Teaching and Learning

It is believed that if students are co-learners in the teaching/learning process they will learn more effectively. In schools where SchoolMate.NET is used this cooperative relationship is nurtured using a number of simple but effective principles in the learning place.

In SchoolMate.NET schools it is typical that teachers will clarify with their students what they already know about an outcome, and what concepts will mean something to them and to their particular background or culture. Students learn and remember new information best when it is linked to relevant prior knowledge. Teachers who link classroom activities and instruction to prior knowledge build on their students' familiarity with a topic and enable students to connect the curriculum content to their own culture and experience.

SchoolMate.NET classrooms are outcomes focused and standard supported. Students have a number of learning choices and often negotiate:

• the way they will work eg. by themselves, in pairs or with a collegial learning group;

• the performance level at which they believe they can achieve an outcome;

• the tools and materials that they will require to learn; and most importantly

• the amount of time they have to learn.
  

In SchoolMate.NET schools teaching is interactive, engaging the learner to construct and co-construct knowledge in meaningful ways. Students are provided with strategies to build on their strengths and are encouraged to:

• ask hard questions

• define problems

• lead conversations

• set goals

• discuss and clarify learning situations in and out of the school, and

• engage in creating self learning activities.
  

In SchoolMate.NET classrooms the process of teaching and learning is shared between student and teacher, and student and student enabling engaged learning that is problem, project, and goal-based. The role of the teacher is that of facilitator, guide, and learner. As a facilitator, teachers provide rich learning environments and learning experiences. They can be often found guiding mediation situations and are actively found modelling, and coaching appropriate learning behaviour. SchoolMate.NET teachers proudly demonstrate the practices of co-learner and co-investigator with their students exemplifying the purposes and pleasures of lifelong learning.

In SchoolMate.NET classrooms you will see teachers explicitly clarifying:

• the purpose of the learning moment

• the outcome of a learning activity

• where the lesson is placed in relation to previous learning

• the resources that can be used

• the ways the student can choose to learn for that period of learning time

• the assessment items that the teacher will be looking for in the students work

• with the students the question 'when will they know that they have achieved in this lesson and what will it look like'?

• the negotiating of choices that the students may want to consider for the learning moment.
  

SchoolMate.NET teachers also consider the ways their students prefer to learn and prefer not to learn, and create learning tasks that encourage success and positive pressure. SchoolMate.NET classrooms use a competency platform for process modelling and "authentic" learning and assessment situations. Teachers are able to record learning observations against competencies, and overtime are able to profile the ways their students prefer to learn against specific curriculum areas.

In SchoolMate.NET classrooms you will see children:

• happily sharing and talking with others

• helping and learning collaboratively and cooperatively

• choosing to work alone

• choosing to act responsibly towards others

• choosing to work in a variety of group settings with a good self concept/self esteem

• solving conflict using appropriate social skills

• confidently sharing and showing their own abilities

• developing and consolidating positive interactions with the teachers and peers on task

• confidently raising issues of concern

• using avenues and procedures to promote change

• negotiating curriculum, rules, consequences and appropriate behaviours

• developing networks for social and educational support

• peer tutoring

• actively demonstrating what they know

• engaging in authentic assessment tasks, and

• participating fully in the processes of teaching, learning, assessment, reviewing, reflecting and reporting.
  

In SchoolMate.NET classrooms you will see teachers:

• negotiating boundaries for behaviour with children

• holding class meetings

• displaying information for grievance procedures

• being aware of minority groups and catering for these e.g. affirmative action strategies

• developing relationships with parents to foster home-school links

• teaching groups of a broader age range

• building positive relationships with children

• taking risks and encouraging risk taking

• accommodating different learning styles

• providing and modelling social skills and problem solving

• being flexible and adaptable

• expecting students to succeed in a range of assessment activities

• being clear about own and students' rights and responsibilities, and

• creating explicit learning goals that are clearly stated and developed collaboratively.
  

When you visit SchoolMate.NET classrooms you will see:

• vertical age groupings learning and exploring together

• a variety of learning styles and groupings

• lots of high quality children's work displayed

• small group working areas

• quiet areas, isolated tables, talking room for groups, and

• rules and consequences displayed.
  

The following framework has enabled SchoolMate.NET teachers to map and develop individualised learning programs for each student for cognitive and non-cognitive learning experiences. It forms the basis of 'best practice' and has enabled staff to significantly improve student outcomes against state and school standards.

Click here to view the diagram

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