Student teachers try remote classroom

In a bid to encourage budding teachers to experience teaching in rural Queensland, 13 USQ education students will spend the next three weeks living and working with remote students across the State.

Coordinated by USQ’s Faculty of Education, The Isolated Children’s Project (ICP) will see third and fourth year pre-service education students placed with families living in rural and remote areas that have children enrolled in one of the Queensland Schools of Distance Education.

ICP provides USQ student’s with a unique professional opportunity, preparing them to be global educators with a wide range of experience in different teaching environments. Melissa Crawford is a fourth year Bachelor of Education (Primary) student who participated in the Isolated Children’s Project last year and enjoyed it so much that she is involved again this year.

'I participated in ICP 2010 and found it was a great way to enhance my educational experiences, as I was working in an environment that was completely different to the typical classroom context that I have witnessed during my compulsory professional placements.' 

'I chose to participate again this year, because I believe that the additional experience that I gain will help me to become a more well-rounded graduate.'

All students’ travel costs are funded by USQ’s Faculty of Education in partnership with the Mt Isa Branch of the Air, Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA). The ICPA assists by arranging project funding through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR).

'After I graduate, I would love to be placed at a rural school. I learnt a lot while participating in ICP 2010, most of all that living out west isn't the end of the world. The people who live in these communities are very welcoming, supportive and friendly and you feel at home as soon as you arrive. When you teach the students in these communities, you aren't just a teacher; you are a family member and a friend.'

'I enjoyed travelling to somewhere completely new to teach children that I had never met before. The most exciting thing about ICP is that when you take away all of the problems that traditional classrooms can have, it is just you working one-on-one with the students. You really get to know how they learn best and you get to be the best teacher you can be.'

'By participating in ICP 2010, I became more open-minded to the various contexts in which learning can occur. I learnt that you don't always have to be in a structured learning environment; some of the best learning occurs when you don't expect it. While undertaking my pracs this year, I have tried to engage students in a range of different learning approaches, to ensure that all students have an opportunity to participate in learning.'

More information on the project can be found on USQ’s Faculty of Education website.