Guest posting to voced-coord email list.
Item 7 of 10:

Date: Tue, 3 Nov 1998 20:52:45 +1100
To: voced-coord@owl.qut.edu.au
From: Jim Cumming
Subject: VocEd: Years 9 and 10 (guest)

Dear Colleagues

Another example of good practice that may be of interest.

I am currently working with a school that has initiated a scheme of inidividual research projects and round table presentations in Years 9 and 10.

To summarise the innovation VERY briefly, students negotiate a topic with their teacher(s) and then conduct research and development over a nine-month period (last term in Year 9 and then two-three terms in Year 10). In addition to preparing a written report, students make an oral presentation to a panel of teachers, peers and parents in which they reflect on their learning.

Some of the points that make this project interesting to me include:

- the project is undertaken by all students in a cohort (this is not an extension or alternative activity);

- students are engaged in activities that are meaningful to them (it is part of a key learning area, but kids have the opportunity to exercise initiative over an extended period);

- students develop, apply and refine a host of life skills (this is not a theoretical/simulated exercise);

- students are engaged in self and peer assessment (as well as teacher judgement);

- parents and community members are actively engaged (this is not token representation and participants receive support);

- there are wider audiences for the students' work (not just the teacher); and

- the outcomes are valued and acknowledged (this is not perceived as just another school assignment).

Jim Cumming
Educational Solutions Pty Ltd
Tel (02) 6254 8538
Fax (02) 6255 2072
jcumming@dynamite.com.au