Too Much Information is Never Enough
Tests are something that few students look forward to, yet at Surf Coast Secondary College they are becoming increasingly accepted as part of the school’s effort to constantly derive data on its student cohort.
At the commencement of a new subject each student is required to undertake a test that measures their existing knowledge of the associated topics, with the results then collated and analysed by teachers and used to map out each individual’s learning going forward.
“Our absolute main aim is to meet each individual’s learning needs and to do that we need to know where each student is at in terms of their knowledge,” Assistant Principal Erin Weightman explains.
“In the past a teacher stood in front of a class of 25 students and taught them all the same thing, but that is something we are determined to move away from.
“Of course there will always be students who like to sit back and be told what to do, but under our system they can’t fly under the radar or go unmissed.”
Towards the end of each unit students are again tested to see how far they’ve come during the period. However, if you think that students are the only ones being tested at that stage, you’re wrong.
“The mid-term testing helps the teachers see if their message is getting across as best it can. We always endeavour to make tasks as interesting, engaging and relevant as possible, and providing a large amount of individual feedback is very important in the process,” maths and science teacher Andrea Loving says.
At the commencement of a new subject each student is required to undertake a test that measures their existing knowledge of the associated topics, with the results then collated and analysed by teachers and used to map out each individual’s learning going forward.
“Our absolute main aim is to meet each individual’s learning needs and to do that we need to know where each student is at in terms of their knowledge,” Assistant Principal Erin Weightman explains.
“In the past a teacher stood in front of a class of 25 students and taught them all the same thing, but that is something we are determined to move away from.
“Of course there will always be students who like to sit back and be told what to do, but under our system they can’t fly under the radar or go unmissed.”
Towards the end of each unit students are again tested to see how far they’ve come during the period. However, if you think that students are the only ones being tested at that stage, you’re wrong.
“The mid-term testing helps the teachers see if their message is getting across as best it can. We always endeavour to make tasks as interesting, engaging and relevant as possible, and providing a large amount of individual feedback is very important in the process,” maths and science teacher Andrea Loving says.
The focus on each student’s learning pathway is part of Surf Coast Secondary College’s mission to provide what could generally be referred to as 21st century learning, and Ms Loving says the benefits of such an approach are already apparent.
“I have a very high expectation of my students and what we’re doing is really at the cutting edge of education.”
Fuse is a specially designed program that integrates the core subjects of English, mathematics, humanities, and science at a level each student is capable of. At times students will study common themes that interweave all of the subject areas, while at other times learning will be focused on the development of a specific skill, such as numeracy and literacy.
“We want to continually do better for our students and we do that by catering for each student individually, preparing them for a future that is changing rapidly,” Ms Weightman says.
To find out more about Surf Coast Secondary College or to make an appointment for a tour of the school call (03) 5261 6633 or email surf.coast.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
“I have a very high expectation of my students and what we’re doing is really at the cutting edge of education.”
Fuse is a specially designed program that integrates the core subjects of English, mathematics, humanities, and science at a level each student is capable of. At times students will study common themes that interweave all of the subject areas, while at other times learning will be focused on the development of a specific skill, such as numeracy and literacy.
“We want to continually do better for our students and we do that by catering for each student individually, preparing them for a future that is changing rapidly,” Ms Weightman says.
To find out more about Surf Coast Secondary College or to make an appointment for a tour of the school call (03) 5261 6633 or email surf.coast.sc@edumail.vic.gov.au
