Hello Big Picture members and friends!
We recently asked some of the schools in the Big Picture network to talk about their experience and plans and we want to share an inspiring story with you...
Stephen Walley of Prospect High School, Launceston, told us he sees much greater levels of engagement and commitment from the students using Big Picture learning, especially from students who were failing in the past.
“Because students and parents are involved in designing their own personalised pathways and they can tap into pursuing their passions, interests and aspirations, the sense of purpose and connection is much greater. We really see a big shift in the quality of relationships, and an improvement in students seeing relevance to their learning.”
30% of grade 9/10 students at Prospect High School (approx 100) have elected to have elements of personalisation built onto their learning program and there are a number of personalised learning models that students can choose from. The elements common to all models are:
- Smaller learning groups.
- Parents are connected through guided conversations about learning program choice and exhibitions.
- More time is spent with a key teacher, an “Advisor”.
- Authentic learning opportunities focus inter-disciplinary learning.
- Community placements one day a week, “learning through internships”
- Negotiated Inquiry Projects are developed from focus of community placements and work with mentors.
- Teachers (Advisors) visit mentors and students at their community placements regularly.
- Students present at least two exhibitions for assessment.
Stephen also sees the Big Picture model working for teachers and the community, “It is great to see teachers get highly passionate about their work and our community is embracing the opportunity to participate and make a difference in a way that works for them”.
Over the next year Prospect High School hopes to streamline the organisation and design of personalised learning to move towards the most efficient and sustainable model. They will also increase the number of staff working with the program and further investigate what the Big Picture model means for the rigour of learning and high achievement.
There is more work to be done, but Stephen is excited by the Big Picture ideas. “Every time we set one more student up for success our school takes a step forward to becoming a very purposeful and high functioning community of learning. It is worth investing in one student at a time.”
From us here at Big Picture we'd like to say thank you to Stephen and Prospect High School for sharing their story with us and for their courage and commitment to education.
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