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Doomadgee teachers learn at USC
Links between Doomadgee State School and the University of the Sunshine Coast were strengthened recently when 21 of the school’s teachers visited the Sippy Downs campus for professional development workshops.
USC’s Education staff helped update the teachers from the remote school near the Gulf of Carpentaria on the latest techniques for teaching numerical literacy, particularly relating to technology.
USC Lecturer John Hunt said these techniques had gained importance since special laptops – as part of the One Laptop Per Child scheme – were introduced at the school, boosting the attendance and educational outcomes of the mostly Indigenous students.
“Four of the Doomadgee teachers are recent USC graduates so they particularly enjoyed returning to the campus,” he said.
Graduates Amanda Copperwaite and Simon Calder said they were finding the job very satisfying.
Mr Hunt said the University also was sending current preservice teachers to Doomadgee for workplace learning.
Martin Brogan, of Bokarina, said he was looking forward to working in another part of Queensland as part of his USC Graduate Diploma in Education.
Mr Hunt said the workshops involved internet resources for maths and language learning and activities such as podcasting and creating Indigenous art.
“We’ve developed a real engagement with the school community and expect that up to eight teaching positions could be available to USC students next year,” he said.
The workshops will result in publication of a resource to help novice teachers meet the challenges of remote communities.
– Julie Gatehouse