newEssentials

A message from Rita Ellul, Senior Project Officer eLearning, Learning and Teaching Branch Student Learning Programs Division Department of Education, Victoria

I’d like to give some news on the new Intel Teach Essentials Online program to be introduced in 2008. The Essentials Online course, which is to be piloted later this year, is a hybrid mix of face to face training and online and is composed of 8 modules. Curriculum Framing Questions and curriculum planning which focuses on higher order thinking and the use of ICT to enhance student learning remain as central elements of the new course. Essentials Online also:
 * Is aligned to current pedagogical approaches to focus on instructional design, project approaches, multiple methods of assessment for learning and promotion of 21st century skills
 * Incorporates Web 2.0 technology, such as wikis, blogs, online collaborative editing sites and online tagging/bookmarking sites
 * Features a digital ‘Help Guide’ for both Mac and Windows platforms with step-by-step software instructions
 * Integrates the new Intel Assessing Projects resource to create effective assessment resources.

Essentials Teach Online is a facilitated online course, meaning that whilst teachers can move through a module at their own pace, there are set tasks and dates so that participants can collaborative and communicate with other members of the group.

In Victoria, the program is 36 hours for PTs (2 hours Orientation, 2 days face to face training, 22 hours online). For MTs, the program is 40 hours. Whilst the composition of the 40 hours will similar to that for PTs, it will be confirmed after the pilot has been completed.

The other Intel Teach courses, Teach Essentials and Thinking with Technology, will also be offered in 2008.

If you are interested in running a new Intel Teach course in your school in 2008, you might like to consider applying for Teacher Professional Leave. Applications for 2008 close on August 13 and further information can be found at: http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/pd/tchdev/tpl/index.htm

If you require further information please contact either myself, Rita Ellul or Mel Kuhl kuhl.melanie.m@edumail.vic.gov.au directly – not to the list.