
St Anne's Catholic School

OUR LEARNING AND TEACHING

Future Focused Learners
Also known as the Y Generation or the Net Generation
Our students our Future Focused Learners!
This means:
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Life without technology is non-existent;
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Earlier generations introduced to information through print - this generation takes a digital path;
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Technology is simply a means to an end;
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Consistent multi-tasking - simultaneously watches TV; talk on phone; listen to music; interacts with social media etc.;
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Gravitates to group work - working collaboratively;
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The ability to move between the real world and the virtual world is instantaneous.

New ways to look at learning:
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Ubiquitous learning: takes place anywhere, anytime, at any pace and on any learning device. Learning is no longer restricted to the classroom - the physical environment of schools are just a part of the learners experience. Learning continues at home, friend’s homes, on the bus etc. at any time using online technologies.
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Agency is ‘the power to act’ to be informed, enabled and empowered learners. Opportunities are provided to become more active in their learning; contribute, create and collaborate.
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Connectedness to others in their learning is collaborating, sharing information, making meaning and constructing new knowledge.
Music

7 Important Skills for Future Focused Learners:
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Critical thinking and problem-solving
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Collaboration across networks and leading by influence
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Agility and adaptability
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Initiative and entrepreneurialism
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Effective oral and written communication
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Accessing and analyzing information
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Curiosity and imagination
In our learning teams across the school, we strive to encompass all these skills that future focused learners need.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Students will:
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Think clearly and rationally to analyse and apply it to real life.
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Have the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking.
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Work through details of a problem to reach a solution.
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Use their prior knowledge and experiences to respond to an unfamiliar situation.

Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence
Students will:
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Share and learn with others;
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Work collaboratively schoolwide, nationwide and worldwide through the use of modern technology;
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Take on a variety of roles to enable the development of influential leadership.
Agility and Adaptability
Students will:
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think, be flexible and adaptable to change;
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adapt to a variety of roles, responsibilities and contexts;
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understand that there can be multiple solutions to a problem.


Curiosity and Imagination
Students will:
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develop original ideas and create products in a student-centred environment;
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work collaboratively and independently to analyse, evaluate, refine and improve their ideas;
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understand that making mistakes is an opportunity to learn.

Initiative and
Entrepreneurialism
Students will:
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Turn ideas into action.
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Be involved in creativity, innovation and risk taking.
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Plan and manage projects in order to achieve objectives.
Effective Oral and Written Communication
Students will be able to undertand what is being communicated
to them through:
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Voice
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Written (using printed or digital media such as books, magazines, websites: or emails)
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Visual aids (using logos, maps, charts or graphs)
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Non verbal cues (body language, gestures, tone and/or pitch of voice


Accessing and Analysing Information
Students will:
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Find, evaluate and synthesize information.
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Use information from a variety of sources (web pages, magazines, podcasts, TV, face-to-face interviews and discussions, videos, surveys, books, etc.)
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Understand how rapidly information is changing and adjust and adapt to the changes.