greenhouse: An Integrated Knowledge System for Teachers

Authors

  • Grant Wheatley

Abstract

This paper outlines the development in Western Australia of an environment for sharing knowledge about teaching students experiencing difficulties with learning. Systems design was employed to build an online environment integrating tiers of knowledge of increasing complexity, and to provide learning opportunities for teachers in peer learning environments that support the rapid spread of good practice built on evidence-based knowledge. Since 2004 the project has utilised a Federal grant to address the professional development needs of both public and parochial teachers in a state of Australia the geographic size of most countries. This environment for professional learning and innovation is called greenhouse and has created a climate for communities of practice and currently has over one thousand five hundred members.

Author Biography

Grant Wheatley

Grant Wheatley has worked as a classroom teacher, teacher in charge of a program for emotionally disturbed students, School Psychologist, Team Leader – Learning Difficulties, Manager of a Centre for Inclusive Schooling and a member of a Review team into the educational services for students with disabilities. He has recently completed another review into services for students with psychiatric disabilities which has resulted in new approaches to identifying students with psychiatric disabilities in WA and the trialling of a new CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health services) and education liaison team. He is the Principal of Hospital School Services and in this role is in charge of 33 programs all in partnership with the Department of Health, which support students who face medical or mental health issues. Over the last three years he has project managed the development of a web-site that caters specifically for the professional development and communication of teachers interested in students with learning difficulties. In 2006 he undertook a Churchill Fellowship to the UK, Sweden and Canada to research joint service initiatives between the health and education sectors, catering for students with mental health issues.

Published

2008-07-04

How to Cite

Wheatley, G. (2008). greenhouse: An Integrated Knowledge System for Teachers. Proceedings of the 52nd Annual Meeting of the ISSS - 2008, Madison, Wisconsin, 3(1). Retrieved from https://journals.isss.org/index.php/proceedings52nd/article/view/1043

Issue

Proceedings of the 52nd Annual Meeting of the ISSS

Section

2007 Papers