During the week, Nathan Dumbleton, a science teacher and Apple Distinguished Educator from Barker ran a fantastic professional learning session on his own idea, the concept cube, where students develop and confirm their understanding by creating a 3D cube, populating each side with information and then linking this back to the software aurasma which allows them to link small videos of their explanations that can be viewed by staff and other students.
The session explored Nathan's own work in Year 7 classes and certainly provided a multitude of ideas for the classroom application of this unique approach to learning. Nathan's website http://www.conceptcube.com.au/ provides a range of detail on this work and well worth the look.
About the Author : Brad Merrick
As well as being the Director of the Barker Institute, Brad is the Director of Research in Learning at Barker College. As a music teacher he has a passion for learning and enjoys teaching, conducting ensembles and performing. He has a keen interest in emerging technologies, professional learning and creative pedagogy. His doctorate investigated the relationship between student self-efficacy and self-regulation in creative learning environments. He has published widely and has also presented at many national and international conferences. His professional experience in education has also involved casual academic roles at the University of Sydney, University of NSW, University of Western Sydney and the University of Queensland. At present he is National Vice President of the Australian Society of Music Education.