Schoolgrounds for Learning Course Outline

Specially designed for busy teachers, Schoolgrounds for Learning breaks down the process of schoolgrounds planning and transformation into easily managed and achievable steps.

Right: Online schoolgrounds mapping tool - available only with Schoolgrounds for Learning

To view the online tool in action open this video clip

• Focuses on the school environs, to enable teachers to facilitate changes within their school - to the physical and also the learning and cultural environments.
• Creates a personalised schoolgrounds masterplan that can provide up to five years’ worth of rich and authentic student projects.
• Provides the skills and empowerment for participant teachers to work with their school community to transform their schoolgrounds and culture.  
• Incorporates student leadership, facilitation, environmental sustainability, and professional project planning - including fundraising and public relations - into an easy-to-use strategic framework.

“I decided to ask children who were interested to put in
an 'expression of interest', which included a response to
why they felt they would be useful on the team. I've been
surprised at the quality of responses.”
LouAnne Stabb, Principal, Osbornes Flat Primary School, July 2006

What's Involved?

Schoolgrounds for Learning includes:

• Two terms (20 weeks) of easily managed and achievable steps - to help harness the energy and enthusiasm of the students, teachers and parents
• Guidance and support from experienced teacher facilitators
• Involving the whole school community to avoid reliance on one committed teacher
• Online delivery mode - so time and location flexible
• Online tools for producing a schoolgrounds masterplan, action plans and student projects
• Interaction with other schools
• Time commitment of approximately one hour per week, plus an optional weekly online chat time

  “I must admit that I didn't think an online chat would be a very authentic support - but it is .”
  Leading Teacher, Oakwood Park Primary School, Feb 2007

What's covered?

Topics and activities include:

• Schoolgrounds planning and design
• Strategic planning, professional project management
• Adult-learning skills
• Curriculum planning
• Student-leadership
• Fundraising and PR
• Environmental sustainability and wise resource use
• Community collaboration

Who is involved?

Teachers with a range of experience levels:

• New teachers can develop a range of leadership skills and experience through consulting with the broader school community to implement a schoolgrounds project.
• Experienced teachers can add a suite of professional corporate project management skills and adult facilitation training AND a limited number of participants from Victoria will be offered the opportunity to work with Monash University to receive teacher researcher in schools training and work with a ‘buddy’.

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