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CONTENTS ISSUE 84
26
60
32 REGULARS
FEATURES
6 FROM THE EDITOR
26 COVER STORY
10 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Following his recent visit to the International Society for Technology in Education Conference in Chicago USA, Brett Salakas provides insights into his experiences from art museums to leading edge educators and cutting edge technology trends for the classroom.
64 PRODUCT SHOWCASE
18 SCREEN TIME MYTHS
8 CYBER CHAT
In part two of his short series, Peter West, Director of eLearning at Saint Stephen’s College in Australia looks at the myth around the amount of time a child spends in front of a screen being an issue as opposed to the type and quality of the material on the screen.
32 THE EVER-CHANGING ROLE IN DIGITAL LEADERSHIP
From managers, financiers and disciplinarians to mentors and coaches, in addition to facilitating effective pedagogical practices with an everincreasing load from the systems in which leaders work within, School Principal Rick Noack looks at the everchanging leadership in a digital age.
52 INSPIRING HUNTER GIRLS TO BE STEM WOMEN Business, industry, government and peak body associations agree: the need to diversify the workforce is crucial. We look at how Regional Development Australia (RDA) is working with the Hunter region to develop local programs designed to inspire more girls to pursue STEM in school.
14 INTERACTIVE LEARNING
Mal Lee and Roger Broadie look at the difference between formal and informal education with a view to better understanding the power of informal education in a digital age.
22 PLUGGED IN
In an environment where educators and school leaders are constantly forced to look forward to the next technology or trend, what is the value of taking time to stop and reflect in order to plan the future?
36 SPECIAL FEATURE
Matt Burns tackles the idea that flipped classrooms are best suited to high schools.
40 NEXT STEP
Shelly Kinash examines why accessible education needs to be more than a tickbox exercise.
44 LET’S TALK PEDAGOGY
Peter Whiting of Kinross Wolarai School explains how he gamified his classroom.
48 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Kelly Hollis examines the benefits of a flipped model of education.
56 TEACHING TOOLS
As part of our special focus on flipped learning this issue, Steve Griffiths looks at why his students demonstrate improved performance when he ‘flips’ his classroom.
60 GET CONNECTED
What is the sky no longer the limit? Murray C Henstock, a science teacher with NSW Department of Education, looks at the value of deep space exploration in the classroom using Goldstone-Apple Valley Radio Telescope (GAVRT).
4 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
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6 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
T
here has been a great deal of
discussion over the last 12 months about how technology is changing the job market, not just in Australia, but across the world. Earlier this year, some reports and experts claimed that over the next decade, 65 percent of the jobs we now enjoy will disappear. While there will always be alarmists who immediately gravitate to the negative connotations of such predictions, the reality is that while some jobs will inevitably be phased out, new jobs and technologies will emerge. What I find most disturbing is not the changing nature of the job market brought on by technological innovation, but rather, the changing nature of society brought on by the development and emergence of new technologies. Take, for example, social media and smartphones. Many of the people reading this will remember a time when there was no email, no text messaging, no mobile phones. Even fax machines were rare. However, since the emergence of both smartphones and social media, the world has seen a sharp increase in the levels of narcissism, as demonstrated in a wide variety of studies designed to measure narcissistic traits amongst graduating university students. In fact, Professor Jean M. Twenge, who is credited as dubbing millennials (the generation born in the 1980s and 1990s) "Generation Me", explains in her most recent work, The Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement, “In data from 37,000 college students, narcissistic personality traits rose just as fast as obesity from the 1980s to the present.” We already know that obesity in the US is considered to be an epidemic, so it is only reasonable to infer that this comparison would suggest that the rise of narcissistic traits and tendencies amongst millennials has also reached epidemic proportions.
This, in and of itself, should be enough to warrant significant concern. However, there is also a growing body of research that suggests the number of hours young people are spending alone using gadgets and digital tools is having a detrimental impact on emotional intelligence (EI). In fact, Daniel Goleman, a leading expert on EI and author of several books on the subject, has explained that with regard to the impact of technology on the development of emotional intelligence, “To the extent hours are spent alone, relating to tech tools and shrinking the time young people spend in face-toface interactions, it (technology) could lower their EI. The human brain is designed to learn these lessons in daily life, and if there are fewer opportunities, EI skill levels could go down.” So, what does all this mean for current and future generations of students? Furthermore, what is the impact for educators? Should schools be doing more to include learning around EI to offset the impact of technology? Given that it is widely accepted that narcissism is an indicator of a lack of EI, would this also go some way to alleviating the growing trend we are seeing in students toward narcissistic traits? The ability to respond almost instantaneously to emails, tweets and text messages without having to worry about the face-to-face ramifications of one’s words removes many of the emotional, psychological and social barriers that have previously existed. With distance and anonymity comes a level of security that allows people to behave and express themselves in ways not previously possible. Perhaps, in a changing society, parents and schools need to be working in concert to embed lessons in daily life designed to tackle such new and emerging problems lest we find ourselves allowing such undesirable behaviour to become the societal norm. n
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| CYBER CHAT
What Do We Want Our Students To Be Like When They Graduate From Our Class? BY BRETT SALAKAS
ne of the early
Professor Geoff Scott. Professor Scott
that he/she can succeed at work and
the fact that these capabilities, and the
influencers on my
was the Director of Sustainability. His
be a positive contributor to society.
Padagogy Wheel itself, were originally
understanding of
work focused not on environmental
teaching in the digital
sustainability but on sustainability
international studies, Professor Scott
implications for younger students are
age was fellow Australian Allan
in higher education. Professor Scott
has named the top 15 capabilities that
clear. As educators, we all follow the
Carrington. His work in the university
described educational sustainability
are required to work in a vast range of
universal truth that we want to best
sector led him to clearly consider the
as having four pillars: social, cultural,
industries, including elite sport:
prepare our students for the world
characteristics that he wanted his
economic and environmental. These
1. Having energy, passion
and we want them to be a positive
students to graduate with; what he
pillars support the key functions of a
could do to directly influence and
university which interact with the four
enhance the characteristics in his
functions of a university: research,
students that would make them more
teaching, engagement and operations.
O
employable and more productive members of society. After formalising his
Based on his work and
and enthusiasm. 2. Being willing to give credit to others. 3. Empathising and working
According to Professor
productively with diversity.
Scott, “Students graduate into
4. Being transparent and honest in
a transdisciplinary world, not a
dealings with others.
designed for higher education, the
influence in the world. With this in mind, I think that educators are challenged to ask three questions: 1. How can I design activities and assessments to develop these capabilities in the graduates/ students?
understanding of the concept of
monodisciplinary one; a world of
5. Thinking laterally and creatively.
graduate capabilities, Allan created
continuous flux, where technical and
6. Being true to one’s values
the Padagogy Wheel. It was through
human factors constantly interact
the Padagogy Wheel that I came to
in complex and unique ways. It is
meet Allan, when I was teaching
a world where unpredictability and
in one of the first four schools in
change are always in the air and our
Sydney trialling 1:1 iPads in my very
graduates’ capability is most tested
first bring your own device (BYOD)
when the unexpected happens, an
9. Time management skills.
develop these capabilities? What
program. My co-teachers and I were
unanticipated opportunity arises,
10. Persevering.
strategies or learning environment
looking for established pedagogical
when things suddenly go awry or they
11. Learning from errors.
would work? n
models that married quality teaching
are faced with a ‘wicked problem’ or
12. Learning from experience.
and technology. That is when
dilemma (Rittel & Webber, 1973) – a
13. Remaining calm when
we found the Padagogy Wheel,
‘forked road’ situation in which there
which significantly impacted my
is a range of potentially relevant ways
understanding of ed-tech pedagogy.
to go and they have to decide which
But how did Allan come to understand the concept of graduate capabilities?
is likely to be the most productive.” Clearly, the focus of Professor Scott’s work is not simply how to help
and ethics. 7. Listening to different points of view before coming to a decision. 8. Understanding personal strengths and limitations.
under pressure. 14. Being able to make effective presentations to different groups. 15. Identifying from a mass of
2. How can I enrich and strengthen learning opportunities and expose students to real or virtual challenges where they can hone these capabilities? 3. How can I help my students
Brett Salakas is the founder of #aussieED (the largest Australian Ed-Chat on Twitter) and a moderator of multiple Twitter chats. He is a Primary School teacher/leader who,
information the core issue/
over the past 18 years, has taught
opportunity.
in South East Asia and Australia in
a student obtain a qualification from a
Allan Carrington took these
both public and independent schools.
to various universities and it was
given institution, but more importantly
capabilities and built an ed-tech
He is passionately committed to
while he was at the University of
how to help prepare that student as
friendly pedagogical model that has
turning educational theory into real
Western Sydney (UWS) that he heard
best as possible for the workforce so
these capabilities at its core. Despite
classroom practice.
As an academic, Allan travelled
8 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
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| EVENTS CALENDAR
2018 Leading a Digital School Conference
with disabilities in a leading digital school.
The Education Show will be co-
FlipCon Australia 2018
located at the venue and is the exhibition
14-15 September 2018
component of the event.
Monash College (Monash University),
16-18 August 2018
Developing the themes:
Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast QLD
The conference is structured around four
Are you a digital leader in your
perspectives on leadership:
is Teaching literacy | Teaching numeracy
In 2018 we will “Flip FlipCon”
school interested in all forms of
• mentoring and coaching
– with the support of digital technology.
Prior to attending FlipCon, delegates will
digital leadership?
• digital technology and literacy
This conference has selected as its
have access to a 10-hour online training
We are very interested in you presenting
• digital technology and numeracy
keynote speaker and presenters a group
and certification course – Flipped
at our 2018 Leading a Digital School
• digital technology, literacy
of teachers highly skilled and experienced
Learning Certification Level 1. This will
The theme for this year’s conference
Collins Street Centre, Melbourne
Conference to share your work and
and numeracy and students
in using digital technology to support
provide you with fantastic learning,
achievements with the delegates. The
with disabilities.
literacy and numeracy teaching programs.
ideas and practical advice before
conference will be held at the Twin
Calling Presenters: If you would like to
The conference program offers
Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast QLD on
know more about presenting at the 2018
skills-based sessions, so come
(If you have already completed the
Thursday 16, Friday 17 and Saturday 18
Leading a Digital School Conference,
prepared to roll your sleeves up to
online course, please contact us for a
August 2018.
please email to team@iwb.net.au for
learn new transferable skills that will lift
special offer)
more information.
your literacy and numeracy teaching to
attending the face-to-face conference.
On Day One of the conference,
Conference Overview
even greater heights.
delegates will delve deeply into practical,
The conference is focused on school
Sessions will be presented by:
hands-on workshops we are calling
The K-12 Digital Classroom Practice Conference
• Anthony Speranza
Cohorts (The Individual Space).
31 August 2018
• Grant Jones
Flipped Learning certified trainer across
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
• Aaron Davis
a number of session times (four hours
Where Inspired Learning Begins
• Lisa Connell and Chris Drake.
in total) to create hands-on, practical
leaders and leading teachers striving to offer the highest quality programs in: • mentoring and coaching in a leading digital school • digital technology and literacy in a leading digital school • digital technology and numeracy in a leading digital school • digital technology assisting students
10 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
• Aimee Shackleton
In each Cohort you will work with a
resources to take back to school with
The K-12 Digital Classroom Practice Conference is one of the parallel
For more information visit
you and use immediately.
conferences being run under the National
www.iwb.net.au/classroompractice
The Cohort sessions to choose
Education Summit banner.
from are:
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• So you’ve done GAFE? - Now what? • Are you making the most of your device investment? • Do you want to increase your teaching and learning with digital technologies? • Would you like to progress through the SAMR model? • What skills do you need to take your instruction to the next level?
The International Flipped Learning 3.0 Training and Certification Workshop is a new, active learning certification program developed by a global team of education researchers and educators. The course and certification development was led by Jon Bergmann, one of the pioneers of Flipped Learning and is localised Dr Patricia Cross by master teachers in Australia and New The Flipped Classroom movement is sweeping the world as growing numbers of Zealand. educators are switching to active learning. Active learning has emerged as the foundation of all good instruction and Flipped Learning is the simplest path to active learning.
“Active learning is the grand meta-principle”,
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How to turn your classroom into an dynamic and riveting active learning space Why Active learning encourages student engagement, deeper learning, retention How to use Flipped Learning to simplify the transition to active learning How to make the best use of your face-to-face time with students How to get more class-time for hands on activities The best global practices in Flipped and Active learning How to take flipped Learning and active learning to the next level What world class educators do differently
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A confirmation email will be sent to you with all required instructions.
| EVENTS CALENDAR
• Cohort 1: Masterclass for
21st century skills are pre-eminent for
and money, there’s only one place you
ensuring you get the most out of your
Leadership & Professional
pupil success. This year, the show’s
need to go in 2019… a must attend for
professional development investment.
Developers, with Jon Bergmann.
key theme is ‘Building a change culture
the entire K-12 schools sector.
Furthermore, EduTECH works with
• Cohort 2: First-year Flippers, with Aimee Shackleton. • Cohort 3: Flipped Mastery in Maths
to deliver 21st century learning’. Our cutting-edge summit will discuss the transformation of education and
Access the best speakers from Australia and around the world. National FutureSchools Expo brings
industry to subsidise registration costs to make the conference an affordable and accessible investment in
and Science, with Steve Griffiths
discover the innovation that will inspire
together world-leading education
your learning.
and Stephen Crapnell.
change across the Asia Pacific region.
experts who deliver thought-leadership
• Access the very best speakers
Whilst our Expo will showcase the
and practical case-studies across K-12
from Australia and around
practical tools, techniques and training
education. Our mission is to improve
to empower educators to transform
the quality of teaching and learning
learning in the classroom and beyond.
within Australasia and Asia-Pac.
• Cohort 4: Flipping Humanities, with Ryan Gill. • Cohort 5: Flipping the Primary Classroom, with Matt Burns. • Cohort 6: Are you ready?
The five conferences at the
Preparing our students for learning,
For more information, or to find out
National FutureSchools Expo have
with Kirsten Schliephake and
more about opportunities in the Asia
all been designed to cater for senior
Barbara Macfarlan.
Pacific region, please contact
leadership working in different roles
asia@bettshow.com.
within K-12 education.
• Cohort 7: But do I really need to know this?, with
Whether you want to focus your
Sophie Karanicolas.
the world. • Share ideas, successes and challenges. • Discuss, debate and take away implementable outcomes. • This is a second-to-none networking opportunity. • Tailor-make your own experience and choose from eight large
engagements on Principals and the
congresses, with multiple streams, plus focused breakout sessions,
BETT 2019
Senior Executives, prefer to talk to
flipped classroom – Making
23–26 January
the real implementers of technology
masterclasses and interactive
mastery learning explicit and
Excel London
teaching at the coal-face, or are
exhibition seminars and displays
effective, with Pete Whiting.
Creating A Better Future By
looking to meet people in specific
(not to mention hours of networking
On Day Two you will select from
Transforming Education
roles such as Foundation or SEN
sessions that will focus on the Group
Bett is the first industry show of the
Coordinators, the event is structured
Space (The Extra Time in Class).
year in the education technology
to appeal to the people you want to
landscape, bringing together 850
speak to.
• Cohort 8: Gamification in the
Some topics will include: Mastery, Active Learning, New Flippers,
leading companies, 103 exciting new
Science/Maths, English/Art/Language,
edtech start ups and over 34,700
For more information visit http://www.
Primary, Tech Tools, In-Flipping,
attendees (131 countries represented)
futureschools.com.au
Gamification, PBL, Inquiry Learning with
from the global education community,
Jon Bergmann.
that come together to celebrate, find
functions). • See what is on offer and save time by meeting with suppliers in one place, at one time. Visit www.edutech.net.au for more information.
ISTE 2018
inspiration and discuss the future
EduTECH Australia 2018
conference will include:
of education, as well as the role
5-7 June
Philadelphia, USA
• Jon Bergmann
technology and innovation plays in
International Convention Centre,
Bold Educators Activate Change
• Peter Wagstaff
enabling all educators and learners
Sydney
Unbelievable things happen at the ISTE
• Errol St.Clair Smith.
to thrive.
EduTECH is Australasia’s largest
Conference & Expo. Groundbreaking
annual education technology
ideas are shared, new learning
For more information visit
conference and exhibition. In 2019,
technologies are unveiled and
www.bettshow.com
EduTECH will host a multitude of
collaborations form that will impact
conferences and masterclasses
classrooms everywhere. Claim your
Future Schools
attended by over 8,000+ educators, as
seat at the table among education’s
14-15 November 2018
20-21 March 2019
well as hosting an official event dinner
most innovative change agents. You’ll
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition
for 800 guests, 250+ exhibitors and
have more than 1,000 opportunities to
Transforming The Future Of Education
Centre
free seminars for exhibition visitors.
create the learning path that works best
In Asia
The National FutureSchools Expo
Bett Asia is the region’s leading education
The keynote speakers at this
For more information visit www.iwb.net.au/flipcon/au
BETT ASIA
JUNE 23-26, 2019
EduTECH is the only event that
for you and covers what’s important
is Australia’s largest education
brings together the entire education and
to you. Immerse yourself in powerful
conference and expo taking place on 14-
showcase, bringing together 80+
training sector (primary, secondary,
ideas and inspirational speakers,
15 November at the Mandarin Oriental,
suppliers over two days.
tertiary and workplace learning) plus
while connecting with innovative
libraries, government, suppliers and
educators who share your passion for
Kuala Lumpur. Bett Asia will gather the
The Expo offers the unique chance
region’s most senior education leaders,
to see a wide range of solutions side-
world-renowned speakers all under
transformative learning. Save the date
educators and innovators to celebrate the
by-side, allowing you to both identify
one roof.
for ISTE 2019! n
future of education.
the technologies that are right for
As APAC education leaders struggle to build a change culture, they believe
12 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
As a delegate, you can choose
you, and which vendors you want to
from a wide variety of conference
For more information visit https://
partner with. If you want to save time
streams designed for your role,
conference.iste.org/2019/
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Teenage Students: How To Reach Them So You Can Teach Them
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Keynote Speakers
Presented by:
Accreditation: Attending RESCON will
Best-selling author of 10 books on Flipped Learning, translated in 13 languages. Recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence. Chairman and Chief Academic Officer, Flipped Learning Global, IL, USA.
One of the FLGI Top 40 Flipped Learning Leaders in Higher Education. Senior Lecturer, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Emmy-winning broadcast journalist. Editor-in-Chief Flipped Learning Review. Co-author of the book, Flipped Learning 3.0. FLGI Director of Global Development, CA, USA.
Co-host of the popular podcast, Teacher’s Aid: Social Emotional Support for the Personal Challenges Teachers Face. Veteran teacher and primary school assistant principal, MD, USA.
contribute 10.25 hours of QTC Registered PD addressing 2.6.2; 3.3.2; 6.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation.
Contact Us: resconaus@iwb.net.au Register Now: RESCONaus.com
| INTERACTIVE LEARNING
14 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
THE IN, AND OUT, OF SCHOOL DIGITAL EDUCATION BY MAL LEE AND ROGER BROADIE
It was – as most are aware – an
families and supporting children’s
The digitally connected families of the
Critically, it is also time to
world over the last two decades have
understand that those families
informal education, largely self-
independent learning because of their
played a remarkably successful, yet
employed, unwittingly but naturally,
directed, highly individualised, where
own drive to do so, often battling
largely unseen, lead role in the young’s
a laissez faire model of digital
the learning was invariably non-
education authority regulations
learning with digital education.
education. It was, and remains today,
linear, seemingly chaotic, dynamic,
and systems.
fundamentally different to the highly
undertaken in context and just in time.
personal mobile technologies on the
controlled, structured and linear
It was an approach the young found
schooling and government, the young
digital education of the world’s young
approach used by most schools.
highly appealing, exciting, relevant
and their families took charge of
between 1993 – the advent of the
Importantly, they used an approach
and intrinsically motivating. From
their learning with digital technology,
World Wide Web – and 2016, the lead
appropriate for an exponentially
the outset, the learning took place
continually growing their capability
role of the family became increasingly
evolving digital, socially networked
24/7/365 and, by the early 2000s,
as the technology grew in power
apparent. It was the young, with their
and connected world. Schools, in
the evolving technology allowed it to
and sophistication. Internet uptake
families, that primarily provided the
comparison, used a teaching model
happen anywhere, anytime.
figures globally reveal the families of
requisite technology, support and
from the Industrial Age, within
education, not the schools.
linear hierarchical organisations
role of the young and the family was
2002; Lee & Winzenried, 2009). In
that struggled to accommodate the
bolstered by the schools’ insularity,
1999, a comprehensive study of the
accelerating digital evolution.
their worldwide retreat to behind their
use of computers in Australian schools
cyber walls and their purported desire
concluded that the majority of the
In researching the impact of
In 2016, 3.4 billion plus people (ITU, 2016), nearly half the world’s population, were digitally connected,
The digital education of the young
Ironically, from the early 90s, the
Free of the controls of formal
the young led the way (Allen & Raine,
which is on trend to reach 70
occurred primarily outside the school
to protect children from the dangers
students who have the basic skills
percent by 2022 (Meeker, 2017).
walls. It took place within a market-
of the internet. The young and their
developed them at home (Meredyth
Over a billion were young people
driven, naturally evolving environment
families were left by default to fend
et al, 1999). That was happening
(Futuresource, 2017).
where government had no voice and
for themselves in the 80 percent of
naturally and largely unseen globally.
provided no support. For the young,
learning time available annually outside
mainly mobile, digital technology in
it enabled learning from incidental
the school walls.
schools. Rather, their understanding
opportunistic moments to, in some
was acquired in the developed,
cases, very focused and intense self-
schools still work behind those walls,
so too did their parents, as they used
developing and underdeveloped
driven learning. It was the young who
not recognising, supporting or building
the technology more in their work
worlds with the money and support
took control of their learning. Critically,
upon the out-of-school learning with
and came to rely on increasingly
of their families. It is time the world
it was the parents who believed in
digital technology. Indeed, France, as
sophisticated mobile technology.
– and particularly the parents, the
the educational importance of digital
late as 2017, reinforced its ban on the
young themselves, educators, policy
technology for their children who
school use of smartphones, reaffirming
study entitled The Networked Family
makers, governments and the media
funded the technology and connectivity
schooling’s general insularity.
(Wellman et al, 2008) which noted the
– recognises and builds upon that
and empowered, trusted and supported
remarkable contribution.
their children’s largely unfettered use.
Few learned to use their current,
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
Tellingly today, many if not most
The schools that are notable exceptions to this are engaging with
As the young evolved their digital capability and facility to readily use all manner of current technologies,
In 2008, Pew Internet released a
US had reached the stage where the new norm was for all within the family
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 15
| INTERACTIVE LEARNING
to base their lives around the everyday
have, normalised the use of digital.
Conclusion
use of digital technology. They were
They created a learning environment
The way forward, as we address in a
working within a digital and socially
where the new norm was for all the
forthcoming publication on the Digitally
networked mindset, normalising
family to naturally, almost unwittingly,
Connected Family, entails some
the use of all manner of digital
contribute to the ongoing digital
major rethinking.
technologies in nearly every facet of
learning of all members. How often
For that to occur, governments
their lives.
does one hear, “Dad, you can do it
and educators must recognise that
easier this way?”
for 20-plus years – at no expense to
According to the study, “…this survey finds that couples use their
In the decade after the release
government – the digitally connected
phones to connect and coordinate
of the iPhone and touchscreen
families of the world have played the
their lives, especially if they have
technology, the educational capability
lead role on the digital education of
children at home. American spouses
and leadership of the digitally
the world’s young, and are on trend to
often go their separate ways during
connected families grew at pace. As
continue to do so, regardless of what
the day, but remain connected by
parents normalised the use of digital,
governments or schools might do
cell phones and to some extent by
became more digitally empowered,
or desire.
internet communications. When
embraced the mobile revolution and
they return home, they often have
better understood the need for family
monopoly of digital education. Since
shared moments of exploration
cybersafety, so the gap between the
then, billions have been spent by
and entertainment on the Internet”
digital education provided in and out of
governments supporting a monopoly
(Wellman et al, 2008).
the schools grew – with most schools
where learning with the digital
lagging ever further behind.
technology provided by the schools in
The Pew findings, coming as they did around the time of the release
The capability and lead role of the
In 1993, schools were given a
2016 markedly lagged behind that of
of the iPhone in 2007, correspond
digitally connected families of the world
the families and the rising societal norm
with our own, which saw those
was evidenced in the last three to four
and this is on trend for the divide to
families becoming the norm across
years of the period when pre-primary
widen at pace.
the developed, and increasingly the
children from as young as two and
While the digitally connected
developing, world in the 2007–
three embraced mobile touchscreen
families of the world have been able
2009 period.
technology. As the 2015 European
to successfully normalise the use of
Commission study (Chaubron, 2015)
digital technology with a billion plus
eminent observers interviewed in the
of 11 European nations attests, the
young people, few schools in 2016 had
research, had concerns about the title
families of the young very successfully
succeeded in normalising its use. It is a
‘networked family’, believing it did
guided their children’s learning with the
reality governments and educators need
not fully capture the essence of the
technology. They, like the other digitally
to better understand. n
development. The strong preference
connected families of the world, led the
was for the term ‘digitally connected
learning, well before most schools and
families’, in that there were three key
decision makers understood that the
admin@interactivemediasolutions.
components, that together generated
pre-primary children of the developed
com.au
all manner of synergies:
and increasingly the developing world
Mal Lee is a former director of
• the ‘digital’ that made it all possible
would enter formal schooling having
schools, secondary college principal,
• the ‘connected’ that linked the
normalised the use of digital technology.
technology company director and now
We are not suggesting for a moment
author and educational consultant. He
The authors, and the 50-plus
family to the networked world, and
For a full list of references, email
which allowed both the nuclear
that everything was or is perfect with
has written extensively on the impact
and extended family to employ the
digital and digitally-based education
of technology and the evolution
technology in all facets of their
provided by the digitally connected
of schooling.
lives when desired
families of the world. There was – and
Roger Broadie has wide
is – much that needed to be done to
experience helping schools get the
parents, grandparents) enhanced
improve the model. What, however, was
maximum impact on learning from
each other’s digital learning
apparent was that a naturally evolving
technology. He is the Naace Lead for
and capability.
global development, a megatrend the
the 3rd Millennium Learning Award.
Digitally connected families are thus
likes of which the world had never seen,
In his 30-plus years of working
those where the parents and children
had successfully readied the people of
at the forefront of technology in
use the evolving suite of digital
the world to use digital technology every
education, he has worked with a huge
technologies naturally in every desired
day in their lives had the potential – with
range of leading schools, education
facet of their lives, that employ a digital
astute support – to take their digital
organisations and policymakers in the
mindset and which have, or nearly
understanding to an even higher plane.
UK and Europe.
• the ‘family’, where all (children,
16 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
The school digital teaching model, with its Industrial Age legacy, has always been highly structured and focused on teaching a common suite of practices that the school or education authority ‘experts’ believe will provide the ‘appropriate’ digital education.
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
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| FEATURE
18 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
HAVE WE REACHED THE PINNACLE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING? BY PETER WEST
A PERSPECTIVE ON SCREENS AND THE CLASSROOM This article is the second in a series on screens and learning. The first article, Screen Time Myths is available in the previous issue of this magazine. fix. There is no quick fix.
Some people in education believe that
and we are there? Are we to assume
staff memorising or looking up
the use of computers in the classroom
that of all the industries improving by
prices of items before manually
should be banned or severely limited.
using technology, education is the only
entering prices into a cash register?
learning into a school is different. It is
Some believe computers serve
one that is exempt and that teaching
(Barcodes were not widely used
a long-term, slow-burn strategy. It is
little purpose other than distracting
methods that have been relatively
until the mid-1980s.)
kaizen (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
students, negatively impacting learning,
unchanged over the past 30 or more
producing antisocial behaviour and
years are the best solution?
more. Hence, we regularly read headlines such as:
Yet, would you:
• Computers ‘do not improve’ pupil
• feel comfortable with a surgeon
results • Technology ‘distracts’ from oldschool quality teaching • The False Promise of Classroom Technology • Computer Use in School Doesn’t Help Test Scores
• have no microwave oven, coffee
Introducing technology-enhanced
Kaizen). The introduction of technology
machine and a host of other
into the classroom is almost the last
modern devices in the kitchen?
part of the process, not the first part.
• not have air conditioning in cars and homes?
(See the article When does educational technology become disruptive in the
who uses operating equipment
After years of teaching and leading
classroom? for more detail. https://
from 30 years ago?
e-learning in schools, I believe many
www.eschoolnews.com/2014/04/11/
have not really introduced technology-
educational-technology-disruptive-
your old CRT television instead of
enhanced learning into schools; they
324/?all)
using DVDs or streaming media
have merely introduced technology.
such as Netflix and large-screen
There is a big difference.
• go back to VHS video tapes and
LCD televisions?
Introducing technology into schools
It requires research, planning, consistent goals, professional development of staff and a clear
• want everyone to drive cars from
focuses on the technology, as if adding
picture of the long-term goal. It
The Pinnacle of Education?
decades ago, without airbags,
laptop computers, Internet access and
takes commitment, not just short-
If we do not use technology to enhance
ABS brakes and all of the modern
some software will create positive
term enthusiasm. It requires an
teaching and learning, are we to assume
safety features?
change – it will not. Looking for the
organisation-wide approach rather than
latest technology and then trying to
relying on a few lone innovators. While
work out ‘how can we use this’ is
not complex, this longer term strategy
prone to failure. Introducing technology
is difficult. That is to be expected. This
into schools often looks for the quick
is the biggest shift in education in
we are already close to the pinnacle of optimal education? That all we have to do is fine-tune the current methods that rely largely on direct group instruction
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
• get rid of your smartphone and go back to only landline telephones? • have no barcodes at supermarkets and rely on price tags and checkout
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 19
| FEATURE
Are we to assume that of all the industries improving by using technology, education is the only one that is exempt and that teaching methods that have been relatively unchanged over the past 30 or more years are the best solution?
over a hundred years; it is not going
researched and well-planned approach,
My students are comfortable with
born of ignorance. In my school, we
to be quick and easy. My school has
it does not impair learning. My school
technology; they do not need it
have actually increased staffing to
been on this path for over six years,
was rated in the Top 20 schools in
at school.
support technology-enhanced learning.
and we are not ‘there’ yet. The article
Queensland in 2016 for Senior results
Many students are comfortable
Our goal is to make the teacher
Stop asking whether laptops improve
by a leading newspaper, and the results
with many aspects of technology.
even more important by using the
learning outcomes explains more
in 2017 were similar. The students in
However, these are often areas
technology to remove the repetitive and
(www.eschoolnews.com/2016/07/11/
those cohorts had been involved in a
of entertainment or online social
mundane, and to provide information
stop-asking-whether-laptops-improve-
technology-rich environment, including
interaction; they are usually not the
and time to work more closely with
learning-outcomes/?all).
a Bring Your Own Laptop program, for
deeper aspects of technology that are
individual students.
the whole of their secondary schooling.
needed for education. Just because
It did not negatively impact them.
a student can socialise online for
pioneer of flipped learning, explains.
Some of the common reasons used for not enhancing the classroom
This article by Jon Bergmann, a
hours, download and install apps,
http://www.jonbergmann.com/
It does not support the way I teach.
We already get good academic
use search engines (sometimes
whyteachersmattermoreinflippedclassroom/
Of course it does not always support
results. We do not need technology to
without critical evaluation of the
the old methods of teaching. That is
improve learning for our students.
results) and so on does not mean he/
Students need me as their teacher.
actually what is supposed to happen.
This assumes that academic
she is ‘good’ with technology. Few
I agree. The teacher is a key part of the
Much of current teaching is based on
results are the only, ultimate goal of
students have taught themselves
classroom and learning. If technology
models from a past era. Just adding
education. Really? Good academic
good research skills, document
in the classroom is removing the
technology does not change the era
results are certainly important and
layout and design, effective graphing
teacher, you are doing it wrong.
and paradigm. In fact, just adding
they are something my school also
and use of formulae in spreadsheets
However, students may not need a
computers to an old paradigm usually
focuses on. However, we also provide
or many other skills that require time
teacher standing at the front of the
causes problems. Yet the research of
extracurricular activities, sport,
and thought to develop.
room in every lesson conveying the
classes where the school has provided
drama, music, debating and more in
a modern learning ecosystem and
order to help students become well
I am a teacher who is ‘good’ with
same time, and then repeating it over
systematic professional development
rounded and be more prepared for life
technology, but I do not want to use it
and over, class after class and year
to effectively change the teaching and
after school.
in my classroom.
after year. Direct instruction has its
There is a big difference between
place, just not all the time.
with technology include:
learning to support the introduction of technology are positive.
Technology is another area in
same information to all students at the
which we need to prepare students.
being good with technology and being
They need to be able to really use
good at using technology to enhance
Conclusion
Technology impairs learning and
technology to assist learning. They
learning. Just because a person can
It is time educators looked past the
academic results.
need to know how to use technology
use a computer in some way does not
superficial – the technology – and
Yes, technology can impair learning
to learn, not just be entertained. If they
mean that person understands how to
developed robust programs that
if it is introduced as an afterthought
do not learn how to do this at school,
use the computer to improve learning.
foster effective technology-enhanced
or a ‘let’s do this technology thing’
where will they learn it? The article
These are two different things.
learning. It is time for education to
approach. Unfortunately, an ad hoc
The traditional classroom works so
approach produces poor results and
why change it? explains this point
They are trying to replace teachers. I
to make learning even more personal
gives teachers, students and parents
in more detail (www.eschoolnews.
may lose my job.
and ‘human’. It is time we looked past
a negative impression of technology.
com/2017/02/23/classroom-works-
I have heard this over and over again
laptops to develop better learning. Our
However, when part of a well-
change/?all).
through the years. It is wrong and
students deserve it. n
20 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
evolve. It is time to leverage technology
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
Win 1 of 15 ActivPanels with the Promethean Grant Record a short, creative video that demonstrates why your school needs new technology Winning the Promethean Grant is an enormous achievement for a smaller have been chosen and it is a great reward for all of the hard work that was put Jo Sydes, Grade 1 Teacher, Woorinen District Primary School
Come and see us on Stand 414 to learn more about how to enter or register for an application pack by emailing:
ANZ@PrometheanWorld.com www.PrometheanWorld.com/au/grant
| PLUGGED IN
DO NOT LOOK BACK
22 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
BY KEVIN DALY
Because of the nature of schools and
ceiling on rollers to give a continuous
start writing on a whiteboard, your
education, logically we are always
work space. (That is ‘goggle’ not
back is to the class and often the class
looking forward, but as one of the
Google.) We were called ‘chalkies’,
are passively copying. Does this foster
principals I worked with said regarding
a term we still hear today. In time, of
the relationship? Is this good teaching
eLearning and technology, “I seem
course, the blackboard mutated into
and learning?
to be always forking out on the next
the ubiquitous whiteboard.
shiny thing.”
In short, no. It is also inefficient, particularly for secondary teachers
their shoulder today, they are probably
who commonly teach multiple classes
we do not always do – one critical
going to see a whiteboard, which has
of the same subject in different rooms.
question often missed is, does the next
been a solid, reliable teaching aid for
They can often find themselves writing
shiny thing improve learning outcomes
decades. There are some useful things
on a whiteboard, only to then rub out
or is it just a distraction to the learning?
to learn from whiteboards; for teachers,
their work before having to recreate it
Currently, 3D printing and virtual reality
they were a significant improvement
all again in another room.
are interesting case studies to consider.
on blackboards. Whiteboards were
Interestingly, there are a few things
Technology such as photocopiers,
We are preparing students for
also easier to use than blackboards
projectors, interactive whiteboards
the future, so looking forward to the
and much quicker to both write on
(IWBs) and the like have alleviated
next technology trend makes obvious
and erase, unless of course one made
some of this burden. However, with
sense. However, we do not always
the tragic but all too frequent mistake
every school I go into, there are still a
have the time or the energy to learn
of pulling a permanent marker from
significant number of teachers writing
from our past experiences. In this
their pedagogical holster instead of a
on the whiteboard with their back to
article, I will explore what teachers
whiteboard marker.
the class. One of the most frustrating
see and have seen when they have the
However, if we consider what
occurrences as a teacher who has to
makes a good teacher, it is often
share a classroom with other teachers
characterised by eye contact with
(aside from the occasional inadvertent
I taught for a long time. I started out
students, voice projection, physical
use of permanent markers) is to enter
with blackboards. This was back in the
presence and subject expertise. If we
a room only to find the whiteboard
un-PC days, when more aggressive
could say one granite-strong, gold-clad
completely filled with text and diagrams
teachers than me were quite good at
statement about teaching it is this:
accompanied by a note stating, “Please
throwing the duster at the naughty
teaching is fundamentally relational.
leave till Friday”. Sadly, you would
student. I remember when dustless
Students who comment on their ‘best’
sometimes go back in a fortnight and
chalk was breathlessly welcomed as a
teacher invariably mention something
the board was still full and the note
significant innovation. I remember the
like, “I felt like they were talking to me”
still there.
tilted blackboards on the wall, with a
or “they knew me”. To that end, when
tray at the front for chalk. Sometimes,
weighing new technology, one must
projectors (non-digital) and film. In
the chalk came in different colours. The
ask, what content and skill delivery
Victoria, you had to do a two-day
next new shiny thing for us to goggle at
package using technology can best
in-service to get your licence to fly
was the board that rotated toward the
support this dynamic? As soon as you
the machine. Then TV and video were
opportunity to reflect. As with many other baby boomers,
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
If 90 percent of teachers look over
I also remember the days of
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 23
| PLUGGED IN
going to be the solution. These are all
and teachers in that space don’t
now a real rarity in schools.
necessarily do this.)
The trend in many schools is
Projectors, while initially a cost-
to implement what appears to be a
effective solution, sometimes become
sound economic model initially – the
expensive as projector globes fail, filters
provision of front-of-room displays.
need replacing and remotes are lost.
For principals though, there is a
They often project onto the existing
tension between what they would like
whiteboard and there is a flare issue
to purchase, what they can afford
from the light source. Also, many do
and how quickly the next ‘must
not have the brightness to cope with full
have’ shiny thing makes what they
daylight, so you may have the added
bought redundant.
expense of blinds.
Here is an example of the problem:
One critical question often missed is, does the next shiny thing improve learning outcomes or is it just a distraction to the learning?
There are other solutions where
a flat screen TV with an Apple TV
you add a device to your whiteboard
or Chromecast dongle to provide
which tracks the teacher’s movements.
There are a few different types and
If we look all the way back to that
interactivity have good penetration
My experience with these in the school
makes available to schools, and many
blackboard, it is still a living memory
in schools. Similarly, projectors or
environment is that bits go missing,
schools are replacing their ageing
for many teachers, yet there are also
interactive projectors are common.
particularly in secondary schools
IWBs with IFPs. Some brands have
teachers who have only grown up with
Certainly, these solutions are a
where they need to be booked out
great software which is very focused
IWBs. We often talk about students
long way from the TV and player
and placed on the board before class,
on teaching and learning, whereas
being digital natives, but that is often
on a stand, but they have their own
then packed up at the end. Again, you
others come with very basic software
a gratuitous swipe at adults and, in
unique problems.
are very dependent on the quality of
or none at all. The beauty of IFPs is
fact, many students’ competence in
your projectors.
that the better ones behave just like a
the digital world is quite narrow or
big iPad, so they are easy for both the
superficial. However, in their world,
The flat screen TV in many schools is sourced as cost effectively as
Interactive whiteboards are an
possible from Aldi or the like and the
interesting subset of front-of-room
teacher and the students to interact
immersive games, holograms, virtual
school hangs them on the wall to keep
displays. There was a huge surge
with. Another attraction is their long
reality, augmented reality, artificial
costs down. Unfortunately, there is not
of IWBs in the days of Building the
life and the fact they will work in full
intelligence and technologies yet unborn
that much we can do with a flat screen
Education Revolution (BER) money,
daylight. A couple of brands provide
will be the norm. If we look to the future,
TV or non-interactive projector except
but schools found they were not used
digital whiteboarding functionality
maybe the front-of-room display will
show video, PowerPoint presentations
as much as they would have liked
so whiteboarding sessions can be
support holograms or collaborative
or the occasional website. In classes
them to be, considering the size of
saved, reused and pushed to student
virtual reality sessions.
where we see this being done, the
the investment. The common things
devices; this definitely provides
students are often passive and attentive,
we hear about this is that teachers
more productive time in teaching
must learn from the past and realise
but is there much learning and teaching
received little training and when things
and learning.
that simply deploying technology in the
going on? It could be described as a
did not work, they quickly reverted to
somewhat channelled or rigid form
their non-interactive whiteboards.
of content delivery. There are known
Many IWBs are coming to the
As an experienced observer of
To do this generation justice, we
hope it will do the job is not enough.
schools, as an ex-school leader
Worshipping the shiny and new because
and as a digital education trainer,
it is shiny and new is a cargo cult
health and safety risks to passive video
end of their life and are no longer
my perspective may have value for
mentality. Evidence, effectiveness and
consumption and it reinforces unhealthy
supported. We also see the ongoing
schools considering new technology
economics should drive the decision
patterns of sedentary behaviour.
issue that they are often totally
and the return on investment.
making. In five or 10 years’ time, the
To create interactivity, the teacher
dependent on the quality of the
When you are investigating
term ‘chalkies’ should be quaintly
may have an iPad linked to an Apple
projector. The projectors on booms
IFPs, look for a total solution where
meaningless. The baby boomers will
TV or a similar set up. This has some
often require calibration and interactive
the hardware and software work in
have passed from the classroom and a
similarities to the down sides of a
pens have an incredibly annoying habit
harmony to make the teacher more
new generation of education enablers
teacher at a whiteboard. We now have
of going missing, rendering the board
productive and the students fully
will take their place.
a nine-inch space, that has the teacher
incredibly difficult to use.
engaged. What you should be looking
So, when you do look back, think
for is a feature-rich board with great
about creating a teaching and learning
are presently the gold standard for the
educational validity and software to
space, not just a teacher display. n
classroom, but schools need to be
match. As budgets can be tight, you
the research points to the fact that
careful; not all are equal. Again, IFPs
also want something that comes in a
Kevin Daly has many years’
if we use an interactive display as
represent a big investment for schools,
range of options to suit your school.
experience with schools, he was
both a teaching and learning space
so you want a solution which you
Also, a key factor is to make sure
an experienced school leader and
where students rotate through and
know will improve learning outcomes
there is readily available content and
eLearning consultant. He currently
turn to explain their understanding,
and make the teacher more effective in
comprehensive training for staff so
works part-time for BBCdigital in
you get improved learning outcomes
the classroom.
you do not waste your money.
Port Melbourne.
often looking down and little opportunity for students to participate interactively. (I mention this because much of
24 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Interactive flat screen panels (IFPs)
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
ETSP.
| COVER STORY
26 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
G O D S, GADGETS GREATNESS AND
Lessons from ISTE 2018 BY BRETT SALAKAS
it was Ganesh who helped me interpret all
Standing in the Chicago Art Institute, just
I had just spent the best part of a
down the road from the famous ‘Bean’,
week at the annual International Society
I was suddenly overwhelmed by what I
for Technology in Education (ISTE)
had seen. I had looked at more Renoirs,
Conference. This conference is one of
reminded me that education, and learning,
Picassos, Warhols and Monets than I had
the largest in the world, attracting well
is not new. While there may be new ways
ever seen in my life. I found myself transfixed
over 20,000 attendees every year. It is
of doing things and new tools to teach
by an ancient stone carving of the Hindu god
the place to go to see what teachers are
with, it is the quality of the learning that
Ganesh. From the time I first began teaching,
doing the world over with technology in
will stand the test of time. As teachers,
I had always had a strange connection with
their classrooms. It is also a great place
especially those who are constantly on
Ganesh. During my early travels as a young
to see what technology is coming next.
the hunt to learn and improve our craft,
teacher, I learned that Ganesh, the elephant
My head was buzzing from all of the new
we must keep in mind that the true
god, was the Hindu god of knowledge and
learning I had been exposed to and the
measure of all that we do is the quality of
as such was revered by many teachers.
beautiful art that I had just seen. However,
the impact on our students.
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
that I had experienced. Staring at this ancient, stone statue
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 27
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IF YOU WANT TO GET A TASTE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMS AROUND THE WORLD, THIS IS THE CONFERENCE YOU NEED TO VISIT. ISTE Superstars – Who to Watch and Who to Learn From
Tara Martin
who is pushing boundaries and doing
Tara Martin (@TaraMartinEDU) is
great things in education, you just need
can be daunting. Teachers from
There are incredible educators at
incredibly passionate and wears her
to look at the team that Carl has built
87 countries attended this year’s
ISTE and it would be impossible
heart on her sleeve. She is behind the
around him. If you are searching for a
conference that ended up hosting
to list everyone who inspired me
#BookSnap movement; a simple idea
model of leadership in a digital world,
a whopping 24,335 attendees.
there, but I would like to share seven
that is incredibly powerful and now
you cannot go past Carl Hooker. On a
There were 2,800 presentations to
amazing educators who you should
used by English teachers the world
side note, Carl has also breathed life
choose from, including 856 student
be following. They are doing brilliant
over. In a nutshell, a booksnap is
into the Ed-Tech Poetry Slam idea. I
presentations. If you want to get
things and they are great to learn from.
inspired by the Snapchat phenomenon
have now been involved in two of these
that teenagers love. Students or
events and they were both extremely memorable occasions. I hope the concept grows roots in Australia.
ISTE is overwhelming. The sheer scale of this conference
a taste of what is happening with
Cathy Hunt
teachers take a photograph of a page
the world, this is the conference you
Australia’s own Cathy Hunt is one of the
from a text. The student highlights the
need to visit.
rising stars on the international speaking
quote, fact or word that they connect
technology in classrooms around
circuit. The demand to work with Cathy
with. They use images, emojis and
Rabbi Michael Cohen
be difficult to manage. Having been
is not a result of the friendliness and
symbols to illustrate how they connect
Known as The Tech Rabbi
to ISTE previously, I knew that I had
empathy she exudes, although they
with that quote. This engages both
(@TheTechRabbi), Michael Cohen was
to prepare for the event. While the
are some of her strengths. The real
hemispheres of the brain; meaning
one of the stars at ISTE this year. He
conference comes with a custom-
demand for her stems from the way
students are building deeper, long-term
presented one of the most powerful
made app, I had also worked out
she has seamlessly integrated art and
connections with the work the teacher
keynotes of the conference. Rabbi
a personalised itinerary that I kept
technology. Follow her online
is setting. Tara is also the author of
Cohen spoke about creativity and the
stored in the cloud. I had back-up
(@art_cathyhunt) and be inspired by
a new book called Be Real: Educate
need to ensure its authenticity and
batteries for my phone and more
the work she does with her students at
from the Heart. I read this book on the
purpose in education. Choosing to do
charging cables than you could
St Hilda’s on the Gold Coast.
flight home to Australia. It was hard to
a keynote on creativity is a big call, as
put down.
many notable experts have covered this
The size of the conference can
poke an iPhone at. The conference is well stocked with charging points
Monica Burns
because, as you would expect with
Monica Burns (@ClassTechTips) is
Carl Hooker
famous TED talk on creativity is still
a quality conference, the workshops
one of the hardest working educators
Carl Hooker (@mrhooker) is one of the
the most watched TED talk in history.
are often very interactive and you
I know and she is completely
most innovative leaders in education.
Rabbi Cohen cleverly came at it from
needed your devices going to get the
committed to sharing her work and
He is a successful author of the
a different angle. He challenged the
full benefit of being there. The social
ideas with teachers everywhere. Her
Mobile Learning Mindset series, the
audience to embrace the fact that
media aspect of the ISTE conference
blog classtechtips.com is an absolute
Director of Innovation at Eanes ISD
innovation in education is not limited to
is a behemoth in itself. During the
must-read. She updates its contents
(which encompasses nine schools),
technology and that if we see school as
conference, the hashtag #ISTE18
incredibly regularly (I genuinely do not
the creator behind iPadpalooza and
the only place to learn we are missing
was used more than 150,000 times
know how she finds the time) and has
LEARNfest and is a proud Texan! Carl
out. One of his best lines of the talk was,
on Twitter and there were just over
created a complete treasure trove of
embodies the vision of leadership that
“A classroom is found everywhere, if
60,000 Instagram story views.
resources, tips and ideas for teachers.
builds people up. If you want to know
you look at it right.”
28 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
topic publicly before; Sir Ken Robinson’s
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
Teaching Kids to Learn... by Teaching Kids to Code