Thursday, March 29, 2012

e5 Bookings Open.

**Please note that bookings for this workshop have closed.  You may still ask to be put on a waiting list to be offered places should someone be unable to attend.**


Please be aware that we will NOT be reserving seats for non-travellers until they have paid their booking fee.  These PDs take money to run and the booking fees are essential to their running successfully.  While the DEECD fund the PD it is on a reimbursement / pay on invoice system.  The advance money from booking payments is required to maintain our current PD quality!

As usual, travellers who live to far away for it to be practical to pay the booking fee at the Wodonga South Primary School will be able to pay on the day.

Up until now this has been coming primarily from my pocket and I regret that I simply can't keep doing it that way.  I apologise but there is no way around this reality.  Thankyou for your understanding!

What is e5?

There seems to be a little confusion on what e5 actually is and why you need to know!

The publication of the e5 Instructional Model is an important and exciting achievement for government education in Victoria. The e5 Instructional Model signals that, as a system, we have recognised the need to reach agreement about what constitutes high quality instruction so that we can describe what effective teachers do in the classroom to engage students in intellectually demanding work.
The publication of the model also acknowledges the work of Professor Patrick Griffin from The University of Melbourne. Patrick provided the methodology for the project as well as the assessment and measurement expertise necessary to construct the e5 Instructional Model. Patrick continues to assist us to understand the nature of expertise and what it means to improve in a domain of learning. This publication draws on his writing and conceptual framework to explain the process undertaken to construct the model.

The international evidence base has reached consensus about the significant influence teachers have in the classroom and the knowledge and skill base required to teach all students well. In order to improve teacher practice, teachers must not only understand what it looks like to improve in different domains of learning, but they must also believe they are capable of improving their practice. And they must be effectively supported within their schools where the work of teaching and learning resides.

The e5 Instructional Model is not a recipe for teacher practice but rather a framework to inform conversations and guide the observation, critique and reflection of classroom practice. There are many different ways that teachers can vary in their approach and their behaviour and still be highly effective in the classroom. All teachers use their professional judgement to adapt their practice to the specific context they work in and to the particular cohort of students they teach. However, within this zone of discretion there are common practices that draw on a professional knowledge base in the classroom we can develop a great understanding of the nature of the professional learning teachers require to improve their practice.
Every educator is invited to engage with the e5 Instructional Model as a framework for defining what high quality instruction looks like in the Victorian government education system. Together we can create the most innovative and the highest performing education system in the world.

This is not a small deal in Victorian schools and something every Victorian teacher needs to have a grounding in.

From our past PD workshops provided we would hope that you can understand that our criteriaplaces an emphasis on relevance to our members and other local CRTs.  We do not select presenters lightly and have a drive to provide what you need to survive in classrooms, with an emphasis on Victorian classrooms in particular when necessary.  This PD is no different.

If you have only the barest idea, or no idea, of what e5 is, we urge you to visit the DEECD website here;

http://www.education.vic.gov.au/proflearning/e5/default.htm

While this gives you the basics, the Workshop will give you the e5 handbook and a deeper understanding with which to carry it into the classroom to improve your effectiveness as a teacher.

Regards,

Mel.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Booking status Update; Peter Klein.


"Creativity Knows No Boundaries" 
Peter Klein

Max positions; 20

Positions Remaining; 0

PD info and booking details can be found here;

e5 Pdi Approval and Date.

The e5 PD with Kate Hornsby and Melanie French had been approved by Pdi.

This PD Workshop will be held on the 12th of May 2012 and it will grant 6.5 Verified PD Hours for the MyVIT online PD portal.

BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN.

http://wodongacrtsupportnetworkpd.blogspot.com.au/p/e5-instructional-model-with-kate.html

Regards,

Mel.


Thursday, March 8, 2012

We are happy to announce our newest PD opportunity, a workshop on the e5 instructional Model with Kate Hornsby and Melanie French. 

This will be a full-day workshop (Pdi approval pending - 6.5 hrs).  The Venue is the Wodonga South Primary School and it will be a catered workshop.


Bookings open Friday March 30.  You can find full details here;

http://wodongacrtsupportnetworkpd.blogspot.com.au/p/e5-instructional-model-with-kate.html

Regards,

Mel.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Booking Status;  

"Creativity Knows No Boundaries" 
Peter Klein

Max positions; 20

Positions Remaining; 6

PD info and booking details can be found here;

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Hands on Maths report.

Michael Ymer's Hands on Maths has been run successfully.

We are sorry to those of you who had to miss out because of the floods!  You just can't beat mother nature how ever hard you try.




There were a few small glitches but mostly everything went off without a hitch.  The Feedback on the workshop, from both those in attendance and the presenter, was unanimously positive.  Thank you to everyone involved, those of you attending included, for the wonderful atmosphere of the workshop!

Estimated Cost per Head value: $135.00 - $155.00 (based on similar commercial PDs)

Cost per head we paid: $92 (this would have been $81 if we had not lost some to the floods!)

Cost per head for CRTs? $10.00


This included Michael as a Presenter, his travel and accommodation costs, the venue, catered morning tea/lunch and resources!


Achieving this low cost would not have been possible without some help. We'd like to thank:

Michael Ymer for his brilliant workshop.
Jacqui for her generous help on the day.
The Wodonga South Primary School for the venue.
The DEECD for the CRT Professional Learning Support Initiative and the funding it provides
Henri's Bakery and my husband Paul for the catering
and everyone who attended!

To address 2 issues;

Lunch room urn;

We apologise for the urn in the lunch room not being turned on.  It is the first time it has been off since we started using the venue so we were lax and did not double-check.  Rest assured we will triple-check in the future!

Signage for directions to the room from car parks;

We understand that this is an issue!  We had paper signs ready for the day but the rain just foiled all our efforts.  Plans are in the works for more permenant signs but unfortunately it all takes money.  While the DEECD funds most of the aspects of PD workshops for CRT's, there is no allowance for some types of items like signs.  This is where the booking fee comes in.  We use the money from the booking fees to provide extras like the goodie bags, fund further PD and buy items like signs, serving trays, an urn for tea'coffee etc.

Unfortunately we have to prioritize.  Signs ARE coming though, rest assured.  We apologise in the mean time and ask that you bear with us!

Regards,

Mel.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Literacy Workshop - Peter Klein

We are happy to announce our next Workshop;  "Creativity Knows No Boundaries" with local author and presenter Peter Klein (Captain Pete)!

This will be a 2.5 hour after-school workshop on Thursday the 19th of April, 2012.  It will include writing concepts and more hands-on activities through Writing, Drama and Music.

You can find out more by visiting the page for this PD here.

Regards,

Melinda Lichnovsky-Klock
Wodonga CRT Support Network Coordinator..

Michael Ymer and the flooding!

Hello again! 

We are aware that the unseasonal weather is causing flooding issues that may prevent some from attending Michael Ymer's "Hands on Maths" Workshop tomorrow.  

We are keeping places open and have catered for all who have booked.  We have done this so that you do not have to make a decision on whether or not to come until you can see the flood reports in the morning!  Likewise, late arrivals will be accepted in anticipation of any detours you may have to make. We don't want anyone missing out unless it's absolutely necessary.  

At this time one northbound lane of the Hume Freeway is closed and speed limits are reduced to 40km/h but it is passable.

You can check road closures and changed traffic conditions here:  


Drive safely everyone!

Regards,

Melinda Lichnovsky-Klock
Wodonga CRT Support Network Coordinator.