Embedded Files
This is one of several activities that encourages us to deepen our understanding of various aspects of authentic learning. This particular one focuses on the role of parents as partners in education. 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 CEO Authentic Learning Goal group, and largely written by Ken Nobin. This one is the work of Elizabeth O'Carrigan and has been integrated in the larger work by Ken Nobin. The complete paper can be found here, with a full list of references. Our appreciation goes to Ken for his work.
We can feel very comfortable in saying that we value parents as partners in Catholic education but how do we show that we really are providing the time and circumstances to listen intently to what parents have to say...about lots of things! How can we learn more about our students’ personal needs and circumstances by strengthening our relationship with parents so that we develop a deeper knowledge and understanding about how to create meaning for students in their learning.
Harris and Goodall (2007) put it this way,
'Education is a triangle with three legs:the parent, child, school and if any of the legs fall,the triangle falls as well..' Can we really be delivering on meeting the needs of students, not just the perceived ones, if we don’t bring parents into the picture in a meaningful way?
This activity has two parts. The first part provides a brief summary of what current international and national research is telling us about how parent and community engagement improves student learning outcomes and life chances. It also provides an opportunity for participants to reflect on what’s happening in their own school community and to explore ideas about how to build stronger partnerships with parents and broader links with the community. The second part provides an opportunity for participants to delve further into key elements of how to create authentic connections with parents by asking the right questions and by ‘leading with our ears!’
Pre reading:
Literature springboard 6: Parents and authentic learning
- Participants should read and highlight key statements and phrases as the literature resource is read prior to participating in the activities in this element.
Participate in a progressive brainstorm to reflect on key concepts about parents and their role in authentic learning
The purpose of the progressive brainstorm strategy is to activate prior knowledge about a topic and generate further ideas. In this context, the strategy assists participants to reflect on what’s happening in their own school community and to explore ideas about how to build stronger partnerships with parents and broader links with the community. The following steps are provided as a guide to assist your engagement in the process.
- As a whole group view the stimulus video–Parent Involvement Matters!
- Individually reflect on the video stimulus as well as the key statements and phrases highlighted in the pre reading–Literature springboard 6: Parents and authentic learning.
- Form four groups. Each group is allocated one of the four questions contained in the B10 Parents and authentic learning Google document below.
- Groups are given approximately ten minutes to respond to their allocated question. Record responses in the appropriate section of your copy of the Google document.
- After the designated time, groups respond to the following question. (If paper copies are being used groups pass their recording sheet to the next group).
- Each group then reads the recorded responses and elaborate on the ideas already generated.
- Continue the process until all groups have had the opportunity to respond to the four questions.
Stimulus video
This 2.00–minute clip is a fun visual explanation of how important parent involvement is in their children's education.
Additional Stimulus
- Sydney Morning Herald newspaper article; Catholic parents unite in creating distinct new voice on education matters.
Participate in a jigsaw strategy to delve deeper into how to create authentic connections with parents
It’s all about student learning...'Schools have an important role in helping parents learn the language of schooling so that the parents can provide every possible assistance to their children in terms of developing the child’s learning and love of learning, and in creating the highest possible shared expectations for learning. (Hattie, 2009, p33).
This jigsaw strategy allows participants to collaboratively develop knowledge in expert groups and share information learnt with colleagues. In this context participants are invited to read excerpts from Capacity Building Series K–12 Parent Engagement and explore key elements of how to create authentic connections with parents. The following steps may assist engagement with this activity.
- Divide participants into five expert groups.
- Allocate a section from Capacity Building Series K–12 Parent Engagement to each expert group.
- Groups read their relevant section and engage with the 'professional inquiry' related to their section.
- Group members are encouraged to discuss the questions and share insights with each other.
- Re–group so that an expert is now in each newly formed group.
- Share ideas that emerged from the professional inquiry related to each section.
- Reflect on the following question;
- Knowing what you know now, what will you do differently so that you create and maximise opportunities to build and strengthen parent partnerships in your community?
The following activity is the fist of two that focus on leadership for authentic learning. The next activity explores participant understanding of shared leadership.
Professional learning in this toolbox activity is linked to the following NSW Professional Standards for Teachers
Standard 7: Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/caregivers and the community
Standard descriptor: 7.3.2, 7.4.2
Report abuse