Invitational Seminar
- Towards a Framework of 'Essential Learning'
- Seminar focus
- Key speakers and panel discussions
- Keynote speakers for the seminar
- Minister launches consultation paper
Towards a Framework of 'Essential Learning'
On Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 March 2004, the VCAA hosted an invitational seminar to highlight current thinking and research, and to stimulate and further debate amongst educational leaders about ways of developing and implementing quality curriculum for Victorian students in the 21st century. The seminar was designed to complement consultation with the education community on the VCAA's approach to the development of a framework of 'essential learning'.
Pictured above - participants at the VCAA seminar on curriculum reform in late March.
Seminar focus
Issues discussed at the seminar included:
- How do we shape a curriculum that will provide our students with the best opportunities for their continuing education, work and life?
- What core concepts within the disciplines of knowledge do students need to understand?
- What generic skills, attributes and values do students need to equip them for success in the 21st century?
- How do we develop appropriate performance standards and assessment processes for 'essential learning'?
Pictured above - Michael White with the Minister for Education and Training, Lynne Kosky, MP and Tom Bentley following the Minister's address
Key speakers and panel discussions
The seminar included presentations from national and international speakers and Victorian school and system representatives. Keynotes were followed by panel discussions involving school and system representatives from around Australia and leading practitioners from a range of Victorian schools.
Pictured above: Tony Mackay facilitates a panel discussion led by Dianne Peck of Glen Waverley Secondary College, Carolyn Woodhouse of Footscray City Secondary College and Paul Sedunary of St Pius X School.
Keynote speakers for the seminar included:
Tom Bentley (left), from the UK think-tank Demos, who has been influential in advising on education and public policy reform in that country.
Bruce Wilson (right), the Chief Executive of Curriculum Corporation, who is closely involved in the development of national curriculum consistency.
Gabrielle Matters (left), the Director of New Basics in Education Queensland.
Lorna Earl (right), Associate Professor and Head, International Centre for Educational Change at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, whose most recent book focuses on using classroom assessment to maximise student learning.
Professor Geoff Masters (left), Chief Executive of the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), who drew on his widely recognised expertise in assessment and reporting.
Minister launches consultation paper
During the seminar, the Minister for Education and Training, Lynne Kosky, MP gave an address on the directions for curriculum reform in which she also formally launched the Victorian Curriculum Reform 2004 Consultation Paper.
This seminar provided an excellent opportunity to co-opt the expertise of educational leaders into the process of developing a framework of 'essential learning' that will engage, support and challenge Victorian students in the 21st Century.
Pictured above - Minister for Education and Training, Lynne Kosky, MP
