This Snapshot outlines the background of African students now in schools in Australia and discusses the need for teachers and schools to find ways to capitalise and build on the strengths of these students, to assist them in building the new (and sometimes unfamiliar) skills that they will need if they are to settle successfully in Australia.

hom 2007 book sample

The first International Habits of Mind Expo was successfully held in Melbourne and Auckland in October 2008. Over 350 educators from around the world experienced first hand the lessons learnt by leading schools from Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. Feedback from the Expo has been overwhelmingly positive and plans are now afoot for a similar event in 2008!

The 40 page conference book, containing these schools stories can now be purchased for $20 plus shipping. Log in for the 20% member discount.

Click the cover to see inside(contents) the book.

The ANSN and IBM as partners have documented and produced 11 snapshotsthat showcase early childhood teachers and their journeys inimplementing technology with a play-based curriculum. These snapshotsare designed to celebrate and share the cumulative learning of teacherswho have explored and developed innovative teaching practices throughtechnology integration, based on their participation in the IBMKidSmart project.

The ANSN and IBM as partners have documented and produced 11 snapshots that showcase early childhood teachers and their journeys in implementing technology with a play-based curriculum. These snapshots are designed to celebrate and share the cumulative learning of teachers who have explored and developed innovative teaching practices through technology integration, based on their participation in the IBM KidSmart project.

Students from the programHow do we help students to develop intelligent behaviours? A number of Australian schools have been working together with the Australian National Schools Network in a research circle to explore the use of the 16 Habits of Mind in their classrooms. Their aim: to help students become better thinkers and know how to draw from a repertoire of strategies when they don't know what to do and develop the habit of doing so.

Teachers have found this diagram useful in describing where the Habits fit in the curriculum.

It is based on the work of the Habits of Mind Hub and relates to this article (attached) that appears in the ANSN Habits of Mind Kit.

Head, Heart, Hands shows the story of several schools piloting digital portfolios.

It all began when the ANSN developed a research circle and teachers came together to learn about digital portfolios, share ideas and develop plans.

The teachers went back to their schools and put the ideas into practice.

Team/Small-Group is a particular form of school organisation designed to meet the needs of students in the middle years. Originating in Germany, the model has been adopted in various forms by a number of Australian schools.

The Kidsmart packageThe IBM KIDSMART EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM Interactive CD - ROM has been designed to help early childhood teachers and students get the most out of the KidSmart Early Learning Program.

Click to add to cartThe Reflective Teacher: using action learning to improve teaching aims to make available to teachers and those supporting teachers, materials which illustrate and explain how other teachers have used action learning in a range of settings.

The materials (in kit form including a handbook and video) have been developed for teachers, school leaders, support personnel and facilitators of teams.