ALARM Matrix

In 2013 Narrabeen introduced ALARM - A Learning and Responding Matrix developed by Max Woods a local ESL Teacher.  Since ALARM's implementation into the school system our teachers have received positive feedback from students who are thriving from this uniformed teaching approach.  This reaction is spreading to other NSW schools who are eager to adopt this matrix that was originally developed for senior HSC students and produced exceptional results.

ALARM works by:

• providing a step by step guide to the process of learning and then responding to a question
• makes explicit the ordering on concepts from to simple to complex
• allows students to tap into higher order concepts throughout the teaching process
• aids students to identify gaps in their knowledge
• allows students to communicate with a common terminology across the curriculum
• provides templates which can be adapted to suit content areas, complexity of information, level of depth required.

At Narrabeen this approach has helped us to build a stronger learning community by helping to adopt a common model and language of instruction to describe the process of learning and then responding or explaining.

The  principles of ALARM concentrates on four main areas:

1. Concept - Move from the level of content to concept.  Examine a small number of meaningful concepts in depth, rather than a large body of facts superficially.  This helps students to develop a deep knowledge and real understanding.
2. Question - Ask students questions and give them the tools to work out the answers themselves.  When they need help, break down the question into smaller or more directive questions or provide more tools,
3. Literacy - The ability to write, read and speak.
4. Structure - Provide organisational structures to support learning and responding (eg a template/scaffold/matrix).  This will help students to see the big picture, to see how the pieces fit together and to understand the overall purpose.  It will also strongly support students to write a response.

We continually encourage our students to employ a higher order of thinking skills by primarily asking provocative questions which promote inquiry and reflection.  Fundamentally ALARM challenges the role of the teacher - demanding that the teacher primarily be the lead enquirer, rather than providing students with the answers immediately.

Our school is dedicated to providing the very best educational opportunities and widest choices for our students.

For more information, please click on the PDF below.