SSTUWA TOPS: Teachers Online Planning System K – Yr 10

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TOPS: Take the tears and time out of programming.

TOPS is an online teacher planning program that is easy to navigate, will reduce workload and provide you with all required planning and assessment documentation for all learning areas in K to Yr10.

The package: The TOPS program is on line now. Members can open a TOPS Primary” account, and/or a “TOPS Secondary” account.

See below for SSTUWA website access steps. The program is free to members.

The training: The SSTUWA Education & Training Centre is coordinating training to assist member’s best use the program. See below and refer to the website for details.  TOPS training will cost the member.

KEY BENEFITS

The key benefits of TOPS for professional decision makers are:

• TOPS helps teachers to answer and connect the key planning questions;
• TOPS provides the connection between curriculum and pedagogy;
• TOPS encourages and enables teachers to use ICT for planning-teaching-learning.

Teachers continually consider the following questions every day:

• Why we teach: Knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin our society.
• What we teach: Content of teaching – syllabus.
• When we teach: Sequence of teaching related to developmental stage of the child.
• How we teach: Teaching / learning activities.
• With what: Resources for teaching, stimulus for student learning.
• So what: Outcomes. Assessment tasks. Criteria to measure achievement.
• How well: Standards to be applied. Evaluation of performance.
• For whom: Recognition of individual differences.

TOPS provides assistance with all of these questions and shows how they are interrelated. The solutions are just one click away. TOPS is designed to connect curriculum with effective teaching practice. The learning programs have links to learning activities such as the cooperative learning 'Tribes' activities e.g. rounds, think pair share, inside and outside circle. There are over 100 exciting learning activities that enable the children to 'learn how to learn'.

All union members (only) will have exclusive access to TOPS.

HOW TO ACCESS TOPS

All members can access TOPS online via the union website at anytime. Members need to have authorised access to the SSTUWA website and then you can access TOPS to set up you own personal TOPS online account.  To access TOPS there are some ‘one-off’ set up procedures:

1. Register as a member on the SSTUWA Website:

• You will need to have your union number.
• If you have not created an account, then complete the following steps:

1. Click on ‘Register Here’ on the right side of the page or from the drop down menu under the “Home” tab.
2. When the page loads, complete your details

Note: The following are common mistakes that can delay registration, please check these details carefully:

• Email address. Must be 100% accurate.
• Union Number, please check your union card, not your WACOT or DET            E number.
• Full Name, please type your first name and surname into the name box.

1. Click the register button.
2. Check your email. You will receive an email that contains instructions and a link to click to confirm your details. Please check your details are accurate, if not reply to the email with the accurate details. If all is good, click on the link or paste it into your browser.

• If you do not receive an email, please contact your school technical support person.

1. An email is then sent to the SSTUWA Web Administrator, who upon confirming your details against the union’s membership records completes the account registration giving you access. You will receive an email when this has been completed. It can take up to 24 hours for this to be confirmed, so do it before the workshop.
2. Once your account is active, you can access all areas of the member area.

• For SSTUWA website help contact Paul Andrews, Webmaster: 08 9756 8399 or 0434 889 122.

2. Register on the TOPS site.

• Log on to the www.sstuwa.org site as a registered member (Use your Union number / password).
• Click the TOPS button. It will take you to the Welcome page.
• Select the button ‘Create an account’ for either primary or secondary (or you can set up accounts in both)
• Fill in the details: Name, School etc.
• Then at the bottom click ‘Create an Account’
• You will receive an automatic email, confirming your user name, password and instructions on how to make TOPS a ‘Trusted Site’.

For TOPS Program support and help contact Robin Clarke (Education Research Solutions) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

3. Future Log on Procedure

The next time that you want to get to TOPS:

• Go to the SSTUWA site:  www.sstuwa.org
• Log on to the Union site. (union number and password)
• Click the TOPS button
• You will automatically go to the TOPS site
• Log on to the TOPS site (User name and password)

TRAINING

The SSTUWA Education and Training Centre is arranging for training in the following ways:

• TOPS Full day Workshops: Kindergarten to Yr 10:  Intro full day workshops: An extended day to understand the basics of the program, its content potential and practice actual planning and recording for your class. This essential introduction workshop is held in the union office: Cost $210

• Twilight workshops: A basic introduction course on how to access and use TOPS. These workshops are for 1½ hours and will be held at your school.  Cost: $70 per member. Contact the ETC to organise a workshop at your school.

• Special Interest Groups: full day courses will be offered to meet specific teacher group needs. For example, K/P, RTS, relief, new educators. See the ETC website training schedule for detail.

Term 2 2010 TOPS Training Program:

All Term            Afterschool Twilight in your school: metro and country (1 ½ hr)

Week 6             Monday Mar 24th           TOPS Yr 1 – 7 full day workshop

Tuesday Mar 25^th TOPS Kindergarten/Pre Primary

Wednesday Mar 26^th TOPS Secondary Yr 8/9/10 (all subject areas)

Thursday Mar 27^th TOPS Secondary Yr 8/9/10 (all subject areas)

Friday Mar 28^th TOPS Education Support - Primary

Note: Any of the full day courses can be run in a country region or at your school.

We need a min of 10 participants and we will work to link up country schools. Check the website for in house workshop calendar dates and registration. www.sstuwa.org

At the end of the workshop, teachers will be able to access the program, navigate through the 950 support documents, create and adapt their plans, import their documents and use some of the digital student learning resources.

Country schools can also request the above courses and workshops at times and dates suited to the schools. Where possible a series of workshops will be arranged within the district. Please contact us to help us organise training in your area.

WHAT TEACHERS SAY ABOUT TOPS

Here are some comments by people involved in the trial program:

This will reduce time on paperwork and provide more time for kids.

Annie McKeown, Rostrata Primary

Make this available for all teachers ASAP. It is a great resource with practical applications. Everything is linked and things can be imported from anywhere.

Leanne Summers, Geraldton Primary School

Highly interactive, well structured, user friendly. This is truly a 'saving grace' in terms of new teachers and survival in this vocation.

Xavier Das, Kinross College

It has a huge variety of ideas for all year levels and learning areas.

Winona Rogers, Boulder Primary School

I like the quality and quantity of curriculum documents and resources that are user friendly, and very easy to access, use and adapt.

Carl Sherlock, New Graduate

It helps me to be accountable for what I am doing and why ….  it will ensure that I cover all the materials in the syllabus.

Stacey Waller, Comet Bay Primary School

It is simple, easy to use, effective. This is vital for schools to function effectively and for teachers to gain focus and direction. It promotes confidence for better education.

Bryan Rosher, Highgate Primary

I am amazed at the amount of information available and the ease of use. Fantastic! Thank you for making programming and planning a lot easier and less dramatic.

Aliza Lampard, Greenfields Primary

TOPS: For more information see our website www.sstuwa.org

Or email SSTUWA Education & Training Centre This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it