Own Your Biome - PBL @ MOC

Project Based Learning at Mark Oliphant College has been a very successful integration into our Curriculum. The rate of achievement and engagement is very high, as our students aim to find real-world connections through their learning, and make significant contributions to society through their work.

The 'Own Your Biome' Project was devised by a small team of MY teachers as part of our Year 9 Geography, English and Science programs. The students researched a biome using Reading Guides and from this, wrote a Report on Human Impacts on the Environment. In addition, students created a food web in Science, that they then prsented on their website.

The real-world connection from this project though came afterwards. Students created their own teacher strategies, such as webquests, comprehensions and quizzes to use with a Yr 5 student from the college, as they use their understanding of the topic to teach others. This transferrance of knowledge was a great way for our students to have a sense of ownership over their learning.

Proficient Standards

1.1 Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students Use teaching strategies based on knowledge of students’ physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics to improve student learning.

1.2 Understand how students learn Structure teaching programs using research and collegial advice about how students learn.

1.3 Students with diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds Design and implement teaching strategies that are responsive to the learning strengths and needs of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds.

2.1 Content and teaching strategies of the teaching area Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities.

2.2 Content selection and organisation Organise content into coherent, well­sequenced learning and teaching programs.

2.3 Curriculum, assessment and reporting Design and implement learning and teaching programs using knowledge of curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements.

2.5 Literacy and numeracy strategies Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement.

2.6 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Use effective teaching strategies to integrate ICT into learning and teaching programs to make selected content relevant and meaningful.

3.2 Plan, structure and sequence learning programs Plan and implement wellstructured learning and teaching programs or lesson sequences that engage students and promote learning. 3.3 Use teaching strategies Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem solving and critical and creative thinking.

3.4 Select and use resources Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning. 3.5 Use effective classroom communication Use effective verbal and nonverbal communication strategies to support student understanding, participation, engagement and achievement. 3.6 Evaluate and improve teaching programs Evaluate personal teaching and learning programs using evidence, including feedback from students and student assessment data, to inform planning.

4.1 Support student participation Establish and implement inclusive and positive interactions to engage and support all students in classroom activities.

4.2 Manage classroom activities Establish and maintain orderly and workable routines to create an environment where student time is spent on learning tasks.

4.5 Use ICT safely, responsibly and ethically Incorporate strategies to promote the safe, responsible and ethical use of ICT in learning and teaching.

6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice. 6.4 Apply professional learning and improve student learning Undertake professional learning programs designed to address identified student learning needs.