A testament to the success of any new initiative in a school is the comments of students and teachers and their evaluation of this project. During Term 2, I have spent time meeting with student groups, conducting interviews and sending out surveys to students and teachers.

Clearly evident is that Year 10 and 11 students understand that they are learning new skills and thinking dispositions through their engagement with the Independent Learning Tutorials (ILTs). Students comment that they have broadened their skills, are less distracted, more in control of their learning, they like the self-paced, self-directed learning and the flexibility offered by the delivery.

As Project Leader, the learnings that I gain from teachers and students will inform the changes and review of the ILTs throughout 2021. A central goal is to continue to deliver this new mode of delivery in the most effective way for the students. It is wonderful to hear their positive views and constructive suggestions for improvement.

I share some feedback from Ava Colosimo (Year 10) and Sarah Pratt (Year 11) on the ILTs – Masterclasses.

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Ava Colosimo, Year 10

“The new ILT Masterclasses have helped me to become a more independent and organised student; they have provided a different structure of learning in which students are now able to develop their own study habits and learn to manage time accordingly. Through the asynchronous learning structure, the ILTs have enabled us to develop an entirely new set of skills that we otherwise wouldn’t have had access to and can apply to all aspects of our learning – both in class and during the ILTs. The integration of the ILT’s has taught students to look beyond the obvious solution, and has allowed us to utilise and develop different methods of learning. Through the focus on working independently, students have both learnt and developed new learning techniques and skills in which we are able to gain more confidence in our own learning abilities. However, most importantly, I believe that the ILTs prepare students for life beyond the classroom. They allow us to utilise skills that will be necessary in university, future careers and ultimately, for the rest of our lives.”

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Sarah Pratt, Year 11

“After the 2020 lockdowns my learning techniques had been dramatically altered by the inability to stick to a ‘normal routine.’ It was nearly impossible to stay motivated and focused staring at a screen the entire day. However, when the ILTs were introduced, I saw the opportunity to try and rebuild my learning techniques and regain focus for my Year 11 studies. Each 80-minute block we have for each subject every fortnight has become an opening for students like me to work independently on the tasks they choose. The ability for me to be able to have this time has enhanced my independent thinking and planning skills as each time I have an ILT I have the responsibility of selecting what it is I will be working on that period. Masterclasses have also affected the way I learn in a very positive way as they give students who are slower at processing content the ability to stop and start the video anytime they want. This has really helped me with some subjects, as it gives me time to learn and take notes at my own pace. ILTs have also been an important step in my organisational skills as they are programming my mindset to be focused every time I see ILT on my timetable and has enhanced my proactive skills and how much time I spend on small tasks. Overall ILTs have enhanced my learning and skills this year to a great extent and I have benefitted greatly from them being introduced.”