ACMA Report Released "Australians hunger for choice in communications"

We knew we were early and prolific adopters of technology, with the release of the research report by ACMA last week, we have current up to date proof.

Some interesting statistics:
57% adults users use at least three communication mediums (landline, mobile and internet) and " Smartphones users accounted for 37 per cent of mobile phone users overall, with half of those who have a mobile phone and no fixed-line telephone service in their home using smartphones."

Read the full article at:
http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_410252

What does this mean for your school community?  Some thought pondering questions....

• Are you collecting mobile phone numbers and email addresses tocommunicate with your parents and wider community?
• If someone does an internet search for your school, what do they see?
• Have you got communications covered in your ICT School Plan?

10 Barriers to Technology Adoption

As I visit schools and have the opportunity to talk to teachers about strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to technology adoption, it is surprising how common the issues are across school types and locations.  This article clearly articulates many of these....just in case you need further proof.

It takes vision, leadership, time, planning, money, curriculum and assessment in varying amounts and orders.

The 10 Barriers to Technology Adoption

Technology will absolutely change K12 learning.

By:

Cathleen Norris and Elliot Soloway

District Administration, Nov/Dec 2011

Computing technologies have profoundly transformed just about every major organization and field of human endeavor. To take just two examples, Apple is the largest distributor of music in the world, and manufacturing and surgery are the province of robots, not humans.
But K12 still relies on textbooks and pencil pouches. Why have computing technologies failed to transform K12? Here are our 10 barriers to technology adoption.

Read the 10 barriers and the rest of the article at:
http://www.districtadministration.com/article/10-barriers-technology-adoption

Ed Review Article - Challenge to Innovate or Stagnate

If you are an ACE Member or subscribe to Education Review you would have seen the article by Mark Sparvel “ The challenge is innovate or stagnate”  where he classifies school conditions as ‘Lost in cyberspace;  ‘Land of Opportunity’ or  ‘Field of dreams’ and then articulates solutions that follow a DISCOVER; ANALYSE; PREPARE AND ENGAGE.  The article lends tremendous support for the need of a ICT strategic plan that links to School wide planning.

If you haven’t seen it, I really recommend spending five minutes to read and 15 minutes to think about the information in the context of your school and your practice as leaders in motivating staff to embed technology in their learning and teaching practices.  It may be worth sharing with members of your ICT Committee/Executive Team or beyond.

The article can be found at:  http://www.educationreview.com.au/pages/section/article.php?s=Technology&idArticle=22601

I love this last comment:

“So, in summary, good planning blends active leadership with transparent and inclusive processes across the school community. The planning should integrate ICT with the broader strategic and operational plans which deliver the core business of the school. Planning processes, if managed well actually built capacity and secure commitment from all stakeholders.”

Get Your Game On: How to Build Curriculum Units Using the Video Game Model

Video games are something this generation of students are completely native to.  I saw an 18 month old grab hold of her mother's smartphone, flick the pages and start to play a video in a restaurant not long ago...what will this child be like in 3.5 years when she begins Kindergarden?

This short but interesting blog post by Andrew Miller  on Edutopia talks about creating teaching units of work based on the 'quest' formula of video games. 
Major headings include:
- Start with the end in mind
- Brainstrom a rigorous scenario - it doesn't need to be reality based!
- Design the quest - collect, share, puzzle, conquest, drama, spy or scout style
- Don't forget - you need to allow students to fail and get back up again


Read the full post at:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/gamification-game-based-learning-unit-andrew-miller

Digital Learning - Contemporary Learning - 21st C Learning

Andrew Churches recently  posted a blog about Digital Learning where he has summarised his take.  Links to the full blog are below should you wish to follow, but his graphic is lovely...it captures much of what we need to consider when analysing, planning and implementing contemporary learning empowers students, uses their creativity and authentically intergrates technology in a meaningful and purposeful way!

Take a look ...powerful stuff.


Image taken from http://edorigami.edublogs.org/ where you can read the full blog post
Digital Learning

andrewch Oct 29th, 2011

| .......

".....So when you bring all of this together, the tools, the mind set, the curriculum and the processes, then you can have effective learning. These are not separate elements but intrinsically linked together. The emphasis is not on the technology, but what the technology allows you to do!"

 

What Priority is the money you spend on Technology?

It's that time of year...we're all looking at budgets, plans, organisation for 2012.  One of the common catchcries that I hear is that 'we don't have the money' to spend on technology.  This article explores the role of digital media in learning for youth at risk but it is easily translated to rural and regional school students.  Can we say that they can't have access to the digital world because we think it is more important to spend on [insert here....new readers; photocopy paper; lawn-mower; new desks etc).

This Mindshift article makes some interesting points, and prompts some interesting questions:

For At-Risk Youth, is Learning Digital Media a Luxury?

“We need to build a more compelling narrative that digital literacy is no longer a luxury but a necessity.”

“The educational environments that will thrive, the ones that will be the most innovative, and the ones that have most impact will be the ones that create opportunities for kids to create digital media literacies that we all recognize as important and that have social implications, educational implications and civic implications, as well,” he says. “So we have to equip kids with skills that help them not just to consume, but to become architects of their information environment and that requires different skills in using mobile devices and using the Internet.”

Read the full article at:
http://mindshift.kqed.org/2011/07/beyond-facebook-teaching-at-risk-youth-to-create-digital-media/#more-13953

The role of the Library in this Digital Era

We talk of Digital Literacy; the death of the printed encyclopaedia; mobile access to the internet....what does this mean for the school library?  This article is interesting in that they created something from the ground up....how would this work in an existing setting?  What could you do to take a room that was once so quiet you could hear a pin drop and filled with lots and lots of paper into the 21st Century.

I'd be interested in your responses after you read this article...

http://thejournal.com/Articles/2011/10/05/iCommons-The-Library-Evolved.aspx?Page=2&p=1

iCommons - The Library Evolved.

Email Etiquette

We all have corporate email these days.  It is a handy resource to communicate with colleagues, administration, students and parents.  There are a couple of things to keep in mind....some basic guidelines for good email communication.

1.  The need to know basis for email
2. No surprises please
3. DON'T SHOUT AT ME
4.  There are no secrets
5.  Never email when angry or emotional
6. Check your email regularly

For a fuller explanation of these six basic rules see the full article at :
http://www.180techtips.com/23.htm

'Angry Birds' and teaching physics

The use of games as a learning tool is fast increasing and gathering followings.  This article talks of a high school science teacher using Angry Birds (a very addictive little app) and blogging as a communication and collaboration tool.

 Read the full article at:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/09/26/1517619/angry-birds-and-teaching-physics.html#ixzz1ZB4q8ucB

Mobile To Surpass Wired Internet Connections

Having spent yesterday with Apple and the focus on iPads in learning, this was a timely article....

http://thejournal.com/Articles/2011/09/12/Mobile-To-Surpass-Wired-Internet-Connections.aspx?m=2&p=1

Mobile To Surpass Wired Internet Connections

By David Nagel
09/12/11
Forty percent of the world's population will have access to the Internet by 2015, according to a new forecast released this week by market research firm IDC. But the way they access it is shifting drastically, particularly in the United States, Western Europe, and Japan, as media tablets and smart phones begin to take the place of the traditional PC.

In fact, in the United States, more people will access the Internet through their mobile devices than through wired connections by 2015, IDC reported.

Read more at:

http://thejournal.com/Articles/2011/09/12/Mobile-To-Surpass-Wired-Internet-Connections.aspx?m=2&p=1

Student Thoughts about their Math Wiki

Wiki is hawaiian for quick....so the story goes.  A wiki is a 'quick web page' - a place to create and share easily and quickly.  This is a blog post about the success of using a wiki for maths work...honest and grounded direct responses from the 22 students surveyed. 


http://langwitches.org/blog/2010/02/24/student-thoughts-about-their-math-wiki/
"

Are you taking a “risk” as a teacher by “taking precious classroom time” to have students work on a wiki? Does this kind of “project” support the way students learn? Is it a tool that is/can/will help transform teaching?

As I thought of and suggested to my Middle School Math teacher to create a Math wiki for her Pre-Algebra, Algebra & Geometry students, I wanted to write down my Thoughts on Setting up a Student Created Wiki, and document the steps of Setting up and Introducing a Collaborative Student Math Wiki.

Read the rest at:
http://langwitches.org/blog/2010/02/24/student-thoughts-about-their-math-wiki/

Cyber Bullying is world wide

This article is from a New Zealand paper and details UK research...the seriousness of cyber bullying is being examined worldwide.  This is interesting stimulus to use to talk to staff about what is being done in your school about educating students of  what cyber bullying is; how to protect themselves and how to help others.

Cyber Bullying More Harmful - Research

By Nina Lakhani
5:30 AM Wednesday Aug 3, 2011
One in five young people has been a victim of cyber-bullying, which experts warn can cause more psychological damage than traditional bullying.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/news/print.cfm?objectid=10742538

iPad and Google Apps to Manage a Classroom

Reposted fromthe Technology Bits and Bytes site....

An interesting description of how the mobility of iPads and accessibility of Google Docs can replace a learning management system - going paperless - well almost anyway :-)

http://www.technologybitsbytesnibbles.info/archives/5330?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+technologybitsbytesnibbles%2FAZit+%28Technology+Bits%2C+Bytes+%26+Nibbles+from+Cyndi+Danner-Kuhn%29

iPad and Google Apps to Manage a Classroom (Pt. 1)

August 2, 2011Craig StatuckiLeave a commentGo to comments

At the NACTE 2011 conference, I was selected to present on using the iPad and Google Apps in the classroom. The presentation can be viewed here. Since the presentation is mostly graphics and minimal text, I thought that I would use this space to explain my presentation. I use Google Apps and the iPad to solve/improve three issues that I see frequently in classrooms. These three are communication, feedback, and excessive paperwork.
I can improve communication with students, staff members, administration, and parents. This is primarily done through the use of Google Calendars. ...
A great thing about using Google calendars is that I can add or modify events anywhere where I have Internet connection. ...
Another aspect of Google that I use in my classroom is Google Docs. I create all of my assignments in Google Docs and the majority of my notes. I then make these documents public and post the links into my calendar. My students also use Google Docs to submit assignments to me by sharing them. ....
In part two, I will discuss how I use Google Forms and the iPad to grade work.
In part three, I will discuss how I use Dropbox.com and other iPad apps to manage my classroom.

Article : Debunking Five Myths About Project-Based Learning

One of the ways we can cope with the increasing demands of curriculum requirements is to use integrated units of work...nothing new for many, but there are common responses when some people hear about this approach as a solution for authentic and deep learning....we did that and it took too much time; it doesn't fit my area etc.  This article answers many of those, so next time you hear it, remember the fact response.....American I know, but just as valid in Australia! 

Read the full article at the address below
Article source:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/debunking-five-pbl-myths-john-larmer

"Many teachers and administrators -- not to mention the general public -- might have the wrong impression of PBL. Maybe they have stereotypical views of what a "project" is, or they've seen poor examples of it in the past. Or they can't imagine how it could fit in today's landscape of standards and testing ("Oh yeah, we did that in the 90's, but things were different then.")
Here are some common misconceptions and how you could respond with a "fact check" if you're trying to explain or defend PB"L.....follow the linkfor more.

Diigo Groups

From the Teaching Generation Now Blog....Diigo


Diigo is a tool that allows you to collect, organise and share all of your favourite web pages from any computer, iPad, iPhone or Android product.

It is a way to share web pages and resources that may be very very handy for schools. The instructions on how to set a group up are on the page. 

More information:  
http://www.teachgennow.com.au/2011/07/42-diigo-groups/?utm_source=Subscribers&utm_campaign=d619430e85-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email

QR Treasure Hunt Generator! Get students using their mobile devices to move and to learn

From Technology Bits, Bytes and Nibbles....worth a follow up!

On July 23, 2011, in 21st Century Skills, Apple/MAC, Apps, General, Interactive, iPad, iPhone/iPod Touch, Technology, Tools, WoW Whats on the Web, by Cyndi Danner-Kuhn

This QR code thing is pretty cool. I wrote about it a couple of weeks ago, Turn a paper based book into an interactive book with QR Codes, and this week in my technology class, I did an exercise with my students. They are all future teachers, I showed them a couple examples of children’s books (grandkids) I did and asked them to bring something to class the next day so they could give it a try. Most brought children’s books, and not all worked well for the project. But, one student brought a road map of Kanas and found videos about various historical towns. One student, bought a book about the Rainforest, another a book about animals and so on. For the most part pretty good. But we did learn a few things…..

Continue reading at:

http://www.technologybitsbytesnibbles.info/archives/5247?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+technologybitsbytesnibbles%2FAZit+%28Technology+Bits%2C+Bytes+%26+Nibbles+from+Cyndi+Danner-Kuhn%29

Classroom 2.0 PD Activties

Classroom 2.0 PD activities you may be interested in - note the Sydney friendly times :-)


TECH TALK TUESDAYS: WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP 2.0? (Australia Series)
Tue 19 Jul 06:00AM New York / Tue 19 Jul 10:00AM GMT / Tue 19 Jul 08:00PM Sydney
Anne Mirtschin. This will be an informal session where participants will be given the opportunity to share favourite websites, new or tried web 2.0 tools, projects they may want help with etc. Application sharing will be used where possible. Please come along and share in the conversations. Link to be provided.
http://www.learncentral.org/event/166780

BLOGGING+++ (Australia Series)
Wed 20 Jul 06:00AM New York / Wed 20 Jul 10:00AM GMT / Wed 20 Jul 08:00PM Sydney
Anne Mirtschin. Sue Wyatt will share how she is creating a travelling blog from the perspective of a Tasmanian Devil. Application sharing will show how she is creating it and what features are being added to it, to create and effective blog. Sue will also discuss the recent blogging challenge and share some of the amazing outcomes.
http://www.learncentral.org/event/166738

READING WORKSHOP WORKS (Host Your Own Webinar Series)
Thu 21 Jul 08:00PM New York / Fri 22 Jul 12:00AM GMT / Fri 22 Jul 10:00AM Sydney
Laura Candler. In many classrooms, students are improving their reading skills and showing growth on tests. But the real question is whether or not their improvement translates into a passion for reading. In this webinar, Laura Candler will share how you can get started with the reading workshop approach. This method not only improves reading skills, it inspires kids to learn to love reading.
http://www.learncentral.org/event/164211

South Korea plans to withdraw printed textbooks from schools by 2015

Thanks to Diana Scullard for passing this one on :-)

http://www.gizmag.com/south-korea-digitize-textbooks-2015/19109/

The South Korean ministry of education has announced a ground-breaking plan to digitize all textbooks which are in use in Korean schools and thus completely phase out printed materials by 2015. This opens a huge market for manufacturers of tablet PCs, laptops and smartphones as the Korean education ministry has revealed it will spend US$2.4 billion on buying appropriate devices and digitizing content for them.

Read the full article at:
http://www.gizmag.com/south-korea-digitize-textbooks-2015/19109/

The 7 Golden Rules of Using Technology in Schools

http://mindshift.kqed.org/tag/adam-s-bellow/

Sometimes teachers and administrators need a kick in the pants to see what they perceive as problems re-framed in a different way. Adam S. Bellow, author of The Tech Commandments, and founder of eduTecher, spoke to a roomful of receptive teachers at the recent ISTE 2011 conference, and demonstrated some of the ironies and contradictions the education system is mired in. And he had some advice

A summary....
1) DON’T TRAP TECHNOLOGY IN A ROOM.
2) TECHNOLOGY IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
3) MOBILE TECHNOLOGY STRETCHES A LONG WAY.
4) THE NEW ‘F WORD’ IS FEAR
5) TECH TOOLS ARE NOT JUST A PASSING FAD
6) MONEY IS NOT THE PROBLEM.
7) INVITE EVERY STAKEHOLDER TO THE CONVERSATION

Read the full article at
http://mindshift.kqed.org/tag/adam-s-bellow/

A global issue

THE Journal - K-12 Trends Article

Pulling Together a Small School Tech Upgrade
When Kathy Peck came onboard as principal at Saint Joseph School a year ago, the Rockville, CT-based institution was pretty far behind on the technology curve. With 110 students, the K-8 school had a single computer lab that over time had become defunct.
More
http://thejournal.com/Articles/2011/07/07/Pulling-Together-a-Small-School-Tech-Upgrade.aspx?Page=2#

Teacher Competency Audit

For those preparing for their school IT Planning, a tool that might be useful in helping to determin ICT professional development is a Teacher Competency Audit. 

A generic version of this has been placed in the School IT Plan section of the wiki.

Happy Auditing :-)

iPads in Special Education

iPads in Special Education

A document produced by Student Wellbeing Division of the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

This document is being uploaded onto the Wiki under Ipads.  It has useful applications, rankings for development levels and categorises into features such as organisational tools, reading, writing etc.

If you're looking at ipads...take a look.

Texthelp Read&Write 10 GOLD: an introduction

Hello everyone....hope you are enjoying holidays.

This came to my attention....an opportunity to join an introduction to Read&Write Gold 10 in an online environment. 

One hour after school. 

You’ll need an internet connection and you need to be able to install a little piece of software off the web  (I did this recently and it took about 10 minutes just following prompts). 

Texthelp Read&Write 10 GOLD: an introduction

Texthelp Read&Write 10 GOLD is a literacy support tool designed to assist users of all ages who require extra assistance when reading, composing text or undertaking research. This introductory session will step participants through the support features of the program including using speech feedback, accessing spelling and dictionary support, writing supported by word prediction, and utilising the inbuilt research and study tools.

Session length – 45 min

Available Sessions

Date: Thursday, 28th July 2011
Time: 3:15pm AEST
Presenter: Greg O'Connor

Date: Thursday, 11th August 2011
Time: 3:15pm AEST
Presenter: Greg O'Connor

Date: Thursday, 18th August 2011
Time: 3:15pm AEST
Presenter: Greg O'Connor

Web Page is at: http://www.spectronicsinoz.com//onlinetraining#sessions

CECNSW Student Health Care: new e-learning program (ref: 132/11)

CECNSW Student Health Care: new e-learning program (ref: 132/11)


A new e-learning program for teachers is now available on the CEC website. It is accessible at http://stage.cecnsw.catholic.edu.au/student_health_care/main.htm
This resource enables teachers to familiarise themselves with key requirements for managing student health in schools. This accessible, interactive e-learning program has been produced by CECNSW for teachers.

The CECNSW Student Health Care <http://stage.cecnsw.catholic.edu.au/student_health_care/main.htm>  course is in the process of being registered with the NSW Institute of Teachers so that teachers, registered with the Institute, will be able to count on-line course time towards their Professional Learning requirements.

Additional new health resources can be found on the CEC website under Programs/Compliance – Student Health and Safety.

Please review this e-learning program and let CEC know what you think. Feedback should be directed to Paul Mastronardi <mailto:paul.mastronardi@cecnsw.catholic.edu.au> , CEC State Coordinator-Student Wellbeing, tel 9287 1583.