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Case Study: Lauderdale Primary – Inspiration
Project goals (see initial Action Plan)
Investigate a successful model for PD so that it is convenient, relevant and useful to staff
Investigate the impact of using a buddy system for professional learning
Trial: requested participating staff to keep a shared electronic journal of experiences and issues
Project Team
In School ICT Mentors (2)
School’s network manager (new role emerging!!)
Principal
Being informed
Initial staff survey re Inspiration showed
Most staff had engaged in PD but had not used with students.
Limited uses for Inspiration had been trialed in the classroom
Staff had identified a wide range of uses for Inspiration
Confidence with using Inspiration was low
Staff identified time & opportunities as a barrier to expertise
Inspiration Learning Group
Team of 8 teachers selected to be involved
Varying range of ICT competence
Teachers were motivated and optimistic
About half had already tried using Inspiration with their students after PD
Lauderdale – Short timeline, specific focus
Timeline - Events
7 Oct Project team meeting to decide on Action Research
8 Oct Staff survey
13 Oct Staff workshop: how to use Inspiration introduce project
Interim Staff begin inclass use of Inspiration
Student-free day (20 Nov) staff work on progress
Extensive informal sharing and support
30 Oct Focus group session sharing with
5 Nov Sharing with other staff during staff meeting
14 Nov Preparation for Project presentation
20 Nov Presentation by Project Team UTAS ….. Next?
Summary of Outcomes
Effective transferral of professional learning into the classroom
Stimulated interest in using Inspiration
‘Community of Practice’ – the group helped each other to share ideas and troubleshoot problems.
Buddy system was highly motivating for learning group members
Timeline – intense period of activity was very effective effective and welcomed
by participants
Promoted an extensive range of alternate way of looking at current classroom activities
Participants achieved a high level of 'comfort' with software
Many unexpected positive outcomes, eg, leadership, insights, expanded
knowledge of human resources...
'Buddy system' expanded naturally during the course of the professional
learning
Staff made their own arrangements for specific small scale tutoring
Adequate resources need to be provided
Ongoing learning strengthened
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