MARCH 2017 the Newsletter of the Australian Curriculum Studies
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NEWS ACSA MARCH 2017 The newsletter of the Australian Curriculum Studies Association CONTENTS Executive A President’s report 2 A From the Executive Director 4 ACSA information A What If? 2017 biennial conference 5 A ACSA webinar series 2017 8 President’s REPORT A Garth Boomer Award 10 A ACSA annual general meeting 12 ACSA works to support educators International conference so that all students have access A IAACS 2018 International World to a meaningful, relevant and Curriculum Studies Conference 13 engaging curriculum. ACSA Paper provides national advocacy A The Foundation to Year 10 Australian Curriculum — and leadership in curriculum. discrete by design but becoming It is committed to curriculum integrated implementation By Susan Caldis 14 reform informed by the principles ACSA membership form 22 of social justice and equity and respect for the democratic rights of all. This statement is part of ACSA’s vision and goals which were realised in October last year when over 400 participants Images throughout are supplied attended our very successful symposium: by ACSA or are in the public domain except for background STEM, STEAM or HASS? Interrogating pages 2–3 Nevit Dilman and models of curriculum integration. Luna Park page 6 Adam J.W.C. The program for the symposium prompted teachers, school leaders, systems personnel and academics to reflect on current approaches to curriculum integration and question whether our enthusiasm to try particular integrated approaches is in the interests of our students. ACSA News The opening speakers helped to March 2017 set the scene with Professor Russell ISSN 0159-7868 Tytler from Deakin University offering © Australian Curriculum Studies Association Inc. advice about the perils and rewards of interdisciplinarity in STEM, Professor This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, Michael Anderson from the University no part may be reproduced by any process without of Sydney encouraging us to consider written permission from the ACSA Secretariat: creativity as the innovation literacy in PO Box 331, Deakin West ACT 2600 STEAM, and Associate Professor Deborah Telephone: 02 6260 5660 Facsimile: 02 6260 5665 Henderson from Queensland University E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.acsa.edu.au of Technology posing the question, Design by Angel Ink, Canberra. 2 ACSA NEWS MARCH 2017 EXECUTIVE President’s REPORT ‘Is deep learning “the elephant in the schools with evaluations indicating room for integration” in the Humanities participants’ appreciation of the quality and the Social Sciences (HASS)?’ Professor of the two-day program. All presenters Robyn Ewing from the University of gave freely of their time and we are very Sydney responded to the presentations grateful for this willingness to share their reminding us that curriculum integration work with others. is not new, but we should beware of We welcome those participants who focusing on the integration of some became members of ACSA by attending disciplines at the expense of others. the symposium. Through membership At the end of the first day, Dr Kevin you are a now part of a group that: Lowe from Macquarie University chaired A provides curriculum leadership a panel of speakers discussing whether across the nation integrated curriculum meets the needs A engages in curriculum research of diverse learners. Speakers included: A encourages critical and reflective A Assistant Professor Phillip Roberts, curriculum practice University of Canberra A provides forums for the exchange A Ms Dorothy Hoddinott, Principal, of information on curriculum Holroyd High School developments A Professor Emeritus Alan Reid, A develops and publishes curriculum University of South Australia resources and materials A Mr Grant Smith, Queensland A conducts a biennial conference and Department of Education biennial curriculum symposium Dr Nicole Mockler’s keynote address A sponsors the Garth Boomer Memorial opened the second day of the Award and Lecture. symposium by examining the historical context of curriculum integration, We hope you will fully engage as a identifying enablers and constraints to member of ACSA by taking part in integration work, and then posing the this year’s webinar program, attending question ‘what would it take?’. Professor the biennial conference in Sydney from Jenny Gore from Newcastle University 4th to 6th October 2017, reading the closed the symposium with an overview articles in our journal, Curriculum of her extensive research examining Perspectives (published online this quality teaching and learning, the use year by Springer), and providing of teaching rounds, and her more recent critical feedback on our work. research into school students’ aspirations. I wish you all a productive and successful In addition to these presentations, 2017 and look forward to meeting you n more than 50 teachers, leaders and all at upcoming events. academics offered workshops and master classes focused on the outcomes of their Judy Anderson extensive experiences in classrooms and ACSA President ACSA NEWS MARCH 2017 3 FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR This year ACSA is planning to build on ACSA also has plans to present our very successful professional learning Humanities workshops this year. offerings from 2016 and provide even Sign up to our eNews here to be sure more opportunities for ACSA members you receive further information as soon and others to engage in interesting as it becomes available. and rewarding professional learning This year we have handed over the opportunities. publication of our journal Curriculum We are delighted to offer our 2017 Perspectives to Springer and it will be webinar series with stand-alone available online only. ACSA members presentations and two groups of linked will be able to access the journal through sessions — one focusing on assessment the members portal on our website. and the other on curriculum leadership. Each time the journal becomes available You can find more about webinars ACSA members will be notified by email scheduled for Term 1 and Term 2 so please make sure we have your current on pages 8–9. address on our database and let us now if you change your details. In this newsletter you will also find information about ACSA’s 2017 biennial We are looking forward to an exciting curriculum conference which is another 2017 and invite you to join us at one inspiring and rewarding way to engage in or more of our professional learning professional learning. Our conference offerings this year. n committee is very excited about the line-up of confirmed speakers, and there Katherine Schoo are more to come. ACSA members may ACSA Executive Director like to consider submitting an expression of interest to present a workshop, there are a limited number of spaces available. You will find more information in the next article. 4 ACSA NEWS MARCH 2017 2017 CONFERENCE By asking ‘What if?’, this exciting conference will present a dynamic range of views on how we can embrace the complexities of curriculum, explore diverse perspectives and contested issues, radically rethink learning and teaching, and bring creative and innovative curriculum to scale. Conference strands A What if we radically rethought the learning, teaching, and assessment of curriculum to meet the needs of all learners? A What if leaders changed the way curriculum was thought about in schools? A What if curriculum helped us take advantage of diverse perspectives and deal with contested issues? This conference is for everyone — primary and secondary teachers; middle level leaders, curriculum leaders, principals, government leaders, education authorities, professional associations, academics — with thought WHAT IF? provoking keynotes, presentations, Embracing complexity through masterclasses, workshops and a curriculum innovation TeachMeet session. This conference aims to: A develop teachers’ knowledge and understanding of curriculum innovation A provide a platform for the sharing of curriculum innovation and diversity issues in schools A raise teachers’ and leaders’ understanding of diversity and Wednesday 4th October to Friday 6th October 2017 contested issues Shore School, North Sydney A share research perspectives of curriculum innovation. ACSA NEWS MARCH 2017 5 CONFERENCE ACSA conference The conference starts at 3.00 pm on Wednesday 4th October and closes at 3.30 pm on Friday 6th October 2017. It will take place at North Sydney’s Shore School which overlooks the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Day 1 ends with the President’s reception held on the School’s lawn with views of Sydney Harbour. This is complimentary for conference delegates and includes drinks and canapes. To finish the day — take a stroll through North Sydney’s busy CBD, experience the Blue Street cafe culture, or kick on at the famous Commodore or Greenwood Hotels. Pre-conference workshop: At the end of Day 2 delegates are invited Emerging Leaders Program to join us for the optional conference For the first time, ACSA is offering a gala dinner at the heritage-listed Sunset pre-conference workshop for emerging Room at Luna Park with uninterrupted leaders. Limited to just 40 places. views of Sydney Harbour. Further information coming soon. REGISTRATION FEES (to be confirmed) ACSA member Non-member Conference registration per person $600 *$760 from 4–6 October 2017 Optional conference dinner per person $100 $100 on Thursday 5 October 2017 Optional pre-conference workshop per person $300 $350 4 October 2017 * Non-member registration of $760 includes 12 months ACSA personal membership. Special! Group rates (not available for the pre-conference workshop) ACSA member Non-member Four to six teachers attending from a school $500 per person *$660 per person when each person attends the whole conference Seven or more teachers attending from a school $450 per person $450 per person when each person attends the whole conference * You might like to consider joining ACSA as an institutional member for $240 and registering for the conference at members’ rates. A certificate of participation for this professional learning opportunity will be issued to all delegates.