3rd Global Conference
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Friday 9th February - Sunday 11th February
2007
Sydney, Australia
Conference Programme, Abstracts and Papers
Session 7: Creative Engagement in the Language
Arts
Chair: Jennifer Bleazby
Mountains to the Sea: Engaging Students
with Learning Difficulties through Creativity
Cheryl
Freeman
KBC, Australia
Engaging students in the love of learning presents
varying challenges within contemporary classrooms. A wide range of
students’ abilities, preferred learning
styles and diverse cultural contexts require teachers to be creative
in providing engaging and effective learning experiences, while addressing
syllabus outcomes.
As part of my role in assisting and supporting students
with learning difficulties in 2005, I was asked to work with a specific
group of Stage 3 students. The overall objective was to further develop
a range of necessary skills, academic, emotional and social, in readiness
for the transition to high school. The idea to create a ‘big
book’ proved
to be an invaluable learning experience for all involved. Through integrating
all Key Learning Areas students benefited from co-operative learning
through collaborating skills. Throughout the duration of the project,
the acquisition of important academic and social skills, improved progressively
each week. Opportunities for students to interpret, transfer and demonstrate
understanding was catered for by creating learning experiences suited
to their preferred learning style.
Transferring knowledge through visual
representations, engaged students. Access to a wide variety of media
enabled students to demonstrate a deeper level of understanding. Each
student worked tirelessly, urging for permission to continue working
through lunchbreaks. Most students initiated self-directed learning
after school, then enthusiastically presented their findings to the
group the next day. Initially, the self-concept of students involved
with this project was characteristically low. The students directly
involved were compliant, presenting limited behaviour difficulties.
In what grew to align with Michel & Bandura’s
cognitive social learning theory, (Clonginger, 1996) students’ motivation
and self-confidence soared.
Animations: Engaging English, Literacy, Media and
Aart Curriculum Outcomes
Lyn
Hawkins
Finn Cragg Multimedia, North Perth, Western Australia
This workshop will be of interest even if you were unable to attend the paper presentation by Lyn Hawkins on Friday. Animation-based resources developed as a result of classroom trials held during 2005/2006 will be showcased and the ease of using this technology will be demonstrated, even for the novice users of computers. Delegates with laptops will have the opportunity to utilise some sample multimedia files (stills and video format) that will be made available to use during the session. This includes Finn Cragg's CARAVAN 3D stills and storyboards, as well as animated video files. Participants will learn how to import storyboard images into Power Point and 3D stills into Microsoft Photo Story 3 for Windows to create story books with basic animatics and effects, voice-overs and music. Attendees interested in education resource development and the creative use of computers in English, Literacy, Technology, Art and Media production and analysis will find this workshop of value. Time permitting, participants will see student sample work where Finn Cragg animated footage has been imported into editing software to create new video productions and get a sneek preview of Finn Cragg's next production "Emu and the Flying Doctor" to be launched later this year. Note: Please ensure your Laptop has some editing software e.g. freely available Microsoft Movie Maker, Power Point and Photo Story 3 for Windows (this is a free download for XP users from the Microsoft Download Center http://www.microsoft.com/downloads) PLUS Media Player 10 installed. Mac users will be able to use iMovie.