2008 Sponsored Projects
The following projects are sponsored by the Innovation and Next Practice Division of DEECD:
Connecting the city and country through a knowledge network: Using Web 2.0, Semacodes and Mobile devices (Balwyn High School)
The project will
- explore and expand the links between the physical and virtual using locative media technologies such as GPS, handheld mobile technologies, laptops and wikis.
- provide mobile devices to connect school guests to the school network as a means for them to find out more information about the school. School guests will build their own narrative trail of the school as they course through the site using mobile devices to scan semacodes.
- approach institutions such as the Melbourne museum, students will design a museum narrative trail, scavenger hunts and semacodes clues to be implemented for use by the general public.
- approach schools in regional centres (such as Ballarat High School ) where there are key points of interest in close proximity to wireless internet access. A set of mobile devices will be loaned to these schools to allow students in those regions to populate Balwyn High School wikis on these attractions allowing students to interact by learning and asking questions about these points of interest.
iTouch technology and its impact on teacher pedagogy (Epsom Primary School, Corio South Primary School and Courtney Gardens Primary School)
The overarching research question for this project is “How can the use of hand-held technology (iTouch) contribute to changes in pedagogy in teaching, learning and assessment?”
The following will be investigated:
- What models of professional learning best support teachers to maximise their use of iTouch as a teaching and learning tool?
- How has the introduction of the iTouch created or necessitated changes to teacher's curriculum planning and assessment practices?
- How can the use of the iTouch support VELS implementation?
- What are the privacy/ethical issues which need to be addressed to ensure safe and ethical use afforded by the iTouch technology?
- What are the elements/characteristics which are required to ensure sustainable use of the technology, ie, move from emerging to embedded at the school level?
The research will draw on specific iTouch school trials at Epsom Primary School , Corio South Primary School and Courtney Gardens Primary School .
2008 Screen IT competition (Australian Centre for Moving Images)
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development supports the Screen IT competition run by the Australian Centre for Moving Images. Screen IT is a fun way of engaging students with the moving image whilst they learn about the creative and technical processes that lie behind their favourite forms of entertainment - cartoons, films and computer games. The competition is open to both primary and secondary students. The theme for Screen IT 2008 is Australian Identity . Further information is available at: http://www.acmi.net.au/screenit.htm
Science Animation Competition (Hume Regional Office)
The Victorian Schools Science Animation Competition involves students filming their science experiment using still or video digital cameras, then reducing the images to a 30 second time-lapse animation. This project addresses classroom problems with engagement, and will increase the variety of pedagogies used in classrooms. A short series of downloadable training videos will be made available online for free download via the Education Channel.
Entrants will upload their short video animation via a custom website. Judges will access clips via the website and will nominate winners in various categories which will be announced at the 2008 VITTA Conference. The skills learnt through involvement in this project will increase teacher and student confidence with multimedia technologies and DV production and editing which in turn are immediately transferable across all curriculum areas. More information will be available soon. The competition is coordinated by Brendan O'Brien (Hume region) –email: obrien.brendan.p@edumail.vic.gov.au
Youth Voice Online conference (7 Maroondah Schools)
As part of this project, the Maroondah schools Coalition, community services and interested parties will develop an online Youth conference (in May 2008), an online working group, as well as design, produce and market a Youth Magazine compiled by representative young people from Maroondah, supported by local services and agencies. The project will address issues of school engagement, social competencies, and mental health.
Project partners include Eastern Access Community Health, Victoria Police, Reach Out for Kids, Eastern Drug & Alcohol service, Maroondah Youth Services, Women's Health East & seven schools in Maroondah Collation, Swinburne TAFE.
The expected outcomes for this project include; projecting a positive image of young people in the media and greater community, promoting and modelling participation by young people in decision making, enhancing the effectiveness of existing youth/counselling services, and improving the relationships between school community members, especially between students and teachers, and between young people and youth services.
