Dr Peter Fletcher

Biography

Peter Fletcher’s academic research interests centre on exploring the interplay between various types of pedagogy, andragogy and heutagogy which promote a learning experience that is student-centred, personalised and grounded in local communities and contexts. He takes every opportunity to encourage teachers to explore pedagogies which give school students increased agency and autonomy over their own learning. He believes that when learning is relevant and engaging, students can successfully develop their self-regulation and perseverance skills, which in turn creates an environment to foster deeper learning.

Peter’s educational philosophy is based on the belief that effective teaching, learning and instruction should be interdisciplinary and that students should be challenged to see the world through a variety of lenses - including those of community, ecology, politics, economics, science, culture and social interaction.

Passion - His passion concerns facilitating effective STEM education and technology integration across the curriculum!  There is nothing better than seeing students engaged in authentic learning that links science, technology, engineering and mathematics as they support local community projects and engage in meaningful creation of new knowledge. Hence, he is a big fan and an advocate for Place-Based STEM education (learning and teaching) across primary and secondary school settings.

Peter is an advocate for Outdoor Learning/Education including nature play spaces. Research indicates that students are spending around two hours each day sitting or lying down engaged in screen-based activities and not engaging in the recommended 1 hour of physical activity per day. So, on health-related grounds this is an issue! Additionally, students are becoming just consumers of knowledge rather than makers of knowledge. Peter wants to see a shift towards less siloed units of work and more integrated learning experiences that connect with nature and built environments in mainstream school programs.

Outdoor education initiatives often tend to have an emphasis on environmental and/or sport which is certainly a step in the right direction. Peter likes to enhance pedagogy by utilising science and technology to explore these areas (for example, datalogging microclimates and the physics of sport) and also expand ‘natures’ boundaries to include looking at our place in the cosmos (through geology and astronomy). He also enjoys encouraging people to learn more about first nations people knowledge especially in relation to technologies and astronomy.

Peter has been a member of NSW Department of Education STEM Action School (Hastings Secondary College) team, is a mentor for the - New England Online Gifted and Talented program (eGATS) coordinating the Computer Coding module. He also supports workshops in STEM and Astronomy education for the NSW Department of Education - Thalgarrah Environmental Education Centre. Peter also provides educational support to the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association Cassini Education group.

Research – His research interests are broad. He is especially captivated by the complex interplay between addressing social-emotional learning, inquiry-based pedagogies, and strategies to address inclusivity and differentiation within our classrooms.

Purpose – His goal is to engage local communities to boost academic outcomes and increase student and teacher engagement.

Experience – Peter is a qualified K-6 Primary (Generalist) Teacher and 7-12 Secondary (Mathematics, Science, Physics and Computing Studies) Teacher. His school-based experience includes Riverside Girls High School, St Columba Anglican School, Wauchope High School and Melville High School. In the tertiary sector, He has been a Lecturer in Science Education, Lecturer in ICT Education, Lecturer in Physics and Lecturer in STEM Education at the University of New England; Tutor at the University of Sydney; Lecturer in Physics at University of Southern Queensland; and a Research Associate in Physics Education at Kansas State University.

Peter also has sixteen years professional experience in industry including Managing Director of Pure Logic Pty Ltd, Manager Information Technology Services for South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE, Information Technology Services Manager Operations for North Coast Institute of TAFE, and Manager Networks, Communications and Desktop for North Coast Institute of TAFE.

Please don't hesitate to contact Peter if you have an interest in discussing or collaborating.

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