Academic

Maroochy Botanic Gardens members

‘Environment Stewardship’ presentation Maroochy Botanic Gardens

‘Volunteering’ presentation Queensland Garden clubs Presidents morning tea

The following abstracts are examples of articles published. For additional articles email: lester.publishing@gmail.com

Assessment in multiage primary classrooms

Nita C. Lester PhD

GriffithUniversity

To enable teachers to become ‘transformative intellectuals’ (Huckle, 1996), a critical form of educational inquiry that enables them to investigate their practice, is required (Robottom, 1987). Such an approach was used in developing assessment resources and materials with teachers, not for teachers. The important thing is to help teachers help themselves by sharing with them ways of developing the tools and skills of assessment. This paper describes how I engaged teachers in a process of mobilising ‘assessment capital’ through a participatory action research approach. This was used for the development of assessment resources and materials, in order to foster improved student engagement and learning. A case study of one school is presented in this paper. This school had multiage classes. The case study highlights the potential role of teachers as transformative intellectuals in schools.

For full article email:  lester.publishing@gmail.com

Relationship building: Understanding the extent and value

Dr Nita C. Lester, Griffith University

Relationship building in the remote rural settings studied occurred at various levels: professional, school-based, personal, and community-wide. Principals and teachers who understand the importance of relationship building—especially its personal and community-wide facets—who take the initiative in establishing and nurturing relationships and improving them through reflection over time, are more successful at motivating, inspiring, and aligning country people to facilitate change. The acquisition of supportive relationships is presented as a possible precursor to successful school leadership and teaching in small remote rural school settings.

For full article email: lester.publishing@gmail.com