PENINSULA ONLINE

Issue 4
Monday, 2 April 2007 

Education students trial innovative approach to teaching rounds

Students undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Primary Education at the University’s Peninsula campus this year are currently participating in a new style of teaching placements.   

Instead of placing the 110 Graduate Diploma of Primary Education students in up to 70 different schools, the Faculty of Education has decided to trial a new approach.  

The new model includes placing the students, two to a classroom, in five local schools, close to the campus for 25 days over the course of semester one. The five local primary schools are Langwarrin Park, Rowellyn, Frankston, Ballam Park and Woodlands.

Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie, Coordinator of the Professional Experience program, explained that in last year’s unit evaluations and feedback students felt that the existing model was less effective in orientating them into the teaching profession.

“The first two rounds of the teaching placements are the most challenging in that the pre-service teacher has had little experience in teaching or working with children,” she said.

“The students said they felt isolated and indicated that the former model threw them into the deep end of teaching giving them a feeling of ‘sink or swim’”.

The new model requires students to undertake two single days in the classroom as well as six double days followed up by a two week teaching block.  

Early evaluations show that the new program is a great success with students’ feedback being extremely positive..

The most useful aspect of this new program is being able to work with a partner in a school environment dedicated to teacher education.

Ballam Park Primary School Principal, Mr Mark Renouf, said the teaching staff at the school were so enthusiastic about the potential of the program for their students that they decided to increase the number of student teachers in the school from 24 to 32.

 “The opportunity to be involved in this new initiative and to interact with a large group of motivated young professionals who have chosen to continue their own education and become primary teachers is particularly exciting and will be a win-win exercise for the Monash students, the staff and most importantly the primary school students.”

Dr Cutter-Mackenzie said that the program is also closely linked to 3 of the 5 graduate diploma semester 1 units with Monash staff involved in these units working with the schools in teaching their units both in the schools and on-campus.

“This highly collaborative approach to teacher education is fundamental to many of the programs in the Faculty of Education and is particularly central to our primary and early childhood education courses at Peninsula and Gippsland.”

The program was developed and implemented by Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie, Mr David Zyngier and Dr Glenn Auld, with the support of the Education Faculty Professional Placements Office and Faculty of Education academic staff.   

Student teachers Simon Trist, Kylie Cooper and Aya Nishihara, and Principal, Mark Renouf, with Monash staff (seated front) David Zyngier and Amy Cutter-Mackenzie at Ballam Park Primary School.

Mid week get togethers at Peninsula campus

Peninsula Campus held its first 'Midweek Get Together' event recently with the aim to promote cross cultural interest, competency and friendships among local and international students at the campus

The 'Theatre Sports and Pizza dinner' was facilitated by a theatre sports professionals who took the crowd of over 50 local and international students inby storm with their witty and funny personalities and crowd-pleasing acts.

Students were able to mix and mingle with each other while enjoying a free pizza dinner.  Many of the students commented that the program was not only entertaining and funny but it also gave them a break from study pressures.

The program is open to all students who are interested in meeting other students from different cultures and to simply have fun.

The next midweek get together event is a ‘Bollywood Night.’  Students are welcome to bring their Monash friends, and join staff and other students for a fun filled Bollywood night.  The night will be filled with dance lessons conducted by professional Indian dancers, and a free scrumptious Indian dinner while watching a mystery Indian movie.  All the students have to do is ‘show up.’

• When: Wednesday, 18 April 2007

• Time: 6 pm to 8 pm

• Venue: Student Lounge (Upperdeck Cafe, Building U)

• Cost: FREE

Please contact the International Student Support Office for further information

 Introduction to Intellectual Property seminar

Intellectual Property is an important issue for supervisors and postgraduate research students.

The Monash Research Graduate School, in association with Monash Research Commercialisation will run Introduction to Intellectual Property seminars throughout 2007.

Lawyers from some of Melbourne's best known legal firms will also be in attendance.

For supervisors, attendance at the Introduction to Intellectual Property seminar (Master Class 4) will be credited towards Level 2 in the Monash Research Supervision Accreditation Program.

MC 4 Introduction to Intellectual Property

Time:               4 pm to 6 pm
Date:                Monday, 16 April 2007
Venue:            Monash Clayton campus,  Building 75 (STRIP 1), 
                         Ground Floor Meeting Room - G19

Topics:           Topics covered in each IP seminar include:

• Intellectual Property Basics
• The university’s IP Statute and Regulations
• The IP form signed at enrolment – how to complete it – what it means
• Assignment of IP and licensing
• Patents and Commercialisation
• Question and answer time

Bookings online and select the category 'Intellectual Property'. Enquiries to Dr Anna Lucas at MRGS.

Great shows for fans of all ages

Two upcoming shows presented by Monash University Academy of Performing Arts are currently on sale.

The Shoe-Horn Sonata, featuring Maggie Kirkpatrick and Belinda Giblin, will be presented  on 27and 28 March.

The Shoe-Horn Sonata is a powerful and compelling play about the 65 Australian Army nurses trapped in Singapore when the Japanese invaded in 1965. They were the first Australian women to serve in battle and the first to die. The play focuses on the enduring friendship of two survivors, Sheila and Bridie.

The Leaping Loonies Crate Show, on from 11 to14 April, is for kids of all ages.

Billed as a cross between Evil Knievel and Krusty the Clown, the Leaping Loonies draw on the great international traditions of popular physical performance, vaudeville and the silent movie era.

For further information or to book tickets for these shows visit the Academy of Performing Arts.

Peninsula Campus Footy tipping competition

The 2007 AFL footy season is fast approaching with the first game for the season scheduled for 30 March.

If you would like to join in the fun of the season through a footy tipping competition please register at http://www.footytips.com.au/

It's pretty straightforward. If you were a member last year you just need to reactivate your membership.  If you are joining for the first time follow the prompts to join online and make sure you join the existing AFL competition -- Monash Peninsula Tipping Comp.

The cost is $5 for the season. Money needs to be to Julie Baxter, Campus Administration,  by kick off on 30 March!