In the Know

From the Leadership Team

Makers of Education – Project-Based Learning (PBL)

Problem-based learning emerged more than half a century ago as a practical teaching strategy where students are challenged to solve problems or do simulations that mimic real life. Although problems are defined in advance by the teacher, they tend to be complex, even messy, and cannot be solved by one right or easy-to-find answer – much like life! This is how students learn something they can't learn in a classroom or from a text. Unlike textbook-driven instruction, project-based learning puts the student in charge of asking questions and discovering answers.

 

In schools today, projects are typically framed with open-ended questions that drive students to investigate, do research, or construct their own solutions. Instead of writing book reports, they create podcast reviews of books, post them on a blog, and invite responses from a partner class in another school or country. The visible thinking routines we have piloted this year - Stories, Sticking Points, Facts or Fiction and Same and Different have assisted students greatly in our PBL activities.

 

What does PBL look like at Kilvington?

 

Over the past few years, we have been implementing PBL into our curriculum. In Year 7, Assembly of Notables (AON) has been gradually moved to a full implementation of PBL this year. Over 3-4 weeks students are guided to identify, through research, a real-world problem developing their presentation and thesis using evidence to support their stance, and presenting the solution through a multimedia approach based on 21st century technology and thinking skills.

 

Students show what they learn as they journey through AON, interact with its lessons and teachers, collaborate with each other, and assess themselves and each other.  They become ‘makers’. PBL offers students opportunities not only to make sense of information but also to expand on it with their own contribution. Makers of new knowledge - the highest level of Blooms Taxonomy.

 

 

 

 

The Year 7 teachers work in collaboration across the curriculum areas of Humanities, English, IT, Visual Arts and Performing Arts to link learning goals and integrate key knowledge and skills.  Assessment is inbuilt at various points to measure student understanding in each of the subject areas which when combined gives a clear picture of the scope and impact of the learning. This has far more value than a number out of 100.

 

Other examples at Kilvington include:

  • Year 7 Toy Time
  • Year 7 Animal Classification Project
  • Year 8 Our Sustainable World
  • Year 8 Artful Thinking
  • Year 9 Helping Hands
  • Year 9 Challenge Project, and
  • The Just Like Me Project to occur in Junior School later this year.

Just Like Me is a project based around three stories of different children from culturally diverse situations in the developing world. The project includes activities that focus on:

  • learning to recognise and appreciate differences and similarities between cultures and encouraging students to make connections between their own worlds and the worlds of others.
  • developing an awareness of the complexity of issues surrounding global poverty and  human rights.
  • global awareness to ensure students develop as ‘informed, responsible, and active citizens who can contribute to the development of a sustainable world’.

PBL appeals to and engages today’s learners because it meets many of the cognitive processes needed to learn and think at deeper levels. Culture, context and the social nature of learning all have a role in shaping a learner's experience.

 

Our evolving definition of literacy is also addressed in PBL, as students must to be able to navigate and evaluate a vast amount of data and information in this digital age. Fluency in technology along with the development of critical thinking skills are required.

 

Our children face a world full of complex challenges. Knowing how to solve problems, work collaboratively, and think innovatively are vital skills not only for navigating their own lives but also for tackling difficult issues in local communities and around the world.

 

Teresa Deshon, Deputy Principal

Staff

I am thrilled to welcome Mrs Monique Miotto back to work on a part-time basis in the new role of Dean of Teaching and Learning. As Dean of Teaching and Learning, Monique will collaborate with the Deputy Principal in driving strategic change in teaching and learning across the School including the continued development of Junior School learning programs.

 

With delight, I announce the appointment of Mrs Nicole Bull to the role of Academic Dean of Performing Arts.  Nicole will join us from Lauriston Girls' School and holds a Master of Education (Educational Leadership and Administration), a Bachelor of Education and is a  Kodaly trained teacher. 

 

Mr Andrew Hester has been appointed to the role of Dean of Operations.  Andrew holds a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary), a Bachelor of Computer Systems Engineering, a Master of Multimedia and will join us from Camberwell Girls Grammar School.

 

I am pleased to welcome Mrs Kirsty Watts to the role of Acting Dean of Operations for Term 4. 

 

Welcome back to Margaret Geehman who returns in Term 4. Margaret will take on a couple of Mathematics classes to assist as Kirsty Watts fills the role of Acting Dean of Operations.

 

Japanese Language Teacher, Mrs Keiko Ishihara, will commence Long Service Leave in Term 4 and we look forward to welcoming Mr Joseph Dunne to the School during this time.  Joseph holds a Diploma and Bachelor of Education.

 

Congratulations to Mr Garratt Alexander who has been appointed to the role of Robotics Coordinator commencing in 2017.

 

I wish to congratulate Mrs Laura Hollingsworth and Mrs Esther Breckler who are both expecting their first child.  We will farewell Laura and Esther at the end of the school year.

 

With sadness I inform you that Ms Sharon Donnellan has tendered her resignation as ELC Coordinator to accept an opportunity to work in Onslow, a remote town far north of Western Australia, where she will run the ELC and Junior School sport programs in the local community. This is a wonderful step and exciting opportunity for Sharon who has been an outstanding teacher and ELC Coordinator at Kilvington for the past four years.  

 

I congratulate Mrs Lisa Hanlon who has been appointed to the role of Head of English at Mentone Girls' Grammar. 

 

Mrs Carolyn Waddington has tendered her resignation and has been appointed to a role at Yarra Valley Grammar School working as a teacher in the Science Enrichment Program.  This move will allow Carolyn to work at the school that her children attend as well as be closer to home.

 

Tom Mahoney has tendered his resignation. He has been appointed to a teaching role at Mountain District Christian School.

And....

I wish you and your family a safe and relaxing break. If you are travelling on Victoria's roads, do take particular care. Significant rain is expected to fall over the coming days which may result in flooding. Please check the VicTraffic website for updates on road closures.

 

I look forward to seeing you back at Kilvington on 3 October.

 

Jon Charlton, Principal