PoLT Online Professional Learning Resource – Principle 1
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Vignettes: Knowledge Bank
Early Years
Kids At Play: playing your way to better social skills - Debney Meadows Primary School
Working from research showing that children learn through play at a very early age, Debney Meadows Primary School created the Kids At Play Room. Young students use the room for regular sessions where they can actively explore, investigate and enjoy themselves in a safe and imaginative play world. Through imaginative play young children are developing skills in story writing. There has been a marked improvement in communication skills.
See: KAP (Kids At Play)- Improving children’s social skills through constructive play - (http://knowledge.education.vic.gov.au)
Middle Years
Lavnet livens up science - Laverton Secondary College
Laverton Secondary College worked with 15 local schools to develop engaging science projects. The program developed innovative and fun science kits and offered the use of their robotics lab to the network of schools. Science teachers were offered professional development and the schools held a Science Expo.
Students develop a sense of connectedness to school. Secondary students involved with cross age activities have become positive role models for primary students.
See: Lavnet - improving the teaching of science using engaging and fun science kits and robotics - (http://knowledge.education.vic.gov.au)
Later Years
New Apprenticeships: diversity in care for young people - Banyule Nillimbuk (LLEN)
To improve students interest in education, a large group of schools set up a Schools Based New Apprenticeship (SBNA) program. Students spent 15 hours a week in work placement and training sessions in conjunction with VCAL or VCE. Many disenchanted students chose to return to school. Schools are now more confident and willing to consider new pathways for students.
See: Providing young people with diversity in care - (http://knowledge.education.vic.gov.au)