Principles of Learning and Teaching – Case Studies
Drouin Cluster - Principles of Learning and Teaching (PoLT) Pilot
The Drouin Cluster consists of Drouin Secondary College and ten feeder primary schools.
On being invited by Gippsland Region to undertake the PoLT
pilot, all Cluster schools were eager to be involved. As Cluster Educator, I
felt it was a perfect opportunity for us to work together as a team for a
purpose that had the potential to shape educational thinking in schools beyond
our cluster in future years. It had the added benefits of being a long-term,
co-ordinated action research project that honoured our commitment in that
area, exactly matched our Cluster Proposal regarding action research - and we
were paid to do it!
Our PoLT team consisted of a co-ordinator from
each school (two from the Secondary College) and the Cluster Educator. Added
to the group were staff from Deakin University and the Department of Education
Training (DE&T).
The make up of our PoLT group was certain to
lead to healthy debate and rich pedagogical discourse. A balance of strong
thinkers, committed educators, cynics and conspiracy theorists (I consider
these are terms of endearment) ensured that Deakin and DE&T would be kept on
their toes.
Early concerns were that, while the six principles of
learning and teaching were spot on for Prep - 12, the reflection statements
for each were sometimes more relevant to specific situations rather than
across the broad spectrum. A concern that there was no Student Perceptions
Survey for Prep - 4 led to Drouin PS staff designing one.
Meanwhile,
back in the schools, co-ordinators were conscientiously component mapping
staff, generating data, and creating strategic action plans based on their
findings. The process was different in each school, but in each case the
discussions and targeted thinking brought enormous benefits to schools and
teachers.
On reflection I'm delighted with Drouin Cluster's
involvement in PoLT. I thank Deakin and DE&T for 'putting up with us', as I
believe they responded to our concerns with professionalism and integrity. I'm
confident the PoLT package will hit targets as a result of the process.
Rod Cameron
Drouin Cluster Educator