Big Picture PreCAL

My class is a pilot program set up by GOTAFE (Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE) based in Shepparton, Victoria Australia.

It is an innovative program that will use Big Picture principles to engage youth back into learning. Students in the class are those who have been disengaged from learning and not enrolled in traditional secondary schools or at risk of leaving. Students are aged 15 – 19.

Big Picture Design Principles

• Academic Rigour: Head Hand & Heart
• Learning in the Community
• One Student at a Time: Personalisation
• Authentic Assessment
• An organisation to support a culture of collaboration & learning
• The Advisory
• A Culture of Trust, Respect & Care
• Everyone a Leader
• Families are enrolled too
• Creating multiple possible futures
• Teachers & Leaders are learners
• Partnerships

Over the next few weeks each one of my students will write a post about their passion/interests. As a result of their post they will be invited to commence their own blog as part of the Student Challenge Blog.

The first month with my students using the Big Picture approach is to get to know them and for them to identify their interests and passions. In the first week about half identified passions and the other half weren’t quite sure. They would talk about interests but were not really keen to do anything with them.

After two weeks all the class had identified their interests that they were keen to learn and do more with them.

Here is the class list and their passion/interests:
Aaron – plumbing, Aimee – childcare, Bonnie – signwriting, Brittany – panelbeating/spraypainting, Daryl – cars, Justin – engineering, Kelly – photography, Madison – travel agent, Okkan – engineering, Nathan – car audio, Sean – bricklaying, Thaniel – radio engineer, Tye – cars, Zac – roof tiling, Zara-Lee – forensics.

A real challenge to allow them to follow their passion and to ensure that the curriculum/training is integrated.

One of the first things I have done with the classroom is to try and personalise it by and make it a comfortable environment for student learning.

We have had a couple of couches donated by GMLLEN and they have also contributed $2000 in funding for the extra things to make learning more fun and inviting. We are buying a wireless/bluetooth injet printer so the students can print using their phones, digital cameras/video recorders and art materials.

This week we are having a visit by a primary school art teacher friend who is going to help a small group of the artie students improve our displays.

It was interesting the other day when a group of the students mentioned they would like more couches and comfy chairs in the room and less school tables and chairs.

Another little bit of personalisation is to sign in with our daily book. Write your name and then add your favourite food one day, the next your favourite pet, football team, colour, word, country to visit etc. It all helps to get to know the students and each other.

The GOTAFE Big Picture class of 2010 has commenced with 16 students. Students ages range from 15 – 19 and we have a wide range of interests and passions.

Over the last week the class has spent time exploring their interests and getting to know each other. The first week started with each student choosing another person and going for a walk and talk with one person to talk and the other listen for 5 minutes.

This blog will detail over the coming weeks how this class explores and facilitates student learning by each young person following their passion or interests and getting opportunities to learn outside the classroom in the real world.

Another activity was to bring an object that they are passionate about and give a short talk. Here I am talking about a fly fishing souvenir my son brought back from New Zealand.

Hope you enjoy the journey with us.

Geoff Allemand (Teacher/Advisor)

Welcome everyone to your Big Picture PreCAL Classroom Blog.

This is where we share with the world what our great class is doing, learning and achieving.