”
2. Issues / Language Analysis
Term 4
1. Macbeth.
2. Exam Preparation/Revision.
4. Assessment
For each topic there will be:
One or more SACs to determine your graded
performance (A+ to E, or UG)
One or more required tasks (work requirements) to
achieve a pass or “S”
There is a minimum attendance requirement in VCE of
80%. Students are reminded that absences from SACs
must be accounted for with appropriate documentation.
5. Class Expectations
In this class it is expected that you will:
1. Treat others and their property with respect.
2. Work in a way that supports a safe and supportive
working environment for all.
3. Participate actively in all lessons and aim to do your
best.
4. Communicate with your teacher, especially regarding
absences, missed work, SACs, work requirements,
concerns about your progress, etc.
6. My Expectations
Show respect for me and each other:
Of each other as different people
As peers and co-members of a learning team
Of our views and opinions
Of our time
Of our property
7. My Expectations
Come to class prepared:
Prepared in mind and attitude
With pre-learning or homework completed
With necessary materials and resources
8. My Expectations
Do your best:
In class
With homework tasks
In preparation for SACs and the Exam
9. My Expectations
Take responsibility for your own learning:
Seek to become an independent learner
Active participation in classes
Take initiative when absent or classes are missed
Seek help and extra assistance when needed
10. My Expectations
Work together as a learning community:
Listen to each others’ ideas and viewpoints
Be prepared to share your ideas
Value the contributions of your peers
Work together to help each other
Understand that we’re all learners
11. My Commitment to You
I’ll show you respect as a person and as a learner.
I’ll get to know you as a unique individual.
I’ll do all I can to help you achieve your best
throughout the year.
I’ll challenge you to stretch and grow.
12.
13. What is an independent learner?
“An independent learner is someone who has found out
enough about their subject requirements and their lecturers'
expectations so that they can plan their study effectively. It
doesn't mean you can't ask for help, or that you are
expected to know what to do the whole time. It does mean
that you can draw on criteria for your decision-making, like
how much reading you should do for a topic; what questions
to ask; whether to spend another hour studying before bed.”
15. What is an independent learner…in
English?
• Thinking outside the
square
• Being prepared to think
differently to others
• Thinking critically
• Being reflective
• Reading and considering
others’ viewpoints but…
• Developing your own
interpretations and ideas
16. Your Expectations
What are your expectations of yourself in Semester 2?
What are your hopes for your performance in English?
What can you change or do better to help achieve this?
18. Consider…
Video by xplanevisualthinking. Original source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMcfrLYDm2U.
For more information visit: http://shifthappens.wikispaces.com
19. Reflection
In one sentence, write what you think
the message of this video is.
Write down something from the video
that caught your attention.
This video was made in 2007. What do
you think has changed since then?
What are the implications for us today –
and beyond?
20.
21. Your Future
“Increasingly, technology skills are also
critical to success in almost every arena, and those
who are more facile with technology will advance
while those without access or skills will not.”
NMC Horizon Report: 2011 K-12 Edition, p. 4.
22. Your Future
“learning to collaborate with others and
connect through technology are essential skills in a
knowledge based economy.”
2011 Telstra Whitepaper on Education, p.
16.
23. Success in Your Future
Independent Learner Traditional Technology and
Resources and Digital Resources;
Skills Digital Skills
24. Benefits of Leveraging Technology
More engaging
Helps develop your tech skills
Resources available anywhere,
anytime
More collaborative
Gives you more control over learning
and more choice
Real world relevance
Leverages tools and approaches many of
you already use in other areas of your
lives
25. Questions and Comments
What questions do you have about what we’ve covered
so far?
What ideas and comments would you like to share?
26. Your Learning Materials for Class and Home
internet-connected
textbook
computer
mobile device
(smart phone, ipod
folder touch, ipad)
pens / pencils
USB flash drive earphones
27. Core Technology Tools
Central online class space:
School Portal “Virtual
Classroom”
Youtube channel
Microsoft OneNote:
As a research and
organisation tool
30. Conclusion
Digital skills are essential.
It’s not about technology itself, it’s
about how it can make your learning
more:
Engaging
Personalised
Efficient
Relevant
I’m available for support.
Traditional approaches and resources
aren’t being replaced.
31. Your Technology Challenge
Don’t lose sight of the long view.
If you have strong tech skills, take
advantage of them to enhance your
potential to learn.
If you don’t, take the opportunity this
semester to be supported in
developing crucial skills for your
future.
Help each other and work together.
Give it your best! Be
adventurous, take some risks, persist.
32. Consider for Discussion
What do you see as the biggest potential benefit for
you of using technology in class as discussed?
What reservations or concerns do you have?
Are there any other ideas, comments or questions
you’d like to share?
You’re also welcome to discuss
your ideas, questions or concerns
with me privately or via email.
Notas del editor
This is a presentation designed as the basis for a class discussion introducing the concept of using technology tools in a more integrated way in class to provide more enriched and valuable learning experiences for students. It is hoped this presentation and accompanying discussion will provoke students to:Consider their current learning environment – at school and at home – in light of the nature of our world today.Identify the relevance and importance of developing strong digital skills for all areas of involvement in society today.Acknowledge and reflect on the potential benefits of using technology in a more integrated way in classes.Develop an understanding of how we’ll be using technology in our work over the semester.
Before starting the video, prepare mentally to consider what you believe the video clip’s overall message is. There’ll be a few reflection questions afterward.
Spend 5min writing a brief response to each question, and then discuss with the rest of the class before continuing.The relevance and influence of digital technology today is demonstrated in this infographic…
Any comments? What strikes you about the statistics here?The message of the video we viewed is reinforced by the following key quotes…
If we’re being honest, I think we all understand and accept the truth of statements like these. Just consider how you use technology yourselves. How do you share music? Games? Movies? How do you keep in touch with friends? What do you do when you need to do research or find out about something? Odds are technology is heavily involved.In all areas of life digital skills are becoming important. If I buy something and it stops working, more and more I need to get help on the web. The dominant way conversations about current events are shared is via Facebook and Twitter (shown with the number of TV shows now that encourage viewers to “tweet in” their responses to what they’re viewing).The reality is that no matter where you end up and what you end up doing (career or otherwise), being able to connect, communicate, collaborate and create online is essential.
To be successful and empowered in your future you need 3 things:Firstly, to be an independent learner. We’ve already discussed this in a previous class. An independent learner is self aware, self motivated and self directed. They take initiative and are able to make decisions about their own learning. They seek help and support from teachers, mentors and peers when necessary but take responsibility for their own learning.The second thing you need is traditional resources and skills. Being able to read, write, think and communicate effectively in social situations in as important as it has ever been. In our class the traditional resources of textbooks, paper and pen, student diary, and other print materials are still important and necessary.However what we need to see as equally important are digital resources and skills – necessary to leverage and use to enhance learning experiences for you guys in the classroom; necessary to develop and refine so that you’re empowered in your lives beyond school in a world that is now very much a digital one.All three of these factors are important for your success now and in the future.
But let’s begin with looking at now. As a student and a learner there are many immediate potential benefits from using technology in a more integrated way in the classroom. These are…
So what are the practical implications for you in our class this semester. Well, first of all, traditional materials are still important and must be brought to class every lesson: textbook, novel, folder or exercise book, pencil case and student diary. On the other ide we add digital resources that we’ll tap as effectively as we can in the context of our work: computers and laptops, a smartphone if you have one (though not in class, in accordance with school policy), earphones and a USB flash drive. We’ll talk about some smart phone or ipad apps that you’re encouraged to install and use to help you gest the best out of this class, though this will be voluntary. You will need to have internet at home or else to access the online tools we’ll be using at school between classes (e.g. at lunchtime) when necessary. You will be expected to have your earphones and USB flash drive in class with you every lesson in case they’re required.
The main technology tools we’ll use as part of classwork are outlined here. Edmodo is a education-focused social network where our class will have a private and secure online space for work, discussion and assignment tasks. Think Facebook, but for school. In addition to this, more as reference resources, you’ll be able to access sites that I have provided for you: a class wiki, Youtube channel and Netvibes page.Psychology students will be using StudyBlue as a study tool to help them revise key information and prepare for unit tests.
To conclude, as students and teachers we must acknowledge that digital skills are essential. That using these tools in class helps you improve your technology skills and digital literacy for the future, but it also presents many opportunities to work smarter with your current schoolwork here and now. It’s not about the technology but what it can do for you.And I need to assure you that we’re not going to overnight turn the classroom on its head. Some lessons won’t involve technology or computers at all, when a more traditional approach is still the best one. Our class is going to be a bit of a hybrid, with some of the old and some of the new. And where we do anything new, I’ll explain clearly and demonstrate and give you time to become confident and comfortable. I know using new technology can be daunting, and that things don’t always work perfectly. Of course this is true of many things, not just computers and technology. I’m patient and willing to help with anything we do, during class or outside of it.
So my challenge to you this semester:In your focus on the immediate demands of VCE or Year 10, don’t lose sight of the fact that life doesn’t end with the VCE. School, and your time here, needs to equip you to be empowered and actively involved in your world throughout your life – and a digital skill set is an important facet of that.So do be open-minded, adventurous and persistent. Seek my help if needed. If you genuinely take this challenge on and do happen to have some minor setbacks here and there, you’ll find me patient and tolerant. I hope that by using technology in new ways you’ll find our class more engaging, interesting, relevant and enjoyable – and also build a set of skills that will be useful after the semester is over.
