The Centre for Professional Learning offers a free professional development course to members of the NSW Teachers Federation.
I attended last the session at Surry Hills back on May 15 and personally I was not left disappointed by it. For any teacher starting, you'll be amazed at how you can make your teaching more interesting, engaging and yet manage a classroom more effectively and covers all aspects of teaching, whether its programming, planning a lesson and understanding the needs of your students.
I enjoyed listening to some of the strategies that teachers have applied effectively in their practice, whether they were a facilitator or merely attending the sessions.
If there was something that I got out of it most, I think looking at the relationship with your programming and lesson planning and effective classroom management. They explained the linkage quite well.
More information can be found by clicking on this link.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Library and Information Week (May 19-25)
This week is Library and Information week (May 19-25).
What is objective of the week? In simple terms, it is to promote the work of those involved in the information services profession but also for libraries to promote their services to the wider community
Find out more about what is happening click here.
What is objective of the week? In simple terms, it is to promote the work of those involved in the information services profession but also for libraries to promote their services to the wider community
Find out more about what is happening click here.
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Funding for Public Libraries in NSW
I would have posted this earlier if I could but sadly couldn't due to last month's outage.
There is currently a campaign being led by libraries for increased funding for library services. In 1980, councils received 23 cents in the dollar from the State Government. Now it is just seven cents.
Is that fair given the increased role of libraries in our community and their need to provide more for library members?
Sutherland Council currently has a petition at all branches and members of the public are being invited to sign it.
The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader produced an article on the issue back on April 10.
There is currently a campaign being led by libraries for increased funding for library services. In 1980, councils received 23 cents in the dollar from the State Government. Now it is just seven cents.
Is that fair given the increased role of libraries in our community and their need to provide more for library members?
Sutherland Council currently has a petition at all branches and members of the public are being invited to sign it.
The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader produced an article on the issue back on April 10.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
What Is The New Role Of A School Library In The Digital Age?
Ron Leunissen wrote an article last year that tries to answer the role of a school library in a school.
Certainly it is easier to access information than ever before. You can access library services from your own home or your own device.
But school libraries will always have a big role in a school. One comment stood out for me:
I've noticed this in my work to date. Some students don't know where to go to begin their research for a learning task. They need a librarian to sift through what is available and provide a recommendation or the skills that they need to undertake an effective search. I also encourage students to reflect on what they have used in their learning and determine their relevance to the task at hand.
Libraries support the technology driven curriculum. Some would say this reduces the need for one to visit the school library. This is where libraries also have a big role to play. Why? They can provide the resources that one needs to create information. It might be the mp3 recorder that they need to create a podcast or seminar rooms to create a presentation that they might present to a class. We can also guide one in how to present that information as well.
Certainly it is easier to access information than ever before. You can access library services from your own home or your own device.
But school libraries will always have a big role in a school. One comment stood out for me:
"The role of a librarian will be more to teach students how search properly in the ocean of information and to evaluate the value of the source of the information."
I've noticed this in my work to date. Some students don't know where to go to begin their research for a learning task. They need a librarian to sift through what is available and provide a recommendation or the skills that they need to undertake an effective search. I also encourage students to reflect on what they have used in their learning and determine their relevance to the task at hand.
Libraries support the technology driven curriculum. Some would say this reduces the need for one to visit the school library. This is where libraries also have a big role to play. Why? They can provide the resources that one needs to create information. It might be the mp3 recorder that they need to create a podcast or seminar rooms to create a presentation that they might present to a class. We can also guide one in how to present that information as well.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Reading and Cognitive Abilities
Interesting article in todays edition of The Australian which links reading for pleasure with higher levels of cognitive ability.
It does link into my recent entries on DEAR and I've actually shared it with students in my reading sessions. Reading can improve one's literacy skills and how they express themselves. Also when they read they gain insights into the world around them. They can link with what they read with their learning.
I think my interest in reading newspapers and magazines as a youngster on a daily basis helped me gain an understanding of the world around me. I recall a comment by my year seven English teacher at Marist College Penshurst, Mrs Morrissey of my ability to use my general knowledge to aid me in completing work in class.
In the HSC, I remember keeping folders of newspaper articles that I had read and when exam time came, out came the folders and was able to use them to support responses etc.
I actually do encourage students to read a newspaper when they can.
It does link into my recent entries on DEAR and I've actually shared it with students in my reading sessions. Reading can improve one's literacy skills and how they express themselves. Also when they read they gain insights into the world around them. They can link with what they read with their learning.
I think my interest in reading newspapers and magazines as a youngster on a daily basis helped me gain an understanding of the world around me. I recall a comment by my year seven English teacher at Marist College Penshurst, Mrs Morrissey of my ability to use my general knowledge to aid me in completing work in class.
In the HSC, I remember keeping folders of newspaper articles that I had read and when exam time came, out came the folders and was able to use them to support responses etc.
I actually do encourage students to read a newspaper when they can.