Network groups have been a formal and informal part of the VCV at various stages over the decades. Now research has shown that such groups can be really powerful in helping people to embed new practices into their teaching.  Many schools have groups of teachers working in professional learning teams on action research projects in recognition of this.

As part of our reconnect theme at the conference last year, we formed a number of regional groups to work as professional learning teams. If you missed out, feel free to contact the convenor closest to you to be a part of the team. Regular meetings will share and trial ideas both in terms of curriculum and pedagogy. Each group can set their own task for enquiry, or a direction in which they wish to head. Such a structure or approach would count towards Professional Learning hours for VIT registration purposes.

It is about moving from a community of professional learners to a professional learning community.

Possible ideas for discussion at meetings:

• The essential questions underpinning Visual Communication at various levels
• The use of structures such as Understanding by Design to plan curriculum
• Writing rubrics and establishing “success criteria” for VC units.
• Formative assessment strategies in the VC classroom
• VCE VCD Study Design: ideas for VCAA Review Panel to consider
• Sharing SAC questions
• Creative ways to teach instrumental drawing
• Using wikis and blogs in the VC classroom

Essentially, each team decides on a direction / path they wish to pursue, sets meeting dates and a goal or target.

VCV will provide reading material or a short video (e.g. from Teachers TV) to stimulate/begin discussions.

Teams are organized on geographical basis, and hopefully include a range of sectors (Govt, Independent and Catholic)

There is a convener for each team who coordinates meetings, reports back to VCV and generally keeps the momentum going.

Teams work when people can see a tangible benefit to themselves and the wider picture, and when people choose to work together.