Lighthouse School project

Lighthouse School – a little bit of history!

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In September 2003 Larapinta Primary School was named the fourth Lighthouse School in the Northern Territory. Lighthouse Schools are models of powerful teaching and learning practices using Information Communication Technology as a vehicle for whole school change and systemic change.

This NTDEET sponsored program finished at the end of 2005, the concepts of HOT (Higher Order Thinking) and Student Centred learning remain and still form the basis of teaching practice at Larapinta Primary.

Lighthouse Schools aim to:

Adopt powerful teaching and learning methodology utilising Information Communication Technologies with a focus on student centred learning.
Deliver professional development demonstrating pedagogy, curriculum, ICT and leadership to educators across the Northern Territory.
Document, share and model their learning journey of whole school change to assist other schools in designing and implementing change in their context.
Develop and share human and material resources with other schools.

Lighthouse Schools in the Northern Territory:

Student Centred Learning Practices:

Teachers are always looking for ways of helping students to learn. Generally speaking, in the past, teachers stood at the front of the classroom and 'delivered' information to students. Teachers 'controlled' what information they passed on to students, who were in turn, expected to remember it. Learning revolved around what the teacher thought needed to be learnt. This learning was very much 'teacher centred' and didn't take into account that children learn in different ways. All parents who have two or more children know that individual children are interested in different things, react differently to different things and learn differently. Student centred learning takes this into account.

In the classroom, what this means is that teachers appreciate that there are different learning styles amongst their students and that work needs to be presented in alternate ways to give students the opportunity to learn in different ways. Teachers in fact need a 'toolbox' of teaching strategies to use in the classroom. Whilst teachers provide for students in this way, an important aspect of student centred learning is that there is greater responsibility on students to manage their own learning. This is an essential skill that students learn as they are exposed to this more effective form of teaching and learning.

Tools for better thinking and learning:

We believe that for students to have shared responsibility for their learning they require Higher Order Thinking skills and strategies. To support and scaffold thinking and learning teachers and students use a range of tools (theories, resources and strategies). Such tools may include Bloom's Taxonomy, Multiple Intelligences, learning centres, Thinker's Keys and independent inquiry projects. For more information about these tools visit the Thinking Toolbox.

How do Lighthouse Schools share their practice?
Lighthouse Schools conduct tours, presentations and practicums as a means of sharing their continuous change journey and innovative teaching and learning practices.

Tours and presentations are conducted on a needs basis, whilst two day practicums run once or twice a term. The Lighthouse School practicum is an extended professional learning opportunity that combines classroom visits, teaching and learning theory, practical activities and reflection.

Lighthouse Schools collaborate with other schools to develop, share and publish online resources that underpin powerful teaching and learning.

The Lighthouse School Project provides teachers with opportunities to share, collaborate and learn new ideas. Teachers, at Larapinta and beyond, are able to collaborate when planning, which shares the workloads, increases creativity and builds stronger teams.

Larapinta Primary School, November 2008