Insights from our 3rd Mel-Based Professional Learning Day for theSTEMproblem

#theSTEMproblem is a research project funded by an ARC Linkage Grant, and involves researchers, teachers, and support staff from Monash University, the University of Queensland (UQ), Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) and Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) working together to refine and implement a framework for Problem Based Learning (PBL) in primary and secondary school STEM education.

<https://www.monash.edu/education/research/projects/exploring-problem-based-learning-in-schools/updates/insights-from-our-3rd-mel-based-professional-learning-day-for-thestemproblem>

The role of technology in addressing teacher shortages

Teachers are leaving the profession in record numbers and without a comprehensive long-term approach that focuses on attracting and retaining quality teachers, this problem will continue to worsen over the coming years. Andrew Smith, CEO of Education Services Australia, discusses how technology could help.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/the-role-of-technology-in-addressing-teacher-shortages/>

1 million students get eSafety guidance from a trusted source

The eSafety Commissioner has congratulated participants in its Trusted eSafety Provider program on delivering education programs to a quarter of all Australian school students last financial year.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/1-million-students-get-esafety-guidance-from-a-trusted-source/>

Behaviour Management Episode 13: Professor Ken Rigby on bullying in schools

Our guest for this episode of our Behaviour Management podcast series is Professor Ken Rigby – Adjunct Professor at the University of South Australia and a leading international researcher in the area of bullying in schools.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/behaviour-management-episode-13-professor-ken-rigby-on-bullying-in-schools>

Robo-marking in Australian schools: no school left behind

Automated grading technologies could soon be rolled out in Australian schools but without robust national guidelines and an independent advisory body, some schools could be left behind.

<https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2022/11/16/robo-marking-australian-schools-artificial-intelligence-education-expert.html>

How do Australian teachers feel about their work in 2022?

New Monash research offers insights into how Australian teachers are feeling, and what needs to change.

<https://www.monash.edu/education/teachspace/articles/how-do-australian-teachers-feel-about-their-work-in-2022>

Recent study of detrimental online habits which is affecting learning ‘is a real concern’

The Australian’s media writer Sophie Elsworth says the recent study showing online habits for Australian kids is having a detrimental effect on their learning “is a real concern”. “There also some duties on parents as well at home to control the use of their kids on these devices,” she told Sky News host Peta Credlin.

<https://www.news.com.au/national/recent-study-of-detrimental-online-habits-which-is-affecting-learning-is-a-real-concern/video/3ced663dd1a5887f9302e6f98fb0cd1c>

Science challenge helping students discover a love of STEM for over 20 years

... The Science and Engineering Challenge is an outreach program founded by the University of Newcastle in the year 2000. Since then, it has grown to involve over 120 Rotary clubs and 30 Universities, reaching over 1,000 schools and around 30,000 students each year, in every state and territory in Australia.

<https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/college-of-engineering-science-and-environment/science-challenge-helping-students-discover-a-love-of-stem-for-over-20-years>

Designing playable video games with primary students

Year 5 and 6 students from MidCoast Christian College in regional New South Wales were tasked with designing their own video games. We speak with educator Melissa Tindall about the process of designing the games from scratch, and how it allowed students to explore the 21st Century skills of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/designing-playable-video-games-with-primary-students>

Video Games Could Actually Be Good for Kids’ Brains, Study Finds

A new scientific study suggests that video gaming may be associated with better cognitive performance in children.

<https://www.edweek.org/technology/video-games-could-actually-be-good-for-kids-brains-study-finds/2022/11>

Google Play streamlines policies around kids’ apps as regulations tighten

Google Play today announced a series of changes to its programs and policies around apps designed for children. The company is describing the update as an expansion of its previously launched “Teacher Approved” program, which includes a review process where teachers and experts vetted apps not just for safety and security elements, but for educational quality and other factors. The newly revamped policies will now impact how apps qualify for this program, which allows apps to gain entry to the Play Store’s “Kids” tab.

<https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/16/google-play-streamlines-policies-around-kids-apps-as-regulations-tighten/>

Empowering student learning with Math Assistant

Math teachers, what if there was a way to help students who say “I’m not a math person” or “I’m just not good at math”? When a student lacks math confidence, every challenge along the way simply confirms their self-doubt. These challenges only intensify as students move through their K-12 school experience and their needs and the course content continue to evolve. The good news is that Math Assistant, found in Microsoft OneNote, helps students find their math confidence and gain important math skills through inclusive, individualized features.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/11/empowering-student-learning-with-math-assistant>

5 Microsoft Education tools for an inclusive classroom

An inclusive classroom is made up of many different learners with unique needs and abilities, that want to feel they belong regardless of their identity, learning preferences, or skills.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/10/5-microsoft-education-tools-for-an-inclusive-classroom>

Keeping students safer with cybersecurity awareness

A common misconception is that young people, many of whom grew up using tablets or touchscreen phones from an early age, are inherently tech savvy. For many, digital safety is a glaring area of growth. K-12 education faces a staggering number of security threats and receives over 80% of workplace malware attacks. By pairing focused, consistent digital safety instruction with Microsoft’s security tools like Defender and Intune for Education, students can safely navigate their digital lives.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/10/keeping-students-safer-with-cybersecurity-awareness>

Developing interest in computer science with Microsoft MakeCode

As part of Microsoft’s mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, our work in computer science education is critical to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn foundational computing skills. The mission of Microsoft MakeCode is to empower the next generation of technology creators through fun projects, immediate results, and both block and text editors for learners at different experience and grade levels.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/11/developing-interest-in-computer-science-with-microsoft-makecode>

Developing interest in computer science with Microsoft MakeCode

As part of Microsoft’s mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more, our work in computer science education is critical to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to learn foundational computing skills. The mission of Microsoft MakeCode is to empower the next generation of technology creators through fun projects, immediate results, and both block and text editors for learners at different experience and grade levels.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/11/developing-interest-in-computer-science-with-microsoft-makecode>

Hour of Code micro:bit activities

The Micro:bit Educational Foundation have added three activities to code.org's Hour of Code website

<https://www.microbit.org/news/2022-11-10/hour-of-code-microbit-activities/>