GROOTE EYLANDT, Northern Territory, Australia - Groote Eylandt is the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, part of the Northern Territory of Australia. About 225 students from preschool through year 10 attend Alyangula Area School, which serves a mining community. The setting may be remote, but students here take advantage of learning opportunities all around the globe. Explains computer teacher Dianne Sullivan, "The technology available today has opened a whole new world of opportunities for students to explore through the use of the Internet, online learning, and online projects."
During a two-year period, Sullivan led her fellow teachers in designing an online learning project called "Treasure Eylandt." The project connects students from Groote Eylandt with other learners living in faraway places. "Treasure Eylandt" has built a global cross-curricular classroom around the theme of maritime journeys and exploration.
Through online project, students around the world can explore maritime environments.
Months before the launch of the "Treasure Eylandt" site, Sullivan helped her colleagues start thinking about the best ways to integrate technology into the curriculum. "I looked at how teachers were already integrating technology in their programs and where improvements could be made. I had to do a lot of learning myself," she adds, "many hours of surfing the Web, problem solving, and a lot of trial and error." Through cooperative planning and building-level professional development, Sullivan convinced her colleagues "to move out of their comfort zones," and integrate technology in ways that would get students more engaged in learning and more inclined to use higher-order thinking.
While teachers were getting more comfortable using technology in the classroom, Sullivan was also busy updating the school’s infrastructure. "Learning how a server works and how to maintain a computer network were all new areas for me," she says, "but [it was] an exciting time as I was able to share this new knowledge with the staff." An initiative by the Northern Technology Department of Education meant new computers, a satellite dish, and Internet access for remote schools, such as Alyangula Area School. "This was a real bonus for remote schools in the way of accessing information and online learning. My work, drive, and passion for online projects moved a step closer to happening," explains Sullivan.
Professional development proved the key to making online projects a reality. Jo Tate, an expert in online projects and collaborative learning, came to the school for a two-day workshop, "Adventures in the Global Classroom." Prior to the workshop, Sullivan loaded new software onto school computers and taught her colleagues the basics of Web site design. She also did more research about online projects and joined the International Education and Resource Network (iEARN), which fosters ties among schools interested in participating in collaborative, cross-cultural projects.
After the workshop, teachers at Groote Eylandt "were inspired and motivated to work together," Sullivan says. The staff agreed on the maritime theme, a natural focus for their subtropical island, and formed teams to take on specific project tasks. Teachers agreed to continue devoting professional development time to project planning.
In October 2001, "Treasure Eylandt" was ready to launch. Partner schools from Australia, Canada, and Russia began collaborating online with students from Groote Eylandt.
Open-ended projects featured on the site engage students in the study of marine science, history, art, math, and other content areas. For example, a project called "Flotsam and Jetsam" involves investigating tracks and traces left by humans, animals, plants, and man-made objects as they journey through the marine or shore environment. In addition to collecting evidence, students also create original artwork to share their responses to their maritime discoveries. They use the gallery space of "Treasure Eylandt" to showcase their artwork.
Sullivan has found online projects to be great motivators. For instance, she connected a class of year 2-3 students, including many reluctant writers, with online pen pals from England and Perth, Australia. Their topic: the journey of the Bark Endeavor, an 18th century sailing ship that explored the coast of Australia. Having a wider audience for their writing inspired Sullivan’s students to write more, and also to take more satisfaction in their efforts.
Sullivan has been busy sharing her enthusiasm and insights about online projects. She traveled to Moscow in 2002 to present the "Treasure Eylandt" project at the international iEARN conference. Last summer, she spent 10 days in the U.S., representing Australia at the International NASA Space Camp. The trip was awarded on the basis of her use of technology and development of the “Treasure Eylandt” project.
Although "Treasure Eylandt" is still online, Sullivan is no longer at the helm. She has moved to another remote school, Casuarina Street Primary, located in the Northern Territory community of Katherine. Many of her students are children of Royal Australian Air Force personnel. "I will be taking my good practice and experience to my new school," she says, along with her passion for online learning. "This is the beauty of the online environment," she adds, "location does not matter, as long as you have the equipment, motivation, and innovation in your teaching." For more information about iEARN, go to www.iearn.org*.