2011 e kids science school outline

eKids Science Initiative

“addressing the needs of rural primary students

through the eKids digital learning approach”

November 2010

A project supported by the Innovation and Next Practice Division of DEECD and facilitated through the Country

Education Projects “ekids initative”

Country Education Project

“ a leading voice for country areas on educational issues” 2

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The Country Education Project has supported a range of education initiatives that utilise digital learning approaches to enhance learning in rural communities over the past twenty years. Examples of these initiatives include:

LOTE programs,

VCE programs,

Science and technology programs

extension learning programs

music programs.

In 2007, CEP Inc, in partnership with funding from the Helen McPherson-Smith Trust, developed the eKids Digital Learning approach to enhance learning provision and opportunities within rural communities.

eKids is based on a capacity building, decentralised approach and involves four key aspects including:

Learning Development and Delivery

“Pool” of Curriculum Resources

Teaching and Learning Support

ICT Support and Advice

Over the past three years a number of specific initiatives have been developed including:

extension learning within the upper primary area

science learning within the upper primary area

music program within the middle years

technology learning within the middle years

The introduction of the Ultranet also provides a great opportunity for rural education communities to explore in great depth the potential that digital learning approaches can provide in supporting and broadening the provision of

quality learning for students within these communities.

eKids Science is about to enter its 2nd year and is looking to further its ability to provide quality learning opportunities to rural students and teachers. Within

2010, eight rural schools collaborated on the program that has been recognised for its innovation within the Listen2Learners Expo, hosted by internationally renowned educator Professor Stephen Heppell. Students and

teachers have participated within Elluminate Sessions and organisations such as Scienceworks, Parks Victoria and Bug Blitz have agreed to provide online

conferences.

Within 2011 the CEP in conjunction with rural schools wish to further develop the programs and refine its online delivery by inviting new schools into the process. The learning environment is being redesigned to provide easier access



and engagement for users. We also hope to continue with the partnerships

joined with Scienceworks etc.

SPECIFIC PROJECT

This project is looking for interested and enthusiastic teachers from rural schools that are keen to work with other rural schools and in the

development and provision of a blended leaning approach.

This is an exciting opportunity.

Its aim is to involve a number of rural schools who have minimal student numbers who wish to include science within its curriculum in 2011.

It will involve the development of a “rural learning cluster” of schools from across the state where rural teachers work collaboratively in the development and provision of online science across this cluster.

The project has two main focus areas:

1. Enhancing and broadening the learning of science for students from rural schools.

2. Supporting teachers involved in delivering science, in gaining

the skills and knowledge of utilising an online learning environment and a 21st Century approach.

The project will have two key components. (It is important to say here the specific activities and arrangements will be determined by those rural schools that make up the cluster)

(i) Learning Program:

Students from a number of rural schools will form a “rural learning cluster” to undertake their studies together utilising a blended learning approach.

Within this collaborative approach, the students will undertake science units online. The student learning will be supported by the teachers form the participating schools through two levels:

1. By the teachers hosting the unit. This teacher will provide the work, extension and assessment of the participating student.

2. By the students classroom teacher in a mentoring role and providing encouragement and access to the project.

The program will be provided through digital learning approaches including podcasts, vodcasts, elluminate sessions with teachers

and professional organisations, forum discussions.

The program will be developed between the participating schools utilising the online resources and approaches developed by the



CEP over the past couple of years and the individual expertise and

knowledge of the participating teachers.

It is expected that between 100 and 140 students from up to 10 schools will be involved.

It is also expected that the project will involve people with expertise from interested organisations to compliment the learning program and provide a value add to the learning.

As part of the student learning program, it is expected that CEP will facilitate a couple of occasions where the teachers involved

will come together in one location and be involved in a learning activities aimed at enhancing the learning provided. This could

involve guest speakers, group discussions face to face, and the like.

(ii) Teaching Support and Provision:

A key element of this project is that it will provide information, professional development and support for those teachers involved; to gain an understanding and potential digital learning

provides rural students with the support and mentoring of a CEP Project Leader and Technical Officer.

Teachers will work collaboratively across the “rural learning cluster” in the development and provision of the learning program

and in partnership with the CEP. Through this collaborative approach it provides the added potential for teachers to develop

and share enhanced learning in areas that they have a passion or expertise within.

Not only will they support the students learning within their own

school, but also support the learning of all the students across the “rural learning cluster”.

The project leader will provide a valuable mentoring and support role for teachers involved.

(iii) Teacher and School Expectations

Schools involved within eKids Science for 2011 will need to agree to and meet the following expectations:

Teachers involved will attend the PD on Friday, December 3rd

2010. All teachers are invited to attend dinner with the CEP

on Thursday night and if anyone needs assistance with

accommodation you can contact Jason Whiteley on 0408 197



861. During the PD teachers will:

o Learn about eKids Science and how to use the site.

o Learn about virtual classrooms and working within a

virtual environment.

o Develop Science Curriculum within the eKids Science

Framework.

Each Teacher involved will be responsible for the

development, provision and assessment of learning in

a science area they have chosen. This involves:

o providing a unit outline using the eKids

Curriculum framework and the 5e’s instructional

model,

o the development of online learning resources

that meet the requirements of the eKids

framework,

o the documentation of ongoing assessment for

each student undertaking their online unit.

(Assessment will be about the student’s scientific

development and not based on a final product).

Teachers will need to dedicate time each week to the

provision of eKids science. The breakdown of the time looks

like:

o 1 hour each week of student access. This is class time

where the students can complete activities, update

their blog etc. It should be student driven with them

identifying the work they need to complete. Teachers

will need to mentor their students at this time.

Part of this time will be organizing student

access to online conferences in alignment with

their studies.

o 1 hour of teacher access. This time doesn’t need to be

a single block and can be managed across the week.

Within this time teachers must:

review student work and document learning

update curriculum

communicate with student’s and guide their

learning

Teachers will be required to participate within the eKids

Admin discussion forums where they will discuss and resolve

any ongoing issues within the project.



Suggested Timeframe:

The following timeframe is proposed (only a suggestion):

Term IV 2010 Identify the schools to be involved

Term IV 2010 A professional development forum for participating rural school teachers to develop the program, delivery

approaches, etc.

Term I 2011 Delivery begins

Term II 2011 Face to face forum for both students and teachers – students involved in a day of learning activities and teachers involved in professional development forum

Term III 2011 Face to Face forum for teachers.

Term IV 2001 General reflection of project and development of report of project.

INTERESTED???

If you are interested in being involved in this exciting opportunity, or are wanting more information, then please contact Jason Whiteley on 0408 197 861 or email [email protected].

The face to face forum will provide a valuable opportunity to hear more details of the project and to explore how it might work through a blended collaborative approach.

If at the end of the professional development forum you don’t think it would be something you would like to be involved in, you are not committed.

Just come and explore the potential of the project, how you can contribute and be involved, and how it can enhance what you are providing within your rural

school.

The general details of the forum are:

Dates: Thursday, 2nd December beginning with dinner and a social evening of meeting with others interested. There will be an

opportunity to explore the project and to ask questions about what it might look like.

Friday, 3rd December exploring the project and how it will work in 2011.

mailto:[email protected]



Costs: CEP will cover the costs associated with the forum including the dinner, accommodation, breakfast and lunch.

Venue: A venue is still being finalised and details will be provided to those interested in attending.

More information and Registration:

Contact Jason Whiteley on 0408 197 861 or email [email protected]

If you would like to check out eKids as it stands in 2010 then go to www.ekids.org.au.

http://www.ekids.org.au/