PENINSULA ONLINE

Issue 4
Monday, 2 April 2007 

Education students trial innovative approach to teaching rounds

Students undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Primary Education at the University’s Peninsula campus this year are currently participating in a new style of teaching placements.   

Instead of placing the 110 Graduate Diploma of Primary Education students in up to 70 different schools, the Faculty of Education has decided to trial a new approach.  

The new model includes placing the students, two to a classroom, in five local schools, close to the campus for 25 days over the course of semester one. The five local primary schools are Langwarrin Park, Rowellyn, Frankston, Ballam Park and Woodlands.

Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie, Coordinator of the Professional Experience program, explained that in last year’s unit evaluations and feedback students felt that the existing model was less effective in orientating them into the teaching profession.

“The first two rounds of the teaching placements are the most challenging in that the pre-service teacher has had little experience in teaching or working with children,” she said.

“The students said they felt isolated and indicated that the former model threw them into the deep end of teaching giving them a feeling of ‘sink or swim’”.

The new model requires students to undertake two single days in the classroom as well as six double days followed up by a two week teaching block.  

Early evaluations show that the new program is a great success with students’ feedback being extremely positive.

The most useful aspect of this new program is being able to work with a partner in a school environment dedicated to teacher education.

Ballam Park Primary School Principal, Mr Mark Renouf, said the teaching staff at the school were so enthusiastic about the potential of the program for their students that they decided to increase the number of student teachers in the school from 24 to 32.

 “The opportunity to be involved in this new initiative and to interact with a large group of motivated young professionals who have chosen to continue their own education and become primary teachers is particularly exciting and will be a win-win exercise for the Monash students, the staff and most importantly the primary school students.”

Dr Cutter-Mackenzie said that the program is also closely linked to 3 of the 5 graduate diploma semester 1 units with Monash staff involved in these units working with the schools in teaching their units both in the schools and on-campus.

“This highly collaborative approach to teacher education is fundamental to many of the programs in the Faculty of Education and is particularly central to our primary and early childhood education courses at Peninsula and Gippsland.”

The program was developed and implemented by Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie, Mr David Zyngier and Dr Glenn Auld, with the support of the Education Faculty Professional Placements Office and Faculty of Education academic staff.   

Student teachers Simon Trist, Kylie Cooper and Aya Nishihara, and Principal, Mark Renouf, with Monash staff (seated front) David Zyngier and Amy Cutter-Mackenzie at Ballam Park Primary School.

Mid week get togethers at Peninsula campus

Peninsula Campus held its first 'Midweek Get Together' event recently with the aim to promote cross cultural interest, competency and friendships among local and international students at the campus.

The 'Theatre Sports and Pizza dinner' was facilitated by a theatre sports professionals who took the crowd of over 50 local and international students by storm with their witty and funny personalities and crowd-pleasing acts.

Students were able to mix and mingle with each other while enjoying a free pizza dinner.  Many of the students commented that the program was not only entertaining and funny but it also gave them a break from study pressures.

The program is open to all students who are interested in meeting other students from different cultures and to simply have fun.

The next midweek get together event is a ‘Bollywood Night.’  Students are welcome to bring their Monash friends, and join staff and other students for a fun filled Bollywood night. The night will be filled with dance lessons conducted by professional Indian dancers, a free Indian dinner and a mystery Indian movie.  All the students have to do is show up.

• When: Wednesday, 18 April 2007

• Time: 6 pm to 8 pm

• Venue: Student Lounge (Upperdeck Cafe, Building U)

• Cost: FREE

Please contact the International Student Support Office for further information

Getting into the swing of things

The Faculty of Education utilised some of the newly paved space between buildings A, B, C and the Library recently when they hosted a workshop with the popular group Swing Patrol.

The workshop was part of the Faculty of Education's Orientation program of which undergraduate and graduate diploma students participated.

Following the success of the Orientation event, the Faculty of Education is hosting another opportunity for staff and students to try their hand at swing dancing on Monday, 23 April from 10 am to 11am in Gym, B Building.

This will be a free workshop with Bob Greaves and aimed at beginners. All welcome. For more information contact Rosemary Bennett on extn 44226.

CPR refresher course

First aiders are required to participate in a CPR Refresher every twelve months. These sessions allow first aiders to refresh their skills under the supervision of a First Aid Trainer. Please note that these sessions are now 2 hours in duration.

The next CPR Refresher course to be held at Peninsula will be on Monday 23 April. One session will commence at 10 am and a second session will be commence at 12.30 pm. The cost is $35 and registrations are essential.

 Motor home for sale

1987 HINO Rainbow RB145A Motorhome for sale.