1. Searching for Purpose: One Teacher’s Journey of Discovery Dr. Gary Simpson Head of Science Faculty Coordinator of Curriculum Initiatives (Independent Learning) Woodleigh School

2. The Magpie The Magpie is a quintessential Australian bird – raucous, a scavenger/collector and very social. The Magpie is a quintessential Australian bird – raucous, a scavenger/collector and very social.

3. Living Educational Theory Jack Whitehead (1989) believes that a systematic reflection on one’s practice provides insight into the nature of the descriptions and explanations which we would accept as valid accounts of our educational development. This he claims will produce a ‘living educational theory’. Jack Whitehead (1989) believes that a systematic reflection on one’s practice provides insight into the nature of the descriptions and explanations which we would accept as valid accounts of our educational development. This he claims will produce a ‘living educational theory’.

4. Living Educational Theory There are five steps in the action/reflection cycle which is a living educational theory: 1. I experience problems when my educational values are negated in my practice. 2. I imagine ways of overcoming my problems. 3. I act on a chosen solution. 4. I evaluate the outcomes of my actions. 5. I modify my problems, ideas and actions in the light of my evaluations. …and the cycle continues

5. Purpose for Teaching Being Inspired Being Inspired Utilitarian Utilitarian Being Inspirational Being Inspirational Proselytising Zeal Proselytising Zeal The Perfectionist’s Dilemma The Perfectionist’s Dilemma Role Model Role Model Partner in the Journey Partner in the Journey

6. Being a Science Student I studied Science in a Melbourne Government Secondary School during the second half of the 1970’s. This was a time of educational change - almost revolution. I studied Science in a Melbourne Government Secondary School during the second half of the 1970’s. This was a time of educational change - almost revolution. But not in Science Education! But not in Science Education!

7. Purpose No. 1 – Being Inspired. Many teachers teach because they were very successful as students and had inspirational teachers who successfully engaged them in learning for the sake of learning. Many teachers teach because they were very successful as students and had inspirational teachers who successfully engaged them in learning for the sake of learning.

8. Becoming a Science Teacher I did not wish to teach Science. Becoming a teacher was an accident. I had undertaken a Bachelor of Education to study Environmental Studies so I could work in that field (it doesn’t work that way!) I did not wish to teach Science. Becoming a teacher was an accident. I had undertaken a Bachelor of Education to study Environmental Studies so I could work in that field (it doesn’t work that way!)

9. Purpose No. 2 – Utilitarian. Teaching as a means to an end – feeding, clothing and housing myself, partner and family. Teaching as a means to an end – feeding, clothing and housing myself, partner and family.

10. Purpose No. 3 – Being Inspirational. Helping one’s students to set and achieve their goals by sharing one’s passion and experience. Helping one’s students to set and achieve their goals by sharing one’s passion and experience.

11. Many Cycles within One Sub-cycle 1. Master of Education Sub-cycle 1. Master of Education Sub-cycle 2. Master of Arts Sub-cycle 2. Master of Arts Sub-cycle 3. PhD Sub-cycle 3. PhD Sub-cycle 4. Post doctoral Sub-cycle 4. Post doctoral Sub-cycle 5. Where am I now? Sub-cycle 5. Where am I now?

12. Master of Education Students have different needs Students have different needs Students have voices Students have voices Lots of new questions Lots of new questions You need to match the school with your values You need to match the school with your values

13. Master of Arts Social Construction of Scientific Knowledge Theory Social Construction of Scientific Knowledge Theory –Explore traditions of science –Explore the characters and stories of science –Explore the use/abuse of science by society

14. Doctor of Philosophy Resolution of the struggle between my values and practice Resolution of the struggle between my values and practice Teaching as a team game Teaching as a team game Individual students at the centre of my pedagogy Individual students at the centre of my pedagogy Constructivism as referent Constructivism as referent

15. Post-Doctoral Negotiated Collaborative Teaching and Learning Negotiated Collaborative Teaching and Learning –Discovering what the students already know about a topic. –Negotiated Curriculum. –Sharing. –Action.

16. Purpose No. 4 – Proselytising Zeal My parent’s legacy is to do something worthwhile with my life. My parent’s legacy is to do something worthwhile with my life.

17. … the cycle continues Where am I now? Where am I now? –Neo-relativism –Independent Learning –Negotiated Collaborative Teaching and Learning Assessment – reliable, accurate, verifiable assessment Assessment – reliable, accurate, verifiable assessment

18. Purpose No. 5 - The Perfectionists Dilemma. Striving always to do better, but never fully happy with one’s work. Striving always to do better, but never fully happy with one’s work.

19. Purpose No. 6 – The Role Model. One must live one’s values in one’s practice to be a role model for one’s own children and one’s students. One must live one’s values in one’s practice to be a role model for one’s own children and one’s students.

20. Purpose No. 7 - Partnership Being a partner in a students learning journey discovering new things with one’s students certainly encourages me to return to the classroom and work with my students. Being a partner in a students learning journey discovering new things with one’s students certainly encourages me to return to the classroom and work with my students.

21. Purpose from Within Being Inspired Being Inspired Utilitarian Utilitarian Being Inspirational Being Inspirational Proselytising Zeal Proselytising Zeal The Perfectionists Dilemma The Perfectionists Dilemma Role Model 1 Role Model 1 Partner in the Journey Partner in the Journey Role Model 2 Role Model 2

22. Contact Dr. Gary Simpson gsimpson@woodleigh.vic.edu.au