Katie Brody – Director of Studies K-6

Technology and teaching – is there a line between the two?

I have been a keen advocate for the purposeful and productive use of technology in the classroom for many years. This is not due to the ‘whiz-bangery’ of the websites or apps that can, in a less than mindful professional practice, be seen as a perfunctory add-on or a ‘set and forget’ tool to babysit. What I am referring to instead is quality teaching pedagogy. Technology can enable highly impactful teaching practice that, when used in an integrated way, results in powerful outcomes for students and most importantly, helps them meet the learning objectives targeted by their teacher. The right tools can also create additional opportunities for teachers to connect with individuals or small groups for remediation, consolidation or extension, all whilst the rest of the class are busy and purposefully engaged as well. Among other benefits, carefully chosen tech tools allow teachers to provide students with the means to revise content at a pace that suits them and to receive timely feedback that lets them know what to focus on next. 

Technology can enable collaboration, can promote document thinking during project-based inquiry and it can assist teachers to differentiate for the range of ability levels in their classroom, but it can’t replace the teacher as the designer of learning and the one who can build student’s self efficacy around learning. There are many contentious issues and hotly debated topics when it comes to education, but the one thing that we all agree upon is the impact of a quality teacher. “The power of the teacher comes not the information she [or he] shares but from the opportunities she [or he] creates for students to learn how to learn, solve problems, and apply learning in meaningful ways.” (The Key to 21st Century Classrooms Isn’t Tech. It’s Evolved Teaching). When teachers can find the balance between the relational aspects of their role, the sequencing of the learning and the practices that maintain intrinsic motivation for learning, students truly benefit.

Parents will see a range of 21st Century approaches to teaching and learning in our classrooms, many of which are enabled using ipads and laptops. By no means have we shifted away from direct instruction as a vital teaching approach in the process of educating our students, but we are incorporating a range of digital tools that develop dispositions in our learners, helping them to understand and recall content knowledge as well as master skills. In some instances we are redefining what used to be possible in the classroom. The vast majority of 21st Century teaching and learning can be enabled through purposeful use of tech tools. Students can collaborate using Google Docs, Padlet, Menti-metre or Verso as each of these tools has at the core of their purpose, the objective to encourage students to make their thinking visible and be critical thinkers. Students can purposefully develop their creativity through the use of Boomwriter (imaginative and informative writing), Puppet Pals (where they can plan and perform a story using 2D puppets) and iMovie (where they can create clips) and media texts to meet a variety of learning objectives. 

Teachers are like bowerbirds, aways foraging through the mounds of opportunities that can support learning. We pick out, gather and trial digital tools and techniques to modify and redefine processes, whilst also making sure we are discerning about the maintenance of well-established, offline teaching pedagogy. To balance the online learning with opportunities that require human interaction and the ongoing use of pen and paper, we know that our ‘toolbox’ contains a wide scope of strategies and practices ensuring we innovate and maintain teacher quality. 

ICAS Competitions are underway!

This week saw the first of the ICAS competitions. The Digital Technologies competition attracted 41 students from Years 3 – 6 and Science attracted 48 participants. The next competitors will now wait until Week 9 where 60 students will complete the English competition on 17 September 2019, and 60 students will complete the Maths competition on the 19 September 2019. Wishing all the students all the best as they pursue success and try their best.

Night of Instrumental Music

Our talented musicians showcased their efforts on Wednesday night, and what a night it was! The Music program is an invaluable part of the education of our learners and we are so grateful to the Music Teachers and Instrumental Program Tutors for all their hours of dedication and passion. This was quite an event and it was wonderful to see our students shine.

Innovation

Parents and community members are warmly invited to join us for the 2019 K – 6 Innovation Festival on Wednesday 11 September 2019. 

The event will start in the Lehrer Family Building (multi-purpose hall) with Tefillah at 8.20 am and the official opening commencing at 8.50 am. This will include a celebration of student learning, a performance by Dramatic Action and an exciting panel of award winning STEM professionals. This will be followed by some parent learning opportunities in Years K – 6 and exhibits across the school and in the Innovation Centre.

On Monday, Years K – 8 were invited to learn more about the character Jasper who featured in their Science Week magazines they took home. Simon Rippingale, the artist, director and animator behind the character, came to speak to students about his work. Read our student article to find out more.

Watch the animation of Jasper here: www.simonrippingale.com/reel

Learn about the creation of Jasper here: http://view.publitas.com/jericho/jasper/page/12-13

Challah Bake

Year 2 had their annual Challah Bake Sale on Friday to raise money for Our Big Kitchen. It is part of their Make A Difference project which creates the opportunity to give back to the community. The Year 2 students sold all the challahs with great enthusiasm and energy in the Triguboff, Blue Ocean and Adler Courtyards. They were thrilled to be able to partake in such a fabulous Mitzvah which also encompassed a number of values from The 7 Habits.