Culture and community the focus for Indigenous STEM Award winners

Funded by the BHP Foundation and delivered by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, the Awards recognise the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, teachers and scientists to inspire more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies and careers.

<https://www.csiro.au/en/news/News-releases/2021/Culture-and-community-the-focus-for-Indigenous-STEM-Award-winners>

Barrie Cassidy's One Plus One: Rebecca West

Rebecca West was recently named one of the best teachers in the world. The Deputy Principal from Bonnyrigg Public School talks to Barrie Cassidy about the difficulties of online learning and teaching during COVID.

<https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NC2131H003S00>

Australia to establish youth advisory council for countering online child exploitation

Australia will create a new panel consisting of Australian youths and young adults that will provide consultation to industry and government about how to approach regulating online platforms.

<https://www.zdnet.com/article/australia-to-establish-youth-advisory-council-for-countering-online-child-exploitation/>

Australian EdTech Ecosystem Snapshot

Sector overview and statistics

<https://edugrowth.org.au/programs/ecosystem/edtech-snapshot/>

‘Kids need to find their passion’: Daniel Ricciardo joins drive to engage students

Daniel Ricciardo, among the world’s most popular racing drivers, is about to use his fame to help struggling students stay at school and seek success.

<https://www.watoday.com.au/education/kids-need-to-find-their-passion-daniel-ricciardo-joins-drive-to-engage-students-20211214-p59hl6.html>

Going Global NSW – India | NSW EdTech Dialogue

The NSW EdTech Dialogue Event is part of the NSW Going Global – India export program – connecting NSW EdTech companies to the Indian Education market.

<https://edugrowth.org.au/2021/12/17/going-global-nsw-india-nsw-edtech-dialogue/>

The G20 takes a closer look a blended learning and educational poverty

A new report by the Group of Twenty (G20) Education Working group highlights the challenges for countries in implementing blended learning and tackling educational poverty. UNESCO contributed expertise, data and analysis towards the research, which also calls for strengthened collaboration among the G20 governments.

<https://en.unesco.org/news/g20-takes-closer-look-blended-learning-and-educational-poverty>

The age of the educational technologist

I always enjoy reading Tony Bates' posts that always offer a balanced and informed view of current trends in education. This week's post is a review of educational technology trends of the past year, A Review of Online Learning in 2021, and has the sub-heading bad but still better. The lessons learned this year are the same as those learned in 2020 only more nuanced. There is the realisation that almost all courses are now blended in some way and this is changing how we design our courses as well as how we design our learning spaces, both on-site and online. There are plenty of new buzzwords in this field and there's a lot of learning by trial and error but we have come a long way since early 2020.

<https://acreelman.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-age-of-educational-technologist.html>

Revising ‘Teaching in a Digital Age’: the Impact of Covid-19

I am in the process of editing the third edition of Teaching in a Digital Age, my open, online textbook for instructors and teachers. I have four goals in mind for this edition:

<https://www.tonybates.ca/2021/12/16/revising-teaching-in-a-digital-age-the-impact-of-covid-19/>

Exclusive: Online learning rises by up to 92%

The online school Oak National Academy has seen a big increase in pupils using its online lessons this term - with numbers nearly doubling in one region - indicating the extent of Covid disruption in schools.

<https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/exclusive-online-learning-rises-92>

How to do online learning well? A California district has some answers.

On a morning this fall at Washington Elementary, a young boy, sitting at a table with five of his peers, held a tablet while he built a digital snowman — a cool proposition given the 85-degree heat just outside his air-conditioned classroom.

<https://hechingerreport.org/how-to-do-online-learning-well-a-california-district-has-some-answers/>

Digital Learning – A Look Into The Future

Improvement of digital learning by establishing and enhancing Information Management Systems (IMS) in education was one of the many activities within the Reimagining Education United Nations joint project, implemented by UNICEF, UNESCO, ILO and UNV in three administrative units in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republika Srpska Entity, Una Sana Canton and West Herzegovina Canton). With the general objective of supporting the digitalization of educational processes through quality data management, the activity helps building a more resilient system able to quickly respond to emergencies, particularly when addressing the needs of the most vulnerable students. These systems aim towards a more efficient communication between all actors in education, including parents, guardians and caregivers, school administration and relevant education authorities.

<https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/165282-digital-learning-look-future>

ICT Standards in BiH Education Systems Ensure Efficiency and Continuity of Learning for All Children Equally

Defining basic ICT standards in education is a prerequisite in education digitalization process, addressing the digital divide exposed by the COVID19 pandemic. In the context of COVID-19 pandemic induced school closures, digital distance education platforms have become essential for ensuring continuity of learning for all. Students and teachers in BiH have not stayed immune to challenges arising from the switch to online teaching modality, as they have been lacking adequate access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices and quality internet connections. These challenges prevented them to continue their learning trajectories and participate smoothly in distance and blended learning.

<https://bosniaherzegovina.un.org/en/165283-ict-standards-bih-education-systems-ensure-efficiency-and-continuity-learning-all-children>

Microsoft Education tools that supported learning in 2021

Perhaps unlike ever before, learning in 2021 occurred in a wide variety of classroom settings. But no matter where it took place—remotely, in person, or in hybrid environments—schools and educators showed great flexibility as they worked to meet students’ academic and social-emotional needs. As we reflect on and celebrate the year, we’re inspired by how classrooms evolved and how educators used our technology and resources to adapt and support student learning.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2021/12/microsoft-education-tools-that-supported-learning-in-2021->

Introducing Microsoft Learn Educator Center

Over the past two years, we’ve all seen the education industry deliver hybrid, remote, and blended learning, heighten its focus on student-centric outcomes, and rely on educators to purposefully integrate technology in their teaching and learning practices. COVID-19 has created a greater demand for educators to prioritize their own training and skilling readiness to effectively use and apply technology in impactful ways that improve student learning and engagement.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2021/12/introducing-microsoft-learn-educator-center>

Fun coding holiday activity for NZ children and teenssponsored

What do the following all have in common? Apps, games, email systems, banking systems, fire alarm systems, electric vacuum cleaners, car dashboards, coffee machines, washing machines and social media platforms.

<https://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/127275976/fun-coding-holiday-activity-for-nz-children-and-teens>

New ways to make the most of Hour of Code all year long

Throughout the week of December 6-12, classrooms around the world will celebrate Computer Science Education (CSEd) Week, and millions of students and educators will participate in Hour of Code. This fun, global movement was designed as part of a worldwide push to demystify, democratize, and spark interest in coding and computer science. Anyone can code, and with just one hour, students and teachers can discover that they are coders too.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2021/12/new-ways-to-make-the-most-of-hour-of-code-all-year-long>

Meet the Amazing Cape-wearing Superhero Behind the Tech Girls Movement

The founder of Tech Girls Movement, Dr. Jenine Beekhuyzen, is the guiding force behind a tremendous effort that began in New Zealand in 2013 but has since gone global. She’s a STEMinist changing the world – one girl at a time. Her foundation supports the awareness of and sustained interest in STEM with the goal of imparting new skills and self-confidence in girls.

<https://gritdaily.com/like-a-boss-jenine-beekhuyzen/>