Contemporary examples of innovative uses of technology in Victorian Schools
Animation / Claymation
Nano Technology Animation
Roxburgh College (2007)
A brief animation depicting the humorous possibilities for detecting and fighting cancer with the aid of nano-technology.
Eight Musical Theory Animations
Vermont Primary School (2006)
A series of 8 musical theory animations teaching all of the relevant information to play the recorder. The animations are created using Macromedia Flash MX and the multimedia elements imported to Flash are created using a variety of other software.
Integration of Literacy, Arts and Technology using Multimedia in the Classroom
Bairnsdale Secondary College (2005)
Wayne McCunie trained staff in the mechanics of the Kahootz program and then use it as an additional or alternative way to tell a story. He found it useful in three key areas: as a method of planning a written piece of work; as the final written product and combine animated sequences with video footage.
The Sunbakers
Lara Primary School (2004)
Marcia O'Brien led the students at Lara Primary School to win the Best Student Multimedia Production Junior K-8. The animation created with flash.
Integrated claymation
Eltham Primary School (2005)
While students have good basic ICT skills and a fascination with technology, ICT was a non integrated component of the school curriculum with a narrow focus. To address this, a unit of work was created that incorporated and exploration of simple animation.
Blogs
Middle P's Prattlings
Bellaire Primary School (2006)
Using blogs, wikis and other read/write tools, John Pearce helps his Grade 3 and 4 students publish their work to the world.
Digital cameras/videos
ClickView: ICT for the technology shy
Castlemaine Secondary College (2006)
Improving the application of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), with the specific goals of improving educational the outcomes for students and the methodology of the teachers was central to this Teacher Professional Leave.
Video Lives: Saving Nak
Thornbury High (2005)
Thornbury High students were stirred into action when they learned a popular student was forcing deportation. They protested, sang, and discovered politics.
Making movies: multiliteracies across the curriculum
Footscray West Primary School (2004)
With the help of the Re@act Film Festival students at Footscray Primary produced two short films that were screened at the Festival. Students were highly motivated and enthusiastic about the project, which accessed all curriculum areas and also addressed engagement and literacy.
Becoming a Specialist Educator in sound and video production
Beaumaris North Primary School (2005)
Cameron Cook's project involved the acquisition of knowledge and skills in video and sound production. There had been very limited use of the resources available in the school and through this project it is possible to maximise the use of this technology, thereby enhancing the skills and engagement of students in their learning.
Digital portfolios
Trialling digital learning portfolios across the Cluster
Hopkins Cluster of Schools (2006)
Exploring the potential of Digital Portfolios to capture evidence of student learning.
Student Exhibition & Digital Portfolios using Authentic Assessment
Sunbury Primary School (2006)
Student Exhibition & Digital Portfolios using Authentic Assessment using the vehicle of mathematics trails.
Electronic whiteboards
Learning Objects and Interactive Whiteboards
Lowanna College (2006)
Learning Objects can successfully enhance the use of Interactive Whiteboards in the teaching and learning process.
Emails
Authentic Inquiry Based Learning
High Country Cluster (2007)
The Cluster wanted to improve student engagement by: giving students authentic learning experiences; creating strong links with community; exposing students to enterprise learning; and improving students team work, decision making, meeting deadlines, troubleshooting. The Cluster did this by having students enter into an enterprise arrangement with a local Biodynamic farm to produce 80 laying hens for the farm. These hens would then be put up for sponsorship to create funds for the farm. Communication was conducted via email with the expectation of attached photo's and data. Students established contact with an African school and email exchange will occur and the “Chook books” will be sent to the school.
Games
Picture IT Now
Taylors Lakes Secondary College (2008)
A class of students in Year 10 created an action script for an online game using basic Flash animation. The resource includes interviews with students and the teacher, as well as a sample of learning produced by the students.
Instant messaging (IM)
Douchy's Blog on Instant Messaging
Wanganui Park Secondary College (2008)
In his blog, Andrew Douch discusses how Instant messaging (IM) can be used as a teaching tool.
Interactive whiteboards
Improving Pedagogy in Year 7
Seymour Technical High School (2007)
Anne Fraser's focus was on improving student engagement in Year 7 via use of a whole range of approaches, including the use of interactive whiteboards.
The Effect of Interactive Whiteboards on Teacher Teaching and Learning, Student Learning & Engagement
Shepparton Cluster (2007)
Action Research Report on i ntegrated ICT through the use of Interactive Whiteboards.
Laptops
Improved student engagement using a Laptop Program
Box Hill Senior Secondary College (2007)
The Team worked together to implement a 1:1 Laptop Program across the Middle Years in conjunction with VELS in order to develop students' engagement and capacities in innovative, engaging ways to improve learning and teaching and prepare students for the 21st century.
Multimedia
Boys Teaching Boys in ICT
Waranga Cluster (2007)
Improving attitudes to school, interpersonal relationships, knowledge of ICT specifically Kahootz verbal communication skills.
World of Multimedia
Ringwood North Primary School (2008)
When teachers and Year 6 students at Melbourne's Ringwood North Primary School set out to create an original music CD in 2004, they had little idea that they were setting the stage for what was to become a much broader venture into the world of multimedia in education.
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) as a learning platform in the primary school setting
Balwyn North Primary School (2006)
The team at Balwyn North Primary School set out to identify and infuse curriculum applications of PDA's into the Integrated Curriculum of the school.
Finding ways to enable a move towards 'One to One' access in ICT
Carwatha College P-12 (2005)
Mif Grubb wanted to see if the use of Personal Digital Assistants would help both schools and students improve the amount of access time to digital resources - that is move towards one to one access in ICT and to enable the creation and use of ICT rich applications.
Podcasts
iHistory Podcast Project: combining local history with mobile technology
Eaglehawk Secondary College (2006)
Teaching Australian History using podcasts.
Podcasting Living Histories
Epsom Primary School (2006)
Damien Jenkyn and Jenny Ashby worked on a unit that involved the students in interviewing past teachers, parents and students about their memories of their time at Epsom Primary School . The interviews were published as podcasts and a supporting profile page was published as a webpage. The project created an authentic task for Epsom's 125th anniversary in October 2006
Robotics
SISTM-Mechatronics PICAXE 8m Project
Diamond Valley College (2007)
Working in partnership with LaTrobe University, Pat McMahon introduced Year 7, 9 and 10 students to Picaxe 8M microcontrollers from the UK. Using these microchips and free software downloaded from the Internet students programmed different devices.
Mobile Robotics Station
Cobaw Cluster (2007)
Cobaw Cluster are providing hands on experiences using computers and lego robots. Children are working cooperatively in pairs to program robots to complete tasks ranging from easy to difficult.
School Web sites
Wheelers Hill Primary School - Prep Website
Development of a website designed to create a wider learning environment for students, teachers and parents.
Trafalgar Primary School
The website has been designed to provide information to parents related to resources that teachers use in the classroom, timetables, notices and excursion information. It showcases student work using podcasts, vodcasts and blogs.
Virtual classrooms
Improving student outcomes through effective eLearning
Leongatha Secondary College (2007)
The Team initially researched innovative uses of technology in the classroom and then developed and trialled units of work in their classes that used new technologies to engage students. The means of delivering these activities was primarily an online learning management system based in WebCT.
Webquests
Energise Me!
Overport Primary School (2007)
A WebQuest for primary school students working collaboratively to research an alternative energy source.
Oetzi the Iceman
Reservoir District Secondary College (2006)
Alida Bonotto, Vince Antonetti and staff from Reservoir District Secondary College have created this webquest to stimulate thinking and problem-solving skills in year 8 and 9 students.
Africa's child: A global responsibility and the lives of children in Africa
Lyndhurst Secondary College (2007)
A WebQuest for year 8 students inspired by the novel The Heaven Shop by Deborah Ellis, created by Pam Macdonald and Melinda FitzGerald,
Wikis
The Middle P Geelong on the Move Wiki
Bellaire Primary School (2008)
Students use Wikispaces (http://www.wikispaces.com/) to collaboratively create a history wiki that looks at how Geelong has changed over time.
