UNE Creative Animations Teacher Professional Learning Day Friday 2nd November at the School of Education, UNE Dr Susen Smith (UNE) and Mrs Sharon Ison (NEGS) presented the fourth major 2007 event for Gifted & Talented rural and regional students and teachers at the University of New England.

The Faculty of Professions, School of Education hosted the UNE Creative animations enrichment program. The event began with a teacher professional learning day on 2nd November where teachers were trained in the use of stop motion, pixilation and traditional drawn animation techniques using a variety of resources such as iLife Suite, iMovie, Garageband, Quicktime and digital still cameras and other materials such as clay figures, Lego, drawings, toys and every day materials. With the support of UNE staff and students and MAC1 staff, teachers created their own animations. Photos of the day and the teachers’ animations.


UNE Creative Animations Student Enrichment Day for Middle School Students Saturday 3rd November at the School of Education, UNE Middle school students worked in groups guided by teachers, UNE staff and students and MAC1 staff to creatively construct animations using computers, cameras and a variety of other chosen materials. These animations were presented in the afternoon to teachers and parents and certificates, awards and posters were presented. The students also went home with their group’s animations on CD. Click on the link to view photos of the students and from that page click on the group links to view the students’ animations.


Parents were provided with a demonstration on animations, held a parent forum to discuss provision for gifted students, attended a morning tea and signed up for a parent networking group. Parents returned in the afternoon to view their children’s animations and for the award ceremony.


Participants included 60 students, 12 teachers, 10 UNE staff and 5 UNE students from G & T units were involved. Students were from Catholic, Independent and Public schools and came from Walgett, Gunnedah, Quirindi, Uralla, Narrabri, Mullaley, Walcha, Tamworth, Inverell, & Armidale to participate in this unique event. The School of Education ICT team and the Teaching & Learning Team worked together to support teachers and students over the two days. The two day event was not only enjoyable but gave the students and teachers the opportunity to be creative, imaginative, cooperative and technologically productive. This was another very successful event for gifted students and for teachers who are keen on providing enrichment opportunities for gifted students. Participating schools.


Our Sponsors
The UNE National Centre for Science, ICTs, Mathematics Education in Rural and Regional Australia (SiMERR) provided some funding which enabled some awards to be presented and four groups were awarded excellence or highly commended awards based on their groups’ creativity, imaginative storylines, and productive use of technology. As there were up to six students in each group, then 20 students from 20 schools were recognised in the commendations. MAC1 sponsored the event by providing professional learning facilitator, 3 staff and 50 lap tops and the software needed to create the animations. Thank you for your support.

Thank you to all who supported the project.

Susen