Learning from home presents unique challenges for Pasifika students. Here's how they're pulling through

Language barriers, internet access and distraction from siblings are among the unique challenges Pacific Island students are grappling with as they try to complete school during lockdowns across Australian cities.

<https://www.abc.net.au/radio-australia/programs/pacificbeat/pacific-students-learning-from-home-during-covid-lockdown/13522574>

Gold Coast 9yo Allegra Clarke accepted to study physics at university

For nine-year-old physics genius Allegra Clarke, the sky's not the limit — she has her sights set on space. And after being accepted into a university physics course, the Gold Coast primary school student is one step closer to her dream of becoming an astronaut — or an engineer, or a scientist.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-02/9yo-child-genius-to-study-physics-at-university/100425002>

Industry, Schools and Governments Must Work Together to Foster STEM Career Pathways

Weld Australia is calling on industry, schools and governments to work together to develop and deliver STEM programs that engage, excite and attract students.

<https://weldaustralia.com.au/news-views/industry-schools-and-governments-must-work-together-to-foster-stem-career-pathways/>

More focus needed on STEM career pathways

Industry, schools and governments need to work together to develop and implement STEM programs, according to Weld Australia.

<https://www.technologydecisions.com.au/content/futureed/article/more-focus-needed-on-stem-career-pathways-874352265>

Food-themed scienceXart has fun remote learning activities for primary students

With many students learning remotely during stay-at-home restrictions, parents, carers and teachers are looking for new ways to keep children engaged in science while learning in the home environment. Looking for something for your primary aged students this month? scienceXart is for you!

<https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/food-themed-sciencexart-has-fun-remote-learning-activities>

Schools Cyber Security Challenges

The Schools Cyber Security Challenges are designed to provide high school teachers with resources to support the teaching of cyber security concepts, and to inform students of career opportunities in the field. The Challenges are classroom ready, and aligned with both the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies and the ICT Capability.

<https://aca.edu.au/projects/cyber-challenges/>

Careers in Tech VR experience

InsideSherpa have created a FREE virtual learning program for students to see where a career in tech could lead them. Learn at your own pace and have fun with the activities, gain practical skills and experience that will help your career and discover new pathways for a career in technology.

<https://www.theforage.com/virtual-internships/prototype/wDrnFytuMsWh54F97/Girls-in-Technology!>

Scientists offer to help students pass their HSC exams

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology (ANSTO) has invited science teachers to register their students to connect with some of the nation’s leading physicists online to prepare for their upcoming final exams.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/scientists-offer-to-help-students-pass-their-hsc-exams/278576>

Surge in online learning boosts Keypath Education

Booming demand for courses in nursing and allied health and the “normalisation” of online learning during the pandemic have helped revenues for newly listed Keypath Education climb higher than predicted in its prospectus.

<https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/education/surge-in-online-learning-boosts-keypath-20210830-p58n1v>

Getting kids back into classrooms great in theory but a challenge in practice

According to one teacher, New South Wales education minister Sarah Mitchell did a good job at the daily Covid press conference on Friday. She was across her brief and, as my educator friend put it, “seemed to know what she was talking about”.

<https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/27/getting-kids-back-into-classrooms-great-in-theory-but-a-challenge-in-practice>

Are NAPLAN’s days numbered?

Census-based testing, which causes “harmful side effects”, should be scrapped and replaced with a new approach to assessment that supports student learning and provides better information to parents and government, according to the UNSW Gonski Institute of Education report, Putting Students First.

<https://www.aeufederal.org.au/news-media/news/2021/are-naplans-days-numbered>

Online schooling can be successful [subscription]

Experience has proven that online classes for schoolchildren can work well and there are many examples that prove it.

<https://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/experience-shows-that-online-learning-can-be-successful-in-schools/news-story/71d96023cfc7b58c7358941363411461>

STEM 2021: On Demand is Now Live!

STEM 2021 is a FREE, online event bringing together Australia’s and the world’s leading experts on innovation creativity and STEM.

<https://stem2021.com.au/>

Learning from home is all about the positives

Lidcombe Public P&C President, and father of eight children, Bill Soliola, shares his tips on managing learning from home: it’s all about the vibe.

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/learning-from-home-is-all-about-the-positives>

Strathfield Girls High School

... Learning from home journey

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/educational-data/cese/publications/case-studies/learning-from-home-snapshots/strathfield-girls-high-school>

What happens if classrooms get sent home again?

School is back in session. But for how long? The Delta variant has caused a significant rise in cases and has reversed the steady decline of Covid-19 infections since January. The variant is more contagious, causes more severe illnesses, and in some cases, has even infected people who have already been vaccinated.

<https://blog.avast.com/back-to-school-tips-for-a-surprise-quarantine-avast>

We stand with her: A call to action on girls’ online learning and digital skills

Global leaders from across the public, private and philanthropic sectors have signed a joint letter committing to girls’ education and in particular girls’ digital access, skills and participation in online learning.

<https://en.unesco.org/news/we-stand-her-call-action-girls-online-learning-and-digital-skills>

Online learning can be cool with online tools, says experts

Ms Shoba Chandran aims to sway those who perceive online learning or teaching as tedious compared to face-to-face classes.

<https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/online-learning-can-be-cool-with-online-tools-says-experts>

Distance learning & initial teacher education: Making connections in a virtual world

The peaks and troughs of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to impact on almost every aspect of our daily lives, and initial teacher education (ITE) is by no means an exception. Reflecting on changes to our delivery of education gives us an opportunity to consider possibilities and limitations, while also focusing on what is important.

<https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/distance-learning-initial-teacher-education-making-connections-in-a-virtual-world>

Remote learning helped parents and teachers relate to each other, study suggests

The COVID-19 pandemic caused major upheaval, sending students home to remote learning and leaving teachers and parents scrambling to adapt.

<https://www.ualberta.ca/folio/2021/08/remote-learning-helped-parents-and-teachers-relate-to-each-other-study-suggests.html>

Students and Teachers Got Better at Online Learning. Now It’s Here to Stay.

Schools across San Diego will be reopening their campuses in person. But a lot of students never went back last spring, and many of them will have more options than ever.

<https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/education/students-and-teachers-got-better-at-online-learning-now-its-here-to-stay-2/>

Students becoming teachers: These sisters use Code.org to teach kids around the world

When the COVID-19 pandemic caused school closures around the world, many students suddenly found themselves with a lot of time on their hands. But sisters Harita and Sharada Suresh of Jersey City, New Jersey, saw an opportunity.

<https://codeorg.medium.com/students-becoming-teachers-these-sisters-use-code-org-to-teach-kids-around-the-world-9607bb5eb9ce>

Coding Connections at the Interface of Algebra and Physical World Concepts

Abstract: This paper describes a 54-hour summer institute for grades 6-12 mathematics and science teachers (N = 19) with a comprehensive approach to preparing teachers to use computational thinking (CT) in their classrooms, including training in Python computer programming with Lego® Mindstorms® robotics, mathematics content sessions, and opportunities to solve real-world robotics challenges. Results of an assessment used to measure content knowledge and CT skills and the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge survey both yielded statistically significant increases. Participant reflections revealed they developed an enhanced understanding of programming and the ability to integrate programming into the curriculum. The authors propose an innovative approach to teaching disciplinary CT within the context of programming robots capable of interacting with the outside world to address real-world challenges.

<https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/216388/>

200 girls and women in ICT share their stories

Despite the growing demand for information and communication technology (ICT) professionals, women still trail their male counterparts in terms of pay, leadership roles, and representation in the digital sector.

<https://www.itu.int/en/myitu/News/2021/08/24/12/25/Girls-and-women-in-ICT-share-their-stories>

Theoretically Framing the Pedagogy of Learning to Teach Mathematics With Technology

Abstract: Frameworks can influence the work of mathematics teacher educators (MTEs) in many different ways. Frameworks can suggest a structure around which MTEs design instruction, provide a common language for communicating with prospective teachers, and support prospective teachers as they design their own instruction. This paper reports findings related to the frameworks that MTEs are currently using in their work of preparing secondary mathematics teachers to teach with technology. Findings include a list of 17 frameworks, which fall into four categories with respect to their framing: (a) how students use and learn with technology, (b) the design and evaluation of technology tools and tasks, (c) how teachers use technology, and (d) how teachers learn to use technology. The individual frameworks within each category are discussed and implications for mathematics teacher educators are presented. Implications include a critical discussion of what is missing among the frameworks and challenges for the field.

<https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/216377/>