Education Technology Solutions Issue #85

FOR PRINCIPALS | EDUCATORS | NETWORK ADMINISTRATORS

ISSUE 85 - NOV/DEC 2018

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN SCHOOL EDUCATION ARE YOU READY?

IG3 IG3 Education Education

NEW! - IG3 MATH SOFTWARE Integrated Multi-Dimensional Teaching Assistant (IMTA)  Self-Paced Learning  Accommodates Learning Styles  Diagnostic Assessment  Identifies the Student’s level of Knowledge and Understanding  Individualized Lesson Plans  Progress Monitoring and Reporting 

Interactive Technology Product Range  EduTouch 55” Interactive Panel  EduTouch 65” Interactive Panel  EduTouch 70” Interactive Panel  EduTouch 84” Interactive Panel  EduTouch 98” Interactive Panel  EduTouch Automated Interactive Table  edPad and Mini edPad Android Tablets  Epson Interactive Projectors

Interactive Software Solutions  ReadMe Literacy  The Language Market: 

Japanese



Chinese



Indonesian



French



German



Italian

+ ∏ ÷ = IG3 Math

The IG3 Math Software takes a totally different approach to traditional educational software.

An adaptive assessment pin-points any learning gaps in the students’ knowledge, then a customized learning plan is created to build the students’ knowledge to the grade level selected and beyond.

Technology

 Learning A-Z - reading solutions  Snowflake MultiTouch software  Kurzweil - Special Needs Literacy  IG3 Math and IG3 English

IG3 Education Training and Professional Development IG3 Education’s face to face Basic, Intermediate and Advanced training courses have been specifically designed to ensure

The IG3 Education Portal brings many of our education software solutions together (ReadMe Literacy, Learning A-Z, The Language Market and also the newly released IG3 Math and English) into one convenient single-sign-on website.

proper usage of Interactive Technologies and the integration thereof in the classroom.

Please contact us for further information on our complete range of Interactive Technologies, classroom accessories and on our comprehensive suite of educational software.

The Education Solution Specialists

EduTouch

Snowflake MultiTeach 5 Now Included Across The EduTouch Interactive Panel Range EduTouch Panel 

Anti-Glare



10 Point Touch



5 Year Warranty



PC Module optional

+ 4Hrs Basic Training

Software Bundle Included: (Valued Over $4,400) 

Note



Easiteach Next Generation



ReadMe



Perceptual Skills



Snowflake MultiTeach 5

55”, 65”, 70” & 84” & 98” Sizes

y for Teaching and Learning EduTouch Mobile Solutions

AUTOMATED

EduTouch Kindy Trolley

EduTouch Automated Interactive Table

EduTouch Height Adjustable Mobile Solution

edPad EduTouch

Magic Carpet

+ ∏ ÷ =

IG3 Math

Call: 1800 334 633 or visit www.ig3education.com.au

CONTENTS ISSUE 85

20

58

42 REGULARS

FEATURES

6 FROM THE EDITOR

28 COVER STORY

8 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 66 PRODUCT SHOWCASE 70 NOTICEBOARDS

Interest in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Australian schools is growing.

More educators are participating in important exchanges about AI as understanding develops around how it will impact the work of teachers and students in schools. Dr Jane Hunter explores the potential impact of this emerging technology on Australian classrooms.

34 STEAM THE MUSICAL

If Australia wants to be a truly creative and innovative nation, then the Arts have to be in the mix. Increasingly, we should be talking about STEAM in schools, with the Arts at the centre of the conversation.

This type of thinking was behind the creation of a school musical, Somewhere Between Here There and Everywhere, performed in September at St Vincent’s Primary School – Aranda in the ACT.

38 THE IMPORTANCE OF SCAFFOLDED LEARNING

Associate Professor Sophia Karanicolas of the University of Adelaide examines the finding of a group of colleagues across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada who have collaboratively developed a set of peer-reviewed principles that guide the planning, implementation and evaluation of flipped classrooms.

54 THE RISE OF IOT DEVICES IN SCHOOLS

What can schools do to protect staff, students and critical data against the rising tide of malware and other malicious web-based threats which have become so prevalent?

4 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

12 INTERACTIVE LEARNING

Mal Lee and Roger Broadie look at what ‘being digital’ means in the modern, complex world of education.

20 PLUGGED IN

How can students boost productivity during study with music?

42 NEXT STEP

Shelley Kinash examines how schools can achieve industry relevance and student engagement in online learning.

46 LET’S TALK PEDAGOGY

Award-winning mathematics and technologies teacher David Chu of Emmaus Christian College looks at why it is so important for schools to build the space for children to understand technology as opposed to merely consuming it.

50 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Find out about Australian Theatre for Young People’s (ATYP) On Demand platform that brings the arts to teachers and students across Australia for FREE!

58 TEACHING TOOLS

The challenge of too much screen time for young Australians represents an intriguing problem. The question is, can it be definitively solved?

62 GET CONNECTED

Why, in 2018/19, are connectivity and networking still problems that need to be solved in many Australian schools?

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

We are experts in the art of timetabling Timely Solutions

Technical Know-How

“The saving in time for timetablers and the ease of manipulation of data have helped reduce stress and shorten timelines.”

“There is always someone to answer your technical or timetable questions at any time, and the quality of their solutions is great.

We love it.”

Noel Thomsen, Deputy Principal, Sydney Girls High School, NSW

Real Savings

Service & Support

“We used to budget for over 400 staff hours to complete the timetable, but Edval has proved more cost effective, as well as providing a very fast solution for our school.”

“No matter how complicated a timetable you may have, Edval and the Edval team can find a solution for you.”

Rob Abbey, IT Director, Redlands, NSW

Sydney:

Tina Harb, Curriculum Coordinator, Saint Marouns College, NSW

02 8203 5455

Melbourne: 03 9020 3455 Adelaide:

08 8120 0855

Brisbane:

07 3088 4066

Perth:

08 6230 3066

sales@edval.education support@edval.education

www.edval.education

Anthony Gorman, Director of Studies, Trinity Catholic College, NSW

FROM THE EDITOR www.educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

EDITORIAL

EDITOR John Bigelow EMAIL john@interactivemediasolutions.com.au SUBEDITORS Helen Sist, Ged McMahon

CONTRIBUTORS Sam Beattie, Luke Maher, Jane Hunter, Sophia Karanicolas, Jim Cook, Mal Lee, Roger Broadie, Dan Anderson, David Chu, Shelly Kinash, Ritesh Chugh, Gavin Wilson, Jordan Cullis

ADVERTISING

Keith Rozairo PHONE 1300 300 552 EMAIL keith@interactivemediasolutions.com.au

John Bigelow Editor

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION Jonathan Rudolph

PHONE 1300 300 552 EMAIL graphics@interactivemediasolutions.com.au

MARKETING AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

PHONE 1300 300 552 EMAIL admin@interactivemediasolutions.com.au $18.50 AUD per annum inside Australia

T

he law of unintended consequences

potential unintended consequences of any new

seems at least as relevant, if not

technologies which might be employed in an

more relevant, today than it was when

education environment.

first raised by English philosopher

In this issue’s cover story, Dr Jane Hunter looks

and physician John Locke who discussed the

at the potential future use of Artificial Intelligence

PHONE 1300 300 552 EMAIL finance@interactivemediasolutions.com.au

unintended consequences of interest rate regulation

(AI) in education. In addition to being a former

in his letter to Sir John Somers, member of

primary and secondary teacher, Dr Hunter is

PUBLISHER

parliament, back in 1824.

currently involved in conducting postdoctoral

ACCOUNTS

In just the last two decades, we have seen the

ABN 56 606 919463

Level 1, 34 Joseph St, Blackburn, Victoria 3130 PHONE 1300 300 552 EMAIL enquiries@interactivemediasolutions.com.au WEBSITE www.educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

DISCLAIMER

The publisher takes due care in the preparation of this magazine and takes all reasonable precautions and makes all reasonable effort to ensure the accuracy of material contained in this publication, but is not liable for any mistake, misprint or omission. The publisher does not assume any responsibility or liability for any loss or damage which may result from any inaccuracy or omission in this publication, or from the use of information contained herein. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied with respect to any of the material contained herein.

research studies into Science, Technology,

emergence of a multitude of technologies that serve

Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education

as prime examples of how something developed

in Australian schools, while also teaching in the

for one purpose can have a completely unforeseen

School of Education at the University of Technology

and unexpected impact in another area. Just look

Sydney. Dr Hunter’s insights into the potential

at the impact smartphones and tablet computers

future use of AI in education are both insightful and

have had on the print, entertainment and music

educational. Dr Hunter and her colleagues have also

industries. Alternatively, look at the impact social

put together a great article around the importance

media has had on society, namely in the areas of

of including the Arts in STEAM programs and the

social interactions, psychological development and

unique and interesting way one particular school

personality traits.

has chosen to incorporate the A in STEAM.

Therefore, it seems not only reasonable but wise to very closely examine and consider the

Please enjoy this issue and I look forward to your feedback. n

The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced in ANY form in whole OR in part without WRITTEN permission from the publisher. Reproduction includes copying, photocopying, translation or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form.

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE TO:

 Level 1, 34 Joseph St, Blackburn, Victoria 3130  1300 300 552  enquiries@interactivemediasolutions.com.au

6 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

www.padcaster.com.au

Transform your device into a mobile production studio.

Contact us for more information or to place an order. admin@padcaster.com.au | Phone: 02 9452 6001 Email: sales@aptech.com.au

 | EVENTS CALENDAR

Bett 2019

showcase, bringing together 80+

Senior Executives, prefer to talk to

training sector (primary, secondary,

23–26 January 2019

suppliers over two days.

the real implementers of technology

tertiary and workplace learning) plus

teaching at the coal-face, or are

libraries, government, suppliers and

Excel London

The Expo offers the unique chance

Creating A Better Future By

to see a wide range of solutions side-

looking to meet people in specific

world-renowned speakers all under

Transforming Education

by-side, allowing you to both identify

roles such as Foundation or SEN

one roof.

Bett is the first industry show of the year

the technologies that are right for

Coordinators, the event is structured

in the education technology landscape,

you, and which vendors you want to

to appeal to the people you want to

a wide variety of conference streams

bringing together 850 leading

partner with. If you want to save time

speak to.

designed for your role, ensuring you

companies, 103 exciting new edtech

and money, there’s only one place you

start ups and over 34,700 attendees

need to go in 2019… a must attend for

For more information visit

development investment. Furthermore,

(131 countries represented) from the

the entire K-12 schools sector.

www.futureschools.com.au

EduTECH works with industry to

global education community, that come together to celebrate, find inspiration

As a delegate, you can choose from

get the most out of your professional

subsidise registration costs to make the

Access the best speakers from

conference an affordable and accessible

Australia and around the world.

EduTECH Australia 2018

investment in your learning.

as well as the role technology and

brings together world-leading

5–7 June 2019

• Access the very best speakers

innovation plays in enabling all

education experts who deliver

International Convention Centre,

educators and learners to thrive.

thought-leadership and practical case

Sydney

studies across K-12 education. Our

EduTECH is Australasia’s largest

For more information visit

mission is to improve the quality

annual education technology

www.bettshow.com

of teaching and learning within

conference and exhibition. In 2019,

Australasia and Asia-Pac.

EduTECH will host a multitude of

and discuss the future of education,

National FutureSchools Expo

The five conferences at the

conferences and masterclasses

from Australia and around the world.

• Share ideas, successes and challenges.

• Discuss, debate and take away implementable outcomes.

• This is a second-to-none

National FutureSchools Expo

National FutureSchools Expo have

attended by over 8,000+ educators, as

20–21 March 2019

all been designed to cater for senior

well as hosting an official event dinner

• Tailor-make your own experience

Melbourne Convention & Exhibition

leadership working in different roles

for 800 guests, 250+ exhibitors and

and choose from eight large

Centre

within K-12 education.

free seminars for exhibition visitors.

congresses, with multiple streams,

The National FutureSchools Expo is Australia’s largest education

8 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Whether you want to focus your engagements on Principals and the

EduTECH is the only event that brings together the entire education and

networking opportunity.

plus focused breakout sessions, masterclasses and interactive

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

“ride the crest of a wave� with educational digital technology for school leaders and teachers (K-12)

Tightly focussed professional development around 3

mega, real, current themes for schools

Mega Themes Advancing Cultures of Innovation Redesigning Learning Spaces Rise of STEAM Learning

Challenges we will tackle: Authentic Learning Experiences Improving Digital Literacy Rethinking the Roles of Teachers Teaching Computational Thinking The Achievement Gap Sustaining Innovation through Leadership Changes

Dr Jane Hunter

Adrian Camm

Lauren Sayer

Technology developments we will feature: Makerspaces Robotics Analytics Technologies Virtual Reality Artificial Intelligence The Internet of Things

Steven Bradbury

Sarah Chapman

Find out More and Register @ www.iwb.net.au/digital Email: team@iwb.net.au Call: +612 4647 0783

Melbourne in August - a great place to be

Thursday 8, Friday 9, Saturday 10 August 2019 | Crown Promenade Hotel | Melbourne

Matt Richards

l Digitance y r a rdin fere No O logy Con no Tech

 | EVENTS CALENDAR

exhibition seminars and displays

most innovative change agents. You’ll

aspiring leaders and lead teachers

• The Achievement Gap

(not to mention hours of networking

have more than 1,000 opportunities to

achieve superior digital technology

• Sustaining innovation through

functions).

create the learning path that works best

outcomes for their school. Why

for you and covers what’s important

not attend yourself or send a team

by meeting with suppliers in one

to you. Immerse yourself in powerful

of staff involved in steering the

Important technologies that are

place, at one time.

ideas and inspirational speakers,

strategic direction of your digital

likely to drive technology planning

Visit www.edutech.net.au for

while connecting with innovative

technology programs!

and decision-making over the next

more information.

educators who share your passion for

• See what is on offer and save time

Leadership Changes.

five years:

transformative learning. Save the date

Developing the themes:

• Makerspaces

for ISTE 2019! n

The conference is structured around

• Robotics

ISTE 2019

three perspectives on leadership, in a

• Analytics Technologies

23-26 June 2019

For more information visit

leading digital school:

• Virtual Reality

conference.iste.org/2019

• Advancing Cultures of Innovation

• Artificial Intelligence

• Redesigning Learning Spaces

• The Internet of Things.

Philadelphia, USA Bold Educators Activate Change

2019 Leading a Digital School Conference

• Rise of STEAM Learning.

Groundbreaking ideas are shared, new

8-10 August 2019

Program Sub-Themes:

If you would like to know more

learning technologies are unveiled and

Crown Prominade, Melbourne

• Authentic Learning Experiences

about attending the 2019 Leading a

collaborations form that will impact

The Leading a Digital School

• Improving Digital Literacy

Digital School Conference, please

classrooms everywhere. Claim your

Conference offers strategic

• Rethinking the Roles of Teachers

e-mail to team@iwb.net.au for more

seat at the table among education’s

advice to assist school leaders,

• Teaching Computational Thinking

information. n

Unbelievable things happen at the ISTE Conference and Expo.

10 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Calling Attendees:

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

Parallels Desktop 14 ®

BONUS 30+ tools to simplify everyday tasks

Run Windows on Mac Side by side, without rebooting

Visit parallels.com/trial14 to get your FREE trial today! ®

Run the Windows applications you need on the Mac you love. Bring all of your files, applications, and more from your PC to your Mac. Run the most demanding applications such as ® ® ® Photoshop , Visual Studio , and SketchUp without compromise.

Get up and running in minutes and easily customize to your needs. ®

Includes Parallels Toolbox, with over 30 one-touch tools—clean your drive, take screenshots, or download a video and more, all with just a single click.

Quickly switch between a wide array of operating ® systems without rebooting, including Windows, Linux , and others.

Available at all leading computer retailers including:

To learn more, visit parallels.com/desktop © 2018 Parallels International GmbH. All rights reserved.

| INTERACTIVE LEARNING

BEING DIGITAL

BY MAL LEE AND ROGER BROADIE

In 1995, Nicholas Negroponte wrote in

social mores. It is a suite that

his seminal work of being digital. The

simultaneously draws upon and

book did not define what was meant

enhances the other areas of learning.

by being digital, but simply exemplified

Moreover, it is a suite that, while

what it was likely to mean. Twenty-

containing many common features, is

plus years later, with the movement

individualised, with each child in being

from an analogue to digital society

digital having the capabilities needed

and with more than half the world

to pursue their interests and passions.

digitally connected, we can go a long

It is most emphatically far more than a

way to clarifying what is being digital,

variant of handwriting or digital literacy.

and attest to why the growth of this

It is a connected way of learning that is

capability is critical to the life and

richer, higher order and more diverse,

education of the world’s young, from

which can amplify all non-digital

birth onwards.

learning interactions.

Over the last 20-plus years, but

connected families grow, mature,

has largely unwittingly adapted ways to

develop their cognitive, inter and

accommodate the digital revolution and

intrapersonal abilities, become sexually

naturally evolved a mode of learning with

aware, build relationships, socially

digital technology, from birth onwards

network, operate at a higher order of

(Lee & Broadie, 2018). It is the state

thinking and continually attune their

of being digital. It is already core to

ways to the evolving technology, so

the young’s learning outside schools

will they develop their own form of

and on trend to grow in importance as

being digital – and will continue doing

digital technologies evolve, become

so, in subtly different ways, at the

increasingly sophisticated and powerful,

various stages of life.

and as digital ecosystems underpin virtually all areas of learning.

It is far more than digital

Being digital as a low-caste child in Mumbai, a Masai herder’s boy, a seven-year-old girl in Riyadh,

proficiency. While dependent on that

a 10-year-old in outback Australia,

proficiency, it is a mindset, a mode of

an Inuit teen or a 16-year-old in

thinking, an expression of values, a set

Vancouver, Seoul, Sao Paulo or

of ever-rising expectations, an ability

Edinburgh, will in many ways be

to draw on many connected elements,

different. But that said, all those young

a way of learning and understanding

people will also have many common

how to learn, a taking charge of one’s

attributes, not least is being digitally

own learning, being able to network, to

connected and able to take charge

accommodate accelerating change, to

of their lifelong learning with digital

continually grow the capabilities and

technologies – albeit in their respective

to use them 24/7/365, lifelong (Lee &

cultures – outside the classroom.

Broadie, 2018).

It is a suite of linked attributes

12 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

As children within digitally

particularly the last 10, society worldwide

The global variability, the continual evolution and the individualised and

that will naturally evolve in harmony

highly integrated nature of being

with the evolving digital technologies,

digital should quash any moves by

technological practices and changing

education authorities to try and assess

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 13

| INTERACTIVE LEARNING

the capability, and particularly to try to

is on the basics and testing the

of a wider contemporary education.

Mal Lee is a former director of

compare student attainment nationally

young’s ability to speak has rarely been

The latter we will tackle in a follow-

schools, secondary college principal,

and internationally. But let us be clear

formally assessed. The development

up article.

technology company director and now

and affirm that the billion-plus digitally

has been left to the family.

connected young have never had need

The big difference between the

With the advantage of hindsight

author and educational consultant. He

and historical analysis (Lee & Broadie,

has written extensively on the impact

for their being digital to be formally

two vital capabilities is that while the

2018), there might be value in pursuing

of technology and the evolution

assessed (Lee & Broadie, 2018) and

importance of speaking has been

the reading example further, accepting

of schooling.

that it would be educationally invalid,

understood for literally thousands of

that with being digital the die will be

inappropriate and unnecessary to

years, the educational centrality of

largely cast by the age of three, that

experience helping schools get the

do so.

being digital is a long way from being

the young of the world will lifelong

maximum impact on learning from

fully appreciated by most in authority.

employ in their use of and learning

technology. He is the Naace Lead for

with digital technologies the suite of

the 3rd Millennium Learning Award.

Rather, let us recognise what being digital is and appreciate that in many

Most governments and schools

Roger Broadie has wide

respects it mirrors the development,

worldwide have tinkered with aspects

attributes associated with being digital

In his 30-plus years of working

importance and the way schools

of learning with the digital over the last

– regardless of what government

at the forefront of technology in

handle children’s ability to speak.

20 to 30 years. They have focused on

or schools might desire – and leave

education, he has worked with a huge

They both grow naturally from birth

some of the parts and never the totality

the core digitally based education to

range of leading schools, education

onwards, if not earlier. Both likely build

of being digital. They have toyed with

the families.

organisations and policymakers in the

on inherent capabilities. With speech,

programming, web design, learning

It is a radical thought, with

those inherent capabilities have been

to use Office, cybersafety and more

immense implications, but there is

obvious for thousands of years. Being

recently coding, but only ever within

much to be said for formal education

digital draws extensively, particularly

the school walls, always deciding

complementing and adding value to the

with the very young, upon what has

which aspects of being digital are

work of digitally connected families,

been for centuries a largely dormant

appropriate to be taught and assessed

and ceasing to senselessly compete

visual intelligence (Strom & Strom,

– and which should not.

with families in growing the young’s

2009) that was most obviously brought

It is difficult to find schools that

being digital.

into play from 2007 and the release

have naturally grown Negroponte’s

of various touchscreen technologies.

concept of being digital. It is similarly

Conclusion

While employed increasingly from the

difficult to find schools or education

At this point in history, ask any digitally

90s, the visual controls of the iPhone

authorities who recognise being digital

aware parent or grandparent what they

were a game changer, allowing all the

is a state of mind, with immediate

understand by being digital and they

young and not just teens to readily use

access to an integrated suite of digitally

will likely quickly grasp the concept,

and learn with the technology (Lee &

based capabilities, coupled with the

but initially only at a rudimentary

Broadie, 2018).

facility to use any of the capabilities

level. In all likelihood, only when

and the understanding of how to learn

prompted will they appreciate the

suddenly made it simple for those

when desired 24/7/365. They seem

many linked universal elements and

in the first year of life to mimic their

not to have grasped that the suite has

their significance.

parents and siblings use of the

evolved naturally, been individually

technology and, by the age of three,

shaped and cannot – like the facility to

up the reality that they – like the other

to largely establish the approach to

speak – be validly measured.

3.65 billion digitally connected people

The visual cues on the touchscreen

The same folk will likely also pick

They most assuredly have not

of all ages – are also being digital.

would use throughout their lives. By the

formally recognised in their teaching,

While the strength will vary, let us

age of three, most children born into

assessment or resourcing the young’s

remember there will be 70-year-olds

digitally connected families will have

being digital outside the school

who have played a lead role in using

normalised the 24/7/365 use of digital

walls, or the central role the digitally

and learning with digital technology

technology, to the extent its use is so

connected families of the world have

since the 1970s who, in their thinking

natural as to be invisible.

played over the last 20-plus years

and actions, have long been digital.

learning with digital technology they

Both are of critical educational

(Lee & Broadie, 2018) in facilitating

The new but largely unrecognised

importance in a digital economy and

and supporting the growth of

reality is that, in the 20-plus years

need to underpin all learning. Tellingly,

that development.

since Negroponte postulated being

both have been naturally grown by the

It is time this critical capability is

digital, the world’s digitally connected

family, with government, pre-schools

seen, understood and accorded the

and schools playing a limited or no

kind of recognition given the ability

part, except with children who have

to speak, and the educational, social,

difficulties. Tellingly – but invariably

economic and logistical implications

admin@interactivemediasolutions.

forgotten – in an era where the focus

of being digital addressed as part

com.au

14 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

peoples have become so. n

UK and Europe.

It is already core to the young’s learning outside schools and on trend to grow in importance as digital technologies evolve, become increasingly sophisticated and powerful, and as digital ecosystems underpin virtually all areas of learning.

For a full list of references, email

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

US E DATA TO C H A N G E T H E CO U R S E O F E D U C AT I O N .

Discover how progress in big data is letting educators tailor and personalise the way students learn, in order to harness their unique potential.

From learning software to digital games, extensive data is being collected in the education sector that gives increased insight into student learning.

Tracking everything from academic performance, language and social habits; real-time data can reveal patterns that allow evidence-based decisions to be made. Leading to personalised learning experiences, customised to every student’s unique needs.

Future-proof your career in education, with our 100% online Master of Applied Analytics.

Enrolments for January 2019 close 13 January. Learn more at https://online.unimelb.edu.au/applied-analytics

Source: edweek.org, Oct 2016

| FEATURE

IS OUR EDUCATION INTELLIGENT ENOUGH?

BY JORDAN CULLIS

16 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

The Science, Technology, Engineering

Infosys, 45 percent of Australian

been raging in Australia for some years

leaders surveyed stated that they will

now and there is wide recognition

hire new employees with different

that too few graduates are joining the

skill sets able to fully harness

ranks of data science, analysis and

AI technology.

high mathematics. A battle is looming,

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

According to a recent report by

and Mathematics (STEM) debate has

However, ironic as it seems,

one which will seek to reach out to

employers can actually get help

the relatively small pool of skilled

finding the right employees – from

and educated professionals to snare

the very industry that needs them. In

them for a range of infotech positions,

short, an employer can get AI to help

and strong artificial intelligence (AI)

them find AI people. The Textio.com

competencies will rank very high in

website offers you the opportunity

the search. The struggle will be tough.

to read your job advertisement

We know that we already educate too

so as to make suggestions for

few people in the traditionally ‘heavy’

linguistic improvements so that the

disciplines like mathematics and

advertisement better hits the targeted

software, and there is already strain

audience. For example, it suggests that

upon an organisation looking to recruit

in order to make a job advertisement

for tasks related to AI.

better targeted towards women, one

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 17

| FEATURE

This does, however, raise another

should change the phrase ‘challenging

by KPMG, AI and machine learning

millions were required to sustain

research’ to ‘meaningful research’,

saw a massive $4.1B in investment

growth and fulfil projected demand.

interesting conundrum; from an

while ‘manage research team’ is

in Australia in Q4 2017, compared to

Bloomberg reports that there are only

education standpoint, how do we

proposed to change to ‘lead research

$3.1B in Q3 of 2017.

22,000 PhD-educated researchers

equip our future teachers to educate

working on AI in the world, of whom

people on subjects that have not even

3,000 are currently between jobs.

been invented yet? The AI wave is

team’ if the target group is male

The founder of Wired Magazine,

candidates. The site has analysed

Kevin Kelly, describes it quite simply

10 million job listings, and its user

when he predicts that the business

group gives insight into the success

The question is, are we actually

self-perpetuating and will continue to

model in the next 10,000 startups will

looking at the wrong problem? Should

give rise to new ways of thinking and

rate of these job ads. This data, when

be “Take X add AI”. Demand for AI

all programs not have compulsory

performing at our jobs, as well as a

combined with a portion of the deep

competencies will explode worldwide.

courses in AI? Imagine that 60 years

host of new technologies.

neural network, allows decision makers

It seems that this lack of educated,

ago we suggested that everyone had

Nicola Herringer was a senior and

to support other linguistic stakes. It

skilled professionals is not isolated to

computing as a compulsory subject – it

fundamental part of the 3P Learning

is smart.

Australia – far from it. The front page

would probably have been met with

team responsible for the globally

of China Daily on March 9 shows a

mockery and laughter. But today we

recognised Mathletics platform, and

also seen in the number of startup

robot and the heading reads “Battle for

cannot imagine it differently and that is

is now co-founder at STEAM and

companies entering the space. By

talent” followed by the text “Demand

how it will go with AI – it will bring about

maker education learning platform

2016, 26.2 percent of all startup

in artificial intelligence sector outstrips

radical changes just as computers have

Maker Sense. She suggests, “To cope

companies in the US were AI

the number of graduates with relevant

done. If you want to be convinced of

with future roles which we cannot

companies; in China, that was 23.7

skills.” A recent report from Tencent

this, I can recommend the book The

yet see, it is imperative to change

percent, while Europe was 15.1

declared that there were only 300,000

Inevitable by Kevin Kelly, or indeed Tony

the way we look at educating people.

percent. According to figures posted

skilled AI workers in the world, but

Wagner’s Creating Innovators.

We need to shift the paradigm from

Yes, AI is the new black – this is

18 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

can envision and potentially architect

Therefore, it is the task of the

complete solutions, with the attendant

software people to demystify AI and

understanding of a broad palette of

develop tools that make it easier

technologies and the ability to identify

for all to understand and work with

talent, build teams, delegate, plan,

this newest of sciences, honing in

assess risk, execute, test and deploy

on deep learning and new uses for

those solutions. In other words, they

analytics. One of the first bids for

will be creative problem solvers who

this is IBM’s PowerAI, a software

are also technical, but not solely

platform that makes deep learning,

informed by rote learning.”

machine learning and AI more

AI is clearly a future competence

accessible and efficient. In any case,

that will shortly become indispensable.

it certainly looks easy enough when

Job opportunities now and in the future

14-year-old Tanmay Bakshi, among

can be divided into four categories:

others, has partnered with IBM

1. Job functions that human beings

Watson on AI-based projects, talking

can do, but robots can do even

about how he went from making

better, such as driving a truck.

code to trying to solve problems

2. Job functions that humans cannot

with his AI/deep learning-based and

perform but robots can; for

super cool applications, which help

example, fabricate a CPU.

communicate with disabled citizens who otherwise cannot communicate

instructing them on how to simply

group will constitute the majority of the

use a tool – whether it is a machine,

population – and will, by contrast, be

3. Job functions that humans did

design technique or software platform

told what to do by computers and the

not realise they could perform,

normally through speech or

– and move towards a position where

aforementioned systems.

such as the development of

gesticulation. This is just one

game concepts.

example among many, but one which

we are educating them on how to

“Now, that would lead many to

actually think for themselves in an

assume that everyone needs to learn

analytical sense, problem solve and

how to program, so that they can write

beings can perform (so far as at

be empowered to find solutions

machine instruction sets (aka ‘code’).

least), such as ballet dancing.

using existing resources as well as

Code will unquestionably become a

While many job functions will be

near future, many more AI-competent

conceptualising their own devices and

Lingua Franca in the future, with some

replaced by robots as AI, deep

software people need to be hatched

mechanisms.”

level of code/systems understanding

learning, machine intelligence and

in the education environment. This

required to open professional doors,

so on are becoming more and more

also applies to all other education

Roger Sommers of Navigating21 goes

much the way English is today within

widely used, do not think that the

as AI becomes a regular part of our

further, stating, “In the near future,

engineering and the tech sector.

so-called hot hands – in other words,

working methods. So, a strong call to

the human population will be divided

However, those with increased odds of

we poor mortals – are being taken

the educators: most of what we will

into two fundamental groups. One

actually thriving in the 21st century will

over and replaced. On the contrary,

think is cool and necessary by 2050

group will be comprised of a rather

absolutely NOT be just assembly line

they get time to perform other valuable

has not been invented yet. n

small cohort that will tell computers,

code-cutters or programmers, capable

tasks within an organisation; more

automated systems and associated

of absorbing the latest JavaScript

time to focus on higher functions such

software and hardware-mediated

libraries or lightweight front-end

as planning, business improvement

admin@interactivemediasolutions.

technologies what to do, and the other

framework – they will be those who

and auditing.

com.au

Futurist and technology evangelist

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

4. Job functions that only human

perhaps gives us a small glimpse into the future.

The point is that today, and in the

For a full list of references, email

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 19

| PLUGGED IN

THE BEST MUSIC FOR STUDY? Boost Productivity With These Proven Tips And Listens

BY DAN ANDERSON

20 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

Something that has always been quite

listening to tunes while they work, there are quite a few benefits to the process.

Does Studying with Music Work or Boost Productivity?

genres of music as the studies become

fascinating is the fact that music is a universal language. No matter where

However, it should also be remembered

Whether a student or a professional,

section, we look at music as a whole to

we are from or what language we

that it is not a process that will work

you are likely to be studying something

determine if the process really works.

speak, music is something we can all

for everyone.

– either for upcoming exams or an

understand at its core.

Interestingly, there are some types

more popular and widespread. In this

The University of Wales undertook

important meeting at work. In many

a study in 2011 to see how well

of music that will work better than

ways, we never stop studying or

students were able to complete

they are trying to focus and, similarly,

others when boosting productivity, so it

learning and, if anything, this makes

homework while there was background

it is often used by students that are

might be worth adjusting your playlist

the concept of whether listening to

sound or music. The students were

looking for a way to study effectively.

accordingly – something that we will

music while studying or working an

given one of five different environments

Personally, I always like to have

explore in more detail later on. So,

even more important one.

to work in – a silent one, steady

background noise while I am working,

what is the best music for studying?

Many people use music when

and it was the same when I studied at

In this article, we take an in-depth

For years, the Mozart Effect and

state speech one (a single word/

music while studying went hand in

number being repeated), a changing

university. Sometimes it was the TV,

look at the tunes that are best for

hand (a theory that we explore in

state speech one (changing words/

other times my playlist, but it worked

boosting your productivity, as well as

detail in the next section) and, over

numbers), a liked music one and a

well for me. For those who enjoy

some of our recommended listens.

time, it has broadened to feature new

disliked music one.

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 21

| PLUGGED IN

conditions. They also enjoyed the

music instead of background noise

that you do not want your music to

in the silent and steady speech

experience a lot more. The test results

actually got better results in tests, so

be too upbeat, but you also do not

environments performed better on the

were also found to vary in the last

there are definitely benefits to listening

want it to be monotone – the latter will

test that came after their homework,

three environments, which shows

to music while you are trying to revise.

leave you feeling drowsy and entirely

while those in the other three

that results can depend on individual

You do have to be careful about

unmotivated. What this moderate level

environments (changing state speech,

people and their preferences as

what kind of music you are listening to,

will also do is appeal to the pleasure

liked music and disliked music) all

opposed to solely on the environment

as if you are playing the wrong kind it

receptors in your brain, linking back

performed worse. However, between the

in which they study.

could have a negative impact on your

to the previous point made about the

productivity and performance. Music

way in which music can improve your mood and happiness.

The results found that the students

latter three, there were no differences

There is also a difference between

in the test results – just that they

background music and background

can influence your mood and the

performed worse than the former two.

noise. If you are studying somewhere

way you think, so you should ensure

like a library, you are going to be

that you listen to tunes that leave you

ground that you should consider

fact that those who were listening to

disturbed by people coughing,

feeling good about yourself and have

exploring. Something that we will

the music they liked did not find the

sneezing, or just chatting quietly with

good vibes.

explore later on in this article is the

process to be any more distracting

each other. There are studies that have

It should also contain a moderate

ways in which music can hinder your

than if they were to work in quiet

shown those who listen to background

amount of syncopation, which means

ability to study, and before you move

What is interesting, however, is the

22 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Funk music is an excellent middle-

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

| PLUGGED IN

onto that it is important to note one key

However, the study actually had

conditions. However, the effect

Similarly, there has been evidence

fact; your productivity will ultimately be

different results. Rauscher, Shaw

only lasted for 15 minutes before it

to show that any kind of music that

based on your personality and habits.

and Ky were the three researchers

wore off.

a person enjoys can improve spatial

For many, listening to music is an

behind the concept and they used

It was the media that claimed

reasoning abilities.

excellent option and the studies on it

young adults in their study on the

that Mozart would make your child

show that it really can work to increase

impact of Mozart on spatial-temporal

smarter, and it became popular to

productivity and memory retention. So,

reasoning. There were three groups

the point where some hospitals in

Can Classical Music Improve IQ?

if you have not tried listening to music

and each of them had a different

the USA started giving the parents of

This links in with the Mozart Effect.

while studying, now might be a great

pre-test experience. One group listened

newborn babies a Mozart CD when

Studies have shown that while listening

time to consider it.

to Mozart, one silence and the other

they were discharged.

to classical music does not have any

relaxation music that was designed to

What is the Mozart Effect?

When the original study was published

lower blood pressure.

After 10 minutes, they were given

It is interesting, because the

effect on your IQ, playing it might.

researchers never claimed that it

Learning how to play an instrument

increased intelligence, only spatial

can be incredibly beneficial for the

in Nature in 1993, people immediately

tests that asked them to visualise

reasoning and, since then, there have

mind and, according to cognitive

took the Mozart Effect as a child

spatial patterns and then manipulate

been numerous follow-up studies on

scientist Jessica Grahn, a year of

becoming smarter when they listened to

them over time. The students

whether or not the Mozart Effect is real

lessons and regular practice can

Mozart. It became the next bog craze,

who listened to Mozart ended up

– it has since been proved that Mozart

increase IQ by three points.

with everything from CDs and videos

performing better on the spatial

does not increase your intelligence

It does not matter what kind

to toys being made in order to get kids

reasoning test than those who were

and the boost to spatial reasoning is

of music you learn to play on your

listening to the famous composer.

subjected to the other two pre-test

only temporary.

instrument, although many of us do

24 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

three musical ones. The students

best is one that still remains. There

that listened to music without lyrics

are a number of music types that are

also benefitted from an improved

beneficial for study; in this section,

performance when compared to those

we take a look at each of them and

listening to music with lyrics. For those

the suppor ting evidence.

listening to songs they liked or disliked, there was no difference, and both had

Songs of Nature

poor results when compared with the

Looking at research under taken at

silent and non-lyrical environments.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,

It can also depend on the kind of

it would appear that the sounds of

person you are, as someone who is

nature are able to boost both mood

easily distracted or has a hard time

and focus. It works by covering up

multitasking may find that music is more

intelligible speech in the same way

of a hindrance than a benefit to their

that white noise does, while also

study process. In addition to this, there

giving cognitive function a good

have also been cases where music that

boost, enhancing concentration

is very loud or agitating can make focus

levels and productivity. The sound

and comprehension a more difficult task.

of water is par ticularly effective in

There can also be negative results

this situation.

if you listen to the wrong kind of music when you study. Music and

Songs You Enjoy or Do

emotion have a deep connection, to

Not Care About

the point that it can alleviate things

Studies have shown that listening to

like depression and anxiety. As a

music you enjoy is able to make you

result, there are many forms of music

feel happier and lessen feelings of

(and songs) that can be incredibly

anxiety or dread. In a test carried out

distracting – especially those with

by the University of Miami, it was

lyrics. This is why classical music

discovered that those who listened

or acoustic tracks with no lyrics are

to music they enjoyed and were

often recommended.

given a personal choice were able to

Interestingly, there can be some

complete tasks more efficiently, and

difficulties when it comes to recalling

also came up with more ideas than

facts that have been memorised while

those who opted out of music.

listening to music. This is because

The Fu Jen Catholic University

the student cannot listen to anything

in Taiwan ran a study to determine

start out being taught classical tunes.

for everyone and, for those people,

while they are taking the exam,

the effect of listening to music that

There have been numerous studies

it is not the wisest choice to make.

and this can cause a delay in recall

you do not really care about while

over the past 25 years to see whether

There have been a few studies to

as well as confusion and possible

studying. This is different from

or not classical music is able to

demonstrate the potentially negative

inability to remember any of the

music that you do not like, as the

increase IQ and general intelligence.

effects of listening to music while you

memorised information.

songs played are ones that you

The results were that there was no difference in intelligence when the

are working or revising.

One such study was carried out

If anything, these studies show that listening to music while studying is

are indifferent to – so neither like nor dislike.

groups were exposed to classical

by Perham and Currie, who assigned

not going to be an option for everyone,

The study found that the groups

music, other genres of music, or

students into one of four groups that

and there will be those that find it more

listening to music that they really like or

things like silence and rain sounds.

would listen to silence, music with

distracting or making no difference to

disliked actually led to higher levels of

Interestingly, however, there have been

lyrics they liked, music with lyrics they

their results. However, even if you feel

distraction than music that they had no

very few studies on the long-term

did not like, or music without lyrics

that music might not work for you after

feelings towards. Their concentration

effects of classical music on IQ, and

while they were revising. Afterwards,

reading this section, it is still worth trying

was not affected by it and they were

only the short-term effects have really

they were given a test on the subject,

out at least once while you are studying.

able to remain productive as well as

been examined.

while also noting if the environment had been distracting and predicting

Is Studying with Music Bad?

how well they had done.

retain the information they had learned.

What is the Best Music Genre for Study?

Song Without Lyrics

We have taken a look at a lot of

Lyrics can be quite distracting and

in this article, listening to music

in the silent environment performed

information and studies, but the

there have been studies to show

while studying is not going to work

60 percent better than those in the

question of which music genre is

this. However, this is only the case if

As we have said a number of times

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

The results found that the students

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 25

| PLUGGED IN

the words are intelligible. Research

thoughts flowing without hindering your

to go, we have a few suggestions

To Conclude

from Cambridge Sound Management

brain’s ability to process information.

that you may want to add. Here are

There are pros and cons to

the top 10 songs that you should

listening to music while you study,

Concentration Music for Studying

consider putting on your playlist for

although much of it is down to

your next study session – you might

the kind of person you are and

Much like when studying in general,

just find that you are more focused

how easily distracted you can

if you are looking to concentrate, you

than ever.

become. For those who are able

intelligible speech causes 48 percent

should consider music without lyrics

1. The xx: Intro.

to multitask, listening to music

of office workers to be distracted and

as your first choice. This is so that

2. Sigur Ross: Takk.

can have a massively positive

the same could easily be applied to

the words in the song do not redirect

3. Deadmau5: Snowcone.

effect on spatial reasoning,

students. Lyric-less music is the best

your train of thought or take your mind

4. Mozart: Moonlight Sonata.

information retention and general

bet, but it does not have to be classical

off the task at hand. It does not have

5. B oards of Canada: Reach for

productivity – it really can boost

– it can range from acoustic guitars to

to be classical music either if that is

video game soundtracks.

not your thing; movie or video game

6. M83: Midnight City.

soundtracks actually work just as well.

7. Moods: Love is Real.

studying also varies and while this

has shown that it is not the general noise that causes distraction, but the lyrics if we understand or can pick out the words.

The 2008 study discovered that

the Dead.

the studying process.

The best kind of music for

8. Kygo: ID.

can partly depend on your own

and Volume

the sound of nature can help you to

9. Jerry Folk: Money.

preferences and personality, a lot

The tempo of the music that you are

reach that point in your mind where

10. A Tribe Called Quest:

of it is backed by science. Classical

listening to can have varying effects

you are entirely tranquil and able to

on the way your mind works and its

concentrate fully on your work. In

Looking for film and video game songs

are the top choices, because they

overall arousal. Canadian researchers

many ways, it is the same as using it

to help you get into the flow instead?

do not have intelligible words that

discovered that participants performed

for studying in general, and the sounds

You are in luck, as we have collected

may cause distraction. Similarly,

better on IQ tests while listening to

encourage a boost of dopamine (the

10 of those for you to try out as well.

choosing tracks with upbeat

upbeat tempo music. Further studies

neurotransmitter that makes us feel

See if these top picks help you reach

tempos could kick your creativity

in the USA have backed this, claiming

pleasure) to be released, improving

your peak when studying.

into gear.

that Baroque music was one of the

your mood and willingness to work.

1. T he Lord of the Rings: Sound of

Songs with a Specific Tempo

best to use for this exercise.

Similarly, music that captures

Again, this is down to personal

Electric Relaxation.

the Shire.

music and songs without lyrics

It is amazing to see how much of an impact music can have

preference and ability. Not everyone is

2. Skyrim: Dragonborn Theme.

on us and the way in which we

important factor to consider and one

able to concentrate while listening to

3. Grand Budapest Hotel: (all of it).

learn, and the fact that it can work

that you may not have before. It is true

music, and some prefer white noise or

4. Darksiders II: The Maker’s Theme.

differently for everyone makes

that studies in the past have found both

total silence. However, for those who

5. Pokemon: Pallet Town.

it that much more interesting.

medium and high levels of volume to

are able to perform both tasks at once,

6. W orld of Warcraft:

So, take our advice, put it into

be very beneficial and open the mind

these are the best tips to take for music

Stormwind Theme.

practice and make sure you add our

to abstract ways of thinking; high

and concentration.

7. Halo 2: Unforgotten.

recommended tracks to your study

8. World of Warcraft: Seasons of War.

playlist. n

Similarly, the noise level is also an

volumes can lead to distraction when trying to work or study. As a result, it

Our Top Tracks for Studying

9. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.

is important to keep the sound levels

While we are sure you have plenty of

10. H ow to Train Your Dragon:

moderate so as to keep your creative

tracks already loaded up and ready

26 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Test Drive.

Article republished courtesy of www.myaudiosound.co.uk

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

ETSP.

| COVER STORY

28 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN SCHOOL EDUCATION ARE YOU READY FOR IT?

BY JANE HUNTER

What do we Mean by Artificial Intelligence?

they are able to accomplish complex

instruction design and digital platforms

goals, each AI system is only able

that use AI to provide learning, testing

is growing. More educators are

Defining the term Artificial Intelligence

to accomplish goals that are very

and feedback to students”.

participating in important exchanges

is tricky because the field is so

specific”. This definition mentions

about AI as understanding develops

interdisciplinary and AI relates to many

how complex AI can be, but makes us

will impact pedagogy, curriculum and

around how it will impact the work

different branches of knowledge,

focus on the reality that AI is narrowly

assessment in schools; that is, how

of teachers and students in schools.

including computer science, education,

focused to fulfil specific goals.

it will impact end-users (teachers and

This article – it first appeared on

game design and psychology, just to

AARE EduResearch Matters blog in

name a few.

Interest in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Australian schools

September 2018 – adds to nascent

I like the definition offered by

We already live in a world full of AI systems, including Siri, Alexa,

We need to pay attention to how AI

students). There is a lot to think about and talk about here already.

GPS navigators, self-driving cars and

conversations on AI and raises

Swedish-American physicist and

so on. In the world of education, big

issues and questions that are critical

cosmologist Max Tegmark. He

international companies are currently

Artificial Intelligence in Education

as we start to think about AI in

describes AI systems as being

working on or already marketing AI

Conversations about Artificial

school education.

“narrowly intelligent because while

systems that develop “intelligent

Intelligence in Education (AIEd) have

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 29

| COVER STORY

been going on for many years in the

landscape be managed as the subject

with skills relevant to 2030, thus

dashboard/s for instance, but humans

world of education. This year, the

of AIEd attracts more attention?

highlighting the need to understand the

will still do all the things that machines

implications of AIEd for schools.

cannot do.

London Festival of Learning, organised

Leading research scientist and

Moreover, there is also a great need

by Professor Rose Luckin and her

world expert in AIEd at University

team, brought together scholars

College London, Professor Rose Luckin

from around the world in the fields of

(who incidentally is a former teacher,

Critical Moment for School Education

for deeper understandings of learning

AIEd, Learning at Scale (large-scale

school governor and AI developer/

There is conclusive international

opaque systems, bias in algorithms

online learning platforms) and the

computer scientist), captures the core

evidence that we are at a critical

and policy/governance questions

Learning Sciences.

argument when it comes to school

moment for setting clearer directions

around data ethics. Such topics could

education. She says, “It’s more

for AIEd in school education. With

form foundational programs in teacher

Department of Education has been on

about how teachers and students will

crucial questions being asked

education courses.

the front foot in raising awareness of

develop sufficient understanding of

internationally about AIEd and national

AIEd in a series of papers in its Future

AIEd so that it can be augmented by

reports like Australia 2030 published,

More Hard Questions

Frontiers agenda. This is a compilation

human intelligence when determining

we must start to probe Australian

What implications do AIEd and

of essays that canvas “perspectives

what AIEd should and should not be

policy makers, politicians, school

automated worlds have for school

from thought leaders, technology

designed to do.” For example, Luckin

principals, students and parents, as

infrastructure? How can higher

experts and futurists from Australia and

suggests if only purely technological

well as the teaching profession more

education and industry support

around the world”. These are helpful

solutions dominate the agenda, then

broadly, about such vital issues.

schools to be responsive and

and well worth seeking out to inform

what AIEd can offer for change and

budding discussions you might want to

transformation in teaching and learning

agenda, but how are teacher education

have about AIEd.

will be limited.

programs in universities preparing

Closer to home, the NSW

The Australian Government’s

Schools are one focus of the

analytics. There are also questions of

supportive to this rapidly changing world of AI? Leaping back to the London

pre-service teachers for this future?

Festival of Learning for one moment,

Questions for Schools and Teachers

Innovation and Science Australia

Are we considering questions of

Professor Paulo Blikstein (from

(2017) report, Australia 2030,

AI in our preparation programs? If

Stanford University) in his keynote

It is important for researchers and

recommends prioritisation of the

we need to lift the skill levels of all

address painted a grim picture of the

teacher educators to explore how

“development of advanced capability

school students to work in an AI

dangers that lie ahead and told his

AIEd will supplement and change the

in artificial intelligence and machine

world, then what changes might we

audience that it is time to “make hard

nature of teachers’ work in schools.

learning in the medium- to long-term

need to make to accommodate AI in

choices for AIEd”.

We need to understand how this can

to ensure growth of the cyber–

the school curriculum, assessment,

be done in education so that the human

physical economy”.

pedagogy, workload and teacher

We Will Take It From Here (WWTIFH)

professional learning?

that happens to researchers. It is when

intelligence and the relational roles of teachers dominate.

How will schools be involved? And how could the changing education

It also lists education as one of its five imperatives for the Australian

The debate about robots replacing

He explained a phenomenon of

tech businesses tell researchers to

innovation, science and research

teachers is not the main event. There

“go away and play with their toys” and

system that will equip Australians

will be assistants in the form of a

that they will take over and develop the

"IT IS IMPORTANT FOR RESEARCHERS AND TEACHER EDUCATORS TO EXPLORE HOW AIED WILL SUPPLEMENT AND CHANGE THE NATURE OF TEACHERS’ WORK IN SCHOOLS. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAN BE DONE IN EDUCATION SO THAT THE HUMAN INTELLIGENCE AND THE RELATIONAL ROLES OF TEACHERS DOMINATE." 30 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

| COVER STORY

and research. We should be thinking all

held on 8, 9 and 10 August 2019 in

“in the most horrible way”. Blikstein

in positions of power in teaching and

the time about what AI really is and not

Melbourne. n

outlined how most tech companies use

learning in education need to be aware of

be naïve and privilege AI over humans.

algorithms that are impervious and do

the limitations of AI. It can help decision

There are many participants in the

not consult with the field – there are few

makers, but not make decisions for them.

AIEd conversation and those involved

primary and high school teacher and

policy or ethical guidelines in the US that

This awareness becomes increasingly

in education at all levels in Australian

is currently conducting a series of

oversee decision making in these areas.

important as educational leaders

schools have an important voice. This is

postdoctoral research studies in STEM

It is a “dangerous cocktail” described by

interact and work more frequently with

a serious and necessary dialogue.

education in Australian schools – she

Blikstein’s formula of:

tech companies.

work technologically… taking over things

WWTIFH + Going Mainstream +

I agree with his caution in that people

In teacher education in Australian

Jane Hunter PhD is a former

*This article touches on some of

also teaches in the School of Education

the key themes in a spotlight session

at the University of Technology Sydney.

Silicon Valley Culture + Huge Economic

universities we must begin to talk more

conducted by Dr Hunter at the Leading

You can follow her on Twitter

Potential = DANGER

about AIEd with those whom we teach

a Digital School Conference being

@janehunter01.

32 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

Teaching Kids to Learn... by Teaching Kids to Code

| FEATURE

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING ARTS MATHEMATICS S T E A M… IT’S A MUSICAL

BY SAM BEATTIE, LUKE MAHER AND JANE HUNTER

34 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

and innovative nation, then the Arts have

What Does it Take to put on a Great Show?

to be in the mix. Increasingly, we should

This question was the driver that

be talking about STEAM in schools, with

informed the learning leading up to the

the Arts at the centre of the conversation.

public performances of the musical

This type of thinking was behind the

for family, friends and the school

creation of a school musical, Somewhere

community. Sam and Luke knew that

Between Here There and Everywhere,

their Year 6 students were particularly

performed in September at St Vincent’s

interested in the performing arts

Primary School – Aranda in the ACT.

and they loved creating small

If Australia wants to be a truly creative

The school musical is not

performances. What kind of creative

necessarily a new activity in the cultural

outlet might harness this energy and

life of schools, but drawing in syllabus

talent? The teachers decided that a

outcomes from across five disciplines

school musical was a natural choice

and seeing it as an opportunity to create

and their Year 6 students (N=41)

a driving question and using it in an

could be the main actors and form the

inquiry within a project-based structure

central cast in the show.

could possibly be a first.

Luke took charge of writing the

Two teachers at the school, Sam

script in consultation with the Year 6

Beattie and Luke Maher, were the driving

students, using songs from popular

force behind this STEAM project that

musicals. The whole process sowed

involved 200 students in years K-6, as

the seeds of a possible STEAM

well as 19 teachers and support staff.

inquiry. At St Vincent’s, there is an

They were supported by their school

existing practice of inquiry learning

principal, Lina Vigliotta, and Lora Bance,

and curriculum integration. This

Innovation Officer at Catholic Education,

orientation to pedagogy has been

Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

embedded in the school for many

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 35

| FEATURE

years and has resulted in a range of

jurisdiction. It was facilitated by Dr

were the McTighe and Wiggins

Exceeding Expectations

inquiry units and publicly performed

Jane Hunter from the University of

(1999) principles in Understanding

Both Sam and Luke’s classes used

culminating tasks focused mainly

Technology Sydney and focused

by Design (UbD). These principles

the collaborative power of online tools

around the subjects of history,

on the High Possibility Classrooms

focus on ‘backward design’ and

and, in most cases, assessment results

science and geography.

(HPC) framework developed from

are about attention to teaching

for this learning activity exceeded their

research in teachers’ classrooms.

that achieves understanding.

expectations. They wanted students to

the school allow for more teaching

Sam left the workshop excited

Each Year 6 student had to keep

have autonomy in their STEAM learning,

time and project-based learning is an

by its potential for future inquiry

a Producer’s Diary throughout

to work in teams to create new things,

integrated practice across the school.

units and especially in the

the term as a means to record the

to use technology and their talents as

It is not a stand-alone activity in what

context of the upcoming musical.

curriculum content, the learning

long as they could justify and show that

is an already crowded curriculum.

Initially, the musical was going

process and photos/images – it

learning in their personal Producer’s

Students have found inquiry-based

to concentrate on drama, dance

became a place to respond to

Diary. Here are some typical comments

learning motivating and engaging.

and theatre. Nevertheless, the

questions. The diary ar tefact would

from a few students after the final

However, over time, the context of

five HPC conceptions enabled the

be an assessable item alongside

performance:

the school has changed and students

Year 6 teachers to better respond

the public performances and would

have progressively developed better

to the changing nature of their

be given to parents/carers at the

expectations were way too high and we

research skills through technology

students’ learning and increased the

end of term. It was also on display

wouldn’t be able to finish everything. I

use and this development has led

possibilities for technology-enhanced

for viewing by the community on

was very wrong. It was fun.” – Ella

to learners who are more able

learning when integrating the STEAM

the final performance night. This

to investigate independently and

disciplines. Tasks in the all-day

diary was a type of program, just

towards the end, but it all paid off and

bring their own understandings and

workshop encouraged planning

like the one you might get at a real

our show was amazing.” – James

questions to the topics studied.

with a STEM and STEAM lens and

theatre performance.

Inquiry approaches to learning at

therefore combining the ideas into a

Being a Digital Technology Leader in the School Helped

musical was a logical next step.

“I found everything got very hard

“I will remember this show for the rest of my life.” – Sakthi

Questions that Underpinned the Musical in STEAM was driven by one driving

Wider Community Engagement in STEAM and Looking to the Future

Another influence on the STEAM

question and a series of sub-questions

This STEAM inquiry also engaged

approach taken by the teachers

in each discipline, as set out below:

communities outside the school.

teacher and was invited to attend

Principles of Understanding by Design

an accredited professional learning workshop offered by the local

Sam is Digital Technologies lead

“I thought the teacher’s

The inquiry learning that took place

DRIVING QUESTION

What does it take to put on a great show?

SCIENCE

How do lights in the theatre work to create stage effects of colour, brightness and themes?

How do electrical circuits work to create light in the theatre?

TECHNOLOGY

Can I create a working light and sound user interface using coding and programming?

What are the technological elements of the theatre and how have they changed over time?

ENGINEERING

Can I design and engineer a working puppet using recycled cardboard?

ARTS

Can I create a poster, online and TV advertisement that is attractive and gets people to come to the show?

Can I create a dance routine that can be used in our show?

Can I create a production script?

MATHEMATICS

Can I create a refreshments budget for food sold in the theatre?

Can I estimate and measure the space of our performance hall and accurately find the seating capacity?

Can I locate a variety of costumes internationally and convert the cost in their original currency to Australian dollars?

36 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

The school musical is not necessarily a new activity in the cultural life of schools, but drawing in syllabus outcomes from across five disciplines and seeing it as an opportunity to create a driving question and using it in an inquiry within a projectbased structure could possibly be a first.

For example, local high school

Education has changed. Old models

6 classroom teacher at St Vincent’s

dance and drama teachers who

of programming do not fit anymore –

provided performance information

using a pedagogical framework like

Luke Maher is the Religious

and skills; industry professionals at

HPC plus new thinking involving the

Education Coordinator and a Year 6

the Canberra Theatre who, through

integration of multiple disciplines using a

classroom teacher at St Vincent’s

excursions to the site showed

STEAM lens and the dedication of these

Primary School – Aranda in the ACT.

students the STEAM elements they

teachers gave students at St Vincent’s a

Jane Hunter was a classroom

use every day; and a high school

learning experience they will remember

teacher and is an education researcher

production crew from St Francis

forever. Absolute joy! n

in pedagogy and technology-enhanced learning from the STEM Education

Xavier College, who came and worked the sound and lights for the week of the show.

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

Primary School – Aranda in the ACT.

Sam Beattie is the Information Technologies Lead Teacher and a Year

Futures Research Centre at the University of Technology Sydney.

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 37

| FEATURE

38 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

THE IMPORTANCE

OF SCAFFOLDED LEARNING

BY SOPHIA KARANICOLAS

I have had the pleasure of working with

contrary. Truly flipped classrooms

impedes the students’ ability to engage

in scholarly activity. We ensure that

colleagues across the higher education,

are capable of turning everything you

in deep and meaningful learning.

our flipped classroom model, based

vocational and secondary education

ever thought about teaching upside

sectors as part of a 2015–2017

down. Educational commentators have

I recognise that the most effective way

and peer reviewed. To facilitate this

National Office of Learning and Teaching

always promoted the importance of

to design flipped classrooms is to work

constructive alignment, our CoP

flipped classroom project, Translating

instructional design by starting with the

in teams of critical friends, just like we

members have developed a flipped

Concept to Practice, acknowledging

end point in mind, a backward learning

expect our students to do. Discovering

classroom design framework that helps

that teachers need to develop the

design approach for constructive

the effectiveness of working with

teachers in the design of their flipped

capacity to design and deliver effective

alignment. Just like an architect, a

colleagues to advance my own teaching

classes. This framework provides

flipped classrooms, underpinned by an

teacher must scaffold student learning

practices, I jumped at the opportunity

teachers with a how-to guide, yet

evidence-based approach.

and design learning experiences that

to facilitate a Flipped Classroom

allows for a diversity of approaches and

are carefully linked. Aligning learning

Community of Practice (FC CoP) at

interpretations that are necessary for

considered as a somewhat flippant

outcomes and assessment to pre-

the University of Adelaide in January

flipping to work in different educational

trend in education and a fad that will

class, in-class and post-class activities

2015. Today, our FC CoP consists

and professional contexts.

come and go. Concerned colleagues

is what flipped learning is all about. It

of 35 cross-disciplinary academics,

have told me that flipped learning is

is about alleviating cognitive overload

students and academic developers

Zealand, the United Kingdom and

all about ‘dumbing down’ academic

and culling unnecessary teacher-driven

to peer review each other’s flipped

Canada have collaboratively developed

standards. In fact, it is quite the

content that burdens students and

classroom designs, whilst engaging

a set of peer-reviewed principles that

For some, the term ‘flipping’ is

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

My flipped learning colleagues and

on constructive alignment, is robust

Colleagues across Australia, New

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 39

| FEATURE

guide the planning, implementation

by colleagues at the Southern Cross

completion. Teachers should

highlight the relevance of what

and evaluation of flipped classrooms.

University in Queensland, provides

release the pre-class at least

they are learning to their future

These principles include:

a stepwise approach to managing

a week before the scheduled

graduate contexts.

• careful linkage of all learning

cognitive overload:

class session.

segments (pre-class, in-class and

• Feedback loops – embedded

• Teacher and student

The Higher Education Cohort

post-class) to learning outcomes

interactivity from the pre-class

accountability – make learning

7: Making learning relevant and

and assessment

activity sets the tone for student

count. Students will engage in pre-

manageable to engage students at

engagement through feedback

class activities when they see that

the Reach Every Student Conference

succinct, interactive and designed

mechanisms that help students

the teacher responds to emerging

(RESCON) Australia in September

to motivate and engage students

monitor their understanding.

learning issues that are addressed

2018, will expand on all the above

in class.

concepts and enable you to use our

• pre-class activities that are

in topic orientation • culling unnecessary content

• Student induction – this is a crucial aspect of flipped learning.

• Make learning relevant and

flipped framework to design or refine

to stay mindful of cognitive

Teachers need to explain the reason

interactive – in-class and

an existing or new flipped classroom.

overload so students can see the

why this method of learning is

post-class activities need to be

If you wish to find out more, please

relevance of learning to real-world

adopted, the initial challenges that

contextualised. When students

come along to Cohort 7 or email me

applications

students may face and strategies

attend the class session,

on sophie.karanicolas@adelaide.

they could use to overcome these.

learning activities must provide

edu.au n

• embedding interactivity for feedback in all learning segments,

• Explicit instructions – students

pre-class, in-class and post-class.

students with opportunities to

need to know how and when

analyse and apply the pre-class

A wonderful instructional design

the pre-class activities will be

key concepts to authentic and

Associate Professor at University

model, the Café Tool Kit, developed

undertaken and a due date for

real-world situations. This will

of Adelaide.

Sophia Karanicolas is an

Educational commentators have always promoted the importance of instructional design by starting with the end point in mind, a backward learning design approach for constructive alignment. Just like an architect, a teacher must scaffold student learning and design learning experiences that are carefully linked.

40 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER educationtechnologysolutions.com.au/subscribe

SCAN CODE WITH YOUR CAMERA

| NEXT STEP

42 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

HOW TO ACHIEVE INDUSTRY RELEVANCE AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN ONLINE LEARNING: DIGILEARN AS A SOLUTION

BY PROFESSOR SHELLEY KINASH

Higher education is under worldwide

administered through Learning

Australasia’s annual conference and

students. Not just any video counts as

scrutiny. The three problems that are

Management Systems (LMS).

staff from numerous other universities

Digilearn. The Digilearn standards are:

most often hurled at educators are:

In other words, the course

attended to learn how to implement

the video content must be discipline-

• University is industry irrelevant in

sites contain folders of lecture

this initiative at their institutions. The

based curriculum; the explicit audience

that there is a chasm between (a)

transcripts, poor quality videos of

idea was conceived by the author

is students; the length must be

the knowledge, skills and attributes

recorded on-campus lectures, and

of this article, in her role as USQ

between five and 20 minutes; one-third

graduates need to succeed in the

little else. This harkens back to the

Director, Advancement of Learning

of the final cut must have been filmed

workforce and (b) the curriculum

days of correspondence education,

and Teaching. A project manager has

in industry; and the video must feature

and assessment taught by

except that instead of yesterday’s

been contracted until the end of 2018

on-screen student/s, graduate/s,

academics within universities.

universities printing and mailing

to catalyse buy-in and collaboration

academic/s and employer/s.

out materials to students, today’s

between industry and academics. The

The first video off the production

disengaged. While marketing media

university students need to

associate director and production team

line was designed to teach engineering

attracts students to universities

download the materials themselves

of Media Design and Development

students about the role of global

by showing beautifully crafted

(and pay for their own printing on

(MDD), within the Office for the

navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and

images of laughter, conversation

top of tuition).

Advancement of Learning and Teaching

global positioning systems (GPS) in

• Students are bored and

and thriving campuses, students

In acknowledgement of these potential

(OALT), work alongside academics and

surveying. Professor Kevin McDougall,

often express that their experience

problems, and as part of a suite of

industry professionals to storyboard,

Head of School, served as the

is one of stress, isolation

proactive pedagogical solutions,

film and edit the videos. The OALT

discipline-based project leader. Most of

and disillusionment.

Digilearn was created. Digilearn is

educational designers work alongside

the video (including images of students

• Online learning is a cost-cutting

a trend-setting higher education

academics across the disciplines to

and staff undertaking surveying) was

measure that provides a poor

innovation started in 2018 by the

support the embedding of Digilearn

filmed on the Nexus Second Range

substitute for the on-campus

University of Southern Queensland

into curriculum and assessment.

Crossing site with MinStaff Survey. The

student experience. The metaphor

(USQ). Digilearn was showcased

of a filing cabinet is the apt image

at the 2018 Higher Education

inspirational online video designed to

is a professional surveyor and a USQ

of many online course sites,

Research and Development Society of

teach industry-relevant curriculum to

graduate. A current student is featured

The definition of Digilearn is: an

industry delegate (featured on-screen)

| NEXT STEP

on-screen, interviewing the professional.

university academic and an

Digilearn takes advantage of

Chris McAlister, Professional Fellow

industry professional (and

digital platforms, enabling the

(Surveying) and USQ academic,

university graduate) co-created

visualisation of curriculum.

narrates the video and makes the

curriculum and the manner in

Students can pause, rewind and

learning content explicit for students.

which it was taught to students.

replay the engineering video for

The video is a beautiful, artistic

This formal collaboration has

study revision. Key concepts

production, featuring drone footage of a

inspired further interaction, to

and terms are presented online.

key urban engineering project, near the

the benefit of university students.

Digilearn is intentionally and

vicinity of one of the USQ campuses.

The video has been used by the

carefully embedded in curriculum

Videos provide compelling

Engineering School as evidence

and assessment to have a positive

learning opportunities. In his article

of industry collaboration to satisfy

ripple effect on many components

in the 24 October 2018 issue of The

accreditation requirements.

of education. The GPS video is now

Australian, Professor Duncan Bentley

Bringing a student along to the

used on the LMS sites of multiple

wrote, “Comparing written texts to

industry-based shoot gave him an

engineering courses. The video

paintings, Socrates complains that

ideal opportunity to network with

is used to inspire discussion and

they seem to talk to you as though

a local employer. The reach went

application of engineering concepts

they were intelligent, but if you ask

far beyond this sole student. In

them anything about what they say

addition to including content about

This latter point segues to practical tips

from a desire to be instructed they

how to use GPS in surveying,

for embedding Digilearn in curriculum

go on telling just the same thing

the video posed questions and

and assessment. The tips provided

forever.” In other words, whereas

answers about engineering careers,

here are a subset of a full set written

text conveys only what is written, a

thus informing current students

by Elizabeth Cook, in her previous role

picture paints a thousand words and

about how to prepare for success

as Education Designer at USQ (she

can inspire learners to go beyond the

beyond university.

is now Manager, Student Transitions

educators’ explicit intentions to reflect,

• Digilearn productions achieve

and to inform career coaching.

and Employability at Edith Cowan University).

apply, debate and create. Bentley

the benefits of edutainment. The

(who is Deputy Vice-Chancellor

videos are interesting, motivating

Academic at Swinburne University),

and beautiful. The GPS engineering

Digilearn in curriculum

shared this quote in the context of

video displays breathtaking drone-

and assessment:

the opportunities afforded by online

filmed images of the terrain being

• Use Digilearn content to prompt

learning. He wrote that, just like

surveyed. Putting time and effort

on-campus education, online learning

into quality curriculum productions

can be good or bad, depending on

demonstrates care, commitment

assigning viewing prior to class

the effort that is put into it by the

and respect for students and their

and then following up with in-

academics and their universities. He

learning. Rather than producing

wrote, “High-quality learning and

videos that bring students to

teaching depend on us embracing

university, Digilearn is designed to

assessment task – students watch

technology and shaping it to the

keep them there. Most universities

and then respond to content-

needs of learners and their future

put a great deal of human and

careers.” This quote segues to a

digital resources into producing

return to the three criticisms of higher

marketing videos to attract

of a summative assessment task.

education shared in the introduction to

students to enrol. Currently enrolled

Assign students the creation of

this article.

students, however, are usually

their own Digilearn-type video to

subjected to poor-quality lecture

demonstrate their achievements

Applying the example of the GPS

Here are ideas for embedding

online discussion through a forum.

• Use Digilearn to flip the classroom,

class tasks.

• Use Digilearn as a written formative

related questions.

• Use Digilearn as a model/exemplar

through work integrated learning.

in Surveying video, this section of

recordings, with little to no editing

the article addresses the capacity of

or quality controls. This scenario

In addition to providing ideas and

Digilearn to resolve the potential big

is not good enough for our future

support for academics, once the

problems of higher education.

leaders, and it is unsurprising

Digilearn production is complete and

• Digilearn increases, and

that university attrition rates are

ready to use, the Digilearn core team

evidences, industry engagement.

high. Digilearn has the capacity to

provided practical strategies and

In addition, Digilearn enhances

heighten retention through putting

advice to participants throughout the

the employability and career

education resourcing where it

process. For example, here are the tips

preparation of students. Taking

counts – in learning and teaching.

– While Filming:

the example of the engineering Digilearn production, the lead

44 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

• Digilearn is an exemplar of what online learning can be.

• treat your interview like a conversation

• avoid looking at the camera and focus on the person asking the questions • you might be asked to rephrase your answer so that it incorporates the question • keep your answers to one to three sentences • be expressive and speak louder than usual • speak slowly, clearly and confidently • stand up straight, maintain eye contact and do not forget to breathe • do not worry about hesitating or pauses – they can be easily removed in editing

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

DIGILEARN HAS THE CAPACITY TO HEIGHTEN RETENTION THROUGH PUTTING EDUCATION RESOURCING WHERE IT COUNTS – IN LEARNING AND TEACHING.

videos are complete or in the final

is a flow-on effect. Participating

student nurses and teachers, and

relax – you have been chosen to

stages, 17 are in process and five are

in the design, production and

four videos for the hospital to use for

participate for a reason

at the collaborative design stage with

application of Digilearn has inspired

patient education. In other words,

• mistakes are allowed

academics and industry delegates.

additional content, audiences,

applying creativity to education

• ask any questions you have

Five schools have participated to

applications and other positively

expands horizons, possibilities,

• enjoy the day.

date – Arts and Communication;

disruptive approaches to education.

opportunities and impact. Whether

This article has used the example

Engineering and Surveying;

For example, the School of Law

you choose to emulate Digilearn or

of the GPS in Surveying Digilearn

Law and Justice; Nursing and

and Justice decided to expand a

create your own type of education

production to describe the many

Midwifery; and Teacher Education

short scene filmed for Digilearn to

disruption, we owe it to our students

educational opportunities and

and Early Childhood. Examples of

create another curricular object.

to apply our imagination and thereby

advantages. This is only one

curriculum content include Flood

They enacted a full dramatic scene

make the most of educational

example. Thirty Digilearn videos will

Prevention Strategies; International

about domestic violence and child

technology for learning and teaching. n

be fully produced and embedded

Humanitarian Law; Mediation

protection law that will form the basis

in USQ online course curriculum

Strategies; Surgery Recovery and

of case study assessment. Footage

and assessment, ready for student

Women in War.

shot at St. Vincent’s Private Hospital

Director, Advancement of Learning

in Toowoomba will be used to make

and Teaching at the University of

five videos for student education for

Southern Queensland.

• overall, try not to be nervous;

learning, as of the first semester of 2019. Currently, eight of these

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

An unexpected and highly positive outcome of the Digilearn initiative

Professor Shelley Kinash is the

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 45

| LET’S TALK PEDAGOGY

46 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

BUILD THE SPACE FOR CHILDREN TO UNDERSTAND TECHNOLOGY, NOT MERELY CONSUME IT

BY DAVID CHU

“I’ve always lived by the philosophy

that is growing rapidly in the education

that students should be co-creators of

community, particularly among

technology rather than just consumers

university students.

of it.”

A few years back, an opportunity for my school, Emmaus Christian College,

finished projects or were actively

presented itself at the 2016 EduTECH

working on new projects for the

Conference in Brisbane. There was a

conference attendees to view. We were

station set up there that had several

able to walk around the space, watch

students working together on different

the projects come together and ask

technical projects, and I was immediately

questions – I could see that this would

thrust into the idea of makerspaces

be a powerful platform for my school

and the value that they can bring to

and the greater education sector.

the education sector. A makerspace is

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

At the conference setup, students had either brought in some of their

Fortunately, thanks to the incredible

essentially a platform for students to

work of my peers, we already had

build, re-purpose or fix something. It is

a similar project that was underway

part of a do-it-yourself (DIY) movement

in our school. It was a robotics and

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 47

| LET’S TALK PEDAGOGY

electronics interest group which was

and apply them in a secondary

the technical capabilities and the maker

challenges in the engineering and

limited to Year 10 students at the time,

school context within Emmaus

‘can-do’ spirit may influence and

programming of the devices. We are

with almost 10 regular attendees.

Christian College.

transcend our mainstream curriculum.

currently elbow deep in building a box

The first thing that was clear was that

Now, our makerspace is an open

One of the platforms that we have

that can read carbon dioxide levels

we needed to expand the project to

and collaborative workshop. Students

encouraged our students to explore

in a space and communicate those

include more middle school students

from multiple faculties and cohorts

is Arduino – a readily programmable

levels using LED lights, as well as

to bring in more interest and take

are able to work alongside teachers

microchip for which many people

measure temperature.

on more collaborative projects.

to understand and create projects

online have been developing creative

Even just creating the enclosure

As a makerspace is very much an

that bridge the gap between existing

uses. One of our students suggested

has come with some challenges, such

experimental platform, we wanted to

technologies, understanding how they

a particularly interesting project that

as the impact of the distance between

bring in as many ideas as possible

work and furthering their use and

we are now working on – a classroom

the different components when wiring

across multiple faculties. The idea

application. Importantly, other teachers

air quality monitor. This project is

them together, or how many sensors

was to focus on new technologies and

who are not immediately involved in the

still very much ongoing and we are

we will need while making sure they all

ideas captured from the conferences

makerspace are taking interest in how

working through a lot of the technical

fit in the space; but the most important

48 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

| LET’S TALK PEDAGOGY

We were able to get the group going with 10 enthusiastic students and some guitar kits, including pedals, printed circuit boards, affordable electronic components and old stereos. The makerspace is the concept, but you can grow it in whatever way works for your school or environment, as long as the goal is to encourage people to learn and create together.

One of the most important features of our facility was to allow students to propose what they wanted to do and then refine it from there, so do not be afraid to start with something small that you can build on over time. Even if it is as simple as origami folding, the idea can grow in exciting and unexpected directions.

If you get the culture of your facility right, and encourage students not to be afraid to put their ideas forward, or to try and make sense of something they have never seen before, then students and teachers will continue to grow and strengthen our education sector. n David Chu is a mathematics and technologies teacher at Emmaus Christian College, SA. He is passionate about encouraging and inspiring students to take on a mindset where they are co-creators of technology, not mere consumers of it. Over the past two years, David has devoted significant time to develop student-focused, crosscurricular makerspace capabilities at Emmaus Christian College – a thing is that we have created this

nation, offering an opportunity for

experimenting with technology. We

place where students can come

amazing shared learning experience.

members of NGS Super working in

are currently running the facility on

together to use and learn to use

It has brought students and teachers

independent education to undertake

a co-contributed model where the

materials as well as develop creative

together and helped us learn from

professional development, a project

school supplies part of the funding

projects. David plans to use his

each other. We also have a better

or an initiative. I submitted the

for the project and the caretakers of

scholarship winnings to expand

understanding of how the technology

makerspace we were already growing

the participating students help meet

the makerspace to be applied in a

that we use every day and take for

and, to our delight, our project

some of the costs, so the scholarship

senior school context, focusing on

granted actually works.

was chosen.

is a huge opportunity to expand

technology involving collaboration

our facility. That said, if you are

among various science, technologies,

A few weeks ago, our makerspace

The awards have been growing

won one of the six NGS Super

significantly year on year, so all the

looking to start a discussion around

engineering, arts and mathematics

scholarship awards, giving us an extra

students and teachers involved in

makerspaces or even implementing

subjects to guide students in the

$5,000 to invest in expanding the

our makerspace are very thankful for

something similar in your school, you

development of Internet of Things

facility. For context, the scholarships

the opportunity that NGS Super has

do not need to start out with a large-

(IoT) technologies and advanced

are awarded annually across the

given us to continue developing and

scale or expensive project.

communication technology.

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 49

| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

REGIONAL SCHOOLS ACROSS AUSTRALIA TO HAVE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

50 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

Australian Theatre for Young People

and experiences of their peers. Studies

better skills in teamwork situations

live-streamed professionally filmed

(ATYP) is Australia’s national youth

have shown that an involvement in

and improved motivation – all skills

performances from its theatre at least

theatre. For over 50 years, the

the creative arts at a young age can

which benefit Science, Technology,

twice a year, to engage students facing

company has been a creative incubator

improve cognitive abilities across all

Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

geographic and economic barriers who

that connects empowering youth

areas of learning, sees young people

learning, whether a young person

want to engage with performing arts.

arts processes with the professional

more likely to volunteer, vote and

aspires to a vocational, technical,

With the new platform, ATYP’s aim is

theatre industry – locally, nationally

connect with their communities, and

academic or artistic career.

to give schools that are too far from a

and internationally. ATYP commissions,

fosters the creativity, adaptiveness

stages and supports work that raises

and ability to prepare for careers of

is constantly working to create new

expectations of what youth theatre

the future.

opportunities and programs for young

ATYP is pleased to offer the

people across the country to engage

platform for free to all students and

can achieve.

In its own research of over 1,200

As ATYP looks to the future, it

theatre access to a live production with the best seats in the house.

participants, parents, alumni and

with authentic, relevant and high-

teachers across the country, but

belief that every young person’s first

other stakeholders, ATYP found that

quality artistic experiences.

are particularly pleased about the

experience of theatre should be tailor

an involvement in youth theatre can

As part of this future vision, the

opportunities it will offer those in

made for their age. The first play

positively impact mental wellbeing

company created the ATYP On Demand

regional and remote communities.

Australians read and perform must be

(94 percent). The research also found

platform. The idea has blossomed from

ATYP On Demand delivers

relevant to them, driven by characters

a reduction in anxiety, improved

its Live Stream program, operating

unprecedented access to compelling

their own age, informed by the ideas

resilience in coping with challenges,

since 2013. The company has

theatrical experiences for young

ATYP’s work is driven by the

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 51

| PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

people, allowing them to experience

Demand service. This builds upon our

award-winning productions and

work globally in helping to increase

high-quality educational resources in

audiences for arts and harness its

the classroom. This truly is theatre

power for learning, leveraging our

on demand, in your school, whenever

world-class technology already used

suits you, for free.

by over 14,000 schools around the world. We feel privileged to be part of

The platform:

a project which will touch the lives of

• provides relevant links to the

so many of Australia’s young people

Australian Curriculum, becoming

and which will no doubt gain global

a key tool for teachers to use in

recognition in our collective mission

lesson planning

to ensure every child can be the best

• is free of charge and on demand, accessible only by schools, universities and children’s hospitals • includes interactive learning

they can be.”

ATYP will continue to add to the canon of work housed on the platform from its substantial back catalogue of

resources, behind-the-scenes

filmed productions. Additionally, each

interviews with cast and creative

new live-streamed performance will

teams, and live filmed Q&A

also be added, starting with Charlie

sessions with casts, creative teams

Pilgrim (Or a Beginners Guide to

and audiences, enabling deeper

Time Travel) in November 2018. The

engagement and understanding of

theatre company looks forward to

the theatrical process

engaging with students and teachers

• inspires students using the service

across the country for years to come

in the classroom to attend more

as it expands the platform, offers

live productions, regardless of

in-school workshops to support the

whether that is at ATYP or at their

online lesson plans and, who knows,

local theatre.

maybe digital drama classes and

ATYP anticipates that over 60,000

online performances are not as far

students will directly engage with the

away as anyone thought!

platform over the next five years.

Tocumwal Public School, a small

While planning the build of

rural school situated eight hours

this platform, ATYP looked to the

west of Sydney, is just one of the

international market for the best

many schools signing up to use ATYP

possible partner to create this

On Demand. “Our opportunities to

porthole for students and teachers

reach large centres for performances

that allows access to these

are limited due to travel and costs

exceptional resources. The company

affiliated with travel or simply not

could not go past the highly regarded

having access to performances within

and user-friendly National Theatre

our district. An online resource would

site, NT On Demand (UK) and quickly

be beneficial in supporting teachers

made contact with Frog Education,

with their planning and having

who had built the product. After initial

examples of performances and

meetings, Frog was engaged and,

activities that have been provided by

in close partnership with the team

ATYP to reinforce key ideas. We look

at ATYP, work to create ATYP On

forward to utilising ATYP On Demand

Demand began.

to support and extend our students’

Michael Wilkinson, Deputy Managing Director of Frog Education

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT AN INVOLVEMENT IN THE CREATIVE ARTS AT A YOUNG AGE CAN IMPROVE COGNITIVE ABILITIES ACROSS ALL AREAS OF LEARNING.

learning,” says Laura Keech, teacher at Tocumwal Public School. n

(UK), was key in guiding the technical build of the site, travelling to Sydney

ATYP On Demand is free and

to work on the project in person.

available for all teachers in Australia.

“Frog Education was delighted to

For more information, visit the ATYP

have been chosen to partner with

website, Facebook, Twitter and

ATYP to build this visionary On

Instagram pages.

52 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 53

| FEATURE

The Rise of IoT Devices In Schools ENSURING SECURE, CONNECTED LEARNING FOR AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS

BY JIM COOK

54 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

Remember the old days when rows of

but they also create opportunities to

identified a 15 percent increase in

solutions. However, during the June

students would copy down notes from

be compromised by any number of

adware detections in ANZ during the

2017 school holidays, many of the

a textbook? My kids live in a different

external threats. To protect against

same period, making it the number one

student’s devices were afflicted with

world – surrounded by numerous

these risks, schools need to not only

cause of malware detections for ANZ.

multiple malware infections. Once

technologies provided by their schools

secure the devices currently on their

It is not surprising when you

or brought with them from home.

networks, but must also secure new

consider how simple it is to fall victim

only were their devices restricted by

Laptops, tablets, smartphones and

ones as and when they come online.

to such malicious cyberattacks. When

the school’s firewall, thus preventing

those students returned to school, not

many other connected devices have

A major threat to IoT-connected

using any one of their personal and/

them from accessing the school

revolutionised the way we educate

schools is of course malware. Because

or communal devices connected to

network, but it also took considerable

the next generation of Australians,

of the way students and staff use

a school’s internal network, students

time and resources for their in-house

necessitating changes to our national

connected devices, schools are often

and staff will browse the web and

IT team to rectify the issues. The

curriculum as well as to the education

the first to see new malware threats

potentially pick up malware from

dedicated team invested upwards of 30

environment itself. But while we have

emerge. Many of the threats come in

infectious sites or targeted channels.

minutes per student to decontaminate

changed the means and the methods

the form of often overlooked types of

Once infected, they will then use the

each infected device, supporting an

of contemporary education, changing

malware such as adware, which slows

same devices for emails or uploading

estimated 20 students in the first week

the way we protect students and the

down computers and takes up screen

coursework, which will further spread

and a further 40 to 60 within the first

information they use on a daily basis is

space. Potentially unwanted programs

the infections to other users on the

month after the holidays.

a challenge that many schools are yet

(PUPs) such as spyware, adware

same network.

to overcome.

and dialers are often downloaded in

As well as being infected by online

With a flood of frustrated students and staff streaming into the tech

conjunction with a program that the

sources while they are working on

support team, it was clear that the

organisation Telsyte (2017) estimates

user wants, and make up roughly half

the school network, because these

school’s existing antivirus was

that the average Australian household

of all detections. Trojans, ransomware

bring your own devices (BYOD) are

not up to the task of protecting its

in 2017 had 13.7 Internet-connected

and other high-risk forms of malware

portable, they are also exposed to

infrastructure or users. The majority

devices, and further predicted this

make up about 2.5 percent of the

external corruption that can then

of laptops were running outdated

number will rise to 30.7 by 2021.

total. As with both businesses and

threaten the secure network when they

virus protection solutions and could

This trend is mimicked in Australian

consumers, malware represents a real

return to campus. This is an issue that

no longer access online content

schools, with education institutions

issue for schools who embrace IoT

Melbourne-based Peninsula Grammar

effectively. Hijacked browsers, PUPs

embracing interactive devices such as

technologies, as it can infect the entire

experienced first-hand.

and other malware ground machines to

smart boards and virtual reality (VR),

connected system through just one

handheld gaming devices and wearable

entry point.

A 2017 study from research

Situated on the Mornington

a halt, resulting in classroom downtime

Peninsula, Peninsula Grammar is a co-

and more IT man hours spent

It is also an ongoing threat, with

educational school with almost 1,400

on remediation.

these devices are part of the Internet

cases of malware-based crime steadily

kindergarten to Year 12 students. As

of Things (IoT) and allow users, be

increasing. The 2017 State of Malware

well as supporting the BYOD devices

Grammar’s IT team looked for an

they students or teachers, to control,

Report by Malwarebytes revealed a

for most of these 1,400 students, the

alternative solution that would also future-

monitor, enhance and personalise

sharp increase in cybercrime, and

school was also responsible for staff

proof the facility against any further

their in-school experience. They help

highlighted that malware detections

laptops and desktop systems around

threats of infection. The team deployed

to create environments that foster

in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ)

campus for more than 200 staff.

Malwarebytes, using the Management

collaborative learning, enable remote

had doubled in the fourth quarter

study and multi-person presentations,

from 2016 to 2017. The study also

technologies like smart watches. All of

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

Peninsula Grammar’s network was protected with traditional antivirus

To remedy the situation, Peninsula

Console to help clean thousands of items from infected BYOD devices.

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 55

| FEATURE

threats. These solutions leverage

themselves and their students from

system will help to identify and

importance of end point protection

multiple layers to protect staff and

malware attacks include:

remedy risks as they occur

and its ability to help keep students

students whether they are working

1. Invest in an end point security

and school environments safe from a

within a secure environment or

solution that uses multiple layers

plethora of cyberattacks. Ultimately,

joining that network via their personal

to protect staff and students

staff devices, student devices and

the solution helped to reduce

devices. Technologies such as Web

whether they are working within

unmanaged IoT devices are on

infections by over 90 percent. It also

Protection, which blocks known bad

a secure environment or not.

separate VLANs. That way, if an

aided in reducing IT support time,

websites (or adverts from known

Protection of PC, Mac, IOS and

infection does occur, it will not

freeing up resources and time used

bad sources), application behaviour

Android devices is critical.

spread as far or as fast.

to proactively educate the Peninsula

monitoring, and anomaly detection,

2. Monitor and categorise all IoT

4. Automate remediation to free

Grammar students about safer ways

which looks for suspicious activity

devices on the campus. Flagging

up IT time and offer proactive

to surf the Internet.

on the computers themselves,

new or unknown devices can

education to students and staff

are also vital tools in securing

help restrict the many threats

who use IoT-connected BYODs

school environments.

that may occur in an educational

This is just one example of the

Properly deployed and managed end point protection is a key step for schools that want to be better prepared to combat cybersecurity

56 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Some takeaway tips for schools to consider when protecting

environment and consistent vigilance from a centralised

anywhere on the network.

3. Segregate your network so that

on campus.

5. Always back up your important information. n

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/EdTechMagazine

| TEACHING TOOLS

TETHERED TO SCREENS:

A DILEMMA 58 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

BY RITESH CHUGH

The challenge of too much screen

A European study last year found a

the changing educational landscape.

time for youngsters represents an

strong connection between screen time

Access to screens in classrooms may

intriguing problem, which is hard to

and childhood obesity.

help in the development of children by allowing them access to a plethora of

definitively solve. This article delves

Should Teachers and Parents be Worried?

information to make better informed

time, its benefits, problems and ways to manage it. Some guidelines that

Should teachers and parents be

enhance engagement and encourage

teachers and parents can use to tackle

worried, especially about the use of

collaborative learning. However,

the issue of excessive screen time

screens in schools enabled through

there is evidence that suggests

are outlined.

the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

otherwise too. For example, classroom

model? The BYOD model in many

computers do not necessarily enhance

can take various forms, such as

Australian schools allows students

learning outcomes; they can lead to

viewing television, using computer

to bring their own laptop or tablet

developmental interference and vision

screens and mobile devices

for classroom learning. With many

impairment and increase distraction.

(smartphones and tablets) and playing

books available as online versions or

Students even prefer physical books

with hand-held computer games.

e-books, the problem of excessive

over e-books.

Research indicates that excessive

screen time only increases. This

screen time can lead to poor social

leads one to consider whether this

skills, inactivity, sleep problems and

problem will diminish in the future.

How much Screen Time is Advisable?

cyberbullying, along with having a

Perhaps not. In today’s digital age, the

The Australian Government’s

negative effect on school performance.

increased screen usage is in sync with

Department of Health website

into some of the nuances of screen

Screen time via electronic media

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

judgements, stimulate creativity,

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 59

| TEACHING TOOLS

suggests that the watching of

activities. A total of seven to nine

• increase screen zoom and font size

television by children (birth to two

hours a day! In this case, perhaps

to reduce exertion on the eyes

years) may be connected with

the guidelines should be amended,

delays in language development. The

especially when schools do not give a

suggests a viewing distance of one

Department of Health recommends

choice to opt out of the BYOD model.

foot for mobile phones, two feet for

that children under two years should not be allowed any screen time.

Furthermore, screen time for children between the ages of two and five

What can Parents and Teachers do to Tackle this Issue?

should be restricted to less than

Here are 10 tips that parents and

one hour a day and screen time for

teachers can implement to help

entertainment-based activities for

alleviate the problem, some of which

children in the five to 17 age group

are equally applicable to adults too:

should be limited to no more than two

• set specific time limits for screen

hours per day. But these guidelines specify screen time for entertainment-

usage an hour before going to bed, as this

could mean that students spend four

may improve quality of sleep • encourage the 20-20-20 rule,

prepared for life in an expanding digital world. n Ritesh Chugh is the discipline

desktop computers and 10 feet for

lead for information systems and

television

analysis at Central Queensland

• filter out blue light from devices

University’s School of Engineering

• discuss options of reducing screen

and Technology. He is an enthusiastic

time with other parents • monitor what children are doing during screen time • encourage regular physical activities • practise what they preach.

and committed educationalist who has been awarded several academic awards to recognise his teaching excellence. Ritesh is also an active researcher and has published extensively in his research area.

He has been interviewed multiple

• remind children to turn off devices

based activities only. In reality, this to five hours of screen time at school,

• adopt the 1-2-10 rule, which

become device addicts and are better

In summary, this is a battle of the

times on radio talk back shows and

digital age and the screen revolution

received media attention for his work

is unending, with proponents tugging

in many outlets, such as The Age,

followed by one to two hours of

which involves taking a 20-second

at both ends of the screen! Ultimately,

The Australian, The Sydney Morning

homework screen time at home and

break to look at something 20-feet

what really matters is that children

Herald, The Conversation and SBS.

finally, the recommended two hours of

away every 20 minutes; this will

are not deprived of a social life,

He can be contacted via email at

screen time for entertainment-based

assist in reducing eye strain

not addicted to screens, do not

r.chugh@cqu.edu.au

60 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE www.educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

| GET CONNECTED

WHY CONNEC TIVIT Y AND NET WORKING REMAINS A CHALLENGE FOR SCHOOLS

62 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

BY GAVIN WILSON

Providing fast, reliable internet

date. The same study also took into

often not there to meet the demands

school grounds, at home or in transit.

connections for Australia’s 3.7 million

account socio-economic factors and

being placed on it by modern

The final essential that schools need to

school students is the modern-day

found that 46 percent of schools in

learning environments.

consider is adaptability. It is absolutely

equivalent of giving them paper, books

low socio-economic background areas

and pens two decades ago. Yet for

had insufficient internet bandwidth or

of the critical network essentials in

school is not just fit for purpose today,

many schools, particularly those

speed. The case was not significantly

education happen to be. The main

but is also future-proofed, so that

in rural, regional and remote areas,

better for high socio-economic

one is having reliable connectivity.

teachers and staff can remain focused

networking and internet connectivity

background institutions, with 39

If students cannot get online, then

on student learning and achievement.

remains a challenge. And it is not just

percent indicating bandwidth was

their learning will suffer. If an entire

those in remote areas. Some schools

an issue.

classroom or school has a network

in urban areas also find connectivity

The reasons for having acceptable

It is worth examining what some

vital that the solution deployed by a

failure, or simply does not have

Even Urban Areas can Suffer from Poor Connectivity

difficult because they are in blackspots,

bandwidth are obvious. An increasing

adequate bandwidth, then the entire

One Australian school that, while being

or because the National Broadband

percentage of the curriculum is now

cohort will suffer.

in a semi-urban area, has suffered

Network (NBN) has not reached them.

online, as well as assessments such

Along with reliable connectivity,

as the National Assessment Program

other network issues include providing

Yanginanook School, located in Belrose

Students in a Digital World study

– Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).

internet access beyond school

on Sydney’s north side, not far from

conducted in 2016, an aggregate

Coursework is often cloud-based

walls, as well as using cloud-based

the famous Northern Beaches and a

of 37 percent of Australian schools

and students collaborate online using

services. Cloud services and their

mere half an hour drive from the CBD.

indicated that they had issues with

technology such as iPads, laptops

associated applications can reduce

The school caters for students

limited or slow internet connectivity,

and Chromebooks. The internet has

costs for schools, as well as allow

starting from kindergarten through

while almost one in three said that

become the centrepiece of Australian

staff and students to access resources

to Year 6 and has been in existence

their computer equipment is out of

learning, yet the infrastructure is

regardless of whether they are on the

for 35 years. The problem faced by

According to the Australian

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

from a lack of internet bandwidth is

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 63

| GET CONNECTED

Yanginanook was that, despite its location

a movie,” she said. “The kids were

not far from Australia’s largest city, it had

struggling with all the online educational

to make do with an ADSL 1 connection

programs we had them using, and the

to the internet. There is no cabling, no

issues were occurring daily.”

NBN, and not even the chance to upgrade

to implement 4G LTE connectivity

The ADSL 1 internet saw downloads as

and now experiences download

slow as 1.8 megabits per second, and

speeds in excess of 30 megabits per

this ageing infrastructure hindered the

second. As a result, the school is

school’s access to modern-day learning

now able to access online learning in

aids, such as YouTube, Mathletics

real time, with tangible benefits for

software and ABC Reading Eggs.

its students.

The ageing network also meant

“We are now able to do NAPLAN

that teachers who wanted to access

online,” said Ms Russell, “which we

online resources often had to change

would not have been able to do in

plans because of the slow speeds,

previous years.” Staff and students

outages and drop outs. Worse, routers

can also now stream online content

needed to be switched off and on

and access all the internet-based

several times a day, further hindering

programs that are needed – and they

the school’s learning program.

can do it concurrently. “The teachers

According to the school’s

64 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Yanginanook took the plunge

to an ADSL 2 connection in the area.

are now also able to share programs

Principal, Ann Russell, the network

through Google Docs and have

was severely limiting what the school

those programs open at the same

could do, along with its learning

time, which would previously have

outcomes. “We would never think

caused the school to lose its internet

of doing something like streaming

connection,” she observed.

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

"The internet has become the centrepiece of Australian learning, yet the infrastructure is often not there to meet the demands being placed on it by modern learning environments."

Remote Access – Continued Learning for all Students

as they travel, allowing them to catch

Australian students could provide a

students. As online learning becomes

up on homework – and anything else

valuable option, particularly for those

ingrained in the fabric of student’s

What Yanginanook’s experience

they want to do – as they travel. Then,

students who live in difficult financial

lives, connectivity remains an issue.

demonstrates is that for Australian

after hours, the buses are parked around

circumstances, or who are based in

However, with smart approaches,

schools, internet connectivity

the district and, using solar panels, they

areas where internet connectivity is not

solutions can be found that will allow

is not a given. So, what can be

allow students to gather around and do

a given.

Australian students to get online, stay

done to improve the outcomes for

their homework. Providing this sort of

The various 4G networks in

Australian educational institutions,

connectivity is particularly important

Australia provide a total coverage to

and in particular those where internet

to Coachella, because it has a very

around 98 percent of the population;

connectivity remains a challenge?

low socio-economic base. Most of the

however, expense remains an issue,

One example from the US is the

students receive assistance in the form

with mobile data being charged

repurposing of school buses as mobile

of free school lunches and families often

at significantly higher rates than

Wi-Fi hotspots. In California, The

struggle to pay their rent, let alone pay for

conventional fixed-line bandwidth.

Coachella Valley Unified School District

bandwidth at home.

has harnessed its 100-strong fleet of

With schooling is increasingly

Schools like Yanginanook, however, demonstrate that connection is

buses to provide internet connectivity

reliant on online resources and

possible and can even be quite simple

to its 20,000 school students on the

students needing to connect to the

in areas where fixed-line bandwidth

way to school, on the way home and

internet when they are at home,

is either not available, or has poor

after hours using a novel approach

providing bus-based internet

performance or reliability. Fixed-line

that sees buses parked around the

connections has become the number

networks will inevitably suffer failures

district beaming internet to anyone in

one way for Coachella to allow its

and outages from time to time; 4G LTE

the vicinity.

students to get their school work

also provides a great back-up to fixed-

done, regardless of their family or

line connections, ensuring that schools

financial situation.

are always online.

By equipping the buses with 4G LTE and outfitting them with Wi-Fi hotspots, students, who were given iPads as part of their education, can log onto resources

Providing bus-based or community centre-based connectivity for

Internet connectivity is of vital importance to Australia’s school

online and thrive. n

SHOWCASES

Harry Potter Kano Coding Kit – Build A Wand.

Learn To Code. Make Magic. you complete, the more costumes and medals you earn. Discover secrets along the way.

Build your own wand. Learn to code with 70+ creative challenges and games. Make magic on a screen, with a wave, flick and twirl.

Create, share, and play with the Kano community.

Build a wand Follow the simple steps, and build a coding wand that responds to your movements. Learn how it works as you go.

Learn to code 70+ step-by-step challenges show you how. Connect code blocks, see the JavaScript. Learn about loops,

logic and variables. Simple for beginners, expansive for experts.

Make magic Wave your coding wand and see instant effects on screen. Make fire flow, pumpkins grow, feathers fly, goblets multiply, paint pictures, compose music, and more.

Hogwarts, costumes, surprises Unlock challenges across iconic locations including Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and Hogsmeade, whilst listening to a stunning original score. The more challenges

• Build a wand that responds to your movements. Comes with wand parts, PCB with codeable LED, button, batteries, stepby-step book, stickers, poster, and free Kano app. Tablet not included.

• Learn to code with 70+ step-bystep creative challenges. Make feathers fly, goblets multiply, fire flow, pumpkins grow, and more.

• Wave your wand and see instant effects on screen. Create with creatures, sweets, spells, 200+ exclusive sounds, music, and wizarding artifacts.

• Endless play with Kano World.

Remix art, games and music made by a creative community.

• Works with most tablets and computers. No coding experience necessary.

• Includes Lifetime Care and oneyear warranty.

• Ages 6+

What's in the kit 1. Coding Wand Tip For flicking and swishing.

2. Coding Wand Handle Connect them together.

3. Coding Wand brain 9 axis, RGB LED and rumble.

4. AAA Batteries x2 Up to 6 hours of constant motion.

5. Button Control your creativity.

6. Book Step-by-step guide.

7. Stickers Stick them anywhere.

8. Poster Learn the wand motions n contact info: http://iworldonline.com.au +61 3 9532 5052

Product Feature - APTech What is Swivl?

Swivl is a lecture capture and presentation delivery tool that simplifies the recording, delivery and sharing of videos. A robotic mobile accessory, app and cloud hosting service, Swivl allows you to utilise the technology you already own, such as tablets and smartphones, and makes it easy to create engaging, multimedia videos that enrich the learning experience.

You can then share your lectures and presentations on Swivl’s private and secure video hosting service, where you always retain the rights to your content.

How to Swivl Examples of Classroom a Setup!

66 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Swivl Live With Swivl you can share realtime video with a colleague, a coach, or with the world! Make a video call from your classroom while Swivl continues to follow you, or broadcast your class to a big audience.

Multi-Microphone Record independent audio channels to easily record teacher AND student interactions. Hear every voice in the classroom.

Multi-Camera Record multiple videos to capture small group interactions. See and hear everyone for a holistic understanding of the classroom.

Finally, Why Swivl?

Swivl makes your video observation initiatives effective for teachers, easy to do, and sustainable for schools.

Culture of Support Teachers form a trusted community using tools that allow them to be transformational.

suitable for K-12, higher education and even businesses.

Benefits of Swivl Time Saving Swivl saves coaches and administrators time.

Self-Reflection Teachers control the video recording process.

Sustained Engagement With Swivl, engaged and supported teachers drive higher graduation rates.

Student Engagement Small improvements to student engagement. n

Teacher Retention Create sustainable excellence in schools where teachers improve and support each other. Swivl is

Are you interested in implementing a Swivl solution in your school? Contact your Australian supplier APTech on 02 9452 6001 for additional information!

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

Unless otherwise expressly stated, the review of the product or products appearing in this section represent the opinions of the Editor or relevant editorial staff member assigned to this publication and do not represent the views or opinions of Interactive Media Solutions or the advertisers or other contributors to this publication.

Theragun G2 Pro Sometimes it is easy to loose

muscles, tightness, scar tissue

for regular physical activity that

quantifiable reductions in delayed

sight of the fact that education

accumulated through injuries, a

borders on sadomasochistic, myself

onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

technology can encompass more

build up of lactic acid from previous

included. Having been an avid

stiffness and pain post exercise.

than just computers, smart devices,

training and so on. In order to ensure

rower and track athlete in school,

Bear in mind, our testing involved

presentation systems and STEAM

those students can perform at their

both pursuits being something

only basic range of motion tests,

tools. Take sport for example. Sport

best, a good warm up and recovery

I still enjoy on a regular basis, I

resistance exercises and written

has always been an incredibly

session is required pre and post

understand what the rigours of the

records of pain levels based on self

important part of every child’s

training which can be time intensive.

average school athlete program

assessment using a scale of one

development. But we (ETS) rarely

The Theragun is an invaluable tool to

can be like. With that in mind, I

to 10, so we aren’t talking double

look at the technological changes in

aid in pre and post work out sessions.

approached this review with a

blind, clinical trials here.

sport. A fact I was recently reminded

The Theragun G2 Pro works by

healthy dose of scepticism. We have

I should also point out that

of when we came across the

creating an average of 40 percussions

seen other tools that are supposed

the Theragun is not inexpensive.

Theragun G2 Pro.

per second in order to help activate

to help with sports performance in

However, compared to regular

muscles, increase lymphatic flow and

the past and more often then not,

massage therapy, it is definitely a

look more like your average

reduce lactic acid build. It also helps

many of the benefits they espouse

cost effective alternative. What’s

handyman’s cordless tool then the

relieve muscle fatigue, soreness,

can be attributed to placebo

more, with some basic instruction,

latest in sporting tech but it is in

spasms and stiffness. Yes, we know,

effect. That said, having spent the

any student can be shown how to

fact a professional grade percussion

this sounds like some sort of late

better part of three weeks with the

use the G2 Pro to manage their own

therapy device that provides deep

night BS infomercial, which is why

Theragun, I can honestly say with

physical needs.

percussive massage to reduce muscle

we asked the distributor to let us try

some surprise that I found using the

and joint pain, improve mobility, and

it for a few weeks before agreeing to

device pre exercise it provided a

itself, a battery charger, a spare

enhance performance.

write about it.

measurable and repeatable increase

battery (use one, charge one) and four

in range of motion and muscle

different quick change attachments

activation while similarly providing

to let users treat different areas and

This unassuming device may

Students who play a lot of sport can often present with knotted

We have a few people around the office who have a penchant

The kit includes the Theragun

issues. Attachments include a cone shaped bit to treat small muscle groups (e.g. feet and wrist) and trigger points; a spongy dampener to enable you to use the device around bony or sensitive areas; the standard ball fitting for general use and a large ball attachment for use on large muscle groups (e.g. quads, glutes and extreme muscle groups) and joint soreness.

In all, I have to say I was really pleasantly surprised. I didn’t think the Theragun would be as effective as it was. Having spent a reasonable amount of time with this product, I believe the Theragun G2 Pro would be a worthwhile investment for any school sports department that is serious about athlete development, injury prevention and management. n For more information visit www. gymandfitness.com.au

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 67

SHOWCASES

INTEGRATE AV SMART technologies have been a

instruction, small groups, or the

flexible learning spaces, and the

to student learning outcomes.

well-known provider of education

individual learner. The SMART Board

SMART Learning Software suite

Integrate AV provides the newest

technology in schools for many

display’s in-built iQ technology puts

(SLS) provides one of the most

SMART technologies as a preferred

years. The need to innovate to

all the tools the teacher will need in

innovative digital learning tools

supplier on a NSW government

accommodate the future learner

one place, at the touch of a finger.

we have seen. SLS online provides

contract, and they support the

has become a minefield for

An embedded computer offers

the opportunity for teachers and

integration of SMART technologies

teachers, as they undertake so

one-touch access to SMART Learning

students to collaborate, create and

into the classroom, with the

many changes in curriculum,

Suite applications including

demonstrate their learning. The

correct hardware, integration,

evolving learning spaces and

SMART Notebook® lessons, SMART

digital tools allow the teacher to

and training and professional

constantly improving technologies.

lab™ activities and SMART amp™

provide immediate and effective

development (provided by

SMART’s new interactive display

workspaces. There is also access to

feedback to their students, and

teachers from across the K-12 year

range reflects their long-term

collaboration tools, such as a digital

as any effective educator knows,

groups) to ensure educational

mission; to provide the best

whiteboard, built-in web browser

the importance of immediate

value is achieved in every learning

possible education experience and

and wireless screen sharing (iOS®,

and constructive feedback at just

environment. n

outcomes for all learners.

Android® and Windows® devices).

the right moment in the learning

SMART Interactive Flat Panels (IFP) are designed for whole class

68 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

SMART technologies have built IFPs to be integrated into

continuum for a student is not just important, but imperative

For more information visit integrateav.com.au

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

Unless otherwise expressly stated, the review of the product or products appearing in this section represent the opinions of the Editor or relevant editorial staff member assigned to this publication and do not represent the views or opinions of Interactive Media Solutions or the advertisers or other contributors to this publication.

Virtual Classroom Become a digital technologies teacher overnight... virtually!

than 15,000 Australian students

been formulated based on our

per week, and a growing number

successful in-school lessons.

The Virtual Classroom provides you

Virtual Classroom product differs

with a complete set of interactive

in that it offers our curriculum-

Far more than an online tutorial

online video lessons, led by two

aligned lessons that are delivered

As the experts in digital

professional instructors.

via a hybrid of classroom teacher

technologies education, we

Our first learning module, Coding

Each episode is coupled with

and video content. As Australia’s

have built a comprehensive

for Beginners, is customised

detailed, user-friendly teacher

leading digital technologies

curriculum-aligned set of

to be age appropriate for each

notes, ensuring that you can

educators, we have adapted our

learning streams. Our finely

grade from Year 1 to Year 6. It

facilitate classroom learning with

lesson plans to enable schools to

tuned lessons are delivered

will teach students and teachers

confidence and ease.

bring this learning in-house.

hundreds of times every week,

foundational concepts to enable

and from these lessons, we

them to continue their own

have developed an engaging,

exploration of coding well after

exciting and supported learning

our 10-episode program has

Lessons are designed for classroom

Leave the hard bits to us and enjoy the learning experience

experience. Students will enjoy

finished. With just one episode

teachers to deliver themselves,

Teachers need not labour over

a well-paced and fun lesson

each week for 40 minutes, you

supported by our Virtual Scopers.

mastering a new discipline in order

with three dimensions of video,

will have the foundations to build

Drawing on comprehensive teacher

to teach it – the hard work is done

interactivity and computer time.

a larger digital technologies

notes, video material, teacher-led

and they can focus on classroom

activities and online learning,

management, activities and

the Virtual Classroom enables

facilitating the fun.

Tech experts need not apply

of students internationally. The

activities guided by teacher notes.

5. Teacher guides practical application of concepts on computers.

program in your school.

A typical Virtual Classroom lesson

Virtual Classroom is the solution

Lessons comprise a full learning

you’ve been waiting for

experience which includes the

• No prior coding

Each lesson is carefully aligned

Minimal investment, ready to start today

with Australian state and national

This is an easy and economical

theory, discussion, activities and

• No special equipment needed.

curriculum outlines.

way to start your school’s

practical application. A sample

• Focus on the fun of learning, let

digital technologies learning

lesson would look like this:

Easy teacher-led learning experience

journey. There is no need to

1. Teacher logs on to the Virtual

Virtual Classroom has been

software or teacher training.

developed specifically for schools

The hard work is done for you.

ready and have the teacher

Keep it simple with ScopeIT Education

who wish to deliver digital

Classrooms simply use existing

notes at hand.

and get your school moving with

technologies learning directly

computers with internet access

to their school. Our current

and a teacher screen to play the

with interactive questions

for more info and pricing

program of successful in-school

class videos. Our comprehensive

and answers.

www.scopeITeducation.edu.au/vc

lessons are delivered to more

lesson plans and content have

a teacher with no prior coding knowledge to instruct on the topic.

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

purchase expensive hardware,

introduction of concepts and

Classroom portal.

knowledge necessary.

us manage the tricky bits.

• Anywhere, anytime, ready to go.

2. Press play when the class is

3. Class watch the video segments

4. Teacher facilitates classroom

digital technologies today. Contact us

1300 761 254 n

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 69

GET THE SCHOOL COMMUNICATION REPORT FREE

Sending in excess of 1 million

broadly, the extent to which Australians

and school administration teams to

notifications a week and with near-

have embraced mobile technology. The

compile this report, as well as taking

perfect scores on both the App Store

report also addresses some common

a deep dive into Australian Bureau of

and Google Play, School Stream

misconceptions about mobile school

Statistics data around mobile technology

is the undisputed leader in school

apps and spells out exactly how they can

and population.

communication technology. As of this

help schools save both time and money.

week, they are sharing their School

Irrespective of whether you use School Stream or another

Communication Report with ETS readers

Did you know?

communication platform, the information

free of charge. Download the School

• In 2017, approximately 65

inside is a valuable insight into the future

Communication Report now. If you’ve

schools each month migrated their

of school communication and the current

ever wondered how other schools are

communications to a mobile app.

state of play. n

communicating with their parents and if

• At 84% (with predictions of a rise

there’s anything you can do to make your

to 89% by 2019), Australians

Find out more. Click here for

life easier, then this report is for you.

are the global leaders in

your free download of the School

smartphone ownership.

Communication Report.

What’s inside?

Inside the School Communication Report

Methodology

Contact: Va Barber Hua

you get a snapshot of current school

School Stream surveyed hundreds

Customer Success Manager

communication practices and, more

of principals, directors, managers

02 8074 5633

72 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

12 AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS REVEL IN PROMETHEAN SUCCESS Promethean Grant 2018 awards 12 schools with state-of-the-art Edtech Package

ABOUT THE PROMETHEAN GRANT Promethean first launched the Grant

Global education technology provider

received the ActivPanel package was

passionate about education and believe

programme in Australia and New Zealand

Promethean has awarded 12 Australian

Gillen Primary School in Alice Springs.

that all schools should be able to

in 2017, after recognising that budget was

schools with an education technology

In their video entry, Gillen Primary

access the latest technology to enhance

package each worth $5000AUD. The

School talked about the problems they

learning and teaching experiences. We

Promethean Grant was launched

were experiencing with their existing

saw an opportunity to help schools

rolled out in countries around the globe,

in June with the initiative to provide

technology and how they would benefit

receive these Edtech packages whilst

giving schools the opportunity to win a

deserving schools with state-of-the-

from more interactivity in teaching

encouraging them to embrace their

art technology.

and learning.

creativity.”

To participate in the Promethean

Heather Pedrotti, Teacher at Gillen

The ActivPanel acts as an

increasingly becoming a barrier to schools accessing the latest Edtech.

The Promethean Grant has since been

state-of-the art ActivPanel which enables teachers and students to benefit from powerful features such as: • Device mirroring – students can easily share their work from their own

Grant, schools were encouraged to

Primary School said: “When our

immersive and collaborative learning

submit a video entry to explain why

Principal heard about the Promethean

centre, which will help teachers and

they would benefit from winning an

grant competition, it gave us a great

pupils alike with their lessons. With the

ActivPanel. Judged on three criteria,

incentive to start looking at how best

ability to connect with other learning

from the home screen – thousands

pupils had to display creativity, explain

to make our learning space more

devices, such as laptops and tablets,

of resources are at the students’

their need for the technology and the

interactive and collaborative. The

pupils will be able to share their work

and teacher’s fingertips, making it

impact that it would have on their school

competition was a timely opportunity

with the class and peer-assess,

if they were successful.

– we knew that having an ActivPanel

alongside being able to utilise the

• Instant Whiteboarding – supporting

would make such a difference to the

multi-touch functionality for small

learning in the moment, teachers

changes that we want to make.”

groups. Promethean is looking forward

can launch a collaborative learning

Global education technology provider launched the Promethean Grant in Australia in 2017. Following the

Alistair Hayward, Head of UKI

to developing a partnership with the

success of the 2017 Grant, Promethean

and ANZ Markets at Promethean,

winning school to help them get the

recognised an opportunity to offer

commented: “Schools are facing

most out of the technology. n

schools a chance to once again get their

increasing financial pressures and at

hands on the technology, despite facing

the same time are expected to create

increasing budgetary pressures.

and maintain successful learning

the ActivPanel by visiting

environments. We are incredibly

www.prometheanworld.com/au

One lucky Australian school who

devices by casting content direct to the ActivPanel at the front of the class.

• Accessing educational apps direct

easier than ever to bring new learning opportunities into the classroom.

session without having to connect to a computer.

This year’s winners did an incredible job with securing an ActivPanel for their

Learn more about Promethean and

schools, beating off tough competition…

Promethean sends huge congratulations to them all.

Some of the winning Australian schools from last year's Promethean Grant competition.

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au

EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 73

A huge congratulations to all the schools who won an ActivPanel in the 2018 Promethean Grant! www.prometheanworld.com/AU

S50

Mobile iPad Charging Station

The iPad Charging Station is designed for education environments that organize large numbers of iPads and require support tools necessary for efficiency. They provide a practical, functional storage solution.

Holds up to 30 iPads

Sync & charge

simultaneously

AUSTRALIAN MADE MAKES AUSTRALIA

VIC (03) 9801 1044 / sales@mfb.com.au

NSW (02) 9749 1922 / sydney@mfb.com.au

www.mfb.com.au

Thank you for reading Education Technology Solutions Please remember to tell your friends and colleagues to subscribe

educationtechnologysolutions.com.au/subscribe