The enrichment Group at Tyalla Primary School meets every Monday to work on their projects. Term 3 they are creating a virtual colony from the perspective of an alien from another planet. To do this they have to research information about the aliens home planet, Mars, Saturn or Jupiter for example,and use this information in the creation of their colony. A lot of work is involved in researching the information required, analysing and summarising the information, evaluating and re-writing it into their own words, and then inserting this information appropriately into the virtual world they are creating.
The following slideshow shows a snapshot of each students virtual world.
"When students are given the choice of what they will pursue, how they will pursue it and how they will share their learning with others, they are challenged to use important skills in decision making, planning and problem solving. Individual inquiries help students practice the kinds of thinking required for self management." Kath Murdoch
This project requires students to use an Inquiry learning approach to learning which incorporates logical, creative flexible thinking. Students were given a brief set of requirements for the project and were then left to raise and explore their own questions. This method of learning allows students to demonstrate their thinking which ranges from low range thinking (Mars is a cold planet) to higher order thinking (what could a cold planet trade with earth?). It encourages students to theorise, hypothesise and wonder and leads to a powerful degree of reflective thinking.
Of course students in this enrichment group are also learning how to navigate software programs and use technology
skills, knowledge and understanding to create solutions to imaginary and real life situations. "The study of science and technology enables students to develop a positive self-concept as learners as well as confidence in and gain
enjoyment from their learning. They become self-motivated learners through active participation in challenging and engaging experiences in order to develop innovative solutions." NSW Syllabus for the Australian curriculum.
http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/
http://www.kathmurdoch.com.au/uploads/media/inquirylearning.pdf
This project requires students to use an Inquiry learning approach to learning which incorporates logical, creative flexible thinking. Students were given a brief set of requirements for the project and were then left to raise and explore their own questions. This method of learning allows students to demonstrate their thinking which ranges from low range thinking (Mars is a cold planet) to higher order thinking (what could a cold planet trade with earth?). It encourages students to theorise, hypothesise and wonder and leads to a powerful degree of reflective thinking.
Of course students in this enrichment group are also learning how to navigate software programs and use technology
skills, knowledge and understanding to create solutions to imaginary and real life situations. "The study of science and technology enables students to develop a positive self-concept as learners as well as confidence in and gain
enjoyment from their learning. They become self-motivated learners through active participation in challenging and engaging experiences in order to develop innovative solutions." NSW Syllabus for the Australian curriculum.
http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au/
http://www.kathmurdoch.com.au/uploads/media/inquirylearning.pdf