2012 Victorian Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat National

Partnerships Schools’ Forum

Approached to join SLIP.

Stats that matter.

Understanding our goal.

New idea’s.

Improved Teaching.

Development of Leadership Skills.

Passing on Knowledge.

Improved confidence and motivation.

As a teacher and a member of SLIP: I could recognise idea’s delivered in the

lectures and relate them to my teaching.This information supported some of the

changes I have attempted in the classroom.By connecting this research with my

teaching, it gave me confidence to continue to develop my techniques by taking risks with my teaching.

I took a great deal of interest in the three presentations that discussed Semantic Waves.Karl Maton is an expert on the topic, he

discussed the theoretical research behind it before giving actual examples which relate to the classroom.

Summary:Basically, relating the theory learnt in the

classroom and how it is used in the real world and vice versa.

What we need to know throughout our lives and then relating this to the curriculum in the classroom.

Going back and forth between the two gives students a healthy semantic range creating a wave. (Unpacking and repacking information).

Let’s use the term Ratio.Begin with the term.

‘When do we use ratio’s?’Use student examples.Relate it to the real world.Unpacking.

Gambling, Recipes, etc.Discuss how it is used.

Then we give the term ratio a clear and detailed meaning.

(Teacher writes on the board for students)

Term Definition Example

Ratio Compares two or more groups using values measured in the same unit.

3:1

SG-, SD+

SG+, SD-

Conceptual termUnpacking of term using previously learnt terms, everyday language and body language, including an example from everyday life.

Repacking of descriptions into table.

Semantic waves are created using two measurements:Semantic Gravity – degree to which the

meaning relates to its context in the real world.

Semantic Density - degree of condensation of the meaning. (Refers to the number, clarity and detail of meanings).

Both may be stronger (+) or weaker (-) along a continuum of strengths.

Detailed, clear, many meanings:Weaker SG= the less meaning is

dependent on its context.Stronger SD= more meanings are

condensed.

Relating to the real world:Stronger SG= more closely

meaning relates to its context.Weaker SD= fewer meanings are

condensed.

Weaker SG

Stronger SD

Weaker SD

Stronger SG

Strengthening semantic gravitye.g. moving down from an abstract

concept to concrete examples of that concept.

Weakening semantic gravitye.g. abstracting generalising

principles from the concrete particulars of a specific context or case.

Weakening semantic density.e.g. ‘unpacking’ a dense concept

into everyday language.

Strengthening semantic density.e.g. Condensing a large range of

meanings into a symbol or technical term