The Woodside 2005 Teach Live Program

In 2004 Earthwatch launched the pilot Teach Live program and sent four Victorian teachers on Earthwatch Projects across Australia.

This year, through the generous support of Woodside Energy Ltd , the Teach Live program has expanded, allowing seven teachers from northern Western Australia to join the Echidnas and Goannas of Kangaroo Island research expedition and work as a team to Teach Live back to their classrooms.

The teachers are:

• Susie Bedford, Exmouth District High School, Exmouth WA
• Philip Docherty, Broome Primary School, Cable Beach West WA
• Michael Emrose, Jigalong Remote Community School, Newman WA
• Amy Kelly, Port Hedland Primary School, Port Hedland WA
• Lee Kraeter, North Tom Price Primary School, Tom Price WA
• Simon Roos-Freeman, Yandeyarra Remote Community School, South Hedland WA
• Kerri Walsh, Christmas Island District High School, Christmas Island, Indian Ocean

These teachers will spend one week on Kangaroo Island researching issues relating to echidnas and goannas such as reproductive cycles, home range and juvenile dispersal. They will work together to bring the experience to their students via the web by posting photos, highlights and lesson plans.

They will also participate in forums with students from all the schools involved, learning not only about Kangaroo Island and its remarkable environment, but also about each other.

Teach Live was developed to give teachers an opportunity to gain practical, hands on scientific research skills whilst their students experience a ‘virtual’ expedition via the web.

The interactive nature of the program is an excellent opportunity for teachers to improve their web-based teaching skills and a great introduction to the way innovative technologies can motivate students.

Students get to experience what is involved in scientific research resulting in increased curiosity and enthusiasm for science. It is also gives students, who may not otherwise have the opportunity, the chance to see areas of Australia they have never seen before and a new side to their teachers.

The Teach Live team is updating the Teach Live website everyday via computers, using a Content Management System that has been sponsored by DesignIT.