Faculty of Education - Theses
Permanent URI for this collection
Search Results
1 - 1 of 1
-
ItemImplementing a curriculum change: extending the school day( 1994)The use of time as a flexible resource in education is an important element in the future direction of Australian schools. This particular research examines the feasibility of implementing an extended hours program at an independent school in Southern Tasmania; St.Michael's Collegiate School, Hobart. The study then continues to apply the findings in a broader context. The report shows that at St. Michael's Collegiate School, student and staff support for the current after hours program is high. Indeed, students identified a large number of advantages for the formalization and extension of the current program. These advantages included an improved learning environment, the potential for a broader subject range and the perceived advantage of covering the curriculum more effectively. Staff also noted the potential for a reduction in stress levels, and the possibility for co-curricular activities to be scheduled. The research did find, however, that many staff were sceptical about the formalization of the extended hours program. Concerns included the method of compensation for staff, the availability of preparation and correction time, and the potential for students and teachers to become tired. The research shows that an extended school day would be a valid method of increasing time on task at St. Michael's Collegiate School, although several issues would need to be addressed. These issues would pertain to any school considering the extension of the school day. Firstly, it would be necessary to promote and develop general staff acceptance of the proposal, consulting with each staff member, and determining individual roles with the implementation of the program. The research also found that an increase in the length of the school day would not be successful without the introduction of a comprehensive staff development program investigating methods of using time in the classroom more effectively. The extended day program should consist of a combination of co-curricular activities, a broader subject range and increased time for current subject offerings. A further consideration would be the introduction of new techniques to offset the costs incurred with the extension of time. Finally, as a result of the research, a model specific to the needs of staff and students at Collegiate was devised, with implications for all schools preparing to extend contemporary time limits in the classroom.