Time+line

Time Line - Journal entries for: Annette Purton & Ruth Goodman

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**12 July** Semester 2 begins. One of the units is Schools in Society in which Ruth are both enrolled. One of the requirements for this unit was to work collaboratively which meant we had to work with a partner. As Ruth and Annette had met previously at a Summer School (2009), it seemed natural to pair-up for this unit. That evening we had our first telephone conversation to re-connect and discuss working in a partnership, and what we needed to do to complete the unit successfully in a collaborative way. =====

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**15 July** After much discussion via phone and email, we finally made a topic choice which was “Measuring success: How will/do schools and society measure success in achieving their aims and purposes? What are the implications for my classroom practice?” This topic was something we were both interested in. We both decided on some reading materials (to read individually) so that we could centre a discussion around that literature at our next meeting. =====

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**29 July** Ruth sets up a wiki so that we have another mode of communication. We both found the wiki was an excellent tool because it allowed us to add to it whenever we were hit by inspiration. For example, we were able to add information from our readings and further discovered we had a shared understanding. Used the wiki to brainstorm ideas for the Lit. Review. =====

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Ruth explained to Annette that she was in the final three weeks of school placement and could not allocate a lot of time to assignment 2 at that stage (due to a increased workload), but would endeavor to catch up. Our focus was to directed to completing the Lit. Review, for assignment 1. =====

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 * 14 August** A lengthy telephone conversation revealed that we had fairly similar ideas as to “How schools and society measure success in achieving their aims and purposes”. At this stage of our collaboration, we still had a number of ideas which needed to be culled. Placed our ideas on wiki.=====

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**23August** We finally managed to set a date for our first face-to-face meeting, which is planned for Tuesday 9 September which is during the school holidays. After discussing key ideas we both decided to concentrate on researching NAPLAN testing, as we both agreed that NAPLAN is how **school success and achievement is measured today**. =====

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**27 August** Shared the feedback on our Lit. Reviews (via e-mail), read and discussed the feedback from each others assignments. Ruth relised that her Lit. Review was too broad trying to cover too many themes and needed to focus on key themes. =====

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**7 September** Today we had a face-to-face meeting at Ruth’s house and were further able draw on each others ideas and support each other through discussion and debate on the key issues of NAPLAN. We came to a shared consensus at to what should be included in our assignment. Started the Draft for assignment 2 to be posted on Mylo. We thought the idea of plotting backwards which was suggested by Robyn in the web conference “Provocation: supporting collaborative group work” was a great idea. And so by working backwards we decided to put some organisation points in place. Agreed that League Tables needed to be researched further as to decide whether they are a key issue for this assignment, findings to be discussed on Thursday 9/9. =====

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**9 September** We met for lunch and organised to have at least one telephone conversation per week, and post any findings on our Wiki, until the end of the semester. During our meeting we discussed and identified themes, dot points and paragraphs that we would place on Mylo for feedback. We also discussed the element of plagiarism from each other, as we both have worked on developing paragraphs, and if we both use them in our essays, even-though we both write differently, are we at risk from plagiarism??? might have to put the question out on the discussion board. =====

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We also had a discussion regarding when to post our timeline on the Mylo site, (once a week - Annette volunteered to post our entries from our Wiki on to Mylo) we also talked about the journal entries being an ongoing task as it is part of Assig. 3 and agreed that we would continue our journal entries until the end of the Semester. =====

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** 10 September **E-mailed Annette to remind her of the web conference tonight. Participated in Web conference, but my connection kept dropping out (4 Times), tried to keep up with the discussion board, but lost track of the conversation. Must of had a bad connection couldn't hear what was being said, and when I could hear people, two people were speaking at the same time??? It is the first time I have had problem with the technology (was a windy night in Hobart). Annette also had trouble with the web conference and couldn't get in - I have never had trouble with Eluminate before. Not sure what was going on (not going on). It would not accept my Login, so after trying for about fifteen minutes i gave up in disgust and emailed Tim. Now I'm worried about missing some critiical information. =====

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**12 September** Ruth assured Annette as far as she could hear, that the discussion on Friday night evolved around week 8 discussion board topic, not on our assignment. (were we the only students in Hobart having trouble with the connection on Friday night [maybe it was the windy conditions here]). Planning for assignment 3. Looking at National Curriculum testing in UK and No Child Left Behind in the U.S.A - positives & negatives of both policies and what effect they have had on the development of our NAPLAN testing here in Australia. =====

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We had a phone discussion to see if we needed to add anything more to our timeline before we post it in tomorrow. Also talked about the NAPLAN testing results in Saturday's Mercury newspaper page 13. Still discussing the good, the bad and the ugly of NAPLAN testing and what our thought are about the topic and how NAPLAN testing will affect us as teachers. =====

NEXT POSTING FROM BELOW

**13th September. We had a** nother early morning telephone conversation to ensure we were both satisfied with the journal entries so far. The telephone conversation was brief due to work commitments but we were both happy for the journal to be posted onto MyLo. Had a meltdown this morning, as I suddenly realised I had confused myself with Assig. 3. I actually thought that we had to submit separate essays, but no, it is a collaborate task, and we only have to submit the one essay between us, which we have completed a large portion of together. (I feel better now), as I was worrying about plagiarism. Annette was also a little concerned about the process for Assig. 3 .After yet another telephone conversation, we decided to make an enquiry via MyLo which appeared to be the way to go. Shortly after that, we had some replies and have sorted it out now.

**14 September**. There was a web conference about the review process in which we were both able to participate (from our separate abodes) and it made us realise we were able to work well collaboratively and our timeline/journal may be an indication of this.

**15 September.** Have been discussing government funding of schools, when outcomes from NAPLAN testing fall below national averages. During a telephone discussion we have decided to think about the implications of NAPLAN testing will have on us as teachers, and also to look at information available regarding the success of "No Child Left Behind' policy and other outcome based National testing from other countries (such as UK). To be discussed further at our next meeting.

**16 Septembe**r. After yesterday’s telephone conversation and several emails between us, we were a little unclear about the process for including the personal touch, collaborative style for the second part of our assignment – the implications for our classroom practice. So, for the second time this week, we discovered the benefits of the Assignment discussion board on MyLo and used that tool to make our enquiry. Within no time at all we received a response from another student, Had a telephone conversation, discussed whether we thought that NAPLAN testing is either a success or failure - decided to meet up after tea. We got together Thursday evening (horrible cold old night) to work on our draft for a couple of hours, we edited and checked our work that we were going to submit. Decided that we would submit all of the work we had done so far, to receive maximum feedback from our peers. During that time we were also able to work on a conclusion and were both ecstatic to discover we had written 3,200 words between us when we had finished. However, after the review process we are planning to have several meetings to edit our draft before we come up with the finished product, so this could involve culling quite a few words.

**17 September**. Today was the day to submit the draft. This involved yet another early morning telephone call and a couple of emails before we reminded each other that it is only a draft – not the finished product and if we put any more effort into it, our reviewers may not be able to offer any feedback. It may be too good!! So with that we lightened up and Ruth posted it into MyLo. By now it could be in the hands of our reviewers. I (Ruth) was worried, because I still had not received my draft to review, by 8.00pm. on Friday night. Decided to take the dog for a walk and upon checking the Mylo site after my return at 9.00pm there it was. It was really exciting to receive another groups essay, and sat down and read it through a couple of times, making a few notes on the side to be follow up on Saturday. Annette was also a bit concerned because she didn't receive her essay to review until late on the Friday night, so when it finally appeared it was a great relief. **18 September.** Ruth - Have been working on my peer review for a couple of hours today, have found the essay interesting and have included a couple of web addresses in my feedback for my pair to look into and expand on if they wish. I have found giving feedback on others peoples work difficult and now realise how time consuming it can be. Have written 250 words already and haven't come close to finishing, not that the essay is bad; there are just a lot of silly little errors (in the setting out, referencing and in their grammar) that I have noticed, and if they are not corrected will affect their overall result (I don't think they proof read their draft before submitting it?) but at the end of the day, it is only a draft. Annette - At this stage, I have read (and re-read) the assignment draft from my peers but have not managed to actually start my review. They have made it difficult because I think it is very good. However, I have managed to put a few handwritten notes together and will hopefully get my review completed this week.
 * 19 September.** Had a brief telephone conversation to make sure we were both happy with our journal/timeline before posting it into MyLo on Monday morning.

Next Posting


 * 20 September.** We spoke to two Year nine teachers regarding the NAPLAN testing. Both teachers could not work out why the testing was held in May, as it is only 3 months into the school year. Both agreed that the testing would be better if it was held at the end of the year - November, as the results of tests could go towards their end of year assessment. One teacher who is a advanced Math teacher stated that "she teachers to the test, to cover all the different maths formulas needed to complete the NAPLAN tests, then follows up through the year, and teachers for understanding". it was an enlightening and valuable conversation.

We also had a chat about other and future units we are both undertaking, we have also discovered that working collaboratively, that we have learnt a lot from each other, and feel less stressed about the coming assignment (may feel differently next week - depends on the feedback we receive).
 * 21 September.** Met for coffee after work to touch base, we have decided not to work on the essay this week, and to concentrate on the peer feedback assignment and other discussion board tasks. We agreed to 'up' the effort on the 3rd assignment task after we have received and read through our peer feedback next week.


 * 24 September**. We've had a quiet time since Tuesday catching up on other assignments and completing our peer reviews which were posted into MyLo today. We had a phone conversation during which we had a look to see if there were any replies to our postings. We discovered that Robyn had made some very postive comments about our time line. Feedback of that kind (and the other kind) is always welcome because we both feel it is very motivating. We decided we would use this weekend to catch up on our weekly tasks and do more work on other assignments while we wait with trepidation for our peer feedback.

Next posting

Annette and I meet up every Tuesday, for coffee and discussion. We were hoping to have some feedback from our assignment for discussion, if not we will talk about the weekly topic and why 'The Saints' didn't win on the weekend.
 * 27th September.** Contacted Annette to ask whether she had received any feedback on our assignment, but no, both of us are still in limbo waiting for feedback. I had uploaded my feedback on the weekend, thinking that the peers I had to comment on, would value the extra time to make necessary corrections and look into the areas where I believed needed expanding. I suppose I wish people would do the same for us.

Annette let me know that she was unable to join the web conference tonight - prior commitments. I also disclosed that I had to pick my mother up from the airport at 6.30pm (due to the Virgin Airline crisis) and may be late joining the conference (which I did about 7.30). We both wanted to join in the conference and hear the instructions to the individual reflection task which was due next week. I reassured Annette that I would e-mail her what was discussed.
 * 28th September.** Caught up with Annette for coffee after work, touched base, noted that neither of us had our peer feedback yet, and decided to wait upon the feedback before proceeding with our essay. Annette made a comment about how she will miss our weekly meetings (and coffee) when the unit ends. This led to a discussion regarding Sharon's posting (23/9) an entry she had made about the importance of keeping in touch with colleagues, not only from your own workplace, but with other teachers from different schools and other environments - keeping and making a wide circle of professional friends, which to discuss topics and problem solve together. As I am also undertaking an online unit with Curtin University, I have been paired up with a student from Darwin, in which we have to complete a powerpoint together, with the technology available today we have had no problems with communicating and working together thus far. Annette and I have decided to keep in touch after this unit, and to build up our own wide circle of colleagues.


 * 29th September**. Ruth sent Annette an email about the web conference letting her know what was required for the Week 11 discussion and also the requirements for the reflection which has to be posed by 8th October. Annette emailed Ruth about some family business as well. Next weekend Annette is going to Canberra to visit her youngest who moved there in January. She is also taking her brother and elderly, sick mother and they will be going to Floriade. Coming back on Monday. Ruth and Annette decided at the last coffee get together that we would plan a time together (face-to-face) early next week to restart work on our assignment using our peer review feedback as a guide.


 * 1 October.** Rang Ruth last night for a brief chat and discussed our peer feedback which was relevant and useful for when we sit down together and write and re-wite our assignmnet . We may have to do a little more research and come up with some more answers such as why was the "My School" website designed. Surely there must be some positive reasons. Also we may have to expand upon our other negative aspects that we have discussed. Anyway this is Friday night and is the start of attendign to other commitments so that when we get back to our assignment, we will be able to put our all into it.

New Posting


 * 4 October.** After sifting through and analysing the feedback received (which was very informative & helpful) from both peers, a question raised was to explore an issue a little further. After Annette & I pondered about how to find this information out, we decided to e-mail Lin Thorp, the Minister for Education and skills and ask her directly. We hope our couple of questions raised will be answered before this assignment is submitted.

Forwarded it onto Annette. Annette rang and we decided that the information should be included in the essay. With our word count a little on the heavy side, we will have to go through the essay and cull a couple of hundred words. Decided to meet up on Saturday and go through the essay and see what we can chop out.
 * 7 October.** Received a reply to my e-mail from Andrew Jones, Assist. Manager - Educational Performance Services, regarding the timing of NAPLAN testing.


 * 9 October.** Met up, have had lots of discussion about what paragraphs should be cut out or extended, checked our references and resources. A couple of paragraphs which need tweaking have been looked at and revamped. I also mentioned to Annette that I am involved in the Burnie 10 and together with another P. E. teacher take 20 students to run over the next weekend leaving Hobart on Friday morning, meaning that we need to finish and finalise our essay by Thursday night, so that it is posted before I go. Annette being the trooper she is, reckons we will have it done and dusted by Tuesday - how cool is that.


 * 10 October.** Annette feels Ruth is over-rating her in the previous posting but what the heck - she can live with that. Annette feels the same way about Ruth and we both agreed we formed a great collaborative partnership. We had another telephone conversation this evening and decided we would both read through the assignment again a few more times and go over and check our referencing. We have decided to meet up again on Tuesday for coffee and to have our last discussion before posting our assignment on Thursday. We decided that after our next meeting, it will be to pop a champagne cork!