Mathew Gallen As Aboriginal communities go, Kiwirrkurra in the Gibson Desert is as traditional as any in Australia. Even as late as the 1980s some in the community had never laid eyes on a white person and few had ever made the 700 kilometre journey to Alice Springs, the closest town.
However, for ECU teaching graduate Matthew Gallen, this is where he calls home. Matthew has lived and worked in Kiwirrkurra for three years as a teacher at the local remote community school. With up to 15 students in his care, some with learning difficulties, Matthew was keen to make a difference.
“I returned to ECU to do a Masters because I realised that I needed to learn more if I wanted my students to learn more. I now have skills and knowledge that allow me to look at my classroom in a completely different way. I am more aware of how to improve the learning of all students, but especially those with learning difficulties.”
Matthew was able to complete his study in the off-campus mode which meant he relied heavily on the internet and online learning tools.
“Studying at ECU has been challenging, both intellectually and logistically, but the last two years have produced some of the most rewarding learning I have ever engaged in.“
Matthew was also the fortunate recipient of an ECU Fogarty scholarship which enabled him to complete his studies whilst remaining in the township of Kiwirrkurra where he was needed most.
“More than just making studying easier, the scholarship made studying a possibility. Without it I wouldn’t have been able to stay in such a remote community for as long as I have.”
Our areas of research strength include literacy, numeracy, science, behaviour management and ICT. With their in-depth knowledge of all facets of the education industry our specially assembled teams of experts deliver tailored research programs.
Research into language and literacy is recognised as one of the major research strengths of ECU. Over the past ten years, ECU researchers have won numerous DEST funded and other national projects. The research program of the Centre has widened and includes studies not only of the teaching and learning of literacy, mathematics and science but now transcends the curriculum to include such topics as student behaviour management, student retention and school effectiveness and support.
The centre conducts research aimed at improving schooling in Western Australia through supporting the development of powerful learning environments and maximising the effective use of learning technologies.
ECU’s Professor Judith Rivalland has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to literacy education with a National Literacy and Numeracy Week Minister’s Award.
Professor Rivalland was presented with the award in recognition of the contribution that she has made to literacy education through leadership, research and practice over more than 40 years of service to the community.
Currently Professor of Language and Literacy Education at ECU and Director of ECU’s Fogarty Learning Centre, Professor Rivalland has worked in the area of literacy education since 1967. Throughout her career she has been a passionate advocate of literacy teaching and learning and Professor Rivalland’s work has had an impact on literacy education both nationally and internationally.
The following ECU staff members recently published award winning books that are making an impact in schools and universities around Australia.
Geoff Lowe
Senior Lecturer, Geoff Lowe won the Australian Association of Education Publications - Best Secondary Teacher Reference Book. His book titled ‘The Jazz and Rock Resource’ is a comprehensive teacher reference book for teachers wishing to use more contemporary forms of music in the classroom. It covers a wide range of jazz and popular musical genres, introduces teachers to landmark works within each genre and logical and sequential teaching approaches and strategies associated with each genre. The book has proved to be very popular nationally, and has gone into reprint after only one year. The text also includes a CD ROM with over 100 activity sheets, and an audio CD of musical examples.
Dr Tony Fetherston
Titled ‘Becoming an effective teacher’, Dr Fetherston’s book is an introductory teaching and learning text which starts with the context of teaching in Australia, it then covers broad teaching approaches, planning, contextual factors that affect lessons, teaching strategies and the use of ICT in the teaching and learning process. It includes two strong chapters dealing with assessment. This 362 page book is used by every WA university, by many Eastern states universities, in New Zealand and in Fiji.
Dr Vaille Dawson
Teaching science is an art that requires a unique combination of knowledge and skills to make the most of students’ interest and foster their understanding. The ‘Art of Teaching Primary Science’ by Vaille Dawson and Grady Venville recently published by Allen and Unwin (2007) addresses these fundamental issues in teaching science in the primary and early childhood years. With contributions from leading educators, it pulls together current research and current practice to provide a hands on approach to teaching science. The book is a follow on from the highly successful text, ‘The Art of Teaching Science’ published in 2004 which is now used in more than half of Australian universities. Both books are an excellent resource for preservice teachers at the primary and secondary level. Topics include effective teaching practice, including strategies, resources and assessment, key issues such as scientific literacy, integration of science and technology and activities outside
the classroom.
Terri CartmillGraduate Certificate of Education (Learning Difficulties)
“The program allowed me to explore and understand the reasons behind poor achievement and the best methods for improvement,” she says. “I feel more confident with my abilities to provide meaningful learning experiences and believe what I do makes a real difference to their overall educational outcomes.” Terri completed her postgraduate program at ECU with the help of a Fogarty Scholarship and is now doing a Masters. |
Teaching in a remote community is a challenge for any teacher, but when many of your students experience learning difficulties it can be even tougher. Terri Cartmill credits her Graduate Certificate in Learning Difficulties for making the difference in gaining the skills and knowledge she needed to become a positive influence on her students and the school she works at.