Learning - Technology

Oatley Primary School has installed electronic whiteboards into most classrooms and uses teaching and learning practices with Information Communication Technology as a vehicle for school systemic change.

Our aim is to:

Adopt teaching and learning methodology utilising Information Communication Technologies with a focus on student learning.

Deliver professional development demonstrating pedagogy, curriculum, ICT and leadership to educators.

Document and share our whole school learning journey in designing and implementing new innovative teaching practice.

Develop and share resources for quality teaching practices.

Student Centred Learning Practices

Teachers are always looking for ways of helping students to learn. Generally speaking, in the past, teachers stood at the front of the classroom and 'delivered' information to students. Teachers 'controlled' what information they passed on to students, who were in turn, expected to remember it. Learning revolved around what the teacher thought needed to be learnt.

This learning was very much 'teacher centred' and didn't take into account that children learn in different ways. All parents who have two or more children know that individual children are interested in different things, react differently to different things and learn differently. Student centred learning takes this into account.

In the classroom, what this means is that teachers appreciate that there are different learning styles amongst their students and that work needs to be presented in alternate ways to give students the opportunity to learn in different ways. Teachers in fact need a 'toolbox' of teaching strategies to use in the classroom.

Whilst teachers provide for students in this way, an important aspect of student centred learning is that there is greater responsibility on students to manage their own learning. This is an essential skill that students learn as they are exposed to this more effective form of teaching and learning.

Tools for better thinking and learning

We believe that for students to have shared responsibility for their learning they require Higher Order Thinking skills and strategies. To support and scaffold thinking and learning teachers and students use a range of tools (theories, resources and strategies). Such tools may include Bloom's Taxonomy, Multiple Intelligences, learning centres and independent inquiry projects.

The technology focus provides teachers with opportunities to share, collaborate and learn new ideas. Teachers are able to collaborate when planning, which shares the workloads, increases creativity and builds stronger teams.

Further Information

Technology News (pdf)
Covers current technology projects, implementations and technology plans for the future.