The ANSN has been at the forefront of IWB training in Victoria with over 600 teachers taking part since the work began in 2007. The network fosters a cooperative learning environment based on an action research approach to learning.

The ANSN is continuing its series of successful IWB hubs in Victoria in 2010.

Edited by Keith Redman

Topics covered in this edition include:

• ANSN Snapshot #2 for 2010: A whole-school approach to integrating the use of interactive whiteboards in a secondary college
• Dimensions of Learning (DoL): Advanced professional learning sessions in NT
• Dimensions of Learning (DoL) professional learning opportunities in QLD
• Dimensions of Learning: Report on the Mackay Introductory Hub sessions
• Hanan Harrison’s book Teaching our Digi Kids: Positive feedback
• ANSN Interactive Whiteboards Hub activities in Victoria
• New 1:1 Laptop Learning Hub to start in Term 3 in VIC
• Reminder about Cognitive CoachingSM sessions in Brisbane, 2010/2011
• Reminder about Cognitive CoachingSM training courses scheduled in Victoria
• ANSN website redesign: Link to Connecting Lives and Learning
• Thoughts on the nature of leadership
• Some interesting reading

Tim Howarth and Christine Lambrianidis
Staughton College, Melton South, Victoria

The aim of the hub is to enable groups of teachers from interested schools to design engaging and rigorous learning experiences for their students, whilst supporting one another in the learning. 

The hub caters for teachers in primary, secondary and special settings.

After a successful first session we are now enrolling for program 2.

**** Please note that the dates have changed for this hub - The first two days are now 20th and 21st of July.

The Australian National Schools Network would like to invite all interested teachers (P-12) to participate in the Dimensions of Learning (DoL) Introductory hub in Rockhampton.

Coaching has grown rapidly in Australia (particularly Victoria and Tasmania). Training has just been completed in the Northern Territory and will be in Adelaide also in August. The Brisbane training scheduled to begin in May 2010 has now been delayed, as feedback from schools within Education Queensland suggests that schools would like to commit to the 8 day training but due to a number of other systematic priorities at the same time are having difficulties in releasing key staff members.  The Brisbane cognitiv coaching will now be split over 2 school years, with the first 4 days of training being held 25th -28th of October and the remaining 4 days will be held in term 1 of 2011.

The training is for eight days and is a hands on, reflective process where participants construct meaning of a cognitive coach within a school context. Participants practice and internalise effective strategies which provide educators with skills and dispositions to build high levels of communication for supporting colleagues in leadership teams, coaching partnerships, mentoring relationships or teaching related issues. In fact the power of the training is how applicable the knowledge and skills are to any context an educator may be working in, including both personal and educational context. The work was pioneered by Bob Garmston and Art Costa and can be further viewed on the following site www.cognitivecoaching.com .

Cognitive CoachingSM training focuses on the maps and tools needed to mediate another’s thinking.The metaphor of maps and tools is used to indicate the dynamic, individualised way in which coaching takes place. A coach is equipped with maps and tools which s/he uses to assist the person being coached in “navigating” the territory of his/her thinking. Each coach uses the maps and tools in slightly different ways, but always focuses on mediating thinking.

Teaching our Digi Kids: Stories, strategies and skills to help early childhood teachers integrate technology in their classrooms

by Hanan Harrison, National Networker and Digi Kids Hub Coordinator for the ANSN.

The author of this book, Hanan Harrison, is an ANSN National Networker and has coordinated the development and growth of our highly successful Teaching our Digital Kids hub around Australia. She has also designed and delivered a range of related professional learning programs. An outstanding educator and communicator, Hanan contributes enormously to the broad scope of our work, which includes new thinking about learning, pedagogy, curriculum development and delivery and school organisation, as well as the use of new technologies. Her own interests include curriculum design, continuous improvement of pedagogy and technology integration in the classroom, particularly as these relate to the early years of schooling.