David Truss

The project was called ‘Cause We Care’ – a pun I thought particularly witty, since the Driving Question was ‘How can we raise awareness in our local community about a charity or cause we feel passionately about?’ Whilst I did develop the driving question the students were responsible for the following: deciding on team members and team name, selecting a charity/cause to focus on, their investigation sources and mode of sharing findings (focus questions can be on this document: Cause We Care), the products to demonstrate research, raise awareness and legitimate contribution to cause/charity, their presentation of learning, including sharing learning with experts, defending ideas and celebrating their chosen charity, the Habits of Mind to master for the duration of the project and the outcomes from the Stage 5 English Syllabus they will master during the project ( I gave them a list of the 11 outcomes and the related dot-points, was an eye-opening experience for them!). - David Truss

Employing "Habits of Mind" requires a composite of many skills, attitudes cues, past experiences and proclivities.  It means that we value one pattern of thinking over another and therefore it implies choice making about which pattern should be employed at this time.  It includes sensitivity to the contextual cues in a situation which signal this as an appropriate time and circumstance in which the employment of this pattern would be useful - David Truss

BCELC used Black and Wiliam’s definition of Assessment for Learning as: Any assessment for which the first priority in its design and practice is to serve the purpose of promoting pupil’s learning. 1. Clear Learning Intentions: 2. Criteria 3. Descriptive Feedback 4. Powerful Questions 5. Self and Peer Assessment 6. Student Ownership - David Truss

nquiry is not merely ‘having students do projects’ but rather strives to nurture deep, discipline-based way of thinking and doing with students.  As as entry point, inquiry involves learners: ✦tackling real-world questions, issues and controversies ✦developing questioning, research and communication skills ✦solving problems or creating solutions ✦collaborating within and beyond the classroom ✦developing deep understanding of content knowledge ✦participating in the public creation and improvement of ideas and knowledge - David Truss

How important is it to step beyond boundaries to test ideas and to test yourself? Beyond the boundary lies the potential for disruption, for innovation, for a different way.  Between the two, is the edge, the tension and dynamic between what has always been and what could be. ...stepping beyond the comfort of the status quo is how you become great.  It's how you become a true leader.  It's what true leaders do, and do without regret or pause. Because it's really the only way. - David Truss

Challenge Based Learning is collaborative and hands-on, asking students to work with other students, their teachers, and experts in their communities and around the world to develop deeper knowledge of the subjects students are studying, accept and solve challenges, take action, share their experience, and enter into a global discussion about important issues. - David Truss