Insights from the ASMS experience – 10 years of innovation in a new learning environment

Graeme Oliver & Jayne Heath

Mission, vision and nature of the ASMS

• A school for the renaissance of teaching and learning in science and mathematics

• A school to create learners who are critical thinkers and problem solvers, communicators, collaborative, and creative and innovative

• A school with global recognition for innovation, excellence and enterprise

• A school for all South Australian students

School Orientation for C21stCONTROLLING SCHOOLING ENRICHING SCHOOLING

PedagogyTeacher centred Student centredContent Centred Self-directedSubjects and classes ExperientialDirective AuthenticExam assessment SocialLock-step progression FlexibleSorting and ranking Continuous assessmentIndividualSkills upgrading

CompetencyMemory Critical thinkingReplication Problem solvingDirected CommunicationCompetitive Collaborative

Creative

(Clicks, Bricks & Spondulicks Summary Report)

School Orientation for C21stENRICHING SCHOOLING DISCERNING SCHOOLING

PedagogyStudent centred Experience centredSelf-directed Team directedExperiential Problem orientedAuthenticVirtual authenticitySocial Multi connectedFlexible Multi processingContinuous assessment Authentic assessmentSkills upgrading Multi literacies

CompetencyCritical thinking Inventive thinkingProblem solving Risk takingCommunication EthicalCollaborative Results orientedCreative Interactive

Discussion activity – sharing school vision statements

• Where does your school fit currently?

• Where is your articulated vision aligned to?

Understanding the complexities of learning space – ASMS platforms of innovation

What is the ASMS?

Platforms of Innovation at the ASMS

are the key framework used to describe the unique teaching and learning environment of

the ASMS

Platforms of Innovation at the ASMSKey underlying principles

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

LEARNING PROGRAMS

STUDENTLEARNING

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

INNOVATION IN

TEACHINGAND

LEARNING

• Open• Flexible• Collaborative• ICT Rich• Blended/Hybrid• Vertically grouped

Platforms of Innovation at the ASMSKey underlying principles

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

LEARNING PROGRAMS

STUDENTLEARNING

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

INNOVATION IN

TEACHINGAND

LEARNING • Interdisciplinary• Authentic• Inquiry based• Innovative

Platforms of Innovation at the ASMSKey underlying principles

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

LEARNING PROGRAMS

STUDENTLEARNING

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

INNOVATION IN

TEACHINGAND

LEARNING

• Self-directed• Metacognitive• Capabilities• Assessment for Learning

Platforms of Innovation at the ASMSKey underlying principles

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

LEARNING PROGRAMS

STUDENTLEARNING

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

INNOVATION IN

TEACHINGAND

LEARNING

• Professional Learning Communities

• Professional Learning Plans• Practitioner Inquiry• Ongoing/long term

Platforms of Innovation at the ASMSSpecific Programs including:

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

LEARNING PROGRAMS

STUDENTLEARNING

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

INNOVATION IN

TEACHINGAND

LEARNING

• Vertically grouped classes• Team teaching & planning• Virtual classrooms• On-line feedback assessment &

reporting

Platforms of Innovation at the ASMSSpecific Programs including:

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

LEARNING PROGRAMS

STUDENTLEARNING

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

INNOVATION IN

TEACHINGAND

LEARNING• Central Studies teaching program• Student Inquiry Project• Multimodal demonstrations of

learning• Tutor Group program• Personal Learning Plans• Fertile Questions

Platforms of Innovation at the ASMSSpecific Programs including:

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

LEARNING PROGRAMS

STUDENTLEARNING

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

INNOVATION IN

TEACHINGAND

LEARNING

• Collaborative• Self-directed learner inventory• Reflective journals in maths• Problem Based Learning• Learning Conversations• ASMS Certificate of Graduate

Capabilities• ePortfolios

Platforms of Innovation at the ASMSSpecific Programs including:

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

LEARNING PROGRAMS

STUDENTLEARNING

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

INNOVATION IN

TEACHINGAND

LEARNING

• Learning Design• Pedagogical Content Knowledge• Inquiry Pedagogies• Coaching & Mentoring• Undergraduate teacher programs• Leadership of science & maths

education• Professional Learning Plans

What are your Platforms of Innovation/Key Priorities/Guiding Principles ?

Exploring an issue in depth – building professional capacity

• Developing professional practice• Evidence informed practice• Focused on our work• Valuing practitioner inquiry• Focus in 2013 on teacher role in SDL• Rich in dialogue• Tues PL program

• Professional learning teams• Action research teams• Team teaching• Teaching & learning teams• Connect with Uni & industry• Other school’s teaching teams

• Induction program• Early career teachers• Teaching & learning teams• Ongoing support for developing

coaches & mentors• Resources to support

• Staff professional learning plans• Options to join SLP with shared focus• Opportunities to join diverse PL activities• Links to APST

Multiple access

Coaching & mentoring

Quality PL experiencesCollaboration

• Discussion activity – how are you building the professional capacity at your school?

An overarching issue – leadership for new learning environments

ASMS Hierarchical Leadership Structure

Structure to support innovation at the ASMS

Structure to support innovation at the ASMS

Learning CulturesWorking Groups

Leadership SteeringHouse

Teaching and Learning Teams

Learning FuturesAction Research Groups

ASMS Transforming Science and Mathematics EducationContributive Leadership in Action

LEARNING &

TeachersStudents

School

INNOVATION SPACE

Solution, Models Policy innovation Engage Community

· Professional Services

· Partnerships· Build

leadership capacity

Curriculum & pedagogical innovation

Knowledge creation

Students graduate &contribute

ASMS Solutions Oriented System

· Collegiality· Leadership Capacity Development· Consultation· Decision Making Forming Taking

Improve

Ideas

Think

Develop

Change

InterestsLo

ok back Look around

Look forward

Coordinating Interdependencies

Communication systems

Enable web of relationships

Do things

Plan

Solve

Pedagogical Curriculum

Design, Develop, Monitoring quality assurance

Features of an organisation that support innovation

• Staff from a variety of disciplines working together• Mechanisms for introducing new ideas• Involving staff in programs from other agencies• Internal mechanisms to distribute ideas and proposals

(formal and informal)• “shedding of responsibility” ie they are everyone's

responsibility• Most communication about ideas is advice and

information not instructions & decisionsAitken and Hage (1969)

Discussion activity

• How can leadership facilitate and/or block innovation?

Address:Australian Science & Mathematics SchoolFlinders UniversitySturt Road, Bedford ParkSouth Australia 5042

Telephone: +61 8 8201 5686Facsimile: +61 8 8201 5685Email: info@asms.sa.edu.au

South Australian Departmentfor Education and Child Development

T/A South Australian Government SchoolsCRICOS provider number 00018A