THE TASK
This learning program provided an opportunity for
students to investigate the local Swan River in a range of different
ways. It offered students tasks spanning four learning areas and
included a choice of activities across a range of learning styles.
The program was presented online as a 16
task matrix that directed students to select tasks from each
of the English, Mathematics, Society and Environment and Science
learning areas. Students completed at least one task in each learning
area.
The program was created by a cross-curricular middle
school learning team. Aspects of the Overarching Learning Outcomes
that were relevant across the four learning areas were identified.
These included effective teamwork and collaboration, problem solving
and creativity, reflection and goal setting, and effective information
gathering and evaluation. These outcomes provided the connection
between the tasks in different learning areas. They were provided
to the students in an evaluation
matrix.
ICT ENRICHMENT
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Online delivery of task resources for anywhere,
anytime access. Students could access all the inquiry materials
in any of the classes they were using during inquiry time, as
well as in the library and from their homes.
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Attached to each task was an online message
board that provided students with a forum to exchange ideas
and resources.
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Online delivery allowed multimedia resources
to be included. Many tasks had video clips, web sites and music
clips available.
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Websites that supported the inquiry were
located by the students, submitted using a web form and shared
in a links page.
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
Developed by Martin Clery and associated teachers at Como Secondary
College.
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ASSESSMENT
- Final task products, completed scaffolding tools and graphic
organisers, extracts from the message boards, the peer tutoring
video clips, weekly planners, along with group and individual
learning reviews, were all contributing evidence used to inform
final student evaluation.
- Students compiled an inquiry portfolio to demonstrate achievement
and improvement.
- Learning outcomes
help-sheets were used by students to help them see what it
took to achieve the outcomes at different levels.
- Provision of an evaluation
matrix linked to the Overarching
Learning Outcomes provided students with explicit criteria
on how they would be assessed. The evaluation matrix was very
useful in assisting students to set meaningful goals for improvement.
LEARNING AREA OUTCOMES
English
 Processes
and Strategies
Speaking
Viewing
Writing
Mathematics
Working mathematically
Apply and
verify
Number
Understand
numbers
Chance and Data
Collect
and process data
Space
Represent
spatial ideas
Society and Environment
Investigation,
Communication and Participation
Resources
Time, Continuity
and Change
Science
Communicating
Scientifically
Life
and Living
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