Teacher ideas

Enthusiasm abounded in Chris McLennan's Years 5–6 Literacy class as students built their dream bikes in the 'Dream machine' learning object.

'They're excited because of what they've achieved and the strategies they've used. They loved looking at each other's designs and talking about it. And it's been really good for their writing. The objects provide immediate reinforcement and feedback to the children which is really wonderful. There was high interest when they wrote passages of work, describing their bikes using similes. It really enhanced their descriptive writing.'

Chris McLennan, Years 5–6 teacher, Victoria

Image reproduced with permission of Ryan Pierse.

In Liam Kruytbosch's 'Heroic endeavours and relationships' unit, students were encouraged to analyse and think critically about racism in different contexts. Previously inaccessible historical and contemporary Australian images and film from TLF increased the relevance of the unit to many of the students.

'The main limitation of this unit, previously, has been the lack of relevant and accessible information regarding Indigenous Australians that interest a diverse range of abilities and integrate with technology. TLF learning objects and resources have changed that.'

Liam Kruytbosch, Years 8–9 teacher, Northern Territory

What a fascinating journey for Fiona McIntosh's class – they explored the two historic flights made by Charles Kingsford Smith and his crew.

'It's a pretty amazing learning object. It's absolutely loaded with things that kids love – I loved it. It's got really accurate footage from the period and kept the kids absolutely riveted. They really loved the fact that they were able to make their own newsreel. For some kids it's probably the best piece of work I've seen them do this year! Most students made wonderful observations, comparisons and displayed the knowledge they had acquired.'

Fiona McIntosh, Years 4–6 teacher, Victoria

Image from the collection of the National Archives of Australia.

In the unit 'Political rhetoric and propaganda in the Second World War' students used a selection of learning objects, posters, photographs, film clips and sound files to examine ways messages were conveyed during wartime. Using an interactive whiteboard Di McDonald introduced her Year 9 History students to critical analysis of primary sources. Students then completed individual research on their laptops.

Di McDonald, Year 9 teacher, Victoria

Making music by building rhythms and following counting rules on a number line provided engaging learning opportunities for Koori students in Victoria.

'I think it's fantastic. For thousands and thousands of years my people have always learnt visually or through articulation. Having learning objects like this really do foster the ways that we've been raised and the way we learn. These kids are very musically oriented – here, they are in charge of creating their own. They're owning.'

Zac Haddock, Years 1–2 Koori educator, Victoria

The different levels of complexity in the 'Wishball' series provided Jane Moore with a great opportunity to effectively align digital learning resources to the specific learning needs of her students when exploring the concept of place value.

'I introduced 'Wishball' to the class using the interactive whiteboard. The kids loved it! Like-ability groups then explored one object in the series which was specifically selected to support their learning needs. In total, six objects in the series were explored across the class and each child was engaged throughout the session.'

Jane Moore, Years 3–4 teacher, New South Wales