October+HG

Future Thinking Discussion Topics - feel free this for discussion starters in schools
  ** 1. The world does business via the internet through interactive web 2.0 tools. Teachers and students need to be working in these areas to develop the skills and netiquette that mirror those ways of working. 2. The pace of change is increasing. In order to keep some awareness of what is changing in education, teachers should subscribe to a few good blogs as their window to the future. Professional reading and dialogue has always been an important part of ongoing teacher education, but today’s readings and dialogue need to be accessed via the internet. 3. ICT can be as little as using computers to pretty up what we have always done. The possibilities are to move students into a new way of working that involves collaboration, experimentation, problem solving, global communication etc. We need to plan for this in 2009. 4. The internet is a dangerous place for our learners, so we need to ensure their safety and control what they can access. Our parent community requires this of us, therefore it must take priority over learning to work in new ways. 5. Our students need to be able to use the latest technologies in order to ensure they have the skills required for the future. This places a big financial burden on schools to fund infrastructure, hardware and software, but failure to do so will disadvantage our students. 6. We can find pockets of change within our schools as we progress through the contract. We cannot expect everyone to embrace the changes, but we can use the early adopters to provide the evidence of the change that is occurring. 7. We need to educate our students for their future not our past. There needs to be an expectation that teachers will commit to that, and therefore that they will change the ways they teach to meet that requirement. Having a forward thinking teacher should not be left to chance.

File copy for printout for staff/cluster meeting. **

Aligning cluster goals to the 5 MoE goals
Please paste here examples of goals that you are developing for your variation document. These will be used as part of an activity to support clusters in developing a strong programme for their contract, variation or cluster exit strategic plan.

> The development of learner-centred programmes, such as Inquiry learning which enable students to access and use ICT beyond the classroom, to become effective communicators. > prepared for the transition to their next school. >
 * Teachers will make effective use of digital technologies (e.g.digital cameras, web sites, web 2.0 tools) in their planning, delivery and assessment.
 * Teachers will use online learning communities (eg wikis and blogs) to reflect on their teaching and to share samples of work that exemplify the areas where they are working.
 * To increase capability of teachers to become innovative learners and thinkers and to then foster that in their students.
 * To investigate how developing an inquiry approach to learning and a focus on key competencies can be woven into development of a school based curriculum to meet the needs of today's learners.
 * Schools are starting to develop a school-based curriculum.
 * Increased collaboration within and across schools leading to a strengthened professional learning communities.
 * Powerful keynotes chosen and delivered to staff, follow-up/reflective mechanisms established to aid staff in making use of keynote material into teaching.
 * Our teachers attend software/  hardware/technical workshops; based on their individual needs. 
 * Our teachers attend teaching and learning workshops; based on their individual needs.
 * To develop the pedagogy and skills of lead teachers for sustaining ICT PD beyond 2008.
 * To develop the use of higher order thinking skills in classrooms
 * To develop collaborative partnerships amongst teachers
 * To enable classroom environments that support student use of ICT, inquiry and HOTs in learning
 * Teachers will be encouraged to share their work with other cluster schools
 * Where appropriate some teachers will be supported to develop as resource people in ICT and supported to work within and beyond the cluster with particular emphasis in preparing for the Term Three Expo
 * At the end of term 3 the cluster will hold an ICT expo for the Cluster, other local schools and the wider community will be invited.
 * To develop the lead teacher capability to mentor and support staff, and assist the principal in leading whole school change
 * To develop principal capability to lead whole school change and develop their school curriculum
 * To build the capacity of individual schools to strategically implement a focus on thinking.
 * skills of the facilitator to build the capability and confidence of teachers and use of ICT by students
 * Increased collaboration within and between the cluster schools which also enables students to be better
 * A developing rich resource of expertise, experience and materials at a local and national level relating to the effective use of ICT to enhance teaching, learning and administration.
 * Leaders develop effective procedures and systems in schools through the use of ICT.
 * Develop a school-wide learning model that utilizes an inquiry disposition.
 * Develop inquiry rubrics with students to assist them in self assessment and goal setting.
 * Reflect on practice, share and further develop practices
 * To have schools develop infrastructure and technical support that enables teachers to utilize the technologies with ease in their class programme and for streamlined administration and record keeping.
 * To continue the development of the professional learning community (PLC) that introduces teachers to a wider range of ideas, resources and examples of effective practice
 * To build strong, collaborative leadership capacity within the learning community.
 * Teachers, staff and communities explore innovative ways of integrating digital literacy including e-learning for students.
 * To provide opportunities for principals and teachers to increase their confidence and skills in using ICT for administration and to enhance learning.
 * To increase the capability of principals and teachers to improve students’ learning, engagement and achievement through the effective use of ICT.
 * To build the capacity to learn, collaborate and share within cluster-wide professional learning groups.
 * To develop school-wide student centred learning environments that support inquiry learning and effective integration of ICT.
 * To develop a culture of reflective practice within each school.
 * To develop sustainable leadership and support capability of Curriculum Leaders, ICT Lead Teachers and Heads of Faculties/Departments within each school.
 * Start developing each schools’ school-based curriculum;
 * Develop effective teaching and learning practices including the integration of ICT, through professional development that challenges and builds pedagogy;
 * Build a sustainable professional community of learners within the digital age
 * Increase the capacity and capability of teachers within a digital environment;
 * Increase and develop the knowledge and understanding of the educational benefits and educational potential of ICT.

Kathe's notes from the day: The link to the online evaluation for the day is http://tinyurl.com/cantyhg08