Hi Kelli, and welcome to the Sydney Poetry social network. You are member #17.

Have a read of the welcome note (if you haven't checked it out already) to find out more about the site.

I hope you enjoy your time here, and if you do, please feel free to invite other poets (and poetry teachers, readers, writers, performers) you know to join.

Your blog post on the national curriculum changes seems to suggest teachers should be actively involved in shaping the outcome... It'd be interesting to hear what you think the new national curriculum might mean for contemporary Australian poets.

Cheers,
Adrian Wiggins

PS: One tip – this site might send you a few emails. If you're getting too many just update your email settings.

I like your blog, especially the article on book art. In regards to, Challenges to developing a blended learning course, with a focus on student-focused outcomes and integrated learning, I feel that this could be best implemented by hiring more outside facilitators and/or by emphasizing 'psychological /artistic based' learning within the tertiary teaching curriculum. For example, understanding and reaching children requires a good understanding of psychology and experience in counselling therapies (person centred, solution focused, behavioural to name a few). Not only this, training in theatre, art, facilitation should be prerequisties, in order to feel confident with the students and to evoke the natural creativity that is innate within children.

I feel that often-I say, not all- teacher/librarian professionals are arrogant and myopic.In the many years -15- that I spent reading and performing my stories, teaching drama, showiing my artworks, teaching yoga, stress management, goal setting, poetry, art etc at pre-schools, primary and high schools, teachers/librarians often did not want to pay me, and wanted me to create workshops for them for free! DECs said that I wasn't qualified enough, although I have a B.arts B.science, a dip. prof. counselling, an ad.dip.prof.writing, and a ad.dip of performing arts ! DECS harassed me for 3 years trying to get me to give them my educational programs(integrative learning) to the Education Minister for free with absolutely no recognition to me!

If the education sector is so desperate for outside 'expertise' then it is about time that they paid for the services that they require and respect and recognise alternative professions! Teachers/librarians need to budget for creative incursions too, as artists rarely get work at schools or libaries, and it is the children, teachers and librarians who are missing out!

Let's work together, as we have the same goal of educating children!

 

I'm glad that you see creative incursions as a great way to engage artists with students, and that you acknowledge the lack of artistic training in teacher education. I am also glad that you are self-teaching yourself in drama and the arts to help you better facilitate. That is great, as your students will love it, and you will too! It is so wonderful to be creative...

Do you have any poems to share on this site? Would love to read them. Have a nice day!