Dean of Studies
“I WONDER IF…?”
In the previous newsletter, I alluded to developing the skill of asking the right questions, as noted by Professor Jim Ryan, the President of the University of Virginia, and previously the Dean of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
“Posing good questions is harder than it might seem. Asking good questions is hard because it requires you to see past the easy answers and to focus instead on the difficult, the tricky, the mysterious, the awkward, and sometimes the painful. Asking good questions is crucial to success in just about every imaginable career. Good teachers for example, appreciate that well-posed questions make knowledge come to life and create the spark that lights the flame of curiosity. And there is no greater gift to bestow on children than the gift of curiosity.”
One of Professor Ryan’s crucial questions is, “I wonder if…?”, and so, I wonder if we should reframe the conversations we have with students regarding post-school destinations?
In a recent article for his New York Times column*, Professor Adam Grant, an organisational psychologist at the Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) has proposed that we ask a different question from the one that asks students, “What do you want to be?”, but rather, ask questions that invite students to consider what type of person they want to be, and to think about all the different things they want to do?
Professor Grant’s concern is that the question may force a student to define themselves in terms of work, and therefore sends a message that success is the value of primary importance. Yet the argument often put forward is that most parents would say they value their child’s ability to be kind, caring and compassionate towards others. The danger is that we define ourselves by our jobs, and our worth then depends on what we achieve (or getting into the right course beyond school).
And so, if we invite our students to ask, “I wonder if…?”, we might then apply this across the range of school experiences, and invite students to consider the value and importance of what they are doing, for example:
- I wonder if I am truly giving my best effort?
- I wonder if this will help me to improve?
- I wonder if I can achieve a better result by doing the hardest thing first?
- I wonder if my attitude to learning now will help me in my future?
- I wonder if I ask my teacher for help, I will understand the content better?
As a student asks these types of questions, they develop and form their values (E.g. Respect; Adaptability; Commitment) that will influence the adult they seek to become, and in turn will guide the choices they make in life. Our natural and innate curiosity forms effective learning, and therefore, encouraging students (and teachers) to ask good questions, opens doors to enriching life beyond school.
EXTERNALLY SET TASKS – YEAR 12 (GENERAL COURSE) STUDENTS
All students enrolled in a General Year 12 course and/or a Foundation Year 12 course are required to complete the externally set task (EST) developed by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority for that course. The EST is compulsory and forms part of the school-based assessment, and is included in the Assessment table in the Year 12 General and Foundation syllabuses as a separate assessment type with a weighting of 15 per cent for the pair of units. The Handbook can be accessed on the Authority website via the link: https://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/externally-set-tasks
This year, the externally set tasks will take place from Wednesday 8 May through to Wednesday 22 May, and no EST’s will be scheduled on a Thursday or Friday. The College expects all students to be in attendance to complete the EST’s for all General or Foundation courses.
STUDIOSITY / CITY OF CANNING (https://www.studiosity.com/)
The City of Canning Library is offering free access for members to Studiosity for online, after-hours, one-to-one help with homework and study questions? From school to university students, Studiosity is able to help across a wide range of subjects and questions through Canning Libraries Online.
Students need to become a member of the City of Canning Libraries by joining online at: https://www.canning.wa.gov.au/Community/Library-Services.
You can also download the Studiosity mobile app (App store or Google Play) and link it to your account for extra features that includes: Save a question for later; Snap a quick photo of a problem or use voice-to-text technology.
NAPLAN (Online)
Please note that applications for an exemption, adjustment for disability for NAPLAN must be submitted by Friday 12 April, 2019. The application for an injury adjustment may be submitted up to Tuesday 14th May. Please contact the College if you require a form or go to: https://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/assessment/testing/naplan
Mr R Dowling (Dean of Studies)