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2017 - Learning Caskets - Staff professional learning and sharing

04 August 2017 by Dr Brad Merrick

On Tuesday evening August 1, over 20 Barker Staff from a wide range of backgrounds and teaching areas came together to share in the first of three sessions about Learning Caskets, which are small vignettes of reading and thinking for the participants to ponder and share. 

Working with Professor Lima Semler and Professor Jackie Manuel from the University of Sydney, we had a good evening which saw the staff sharing their thoughts and thinking about two readings, one focused on collaboration and the different opportunities it brings to the classroom, while the second paper referenced creativity and its importance in the learning process. 

It was a fantastic way for Barker to continue the partnership with the University of Sydney and the team from the Shakespeare Reloaded project. We look forward to session number two next week on August 8 and the final session on August 15. 

Learning Caskets is a great initiative and a wonderful way to share experience and wisdom beyond the classroom. We are looking forward to the next opportunity.

About the Author : Dr Brad Merrick

Brad Merrick is the immediate past Director of the Barker Institute & Director of Research in Learning at Barker. He has a keen interest in emerging technologies, professional learning and creative pedagogy. His doctorate investigated the relationship between student self-efficacy and self-regulation in creative learning environments. His professional experience in education has also involved casual academic roles at the University of Sydney, University of NSW, UWS and the UQ. He has held the post of President of the Australian Society of Music Education and also sits on the Committee of the International Commission for Music in School Teacher Education. He is now a Senior Lecturer in Performance Teaching at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.