Learning boards are used extensively across the Design and Technology and Engineering Skills classes.
Beginning with the Year 7 Elective unit on creating boomerangs, through to boards outlining the steps on how to make a shovel, the learning boards break down the steps / stages that students need to work through. Visual learners are especially catered for, as they can see each step and it is supported by Subject Discipline Literacy (SDL) processes that support the school's literacy goals.
With each iteration, Craig and the other teachers are expanding and refining the way the boards are created and used.
Students are using the boards to check their understanding and to measure their work against. We are even finding students disappointed when we don't have learning boards for different projects.
The boards take quite a bit of work - making multiple copies of the same thing, with just the 'next step' added.
Whilst an earlier push was to make digital resources, in a workshop situation, these are often difficult to access and are not always as effective, especially for the visual / tactile learner.
We are now being challenge with a 'good' problem - how do we display them, and where do we store them when not in use.
Craig is keen for others to take these initial ideas and to expand and adapt them to different situations - he is currently discussing possibilities with the food technology and digital technology teachers at the College, as well as teachers from other schools. Craig will be more than willing to chat with anyone who is interested in taking his ideas and adapting them for your own learning