Conclusion
Our engagement in Action Research this year has greatly impacted our own personal pedagogy. It has also had a dramatic impact on our teaching partners in our year levels as well as school-wide plans for 2017. Through our investigation we have concluded that mindfully implemented 1:1 devices in the classroom can be highly motivating beneficial for learners. We do however fully acknowledge that technology is simply an enabling tool and that it is thoughtful implementation combined with good pedagogy that produces results.
REFLECTIONS
The work I have done with digitised assessment has resulted in more assessment items becoming digital and allowing for greater student choice. The feedback I was able to gather from this type of assessment has greatly informed my teaching and allowed me to plan more target lessons for my students. The continuous feedback I was able to provide using OneNote Class Notebook was highly beneficial to my students and directly impacted on results. I feel the action research process was integral to these discoveries. I have enjoyed the opportunity to engage with my colleges in professional dialogue and see my efforts produce positive results.
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Over half the staff in Year 5 and 6 have adopted elements of flexible learning environments into their classrooms. I am firm believer that this approach to classroom management helps learners understand themselves and develops life-long learning skills. The action research process has allowed me to fully explore flexible learning spaces and provided a model to guide my investigation. Without this opportunity, I would not have been able to achieve what I have.
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It has been amazing to see the impact of collaboration on my students. They are teaching, learning and communicating more effectively with each other. Technology has acted as a helpful tool to facilitate this. The action research model has been intense but highly productive. I recognise that there is a lot more that I can do with collaboration and that this is only the start of my journey.
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FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Next year, the Primary Campus will be moving ahead with implementing STEAM units. The research conducted this year has impacted greatly on this development and will provide valuable evidence to guide the creation of these units. Our current computer lab will be transformed into a Flexible Learning Space and Maker Space. Units aim to have students creating a technology solution to an inquiry question or problem. Collaboration will play an important role in our STEAM units as students work with industry professionals, their peers, teachers and other members of the community. All aspects of the project have played a role in this future direction and we are immensely proud of this contribution.