The Fogarty Learning Centre
In partnership with Edith Cowan University
L-R Prof Kerry Cox, Vice Chancellor, and Dr Ken Chern, US Consul General, with Fogarty Chair, Annie Fogarty (centre), and Trustee Caitlyn Fogarty at a visit to the Fogarty Learning Centre.
Since 2002, the Fogarty Foundation has enabled over 80 teachers to upgrade their qualifications in the Graduate Certificate in Learning Difficulties or the Master of Education.
The Fogarty Learning Centre
ECU’s Fogarty Learning Centre is set to continue leading the way in teaching and research after the Fogarty Foundation Board of Trustees renewed their partnership with ECU’s School of Education.Valued at more than $100,000 per year until 2011, the partnership will ensure continuation of the Centre’s initiatives in literacy clinics, coaching and research.
During 2009-10, the Fogarty Learning Centre (FLC) on the Edith Cowan University (ECU) Joondalup Campus maintained its reputation as an innovative education initiative with a strong collaborative and community focus.
The Centre has seen remarkable growth in the number of schools, students and teachers involved since its inception in 2000. During 2009, 62 schools took part, involving 65 teachers and 515 students.
The success of the Centre has, in part, been due to the quality of the FLC researchers who excel in the teaching of one-on-one literacy and numeracy to both pre-service and postgraduate teachers. The Centre has successfully linked one-on-one literacy and numeracy programs with on-site and school site literacy and numeracy coaching for children.
Under the direction of Prof. Deslea Konza, the Centre has also retained its strong focus on research into literacy, numeracy, science education, learning difficulties, behaviour management, early childhood studies and school effectiveness, children with learning difficulties and curriculum development.
Among the fifteen (15) research projects undertaken in 2009, the Fogarty Learning Centre recently launched a research project in partnership with the Department of Education to evaluate governance of Independent Public Schools. Focussing on two schools, the research will track the transition from School Councils to School Boards.
As a result of the partnership with the Fogarty Foundation, the FLC has maintained strong links with Government Departments, the corporate sector and other industry partners to continue to provide action learning opportunities and to sustain the ‘ripple effect’ that typifies the direction of the Fogarty Foundation.
The ECU Centre at Roseworth Primary School
A strong outcome of the partnership between the Fogarty Foundation and ECU has been the commitment of $500,000 by ECU into the development of the ECU Research Centre at the new Roseworth Primary School.
Scheduled for completion in July 2010, the Centre will benefit both the school and the university. The complex school environment will be provided with expertise and support in areas identified by the school. The Centre will have an observation classroom where pre-service teachers will view classes and see experienced teachers in action. An important direction for the partnership will be to raise language, literacy and numeracy levels of students.
2nd year ECU student “Being able to work one-on-one with a child, whilst having the scaffolding required to assist me has provided me with the opportunity to see learning taking place in both my student and myself…”
Last updated: June 2010
www.ecu.edu.au/community/initiatives/education-and-arts/the-fogarty-learning-centre fogarty.education.ecu.edu.au