Workshops: Learning and Creativity
Creative Thinkers and Connected Learners : Linked Learning in Multiage Classrooms
Workshop Presentation Kate Haddow
Imagine a home classroom in remote NT where students can be curious about and explore Oceans, Zoos, and Ancient Egypt, be Earth Watchers and create their own App all in one year. Imagine the curriculum is linked and connected with students investigating the Arts, Technologies, HASS and Science alongside English. Imagine students in multi-age classrooms with one Home Tutor and the support from teachers at school investigating, discussing, inquiring and exploring together on the same rich topic. This was the challenge for Katherine School of the Air (KSA) as the school community looked towards a more manageable home classroom which connected their students both in the classroom and beyond. Research has consistently shown that students in programs which connect the curriculum, demonstrate academic performance equal to, or better than, students in subject specific programs. These students are more engaged in school and their learning. KSA is a DE school 300kms south of Darwin with a student population of approximately 180 students. Students have opportunities to work both independently and collaboratively in their own schoolrooms and other locations. Within the Projects, students can connect with the wider world. Hear what the students have to say about working on Projects, watch teachers working with students and explore and participate in Project tasks. Discover how the whole school is involved in the planning of new projects. Listen to how the Home Tutors and Parents love this style of learning and engagement.
How Does Voluntary Extra-curricular Creative Writing Improve the Wellbeing of Distance Education Students?: An Action Research Project
Workshop Presentation Helen Crampton
This workshop will provide information and a starter pack to help set up a new creative writing group or enhance an existing writing class. The effect of creative writing on adolescent wellbeing was explored in this 2017-2018 Queensland master teacher project. Year 7 – 12 students were invited by English teachers to join a weekly voluntary extra-curricular writing class on Collaborate and to complete writing exercises. Lessons were recorded for students with a class clash and full-time dancers. Course content included: sentence and editing exercises, philosophical and intellectual discussion, sharing writing, reading other students’ writing, reading to an audience, giving and receiving feedback, workshop and sharing the company of other writers. Students were also offered individual feedback and tutoring via Collaborate, phone or in person. Participants completed surveys prior to entry and on exit from the program, the results of which form the basis of this research paper. The duration of the project prevented quantitative data such as NAPLAN and A – E results being meaningfully analysed. Qualitative data examined included: 1. Likert Surveys including student feedback 2. EPOCH Surveys (Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness, Happiness) 3. PANAS-C (Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale for Children) 4. Satisfaction with Life Surveys 5. Children’s Hope Scale 6. The Gratitude Questionnaire 7. Growth Mindset The writing created from this course was published in Cairns School of Distance Education termly newsletters and students were encouraged to enter external writing competitions.
