ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR TEACHERS

Murdoch University’s School of Education is working with the Department of Education and Training (DET) to address the increasing need for highly qualified Early Childhood and Primary teachers in the Kimberly and Pilbarra regions.

The program offers students in the North-West the opportunity to enrol in Murdoch’s fully accredited Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary part time and externally. More information is available here>>.

NEW BOOK ON STUDENT ENGAGEMENT LAUNCHED IN ROCKINGHAM

A new book celebrating the stories of successful teachers and communities engaging young people in ‘real world’ learning was launched at Murdoch University’s Rockingham campus this week.

Professor Barry Down, City of Rockingham Chair in Education at Murdoch University, co-authored Critically Engaged Learning: Connecting to Young Lives with colleagues from the University of Ballarat. More information is available here>>.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

Students with undergraduate degrees from non-English speaking environments should note that registration as a teacher in WA requires English language competence to be demonstrated. This requirement is administered by the Western Australian College of Teaching (WACOT).

The present version (April 2009) of the WACOT English Language Requirement from the Membership Policy is available here>>.

Affected students are advised to consult WACOT for any changes to these requirements.

NEW SCHOOL DEAN

The School of Education welcomes new School Dean Dr Judy MacCallum who commences in the role on 9 February 2009. Judy takes over from Barry Kissane who has been School Dean since July 2005. She has enjoyed a long career with Murdoch University and has worked within the School of Education since 1987, most recently as a Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology. Prior to 2009, Judy has held a number of leadership roles in the School, including chairing the School's major program committees and undertaking the role of Director of the School's Centre for Learning, Change and Development. She is presently an elected staff member of the University's Academic Council. Prior to coming to Murdoch, Judy worked as a secondary school science teacher. Judy's teaching and research focus on social and cognitive interaction for learning and development, and ways to create effective learning environments in a range of educational and community contexts. Her research and professional interests revolve around collaborative learning and teaching, motivational change and mentoring. Please join us in welcoming Judy to her new role.

DET INFORMATION FOR EDUCATION STUDENTS

The following links contain useful information for university students:

Teaching in Public Schools - A guide for university students

Becoming a Teacher/Student Teacher

Becoming a Teacher/Apply to Teach - Graduation Connection

Current Public School Teachers and Administrators/Graduate Teachers  

CECWA COUNTRY SERVICE SCHOLARSHIPS 2009
Available to final year teaching students

The Catholic Education Commision of WA is offering final year students Country Service Scholarships valued up to $30,000. Recipients are required to teach in a Catholic school in WA for at least two years. The location will be determined by the Catholic Education Office. Potential areas are the Kimberley, Pilbarra, Goldfields and South West Regions.

Further information can be found below or by contacting the Catholic Education Office on 6380 5237.

Country Scholarship Flyer

Country Scholarship Information 

EDU207 & EDU217 INTENSIVE TEACHING WEEK 2009

School of Education students enrolled in Primary Curriculum IIA (EDU207 External) and Primary Curriculum IIB (EDU217 Internal and External) are required to attend a compulsory intensive on-campus teaching week.

The intensive teaching week runs from 6-10 July, 8.30am-4.00pm daily. The first meeting will be held at 8.30am on 6 July at the Beasley Lecture Theatre near Bush Court.

All students currently enrolled in EDU207 and EDU217 have been sent a letter information, copies of which can be downloaded here:

EDU207 Intensive Week Information Letter

EDU217 Intensive Week Information Letter 

IMPROVING NUMERACY WITH NEW MATHS INITIATIVE

In a WA first, Year 11 and 12 students from four high schools in Perth's south will attend weekly Specialist Maths classes at our Rockingham Campus. The new collaborative partnership between Murdoch University, Gilmore College, Rockingham Senior High School, Safety Bay Senior High School and Warnbro Community High School will give students a wider choice of mathematics courses. As part of the new Peron Alliance of Curriculum and Teaching (PACT)'s effort to strengthen public education in the Rockingham region, the initiative allows students to access Year 11 and 12 courses that a single stand alone school might not have been able to offer. In addition students will have opportunities to work with like-minded peers from other schools as well as get a feel of a university environment.

Please email Kai Fai Ho at k.ho@murdoch.edu.au for more information.

NEW ONLINE TEACHING RESOURCES FOR EDUCATION STAFF AND STUDENTS!

Access hundreds of online learning objects and interactive lessons using links from the Curriculum Resource Centre web page, accessible at the link on the left.

Access Maths 300 to locate quality lessons in mathematics! Maths 300 provides lessons, software, investigations and more. See the Task Centre or the Maths with Attitude option for information on lesson planning, curriculum planning, professional development and working mathematically.

Through the Teaching and Learning Federation (TLF) you can access interactive learning objects, movie clips, images and audio files which you can use freely for your teaching. Browse by topic or resource type to find content that will stimulate learning on every subject and for every age group!

These resources are password accessible.

CURRICULUM RESOURCE CENTRE (CRC) - CHANGE OF OPENING TIMES

The Curriculum Resource Centre is trialling new extended opening hours . We invite your comments on the new opening times here.

Rural School Experiences

The Department of Education and Training has recently improved its Rural Teaching Program - RTP (formally the Student Teacher Rural Experience Program). This program provides financial support to successful applicants wishing to undertake school experiences in specified country locations. Financial support includes travel support and weekly living allowances. This is a great opportunity for students to experience living and working in country locations.

Information and application forms are available from www.det.wa.edu.au/teachingwa or email ruralteachingprogram@det.wa.edu.au for further details.

ATTENTION all School of Education Students! Education Calendar can vary from the Murdoch University Calendar

The School of Education runs a yearly calendar that, at times, is different from the Murdoch University calendar.

This happens because the School of Education calendar is necessarily aligned with what happens in schools, mainly to facilitate School Experience.

All School of Education students need to be aware of the requirements of the School of Education calendar and to take account of them in planning any work or holiday commitments. Students are expected to attend scheduled School of Education classes and unit requirements according to the published calendar. Some units have required attendance and all students in those units are required to plan attendance according to the School of Education calendar.

Click here to download a copy of the School of Education calendar.

Academic Literacy Website

The Academic Literacy Website has been developed to assist you to improve your grades by providing information about a variety of academic issues.

There are links to information about essay writing, reading, note taking, referencing, oral presentations and much more. Browse the site and you will find a wonderful resource to assist you in your university studies.

We welcome feedback about the website and this can be sent to c.glass@murdoch.edu.au

School of Education Advice on Technology for Students

A document has recently been developed by staff within the School of Education to assist students with clear advice about technology and its importance in contemporary education. Specific advice about hardware and software is provided, together with suggestions for access and efficient use.

The document is available here >>

Gifted and Talented Education Postgraduate Study Options - Now Available at Murdoch!

The School of Education is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the Postgraduate Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education.

These postgraduate study options are suitable for classroom teachers who wish to learn more about education provision for gifted and talented students. They are also designed for teachers already involved in gifted provision such as the Primary Extension and Challenge Program.

The coursework components are sheduled to support the participation of school teachers and education leaders.

Please contact Susan McKenzie on 08-9360 2527 or email s.mckenzie@murdoch.edu.au for further details.

Further information >>

Assignment Return Days Semester 1, 2009

Friday 29 May 2009:
For units with exams in the assessment period
South Street: 10.00am - 4.00pm - E/H 2.032
Rockingham: Times TBA - 2.017 Arts & Commerce

Monday 15 June 2009:
For units that don't have exams in the assessment period
South Street: 10.00am - 4.00pm - E/H 2.032
Rockingham: Times TBA - 2.017 Arts & Commerce

Graduate Diploma in Education Studies
Now available for three-year qualified teachers who wish to become four-year qualified teachers.

The qualification is aimed at the needs of the following:

• graduates who want to proceed to higher degrees in Education by coursework or research but who do not meet the requirements for direct entry into the Master of Education course;

• teachers who want to deepen their expertise in particular aspects of Education, or develop new areas of specialisation. Specialisations which have been developed include:
  
  - Australian Indigenous Education
  - Early Childhood Education (for qualified Primary teachers only)
  - Environmental Education
  - The Family and Education
  - Mathematics Education
  - Media Education
  - Special Needs Education (for qualified teachers only)
  - Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) (for qualified teachers only)
  - Teaching Languages Other Than English (LOTE) (for qualified teachers only)
  - Theology and Education.

Please contact Cal Durrant on 08-9360 6264 or email c.durrant@murdoch.edu.au for further details.

Further information >>

Western Australian College of Teaching >>

Graduate Bachelor of Education Course Available
Now available for graduates who want to become Primary or Secondary teachers is a Graduate Bachelor of Education which can be completed in a minimum of two years. This is a HECS based teacher education course.

Further information >>