Expanding Professional Growth Through: Authentic Class Observation
Class observation is a practical and visible way to explore diverse teaching strategies and gain first-hand experience of the classroom dynamics. It provides participants with an invaluable opportunity to effective pedagogical practices in action. Participants will have the privilege of visiting an exemplary Queensland school for a structured and immersive class observation experience. This extends beyond mere observation, as participants will engage with school leaders and gain insights into the comprehensive whole-of-school education approach. Observation serves as a universal method for gathering valuable information that can be applied to a wide range of educational contexts. It leaves a lasting visual impression on the observers. Experienced teachers may utilise this option to validate and refine their teaching strategies, while trainee teachers can leverage class observation as a preparatory tool to ensure their future teaching endeavors successful.
Enchancing Teaching Skill Through: Professional School Practicum
Please note – dependent on the duration and activities, participants may be required to apply for a Blue Card (child protection clearance) in Queensland. EQI can arrange professional school practicum opportunities for eligible visiting teachers. This carefully arranged school placement provides supervised experiences that allow participants to apply their learning in a real classroom setting resulting in building confidence and effectiveness in classroom teaching and classroom management. The practicum experience encompasses a comprehensive range of activities to strengthen participants teaching abilities. It begins with a school induction ensuring a smooth transition into the school environment. Participants will work-shadow with their assigned teacher buddies and gain valuable insight into their teaching practices. They may also engage in school routine meetings by contributing to the collaborative educational environment. In addition, participants have the opportunity to develop their lesson planning skills and deliver culturally enriching presentations to create a meaningful cultural and professional bond with an Australian school.
Empowering Educators Through: Deparmental Workshops
An EQI Professional Visit Program provides access to some of Queensland’s most talented educators and subject experts who deliver high-quality departmental workshops. These workshops serve as fundamental building blocks, catering to various teacher training programs and encompassing a wide range of educational topics. The wealth of expertise within the department ensures that participants can acquire new technical knowledge and enhance practical techniques that can be directly applied in their classrooms. By engaging in these departmental workshops, participants can broaden their pedagogical repertoire, stay abreast of current educational trends, and forge connections with esteemed professionals in their field. It is an enriching opportunity to exchange ideas, collaborate with like-minded educators, and elevate the quality of education both locally and globally. Learning outcomes are determined by the workshop duration. For example, a short workshop is usually for general fact-finding purposes. A longer duration of a week or more could achieve more specialised and sustainable learning outcomes.
Enriching Professional Growth Through: Virtual Master Class for Educators
The Virtual Masterclass for Educators offers a dynamic and interactive learning experience, allowing participants to delve into specialised education topics through engaging online sessions. Led by the Department’s most accomplished teaching talents, these masterclasses provide a unique opportunity to explore their wealth of experience and innovative techniques. This program is most suitable for educators who are pressed for time but aspire to rapidly advance their professional knowledge in this digital era. Participants have the flexibility to choose between a single session or a series, depending on the desired depth and variety of the topic. Typically, the masterclasses are organised as a series of 5 to 10 sessions, combining both\ the workshop lessons and class observation experiences. To ensure an optimal learning experience, each session accommodates an audience size of 10 to 25 people. However, a larger class audience can be arranged upon consultation with EQI.
The masterclasses are offered in two formats:
Online class observation:
This format employs a ‘camerain-a-classroom’ approach, providing participants with a live observation of a classroom setting. The session duration is 60 minutes, aligning with the standard school lesson duration of 45 minutes. At the conclusion of the lesson, participants may have the opportunity to interact with the class teachers for questions and answers.
Online workshop:
This format is a live 90-minute training session focusing on a specific educational topic. It is commonly run in a seminar style, encouraging audience interaction with the subject expert. Alternatively, for larger audiences where interaction is less emphasised, the session can be delivered lecture style, maximizing the content delivery. Workshops are delivered by subject experts from the Department of Education, ensuring participants receive expert guidance and insights.
