This is one of several activities that encourages us to deepen our understanding of various aspects of authentic learning. This particular one provides a context for a Catholic perspective on authentic learning and provides some additional video resources to extend our thinking. For each of these activities it is suggested that people be given about a week to do the reading in advance it is usually about four pages.
Each of the literature stimulus papers in these activities draw on an extended paper commissioned by the 2014 CEO Authentic Learning Goal group, and largely written by Ken Nobin. The complete paper can be found here, with a full list of references. Our appreciation goes to Ken for his work.
You may wish to refer to the following components of the NESA Syllabuses for the Australian Curriculum modules in conjunction with this activity: Module 5 - component 5.4.
Pre reading:
Literature springboard 2: Authentic learning in the Catholic school
Additional literature: Pope says schools must show connection of truth, goodness, beauty
Pope Francis says,'a mature person will graduate speaking "three languages: the language of the mind, the language of the heart and the language of the hands," making sure their actions are well thought out and are motivated by what is true, good and beautiful'.
Participants should read and highlight key statements and phrases as the literature resource is read prior to participating in the tasks in this activity.
Participate in a paired roundtable strategy to respond to reflective questions based on the pre-reading
The purpose of the paired roundtable strategy is to reflect on questions that require fairly complex responses. In this context, three sets of recording sheets will be passed around group members simultaneously to maximise individual contribution.
View and review stimulus video clips
Stimulus video one
In this 4.10 minute clip parents share why they chose an Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic school for their children.
Stimulus video two
This 4.39–minute clip is a promotional video for an individual US secondary school.
This learning activity has provided an opportunity to engage with our understanding of authentic learning from a Catholic perspective. An additional Australian Curriculum module which addresses this in greater detail from a curriculum perspective is available on the SCS Professional learning modules site . The following activity opens up a consideration of the impact of environment on learning.
Professional learning in this toolbox activity is linked to the following NSW Professional Standards for Teachers
Standard 6: Engage in professional learning
Standard descriptor: 6.2.2