Standard+6.3.3

=Assist colleagues to plan their professional development to enhance knowledge of subject/content and classroom skills. =

One of the workshops covered in a [|UNSW] Teachers’ Professional Development Program was “Structure of the Mammalian Nervous System”. This workshop investigated the basic structure of the [|mammalian brain] and the function of its major components by way of a mammalian brain dissection. Emphasis was given to brain specialization and where the major senses are processed.

This has particular relevance to the HSC Biology option “Communication” most specifically to dot points 9.5.1 and 9.5.7. Apart from learning about the brain through dissection there was much discussion on how to preserve mammalian brains so that the structure becomes more solid and is thus able to be dissected clearly allowing students to differentiate between the sections of the brain.

This information was copied and placed in the Biology resources file for my colleagues to use to increase their content knowledge

As a regular contributor to SEN [[|Accessing the Power], [|Animating Science], [|Sneak Peak at the Beak]] I try to help my colleagues enhance both their subject/content knowledge as well as their classroom skills by providing ideas on how to teach particular concepts and content in ways they may not have tried before.

For the last few years I have been an [|HSC Biology Marker] and pilot marker and I have presented parts of the Biology sessions at STANSW [|Meet the Markers] Meetings. In discussing the marking criteria and interpretations of the questions I am enhancing knowledge of subject/content and we also discuss and compare ways in which different teachers approach particular topics and skills.

STANSW [|eNews], of which I am editor, provides Science teachers with a range of professional development course information and a range of professional resources, thereby assisting my colleagues to plan their professional development around their areas of interest and need.

As convener of the STANSW Early Career Teachers’ Course I am responsible for the content and presentation of the course and thus have a pivotal role in the professional development opportunities presented to the participants. I provide a balanced [|Full Program] which deals with both knowledge/content and classroom skills.

On a more local level I am often asked by my immediate colleagues, to [|recommend] courses for their own professional development.

In these ways, I assist colleagues to plan their professional development to enhance knowledge of subject/content and classroom skills.