What's newScootle Community: a social network for teachersThe Australian Government has launched Scootle Community, an online hub where educators can share ideas with peers around the country and quickly access high-quality teaching and learning resources. Developed in collaboration with the Australian teaching profession, it has the capacity to link to every teacher in the nation in a professional digital community. More than 70 teacher champions from across Australia started connecting on the prototype in March, immediately creating networks around topics of shared interest. Some of these early networks are addressing issues such as teaching in remote areas, technology in the classroom and working with gifted students. Whether it is lesson plans, information on the Australian Curriculum, or just a helpful peer perspective on a classroom challenge, Scootle Community is the place to go for ideas and advice. It's simple to use via desktop computer, with smartphone and tablet applications coming soon. Scootle Community is free and open to all Australian educators. Teachers who already use the Scootle resources site can use the same login for Scootle Community. Visit https://community.scootle.edu.au to join the discussion or register to use the site. For any queries, including any difficulties accessing the site, email support@community.scootle.edu.au. ACARA releases final version of national geography curriculumFollowing extensive consultation, ACARA has released the final version of the national geography curriculum. See announcement 21 May from Australian School Education Minister, Peter Garrett. NAPLAN to be examined by Senate inquiryThe Australian Senate is launching an inquiry into the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). See article 16 May and opinion piece 13 May 2013 in The Sydney Morning Herald. Helping teens to become mobile savvyThe Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has launched a series of multimedia classroom activities to help teenagers navigate the costs of mobile phones. The activities will teach students in years 5–8 how to be smart mobile phone consumers and have been developed as part of ASIC's MoneySmart Teaching program. Latest edition of AITSL eNewsThe May 2013 edition of AITSL eNews includes articles on the use of student voice as a tool for feedback on teaching and learning; AITSL's recently released Supervising Preservice Teachers professional learning program; and one school's use of the Australian Teacher Performance and Development Framework to underpin its professional learning processes. Engaged Learning: workshops with world experts in project-based learningEngaged Learning is a series of workshops led by two world experts in project-based learning, David Price OBE and Clare Price. The series is held under the auspices of the Australian National Schools Network (ANSN). It ends 12 June. Draft Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander LanguagesThe newly released Draft Framework for Aboriginal Languages and Torres Strait Islander Languages Schools provides guidance on the teaching of Indigenous languages. The framework is available for public consultation. See article in the Herald Sun 21 May 2013. Google launches Android app store for educationGoogle is preparing to compete more intensively with Apple in the education market, with the launch of Google Play for Education, an Android app store for educators. See article on gigaom.com 15 May 2013. Follow Curriculum Leadership journal on TwitterFor news updates between editions of the journal, follow Curriculum Leadership on Twitter. |