Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) Briefing

Safer Technology 4 Schools (ST4S) is a national privacy and security initiative for digital products in K-12 education. The initiative is a framework to provide a standardised approach to evaluating digital products and services for use in schools across Australia.

<https://edugrowth.org.au/2022/06/07/safer-technologies-4-schools-st4s-briefing/>

Inspiring the next generation of female scientists and engineers

The world has changed a lot over the last few years. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role that science plays to respond to some of our biggest challenges says Misha Schubert, CEO of Science & Technology Australia – the nations peak body for science and technology representing more than 90,000 members.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/inspiring-the-next-generation-of-female-scientists-and-engineers/>

Building digital intelligence in the middle years with Digital Licence+

A ground-breaking educational program for Australian students to build digital skills and competencies has been launched by national children’s not-for-profit, The Alannah & Madeline Foundation, in partnership with international digital intelligence think tank, The DQ Institute, and supported by global technology leader, Accenture Australia.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/building-digital-intelligence-in-the-middle-years-with-digital-licence/>

220,000 students benefit from $365.8 million Rural Access Gap program

More than 220,000 students in regional and remote areas of NSW are benefiting from the NSW Government’s $365.8 million Rural Access Gap (RAG) program, supplying digital devices to break the digital barrier and lead a tech revolution.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/220000-students-benefit-from-365-8-million-rural-access-gap-program/>

Teachers speak out about 'atrocious' staff shortages crippling many NSW public schools

The school bell rings and the halls fill with yelling and scuffling as a mass movement of teenagers makes its way along a corridor. ... By the end of 2020, Simon feared his school wouldn't be able to fill its staff. Then, in 2021, the NSW government inadvertently made the stress on schools worse. To tackle kids slipping behind through lockdowns and remote learning, the Department of Education introduced the COVID Intensive Learning Support Program, or COVID ILSP. It relied partly on casual teachers as tutors.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-04/teacher-shortages-nsw-public-schools-covid-department-education/101121632>

EduTECH 2022 – Digitisation • Creativity • Diversity

EduTECH 2022 is set to take place in Melbourne at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 10 & 11 August. With two years of pent-up demand and an eagerness to upskill and reconnect in-person, the education sector is extremely excited to be returning to a face-to-face event format.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/edutech-2022-digitisation-creativity-diversity/>

Investing in a Testbed…for EdTech Companies

There are key benefits for all stakeholders involved in a testbed trial. For EdTech companies, direct consumer feedback and quick adoption by a new partner, are just a couple of the exciting prospects of joining a program of this model.

<https://edugrowth.org.au/2022/06/08/investing-in-testbed-edtech/>

Networking and Cybersecurity workshop

For teachers delivering the first ACTBSSS unit of Networking and CyberSecurity Lake Tuggeranong College is hosting a workshop.

<https://inteact.act.edu.au/2022/06/01/networking-and-cybersecurity-workshop/>

As COVID and influenza cases increase, some students have been forced back to remote learning

In a cruel reminder of the past two years, Albury High School had to go back to remote learning this week. After an outbreak of COVID among students and teachers, coupled with rising influenza cases, the school was advised to move years 8, 9 and 10 to remote learning for a three-day circuit breaker.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-04/albury-high-students-remote-learning-teachers-covid-flu/101124930>

Remote learning was even tougher for migrant parents. Here’s what they want schools to know in case lockdowns return

When COVID forced school closures, many parents found themselves more involved than ever with their children’s learning. For some parents, it was hard work but broadly achievable. Many migrant parents, however, found themselves at a distinct disadvantage.

<https://theconversation.com/remote-learning-was-even-tougher-for-migrant-parents-heres-what-they-want-schools-to-know-in-case-lockdowns-return-183039>

Google Classroom: Making your favorite educational tools work better together

For educators, there are always a few top of mind questions: how can they optimize their time and find ways to help each student learn effectively? With Classroom, we’re working to help solve these problems so educators can focus more on teaching and students can experience new approaches to make learning more personal.

<https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/theanywhereschool-classroom/>

Adapting products to meet teachers’ changing needs

As we build our products, it’s essential to listen to user feedback. That’s how we help make them useful for the people using them — and more inclusive, too. Our Google for Education team has a long history of directly involving schools in user research studies to better understand what they need. This connection to educators and students has made it easier to adapt our products as schools’ unique needs change over time. Here’s how we’ve done just that.

<https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/theanywhereschool-uxr/> 

The Anywhere School 2022

Each year, my team and I speak with thousands of educators around the world to better understand how students and teachers are using technology in the classroom. We do this to help educators amplify their efforts and, most importantly, help students pursue their personal potential. Today, we’re sharing new updates to Chromebooks, Google Classroom and Google Meet to set up teachers and students for success ahead of the next school year.

<https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/theanywhereschool-overview/>

Helping every student learn how they learn best

I often think about what Laura Allen, a Googler who leads our accessibility and disability inclusion work and is low vision, shared with me about her experience growing up using assistive technology in school. She said: “Technology should help children learn the way they need to learn, it shouldn’t be a thing that makes them feel different in the classroom.”

<https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/global-accessibility-awareness-day--2022/>