Shakespeare Reloaded Imaginarium

Written on the 9 June 2019 by Emma Monfries

On Saturday 1st June, the Townsville ETAQ branch gathered at JCU for an exciting professional development opportunity with Shakespeare Reloaded. We were incredibly lucky to have a long session with Professor Liam Semler and Associate Professor Jackie Manuel, from Sydney University who were both extremely warm and generous presenters. Professor Liam Semler began with a presentation on 'Teaching and the Law of Diminshing Gifts' which expertly articulated the often tricky position of the English teacher, and which both validated and encouraged the work we do. Associate Professor Jackie Manuel then delivered a presentation about innovative ways of teaching and assessing work on Shakespeare which focused on our students and how to not only maximise their achievement, but also their enjoyment of Shakespeare. This presentation contained truly inspiring ideas and artefacts which we loved seeing. We then formed groups and participated in various workshops which began with Hamlet but developed into varied and interesting professional discussions about specific learning experiences and possibilities. We also spent time discussing, using and exploring Shakeserendipity and Shakespeed and had fun trying it all out. We all left the session with ideas which we could implement in our classrooms straight away.

Thank you to Professor Nola Alloway, Dean, College of Arts, Society and Education at James Cook University who attended .Thank you to Dr. Claire Hansen and Lauren Webber for organising our amazing presenters and venue and thank you as always to our wonderful Heather Fraser for everything she does to give us these opportunities.