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Learning opportunities opening up through the use of digital gaming technologies. p resented by Graham Wegner Frank Cairns Jenny Barnett. WGS B-7 Context.
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Learning opportunities opening up through the use of digital gaming technologies presented byGraham WegnerFrank CairnsJenny Barnett
WGS B-7 Context WGS is 10 Km from GPO and was formed through the amalgamation of Ferryden and Mansfield Park Primary Schools, Ridley Grove R-7 School, the Parks Children's Centre (Long Day Care) and Woodville Gardens Preschool. The school is a Public, Private, Partnership of private companies and the Department for Education and Child Development, managed by Pinnacle Education. • Our Vision: A cohesive community of lifelong learners Current Enrolment Numbers School R-7 Preschool Child Care 640 students 100 children 88 babies, toddlers Within the R-7 population 11% Aboriginal students (70); 68% Non English Speaking background students (420 - 40 linguistic / culturally diverse groups) 58 % receiving ESL support; 15% Special needs students (78) 60% School Card. Cat 2 IoED Children’s Centre Preschool and child care (long day care), Learning Together Playgroup, Family Day Care Playgroup, a range of Parent sessions Our Expectations: Excellence in education and care B-7;Innovative lifelong learning for all; Social inclusion Values: Respect, Responsibility and Fairness
The Innovative Learning Environments Group • Invited by Dr Suzanne Owen to join the Innovative Learning Environments Group (ILE) • Through ILE engaging with OECD, DECD schools in SA, research, publications • WGS exploring a range of innovations especially the use of space - Physical, Virtual and Teacher head space • Invited to join Community of Practice • Emphasis on *Rigour *Research *Integrity of findings • Opportunity to work with academic researchers, innovative sites
Components in the academicresearch partnership • Susanne’s vision – from ILE to CoP to supported practitioner research • research application form • Research Day to refine the research question and processes • format of the research proposal • involvement of an academic as critical friend (2 x 45 minutes approx.) • progress reports in a required format • presentations to teachers • final report in an open format • maintenance of the ILE and CoP
Beginnings of the academic research partnership • Invited by Dr Suzanne Owen to submit an application for supported Innovation Research • Application required us to specify links to innovation priorities – we focused on • Coaching and facilitating teacher learning and expertise within small teams • Utilising commonplace 21st century technologies in innovative ways to improve learner outcomes • Exploring student learning styles, physical movement, collaborative skills and use of digital technologies for life learning • At the ‘Research Day’ – refining the research question and process.
What are the learning opportunities that open up through the use of digital gaming technologies?
Jenny’s role • refining questions • helping to get permissions correct • suggestions on the action research process • baseline data advice • helped me to ensure I had “covered my bases”
Methods of Research • Establishment of student digital games research group • Pre research student survey regarding digital gaming habits • Digital games trialling sessions (weekly) • Focus group interviews (taped, then transcribed and analysed) • Digital gaming observations and photorecording of sessions & environment • Focus group discussions (& notetaking & analysis)
Minecraft Research • Setting up the MinecraftEDU environment • Focus group with a Digital Leader • Observation, review, discussion, screenshot evidence
Progress reports • What has been the progress, including data collection? • What have been the challenges to the research project? • What are some of the changes, if any, made to the research focus? • What has been the unintended learning, if there is any?
Towards a final report • Meeting with Jenny to review research data and seek guidance on writing the final report • Jenny advised on structure and sequencing of findings • Jenny’s suggestions for re-evaluations of observations and key quotes reminded me to check with the student researchers before their holiday break • We discussed conclusions and where future research might go • I was set to write but … • Presentation ideas from the CoP