Life Ed popping up across Victoria
Victorian schools, including Benalla College and Guthrie Street Primary, have recently taken part in a trial of our Pop Up Classrooms — an innovative alternative to the Mobile Learning Centres, or vans taditionally used by Life Ed.
Life Ed is the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of childhood preventative drug and health education. Life Ed Facilitator, Gayle Williams, said the program strived to be cutting edge, which was why the new delivery format was being trialled.
Speaking from Benalla College, Mrs Williams said she hoped the Pop Up Classroom created a buzz due to its novelty and allowed students to be comfortable and feel part of a community when inside.
‘‘Today we have Grades 3 and 4 going through a series of cyber safety modules,’’ Ms Williams said.
‘‘They are learning all about personal safety on the internet, about how to be as safe as possible and how to be upstanding when they are in an unsafe situation. And our lower-grade students have been learning about the importance of friendship and nutrition.
Inside Life Ed’s Pop Up Classroom
‘‘So far the students seem to be enjoying the dome. I’ve heard comments like ‘it’s very domy’ and ‘It has a very communal feeling’.
‘‘When you’re in there you feel part of an intimate community and you feel safe enough to be able to share.
“So I think it’s been wonderful in the fact that the children are getting a lot out of it, joining in the group, and feeling ownership over their learning — which is very important.”