Queensland Discovering Democracy Project Update
February 1999
Project Description The Discovering Democracy Schools Materials Project is an initiative of the Commonwealth Government, focussing on civics and citizenship education for Years 4 -10. The Discovering Democracy materials are being distributed to all Australian schools over the next two years. The major materials including 18 units of work, CD ROM, professional development book plus other resources were distributed in kit form in November 1998. Discovering Democracy is non-mandatory.

An important aspect of this project is a professional development program to be provided collaboratively by the Government, Catholic and Independent schools. The following range of professional development options are available to Queensland schools and teachers:

  • school initiative grants;
  • a Queensland Discovering Democracy internet site;
  • over 150 local three hour introductory and familiarisation workshops;
  • opportunity to enrol for two Open Learning Australia university accredited units in civics and citizenship; and
  • two final network conferences to be held in 2000.
Responsible Officer Murray Campbell
Senior Project Officer
Progress update 1. Professional Development Model, Implementation Plan and Communication Strategies
  • professional development model revised (Jun-Dec ‘98)
  • implementation plan developed (Dec ‘98)
  • contract variations with DETYA negotiated (Feb ‘99)
  • model and implementation plan publicised to key stakeholders
  • communication strategy developed
  • ongoing development of Discovering Democracy communication strategies (production of fliers and handouts)
  • 3 awareness raising and familiarisation workshops delivere

2. Professional Development Network

  • Queensland Discovering Democracy professional development teachers’ and stakeholders’ network initiated (currently 350 members)

 

3. Professional Development Audit and Environmental Scan
  • audit of existing school-based and other civics and citizenship professional development programs (Nov ‘98)
  • environmental scan of events and links developed (Oct ‘98)

4. Discovering Democracy Website

  • planning and development of Queensland Discovering Democracy web site (Dec ‘98)
  • website designer engaged and specifications agreed (Jan ‘99)

5. University Accredited Professional Development (80-100 teachers, Dec 98/March/June 99))

  • University courses and units in civics and citizenship education reviewed (July ‘98)
  • stage 1 professional development expression of interest and information survey designed and distributed (Aug ‘98)
  • stage 2 professional development expression of interest and information survey designed and distributed (Oct ‘98)
  • OLA units DEM 11 and DEM 12 (Dec ‘98) administration
  • audit unit contents (Dec ‘98 -March ‘99)
  • maintain contact with teacher enrollees (ongoing)

6. Project Evaluation
  • specifications written (Jan/Feb ‘99)

7. Professional Development Materials

  • Presenters’ Discovering Democracy Kits distributed (Dec ‘98)
  • writers and producers for workshop manual, presenter’s kit and schools’seminar manual engaged (Jan ‘99)

8. School Initiative Grants

  • grant applications designed (Dec ‘98)
  • applications distributed (Feb ‘99)

9. Presenters’ Conferences (8 x 8-12 participants each, May-Sept ‘99)

early planning presenters’ conferences (Brisbane 1;Brisbane 2; Gold Coast; Sunshine Coast; Rockhampton; Toowoomba, Townsville 1; Townsville 2.)

10. Teacher Workshops (150 x 10-12 participants, July-Nov ‘99)

  • early workshop design (Feb ‘99)
  • early planning for workshop delivery (Feb ‘99)
  • establish contact with workshop presenters (Dec ‘98)

11. Coordinating Committee

  • quarterly meetings
  • disseminate information (ongoing)
  • gain advice and feedback (ongoing)
Future activity 1. Professional Development Model, Implementation Plan and Communication Strategies
  • ongoing development of Discovering Democracy communication strategies (production of fliers and handouts, ed views articles and other newsletters

2. Professional Development Network

  • ongoing promotion and development of Discovering Democracy networ

3. Professional Development Audit and Environmental Scan

  • develop and maintain audit and environmental scan of events and links (ongoing

4. Discovering Democracy Website

  • launch Queensland Discovering Democracy web site (March ‘99)
  • publish lesson plans from Open Learning Australia (OLA) assessment (from March ‘99)
  • publish best practice exemplars from school initiative grants (from Dec ‘99)
  • development and administration of Queensland Discovering Democracy web site (ongoing)

5. University Accredited Professional Development (80-100 teachers)

  • maintain contact with teacher enrollees (ongoing)
  • administersecond and third intakes for OLA DEM 11 and DEM 12 (March/June ‘99)

6. Project Evaluation
  • coordinate evaluation surveys for each project phase (June ‘99- May 2000)
  • respond to results of evaluation (ongoing)
  • adjust project model and strategies where needed

7. Professional Development Materials

  • continued distribution of extra Discovering Democracy Kits (ongoing)
  • project manage the design and production of the materials (Feb -May ‘99)
  • materials trial and evaluation (April ‘99)
  • materials publication and distribution (May ‘99)
  • plan and manage production of remote area materials (Aug ‘99)
  • distribute remote area materials (Sept ‘99)

8. School Initiative Grants

  • select successful applicants (March ‘99)
  • administer grants (March-Dec ‘99)
  • publish reports/results/case studies (Jan 2000

9. Presenters’ Conferences (8 x 8-12 participants each, May-September ‘99)

  • plan presenters’ conferences (Brisbane 1; Brisbane 2; Gold Coast; Sunshine Coast; Rockhampton; Toowoomba, Townsville 1; Townsville 2)
  • deliver presenters’ conferences (Brisbane 1; Brisbane 2; Gold Coast; Sunshine Coast; Rockhampton; Toowoomba, Townsville 1; Townsville 2

10. Teacher Workshops (150 x 10-12 participants, July-Nov ‘99)

  • plan for workshop delivery (Feb-May ‘99)
  • establish and maintain contact with workshop presenters (ongoing)
  • plan remote area workshops (July ‘99)
  • coordinate statewide workshop delivery (July-Nov ‘99)
  • evaluate workshop design and delivery (Nov ‘99)

11. Final Network Conferences (x 2: Brisbane and Townsville, April 2000)

  • plan concluding network conferences (from March ‘99)
  • coordinate conference organisatio

12. Coordinating Committee

  • quarterly meetings
  • disseminate information (ongoing)
  • gain advice and feedback (ongoing)

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