Teacher inquiry group

Ended Dec 17, 2021

Date and time

6 May 2021, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Week beginning 31 May 2021, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Week beginning 19 July 2021, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Week beginning 16 August 2021, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Week beginning 13 September 2021, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Week beginning 5 November 2021, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm

Delivery mode

Interactive webinars - a Zoom link will be provided 24 hours prior to the event.

Audience

This learning event is right for you if you are you are a teacher from an ISV member school keen to extend your practice and learn from others in a supportive and diverse network.

Description

There is a broad body of research that attests to the value of teacher-led professional learning communities. The ISV Teacher Inquiry Group (TIG) program provides participants with an opportunity to be part of an innovative teacher-led inquiry to learn how to conduct classroom based research, grow their network and ultimately improve student outcomes.

Teachers choose to work in a team based around one of the following questions

How can we embed philosophical inquiry across the curriculum and our schools?
How can we empower students to have agency in their learning?
How can we design and assess impactful transdisciplinary learning activities and units?
How can we build trust with students in a sustainable and constructive way, supporting their academic improvement?
How do we embed transferable skills in our practice to cater for diverse needs and maximise student engagement?
How do we support and monitor the learning growth of high ability students?

These questions focus on one of the goals set out in ISV’s discussion paper ‘Navigating the Future of Education’.

Facilitated by ISV Teacher Fellows, TIGs will meet periodically throughout Terms 2 and 3 to share innovations in their practice. TIG participants will be guided on how to run an inquiry/action research processes in the classroom. They will be supported through coaching and feedback from the TIG facilitator and fellow TIG team members to trial innovations in their own context. The program will also provide potential collaboration with ISV research partners. A celebratory sharing event will be hosted by ISV in Term 4.

This learning event supports creating best practice toward the following VRQA standard(s):

Curriculum and Student Learning – Curriculum framework
Curriculum and Student Learning – Student learning outcomes
Curriculum and Student Learning – Monitoring and reporting on students’ performance
Curriculum and Student Learning – Information about school performance
Care, Safety and Welfare of Students – Safe environment
Care, Safety and Welfare of Students – Child safety
Care, Safety and Welfare of Students – Student behaviour management (discipline)

Key takeaways

new teaching approaches and strategies in an identified area of interest
feedback from colleagues in a supportive environment
exploration of academic research in an identified area of interest
tools to guide action research processes in the classroom
a diverse network of like-minded educators beyond the school
a partnership with Independent Schools Victoria and our research partners.

Presenter information

Aine Maher

Aine Maher is an Ambassador for Independent Schools Victoria. She designs and delivers customised professional learning programs in the areas of curriculum, teaching and learning and leadership development. Aine is an accomplished presenter, a skilled communicator and, with expertise and experience in independent schools over many years, highly knowledgeable in her field. A dynamic networker, Aine has participated in a broad range of state and national advisory and representative committees giving her access to contemporary thinking and practice in learning design, organisational culture and leadership.

David Burton

David Burton returned to Australia in 2015 after several years overseas. Until recently he served as Head of Senior Campus at Woodleigh School, a role which included periods as Acting Principal, most recently during the COVID-19 crisis. David has a background in teacher coaching and professional learning, curriculum development, middle years innovation and the integration of new learning technologies into the classroom. David has particular expertise with the International Baccalaureate programs. He was IB MYP Coordinator at the International School of Paris and the Australian International School in Singapore. As a regular IB conference presenter and workshop leader over the last ten years, David has led professional learning with schools and teachers across Australia and New Zealand as well as throughout Asia, Europe and Africa. He has also completed a Masters of School Leadership course, specialising in research into the efficacy of teacher collaboration.

Full course description