University of Canberra academics present research paper at major conference

Academics from the Faculty of Eduation, University of Canberra co-presented a research paper on Teaching Clinics at the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE)

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What UC Education students are saying about teaching clinics

"A valuable experience! It was good to have teaching experience within the one subject area". (Michelle)

"A great 'hands-on' experience and also a great way to see what works". (Peter)

"Fantastic experience and highly valuable - gives teacher confidence and skills". (Julie)

"It provided an opportunity to practice skills and work sequenstially through a concept with real students where we had to reflect on who go 'it' and what to do about those who didn't". (Kate)

"Great and necessary experience for us - it makes teaching in this subject area real and reinforces what we learn at university about teaching students this subject. It really improves confidence, content knowledge and teaching children in the classroom". (Sue)

"It is worthwhile in the sense that it provides the experience of planning content lessons and learning outcomes for a real class of students". (Sam)

by Graham Robinson

Following a pilot project last year-120 University of Canberra students have been undertaking a five week program where they spend two and a half hours in primary school’s working with small groups of children teaching practical science.

Southern Cross Primary School students have been involved in designing and building bridges and shelters as they learn how built structures impact on the environment.

School Principal, Jennie Bailey believes the program is reaping benefits for all involved, students, teachers and the University interns.

“The children look forward to each Monday and ask if the student teachers will be here today. It’s wonderful to see the children so engaged. "This program reaps benefits for all involved as these young teachers bring a fresh and energetic approach to teaching with precise and explicit teaching of science concepts taking place,” she said.

University of Canberra Lecturer in Primary Education, Iain Hay said, “We place great emphasis on giving our students practical on the job experience. These students are required to plan and develop a program suitable for primary school curriculums."It's also great for the primary school kids to get a taste of science.”

The program requires 20 students of the University's 'science education' unit to develop resources and lesson plans for the primary school children. The classes are designed to improve the pupils' literacy as well as their science knowledge.The University of Canberra students agreed the program gave them a valuable, hands-on classroom experience.

"It's a great confidence builder to apply the theory and to know the lessons we prepare are engaging and to see the children learning from them," they said.

The schools involved in the program include Southern Cross Primary, Yarralumla Primary, Majura Primary and Radford College Junior. Schools that are interested in working with the University can contact Mr Hay on 02 6201 5910.

Teaching students take science to primary school

by Edward O'Daly
Patrick Miller admires his handmade thermometer - part of the science program Photo: Edward O'Daly

Young scientists at Majura Primary School in Watson have been getting to grips with the complexities of the weather thanks to University of Canberra teaching students.

The teachers-to-be visited the school over four weeks to test their skills and deliver special classes to small groups of seven year one pupils. Run for the first time, the program required 20 students of the University's 'science education' unit to develop resources and lesson plans for the primary school children. The classes were designed to improve the pupils' literacy as well as their science knowledge.

"We place a lot of emphasis on giving our students practical on the job experience to help them hit the ground running in their teaching career," the lecturer behind the program, Iain Hay said.
"It's also great for the primary school kids to get a taste of science."

Student Amie Dever agreed the program gave her a valuable, hands-on classroom experience.

"It's a great confidence builder to apply the theory and to know the lessons I'm preparing are engaging and see the children learning from them," she said.

Following the success of the pilot program at Majura Primary School, Mr Hay hopes to significantly expand the program next year when a cohort of 140 students will take the University's science education course. He is inviting other schools in the capital to volunteer.

Majura Primary School principal Coralie McAlister said primary schools had a vested interest in helping pre-service teachers get used to the classroom, while the program gave her pupils an valuable introduction to science.

"It was great. Our students were able to work in small groups with hands on science equipment learning different science topics," she said.
"Our students are always keen to know how things work and they really liked it. It was a great way to introduce them to science."

She added she would encourage other schools to get involve in similar programs.

Schools that are interested in working with the University next year should contact Mr Hay on 02 6201 5910.

High school UC students benefit from new partnership

by Zoe Spinocchia
2 March 2008:University of Canberra student Jemma Clarke helped a student dissect a pig kidney during her first practical teaching experience at Kaleen High School today.

Ms Clarke and her fellow University student teachers were welcomed by Kaleen High School Principal Peter Sollis as part of a new partnership agreement between the two institutions.

The arrangement will see Diploma of Education students interact with Year 10 science classes, whilst their third-year undergraduate counterparts take on the challenge of teaching physical education.

Year 10 Kaleen High science student Zachary Mills was excited about having UC student teachers assist. “I think they’ll be very helpful with my classes,” he enthused.

Fellow science class-mate Cassandra Leonard agreed, saying the student teachers, “helped me to understand the class exercises better.”

Jemma Clarke has a background in biomedical science and decided to take up teaching as she sought everyday interaction with students. “I didn’t want to be stuck in a laboratory looking through a microscope every day. Classroom teaching allows me to use my science degree and pass on what I’ve learnt to the next generation of scientists,” she said.

University of Canberra Education student Jemma Clarke helps Kaleen High student Cassandra Leonard with a kidney dissection.Photo: Graham Robinson

Julia Garvey was similarly enthusiastic about her practical teaching experience. “It’s our first time in the classroom today. I’m looking forward to understanding what it’s like to be a teacher, and see what sorts of issues they have to deal with,” she said.

Kaleen High School Deputy Principal Kerrie Heath believes the school’s partnership with the University will achieve the ultimate goal of creating a community of people learning together. “We will have Kaleen high school students and teachers, working together with students and their lecturers from the University of Canberra in a mutually beneficial arrangement. Many of our teachers are actually University of Canberra graduates, so it is nice to have the lecturers coming in to catch up with their former students. It has been a very positive experience for us,” she said.

Science education lecturer Dr Jim Woolnough said Kaleen High School was selected as it is within close proximity of the university, and runs an integrated special needs education program. “We hope this collaboration will grow into something that strengthens teaching and learning at both Kaleen High School and the University of Canberra,” he said.