Grammar Gazette- Issue 1, 2007

LEARNING INI T IAT I VES

Tapping into the “Screen Age” World The adage, times are a changin’ , has almost become the norm rather than the unexpected in modern society. In particular, technological change occurs on such a scope that no occupation or field of study is immune. The rate of this change also shows no sign of abating. This is why we must provide our students with those life skills that will allow them to engage purposefully with technologies that have not even been invented yet.

Teachers must create the environment that will help our young women become complex problem solvers, progressive thinkers, adaptable to change and open to new technologies. This would be nearly impossible in a stagnant and unchanging atmosphere. Fortunately, the environment in Technology Studies is far from a bleak reality mired in the thinking of the past. The purchase of twenty new robotics kits and the latest software has provided the junior computing curriculum with the means to enthuse and animate the students’ experience as they immerse themselves in a dynamic and challenging classroom environment. The Technology Studies Faculty is currently investigating pathways for the girls to extend this interest beyond the classroom through co-operation with Brisbane Grammar School and entry into the national robotics competition, Robo Cup Challenge. Another progressive area of study in the realm of computing is mobile technology. Mobile phones iPods, and PlayStation portables are integral to the youth culture of our current screenagers . These technologies have been perceived predominantly as entertainment but future units of study will involve students in developing streaming pod casts, games programming, digital animation and film technology for applications on these mobile devices. The Innovative Design curriculum has also been reviewed following feedback from Year 9 students. It continues to maintain its focus on sustainability and the built environment but with added emphasis on 3D spatial development utilising technology. Our student designers have begun a rigorous yet satisfying journey through engineering, architectural and computer-aided drafting, sustainable town planning,

landscape and interior design. They have access to the latest conceptualisation resources and software and their ideation and effort will culminate in scale model replications of their visions. We are looking forward to showcasing some exciting and innovative products in the near future! Mr Shane Skillen Technology Studies Teacher

From Apprentices to Performers

During Term III, last year, English teacher, Mrs Rachael Christopherson and the Year 10.2 English Elective class were invited to participate in a valuable Queensland University of Technology education project.

Rachel was selected to participate as a result of being the recipient of the 2005 English Teachers’ Association of Queensland Peter Botsman award for excellence in classroom practice. Although the project has not been fully implemented and evaluated, Dr Jetnikoff reported that the verbal feedback from QUT teaching staff and students so far has been highly positive.

exemplary secondary English teachers planning, interacting with their students and reflecting on their teaching, and to make the edited videotaped resources available to QUT pre-service secondary English education students within their curriculum subjects. The resources may also be used in the professional development of Queensland secondary English teachers. Dr Jetnikoff and Dr Morgan interviewed Rachael about her approach to teaching English and throughout the term they filmed many of the 10.2 English lessons, providing opportunities for the students to reflect on their learning, and for Rachael to reflect on her teaching practice.

Entitled, ‘From apprentice to performer in secondary English classrooms’, the project was undertaken as part of a QUT Teaching and Learning Grant project, Work-integrated learning: Approaches across education. The team leaders for the contributing project, ‘Apprentice to Performer’ were Dr Anita Jetnikoff and Dr Wendy Morgan. The purpose of the project was to videotape

grammar gazette autumn 2007 15