Teacher Professional Learning

Professional Learning at CHS with Dr Jane Pollock on the GANAG Instructional Model

As many of you will be aware, COGS, the online Learning Management System for curriculum delivery at CHS incorporates the instructional model GANAG. The acronym GANAG represents the typical model of instruction used by teachers in each lesson where the sequence is:

Goal Setting / Activate Thinking /New Information / Application Tasks and Goal Review

In November, the Curriculum Team of Learning Area Leaders and Learning Specialists at CHS had a fantastic opportunity to undertake professional learning with Dr Jane Pollock, an educational expert who developed the GANAG instructional model. The Curriculum Team were able to deeply explore, ask questions, and gain insight into the research and rationale that informs the instructional model through discussion with Jane during the session.

Unpacking how nine instructional strategies work with each part of the GANAG model was illuminating for the group and transformed thinking around how to use the instructional model to its full potential to support student learning. The neuropsychology behind the strategies was also explored in more detail and gave insight into how the GANAG model is designed to improve student engagement. A key idea highlighted was the importance of developing student learning behaviours and habits of mind to improve student achievement.

Also highlighted was the positive effect of goal setting and supporting students to develop a consistent practice of writing down the goal at the start of each lesson, plus scoring themselves at the start and the end of the lesson. At CHS we are currently setting clear goals for our students, but the next step is to help all students develop consistent habits to actively engage with the goal in each lesson.

The knowledge and insight gained through the professional learning session with Jane will inform the next phase of curriculum initiatives at CHS and help refine approaches to teaching and learning at the school to support student achievement.

Joshua Wolter

Curriculum Leading Teacher