Minutes of the Christchurch Primary ESOL PLC Quarterly Meeting – Term 4 2014 held at Wheki 302, College of Education, University of Canterbury, on Wednesday, 5 November from 9:15am to 12 noon Present: 41 teachers and teacher aides Schools represented (26): Aidanfield Christian School, Avondale School, Belfast School, Breens Intermediate School, Burnside Primary, Cashmere Primary School, Fendalton School, Ilam School, Isleworth School, Kirkwood Intermediate School, Merrin School, Middleton Grange School, Northcote School, Oaklands School, Phillipstown School, Riccarton Primary School, Rolleston School, Roydvale School, Shirley Primary School, St Alban’s School, St Anne’s Primary School, St Joseph’s School (Papanui), Thorrington School, Wairakei School, Westburn School, and West Spreydon School, as well as the University of Canterbury. Apologies were received from Gaylene Price (UC Education Plus), Wendy Lynch (Christchurch South Intermediate) and Dianne Walker (Isleworth). Welcome Glenys welcomed everyone and thanked Jocelyn Howard for setting up for the morning’s session and hosting us. A welcome was extended to Sam Wayman and Leanne Kennedy from Thorrington School, as well as to Dianne Gibson, a former member returning to visit us. Glenys gave an outline of day, and Jocelyn covered some housekeeping matters. Jocelyn had also put information about two new programmes starting at the College of Education next year on the tables. There was also a competition form for the Education Perfect programme to be demonstrated and opportunities for a free trial. Meeting Focus: Education Perfect After an introduction by Jocelyn, Cathy Sim Skyped in from her Dunedin office to demonstrate how Education Perfect operates and what it has to offer, using a shared screen. One or two members had formerly used the programme to learn another language, but the ESOL section is newly developed. Education Perfect began as Language Perfect in 2007, primarily for revising languages; over the past two years it has developed widely and now encompasses many subjects The website is www.educationperfect.com, and a login is required. There is a video tour on the dashboard, which helps locate what you are looking for. The ESOL/EAL Modules have been structured alongside teachers from NZ, Australia and Asia, and are quite generic. Sections include Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, Vocab, Film study, Grammar You can use a global scoreboard, country scoreboard or school schoolbpard Points are given and are calculated according to how long after a session the content can be recalled Cathy demonstrated the student side of the programme. The vocabulary section includes Paul Nations’ 2000 words list. The control panel allows teachers to organise classes and manage content; login from the home page or on “control panel” at the top. The learning material covers content, homework, online exams. The Student Achievement section includes competitions, opportunities to track progress, etc My classes and Students allows users to reset student passwords, organise classes, view student feedback, etc Content manager is accessed via a search function at top right.
The public content library includes shared content from teachers around world; teachers can share what they create, and you are encouraged to do so. You can create your own content and module ‐ create a folder for the class and drag appropriate content into it to make it straightforward for students; you can also choose questions in a module that you want to use and leave others out. Education Perfect has a full‐time content team who can create relevant exercises for your topic if you send an outline of your content. Homework can be set from within Content Manager, or using the Homework function in Control panel. It tells you the maximum time it will take; you can choose multiple exercises to add up to the required time. A completion summary report can be emailed to you. Student progress can be tracked within a set date range, and statistics can be exported to a spreadsheet Members are able to request a login and have a go; Jocelyn commented that it will probably be student‐ led as at the College of Education, where it is used for learning Te Reo. There was then opportunity for questions: o Is there anything for Ss who cannot read yet? A: Choose Vocabulary on the Dashboard – this covers high frequency vocabulary in seeing and listening. There are also some translation exercises (vocabulary from a number of languages to English). o Will they be able to add pronunciation practice? A: It is in the pipeline and they are interested in providing it, but there is no timeline for it at present. o What about putting words into meaningful sentences after learning them? A: Cloze exercises can be customised to lists you are wanting to practise. o How is it managed? A: Teachers’ accounts are free, and you can register as many classes as you like; you can set them up yourself or send names through and they will set it up for you. o Can individuals sign up? A: A private user account costs, but if you sign up as a teacher you get free access. Teacher aides also get a free teacher login. o Can students access the full suite of exercises in their L1? A: This is separate, but not in the trail period. o What are the costs? A: Languages or ESOL cost $30; it would be an extra $30 to access the languages section after the trial. o Is there a minimum number of students? A: No o Can the free trial be deferred to 2015? A: Cathy will talk to each person about the best time for the trial, but you can have your teacher login details as soon as the trail forms are processed so you can look at it over summer. The programme is currently mostly focussed on secondary students; there is a need to work with primary teachers to create suitable content for primary students. You can also use Paul Nations’ list and target words. Glenys suggested using imagery for the vocabulary. The programme would be useful for students who have been discontinued off ESOL but need to continue assistance. Cathy promised a high level of support in using the programme; Jocelyn commented that they have never had to wait, and that there is always someone available. Jocelyn suggested that several schools work together so that particular areas can be strongly developed.
Judith thanked Jocelyn and made a presentation to her. MORNING TEA ‐ 30 minutes Lucky draw for Education Perfect
Hot Spot – Rachel Bainton, Middleton Grange School – Food tasting activity Rachel shared about an activity she had done with two Year 5‐6 students who are at Stage 1 for speaking. It involved a variety of foods, which they had to name, describe and predict the taste of. She showed examples of the vocabulary that the children came up with during tasting, and the new vocabulary that was developed, such as sour, sweet, crunchy, soft, sticky, mandarin, meringue, salty, fluffy, etc Possible experiences include labelling photos, retelling from photos, written description They then moved on to instructional/procedure writing (making toast, pancakes, etc) related to the science topic of changes in food. Which foods do we cook? How do we cook this? They made popcorn, melted chocolate, dipped fruit in it and watched it harden again. Judith thanked Rachel and encouraged members to share something they have been doing. Feedback for MOE There were two questions to be answered: ‐ One asked about members’ level of confidence and skill in the use of ELLP. ‐ The other asked for ideas for the PLC meetings next year. After discussion in small groups, the feedback sheets were gathered by Judith for collation and sending to the MOE. Library Update – Judith There have been no recent purchases. Judith asked for suggestions for the cluster library. She wants feedback on what types of resources are wanted e.g. dictionaries, bilingual picture books, teacher resources, games and which languages should be targeted. ESOL Update – Margie The newsletter will be on the blog. Key points were: ‐ Learning and Teaching Languages Symposium – worth looking out for next year ‐ PLD for next year – find out what is in your school next year and how that ties in with the needs of ELLs ‐ Ready To Read changes – think about enrolling for a webinar about instructional strategies for RTR; make sure it is pointed out to literacy leaders ‐ Funding applicationns using ELLP ‐ support is available before the end of the year if needed. Assessments should be done this year; consider support for teachers and moderation systems. Use self‐access modules online ‐ Reporting on ELLS – points from MOE guidelines ‐ Charters should include guidelines for reporting achievement of ELLs – some copies were given out with the link included. ‐ Christmas – be inclusive ofcelebrations in other cultures ‐ What systems are in place for notifying start dates next year? ‐ Summer slide in reading – links to useful sites ‐ AV resources – based on four big ideas – from ELL perspective ‐ ELLINZ – for Year 7 & 8. Funded through MOE ‐ National kapahaka festival in Christchurch next year ‐ Culture Galore 2015 ‐ Snapshots on ESOLonline – good for staff meeting discussion etc. Be careful with choice. ‐ School Journal library – pdfs available ‐ Connected series now audio‐visual
‐ Language, Education and Diversity conference 2015 ‐ What workshops to run next year? – tear off sheet CANTESOL – Judith ‐ The AGM was held at the end of Languages Symposium. Judith stepped down and Margie is the new primary rep. ‐ TESOLANZ – There is a focus on getting regions together to support each other in supporting ELLs. International Update Glenys shared some updates from ChristchurchEducated, including the AGM . Details will be on the blog. Blog Update – Glenys Glenys showed how to navigate the site and where to find the meeting agenda, minutes, hot spot notes, library information, advisor notes, CANTESOL, TESOLANZ, Resources, Links, qualifications, etc. The blog address is http://chchesolplc.blogspot.co.nz/ Please email details of cultural events etc to Glenys. Concluding Matters ‐ Judith and Kirsten made presentations to Glenys and Helen, both of whom were standing down from the committee. ‐ Glenys will continue to maintain the blog. ‐ Judith asked for new committee members. ‐ Date for Term 1 and possible venue – Westburn, Week 7/8 (18/25 March) – Mary to check dates and confirm. ‐ Survive the rest of the term, and have a wonderful restful break. Meeting closed 12 noon