Connecting Innovators: Strategies for Personalising Learning

26 November 2009

In this online session, Blanche, Abbey and Rick shared strategies that have been adopted by teachers at Bellaire Primary School to implement of a whole-school approach to personalised learning, where students can become self-motivated and self-evaluative. 

They discussed how flexible learning spaces have enable the use of team-teaching methods, while curriculum coaches build on teachers’ capacities to improve student engagement. 

They also explained how their middle years’ students set their own curriculum goals, select workshops, and create weekly timetables that are commented on by parents, teachers and other students. The students discuss their progress and set goals in weekly conferences with their classroom teachers, who act as learning advisors. Students use iPods, Mac/PC laptops, i-flip cameras and interactive whiteboards daily. Blogs and wikispaces, together with PowerPoint presentations, podcasts, develop personalised learning and communicate to the school community. 

About the presenters

Abbey Howard is the Senior Learning Unit (5/6) Leader and member of the school leadership team. She is experienced in working with teachers to build engaging and innovative curriculum.

Blanche Cook is a graduate teacher currently working in the Prep Unit. She has taken part in both the Leaders in the Making program and the Aspiring Leaders program. She is particularly interested in the use of blogs in schools and has worked with the Untapped Network.

Rick Kayler-Thomson is the Senior Learning Unit (5/6) classroom teacher with four years experience who embraces ICT as a way for students to showcase their learning.

Abbey, Blanche and Rick are all trained curriculum coaches.

Recording of the online session