What's new$15.2 million package to promote Asian languages in schoolsThe Australian Government is investing $15.2 million in seven new projects to encourage more students to study Asian languages, and help teachers get the experience and skills they need in Asian literacy. Stricter reporting requirements envisaged for schools under new funding arrangementsSchools will face rigorous reporting requirements about their plans to improve performance as part of the Australian Government's education reforms. See article in The Canberra Times 5 June 2013. WA program to help year 7 teachers move from primary to secondary levelWestern Australia's Education Minister, Peter Collier, has launched a program to retrain primary school teachers as secondary teachers ahead of the move of year 7 students to high schools. See article in The West Australian 7 June 2013. Support for new Australian geography curriculumGeography is 'a powerful vehicle through which critical literacy and numeracy skills can be taught in an engaging, real-life context', according to Tim Costello, chief executive officer of World Vision Australia and patron of the Australian Geography Teachers Association. See opinion article in The Age 24 May 2013. Call to incorporate agricultural topics into maths, science and geographyThe Australian Curriculum provides a good opportunity to put agriculture and food issues into Australian classrooms, within a range of subject areas, according to Primary Industries Education Foundation chairman, Dr Cameron Archer. See report on ABC Rural 5 June 2013. Creative Young Stars programThe Creative Young Stars Program will encourage, support and celebrate creative, cultural, academic and community achievement throughout Australia by students and young people. The Program will assist school students, and where appropriate their families, and post-school young people (25 years and under) requiring financial assistance to participate in activities, events or training in the following categories: creative and performing arts, cultural activities, academic endeavour, and school and community achievement. The first application round has opened. Applications close at 5pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on Friday 21 June 2013. iPads in the classroom: 'the right questions you should ask'An article on edudemic.com 19 May 2013 argues that the benefits of iPads in the classroom can only be realised when the devices are understood and applied as tools for learning rather than as ends in themselves. Follow Curriculum Leadership journal on TwitterFor news updates between editions of the journal, follow Curriculum Leadership on Twitter. |