NVHS is part of a national Partnerships funded project to increase student voice in schools across the Central Coast. WHY? Purpose of Project To develop an authentic model for a student centred school which reflects the powerful and necessary interrelationship between student voice, teacher professional learning and reflective practice in transforming learning. It is essential that the model is flexible, adaptable and responsive to the individual context of every school.. What is student voice?

Man areas within a school organisation Student Leadership Group Executive Team SRC Welfare Team Where does Student Voice exist at Narara Valley High School So – what does this mean for NVHS? As a partner to this project on the Central Coast, each school first had to identify where they currently sit on the continuum of student voice and then identify an area that could be improved and also achieve the desired outcome For NVHS: We already have: - an effective and relatively productive student leadership team - an SRC -Completed a ‘tell them from me’ survey -Access to Year Advisor (welfare team) -Access to counsellor So where could student voice be improved?????

Learning / classrooms Faculty Areas of Learning

Why do you learn about the ‘stuff’ you are taught in class? Teaching/Learning Program B.O.S Syllabus Pedagogy Student learning needs

The Board of Studies NSW was established in 1990 to serve government and non- government schools in the development of school education for Years K-12. It provides educational leadership by developing quality curriculum and awarding secondary school credentials, the Record of School Achievement and the Higher School Certificate. B.O.S Syllabus

Pedagogy Pedagogy: is the science and art of education, specifically instructional theory. An instructor develops conceptual knowledge and manages the content of learning activities in pedagogical settings. Learning theories are conceptual frameworks that describe how information is absorbed, processed, and retained during learning. Cognitive, emotional, and environmental influences, as well as prior experience, all play a part in how understanding, or a world view, is acquired or changed, and knowledge and skills retained. Lev Vygotsky: theory is focused on zone of proximal development Lev Vygotsky: theory is focused on zone of proximal development Jean Piaget: Theory is focused on child development stages Jean Piaget: Theory is focused on child development stages Howard Gardner: Theory is focused on multiple intelligences Howard Gardner: Theory is focused on multiple intelligences Benjamin Bloom: Theory is about levels of challenging thinking ‘blooms taxonomy’ Benjamin Bloom: Theory is about levels of challenging thinking ‘blooms taxonomy’

Pedagogy

Student learning needs Average of 25+ students Both male and female Cultural diversity Socioeconomic diversity Varied academic abilities Existence of learning difficulties 25 individual learning needs Average of 25+ students Both male and female Cultural diversity Socioeconomic diversity Varied academic abilities Existence of learning difficulties 25 individual learning needs Time of the day weather Physical environment How often do you see the class

Teaching/Learnin g Program

Project Title : Increase Student Voice via Evidence Based Practice for School Improvement and Teacher Professional Learning

Thinking about your lessons; topics you have learnt about How do you think you can communicate your opinions to your teachers? How can it be worded so that ALL students can access the activity? How would you describe the mechanics of a lesson? What do you think you should be getting from your learning and classroom experience?

Student Ideas on Methods of communicating feedback on learning experiences The question asked was: How do you think you can communicate your opinions to your teachers? Students were asked to consider the following in responding to this The ability for the teacher to ‘hear’ all voices The fact that not all students like to speak up in class discussion Some students struggle to use written communication Some students may use the system to be insensitive or silly The presence of a ‘donkey vote’ Time constraints in a lesson and on student time Internet access

Student Ideas on Methods of communicating feedback on learning experiences One-on-one conversations with teachers or member of the leadership team regarding course / learning experiences Reverse teaching method (review the topic to the teacher) Learning style survey at the beginning of the year Class discussions / group discussions - record these discussion for reference at a later date / get a chosen student to minute the discussion Create a ‘diary room’ that students can access when they have things to say about their learning (will have camera; questions prompts on the wall etc) Anonymous comment box / suggestions / compliment box – teacher brings box in once per fortnight Online survey (on Moodle) (on Facebook) (in class) (as a year group) - once a fortnight - easy questions - tick a box - have space to write comments / other ideas

Create a blog on Edmodo with discussion threads (this can be done on Moodle as well as FB too) Facebook – create a subject page and have secret group with messages and discussion threads Texting the teacher Have small focus groups within courses to discuss stuff Evaluations need to be regular (students will forget as the weeks pass by so once a term is not sufficient) Need to explain the purpose of evaluations – educate ALL students on how it ties into teaching practice as you have with us on this student voice presentation MAKE IT known as IMPORTANT Student Ideas on Methods of communicating feedback on learning experiences