MobileMuster inspiring recycling action with $5000 student prize in creative works competition

Free mobile phone recycling service MobileMuster is inviting students from around Australia to produce creative pieces that inspire recycling action. With two $5000 first prizes and a total prize pool of $16,000, the competition opened June 12 and entries will be accepted until September 30.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/mobilemuster-inspiring-recycling-action-with-5000-student-prize-in-creative-works-competition/>

Riverside Girls High STEAM team win Metro challenge

Riverside Girls High won the 2023 Metro Minds STEAM challenge with an idea to relieve overcrowding on the Sydney Metro system.

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/riverside-girls-high-steam-team-win-metro-challenge>

Australian high school science failing to mention women in STEM

A new study has found Australian high school science courses fail to mention the contributions of women in STEM. Biwa Kwan spoke to Monash University Associate Professor Rashina Hoda for her reaction.

<https://www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast-episode/australian-high-school-science-failing-to-mention-women-in-stem/6562nsb87>

AI in the classroom: opportunities and challenges of AI for educators

Not so long ago, chalk and blackboard gave way to marker and whiteboard, followed swiftly by interactive stylus and smartboard. Pens and paper have morphed into laptops and tablets. Then came the abrupt handbrake turn into the online classroom during the world’s pandemic lockdowns. Now, the global market for AI in education is set to be worth £2.88 billion by 2023, according to a recent report by MarketsandMarkets.

<https://www.bettshow.com/bett-articles/ai-classroom-opportunities-challenges-ai-educators>

What ChatGPT can’t do: Educating for curiosity and creativity

Earlier this year, a Fortune Magazine headline proclaimed that “The next era of work will be about skills – not pedigree,” suggesting that employers are moving away from standard indicators of potential employee success, like college degrees and years of experience, and prioritising tangible skills. At the same time, the rise in artificial intelligence (AI) bots that can write like Shakespeare and win art competitions has led to concerns that technology will make many current jobs obsolete. These changes represent a seismic shift in the future of the workplace. Rather than job-specific knowledge and skills, students will need to do what AI bots can’t do—be curious and creative.

<https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-chatgpt-cant-do-educating-for-curiosity-and-creativity/>

AI as School Librarian: Creating Bannable Book Lists

Can AI be an able assistant to conservative school boards and educators seeking to ban content they consider inappropriate? The answer is, "Probably. Yes."

<https://www.mguhlin.org/2023/08/ai-as-school-librarian-creating.html>

ChatGPT Is Everywhere in This District. Here's What It Looks Like

From newsletters to lesson plans, Wichita Public Schools is all in with artificial intelligence.

<https://www.edweek.org/technology/chatgpt-is-everywhere-in-this-district-heres-what-it-looks-like/2023/08>

Reading, writing, and ChatGPT: High school English teachers adjust to the new realities of AI

BOT or NOT? This special series explores the evolving relationship between humans and machines, examining the ways that robots, artificial intelligence and automation are impacting our work and lives.

<https://www.geekwire.com/2023/reading-writing-and-chatgpt-high-school-english-teachers-adjust-to-the-new-realities-of-ai/>

How to Address the Digital Threats That Students Face in Online Education

Adopting digital learning in K–12 comes with potential threats to students. These threats can range from relatively innocuous digital distractions to cyberbullying and online predators.

<https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2023/08/how-address-digital-threats-students-face-online-education>

Teens Are 'Digital Natives,' But More Susceptible to Online Conspiracies Than Adults

Schools have their work cut out for them on students' digital literacy.

<https://www.edweek.org/teens-are-digital-natives-but-more-susceptible-to-online-conspiracies-than-adults/2023/08>

Exciting Ways to Introduce STEM Education to Preschoolers

The world of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is not just for school-aged children and adults. Even preschoolers can get in on the fun! Here are 10 exciting ways to introduce STEM education to your little ones.

<https://stemeducationguide.com/exciting-ways-to-introduce-stem-education-to-preschoolers/>

The Importance of STEM in the Classroom – 4 Ways Educators Are Acclimating to STEM Education

It’s no secret that today’s earliest primary grade education maintains some of the staples of classrooms over the years.

<https://stemeducationguide.com/importance-of-stem-in-the-classroom/>

How Can STEM Education Shape the Future

Think of the great inventors and geniuses from the past: Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Albert Einstein. Did you know that each of these men had traditional schooling, with some not even finishing? Even though they were born, natural thinkers and innovators think: How could their schooling have been different if they had a STEM education?

<https://stemeducationguide.com/how-can-stem-education-shape-the-future/>

Australian high school science failing to mention women in STEM

A new study has found Australian high school science courses fail to mention the contributions of women in STEM. Biwa Kwan spoke to Monash University Associate Professor Rashina Hoda for her reaction.

<https://www.sbs.com.au/news/podcast-episode/australian-high-school-science-failing-to-mention-women-in-stem/6562nsb87>

Only one female scientist is mentioned in Australian high school science curricula

Australian high school science courses are failing to mention the contributions of women in science subjects, according to new research.

<https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/only-one-female-scientist-is-mentioned-in-australian-high-school-science-curricula/sqsquuwcu>

Where are the women? High school STEM curriculum pushes ‘lone male genius’ narrative

The achievements of Australian female scientists are less likely to appear in senior high school lessons despite millions of taxpayer dollars being spent attempting to channel more young women into STEM careers.

<https://www.smh.com.au/education/where-are-the-women-high-school-stem-curriculum-pushes-lone-male-genius-narrative-20230826-p5dzog.html>

The small-town scientist shaping the future of STEM

Jess Bugeja is using artificial intelligence to improve outcomes for pre-term infants and she’s passionate about inspiring kids to pursue STEM.

<https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2023/August/Jess-Bugeja>

Much more to be done to improve diversity in STEM

The President of the Australian Academy of Science has welcomed the draft recommendations of the Diversity in STEM review, released today by the Australian Government, which highlights the task at hand while showcasing progress made.

<https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/much-more-to-be-done-to-improve-diversity-in-stem>

Eight ways to better engage girls in digital technologies education

Research conducted by ACER for CSIRO has identified several factors that could facilitate greater engagement of young women in digital technologies education.

<https://www.acer.org/au/discover/article/8-ways-to-better-engage-girls-in-digital-technologies-education>

Expert Q&A: Tricky science concepts for primary students

In our latest expert Q&A we talk to Kristy Osborne, a physicist, former pre-service teacher and Research Fellow at the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) about the science concepts that primary students struggle with and why it’s important for teachers to identify and address student misconceptions early on.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/expert-q-a-tricky-science-concepts-for-primary-students>

Teacher planning – manipulatives and representations in STEM

So far in a 3-part series on teacher planning, educational leader Michael Rosenbrock has looked at how teachers can pro-actively plan to tackle student misconceptions in STEM and support them to build and use their vocabulary in science and mathematics. In this final article, he explores how teachers can best plan to make effective use of manipulatives and representations to help students build understanding.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/teacher-planning-manipulatives-and-representations-in-stem>

Factors facilitating greater engagement of young women in digital technologies education

‘Addressing the gender imbalance in digital technologies education and careers is an important goal. The research highlighted several areas where educators can contribute.’ Research from ACER for CSIRO has identified several factors that could support greater engagement of young women in digital technologies education. Find out more in this article.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/factors-facilitating-greater-engagement-of-young-women-in-digital-technologies-education>

The promise and peril of AI: Will machines make us more or less human?

AI promises a revolution in education. Systems like ChatGPT, Claude, and Bard demonstrate astonishing conversational ability and knowledge, and these are likely just the tip of the iceberg as AI capabilities continue to accelerate. To us, this provokes both optimism and apprehension about technology’s likely impact on humanity.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/the-promise-and-peril-of-ai-will-machines-make-us-more-or-less-human/283150>

Aussie teachers optimistic about the benefits of AI in the classroom

A new globally-researched report reveals almost half (42%) of Australian teachers are optimistic about the benefits of leveraging generative AI tools like ChatGPT within the classroom.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/aussie-teachers-optimistic-about-the-benefits-of-ai-in-the-classroom/>

Record-breaking EduTECH congress and expo largest since COVID

EduTECH Australia, described as ‘one giant festival for all of education’, has broken several records at its 2023 event, including the largest attendance since the pandemic disrupted face-to-face events.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/record-breaking-edutech-congress-and-expo-largest-since-covid/>

Australia’s newest International Science Olympiad competitors revealed

Australia’s newest batch of Olympiad stars will be announced on Monday 19 June at Australian Parliament House – and every one of them is still in high school.

<https://www.asi.edu.au/2023-international-science-olympiad/>

ChatGPT creator pulls AI detection tool due to ‘low rate of accuracy’

Less than six months after ChatGPT-creator OpenAI unveiled an AI detection tool with the potential to help teachers and other professionals detect AI generated work, the company has pulled the feature.

<https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/25/tech/openai-ai-detection-tool/index.html>

ChatGPT isn’t the death of homework – just an opportunity for schools to do things differently

ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence (AI) platform launched by research company Open AI, can write an essay in response to a short prompt. It can perform mathematical equations – and show its working.

<https://theconversation.com/chatgpt-isnt-the-death-of-homework-just-an-opportunity-for-schools-to-do-things-differently-205053>

AI and the next digital divide in education

The theme of the most recent Education World Forum (EWF), the world’s largest annual gathering of education ministers, was “new beginnings.” The program featured perspectives from education leaders from all over the world on a variety of topics, many of them evergreen: access to education; educational quality; equity; jobs; skills; the role of teachers; gender; and sustainability. Post-pandemic, more attention was paid to issues of building resilience in education systems than it had been in past years. Reflecting larger societal trends, discussions of the role of education vis-a-vis climate change were heard more often, and at a higher volume. However, one new topic did serve as a sort of thematic connective tissue across all three days of discussions, infusing doses of concern, confusion, worry, and excitement into considerations of whatever was on the formal agenda for ministerial deliberation: the potential role and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in education.

<https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ai-and-the-next-digital-divide-in-education/>

What Teachers Should Know About AI: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

For our students’ sake, as well as our own, we need to learn how to adapt to artificial intelligence—whether we like it or not.

<https://www.edweek.org/technology/opinion-what-teachers-should-know-about-ai-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/2023/07>

UNESCO report on technology in education highlights lack of appropriate governance

A new global UNESCO report on technology in education highlights the lack of appropriate governance and regulation. Countries are urged to set their own terms for the way technology is designed and used in education so that it never replaces in-person, teacher-led instruction, and supports the shared objective of quality education for all.

<https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/education/2538119-unesco-reporton-technology-in-education-highlights-lack-of-appropriate-governance>

Education in the age of AI and smart technology

We are in a new era–the Era of Smart Technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of ChatGPT-4 is very smart and ChatGPT-5, -6, and -7, etc. will be even smarter. Smart technology will change the “game of work” and it will change how we educate people.

<https://www.eschoolnews.com/digital-learning/2023/07/31/education-in-the-age-of-ai-and-smart-technology/>

Research Finds AI More Popular Among Teachers Than Students

When it comes to the use of artificial intelligence in the classroom, educators seem more optimistic than students about its potential to reverse learning loss and improve outcomes, according to recent research from the study-materials company Quizlet.

<https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/research-finds-ai-more-popular-among-teachers-than-students>

From Classroom to Career: How STEM Teachers are Paving the Way for Industry-Ready Graduates

It is a common subsidy both between the teachers and the executives of the industry and the market that STEM education has emerged as a critical element of the modern educational landscape, preparing students for the requirements of the 21st-century workforce. At the “heart” of this transformative approach are STEM teachers who play a vital role in students’ equipment with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical fields. But what exactly is a SΤΕΜ school and why are the STEM teachers so important?

<https://ceoworld.biz/2023/07/31/from-classroom-to-career-how-stem-teachers-are-paving-the-way-for-industry-ready-graduates/>

The Importance of STEM in Childhood Education

STEM is the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics that fuses some of the most important subjects of the 21st century with practical, real-world learning opportunities.

<https://stemeducationguide.com/the-importance-of-stem-in-childhood-education/>

CS Connections has SEVEN new modules, plus professional learning

Code.org is excited to announce the latest additions to our CS Connections curriculum! Intended for grades 3–5, CS Connections is a comprehensive curriculum that seamlessly integrates computer science (CS) into various subjects, such as math, English language arts, science, and social studies. This year’s launch is designed specifically for elementary teachers who don’t teach CS or who are new to CS; these modules empower educators to integrate CS with other subjects, reinforcing, strengthening, and extending student learning.

<https://codeorg.medium.com/new-cs-connections-has-seven-new-modules-plus-professional-learning-66f60a7096e8>

New program brings Indigenous scientific knowledge to the classroom

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Chevron Australia have today launched a new program, ‘Living STEM’, aimed at connecting students to Indigenous scientific knowledge in the classroom.

<https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2023/August/CSIRO-and-Chevron-Australia-launch-Living-STEM>

living STEM brings first nations knowledge to the classroom

Chevron Australia is proudly partnering with CSIRO to deliver the Living STEM program – enhancing the connection between First Nations’ knowledge and the classroom.

<https://australia.chevron.com/news/2023/living-stem-brings-first-nations-knowledge-to-the-classroom>

Draft schools AI framework open for consultation

The next step in developing a framework to guide the safe and effective use of artificial intelligence in the nation’s schools is underway with the draft being released for consultation.

<https://ministers.education.gov.au/clare/draft-schools-ai-framework-open-consultation>

Schools AI framework to grant students access to ChatGPT

Students would be allowed to use generative AI tools like ChatGPT for assessments under a draft framework developed by a taskforce of experts to guide the safe and ethical use of the technology in Australian schools.

<https://www.innovationaus.com/schools-ai-framework-to-grant-students-access-to-chatgpt/> 

Ethical AI in the classroom: National taskforce releases draft framework

The federal government is calling for submissions on an artificial intelligence (AI) framework in schools, following an agreement by state and territory education ministers to release the document for feedback.

<https://www.themandarin.com.au/226589-ethical-ai-in-classroom-national-taskforce-releases-draft-framework/>

AI framework to allow use of ChatGPT in schools [subscription]

Students will likely be allowed to use generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT at school soon.

<https://educationhq.com/news/ai-framework-to-allow-use-of-chatgpt-in-schools-152090/>

Designing learning to their needs: new report charts way forward for AI in schools [subscription]

Rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and experiences from the shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic all demand practical strategies to ensure education remains human-centred as new tools alter teaching and learning, a new report argues.

<https://educationhq.com/news/designing-learning-to-their-needs-new-report-charts-way-forward-for-ai-in-schools-152085/>

Science program to boost Indigenous girls in tech [subscription]

From bush-food management to cultural burning and astronomy, science has always played a fundamental role in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

<https://educationhq.com/news/science-program-to-boost-indigenous-girls-in-tech-152071/>

Immersive technology and teacher capacity

‘The result of unresolved concerns could well lead to an unwillingness to use immersive technology with students. Yet, often, the barriers are surmountable.’ Dr Susan O’Donnell and Adrian Rayner, from the VR Learning & Design Hub, look at teacher’s prior concerns and some of the solutions.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/immersive-technology-and-teacher-capacity>

Teacher Staffroom Episode 49: Technology to engage students and enhance learning

Augmented Reality is an immersive tool that allows students to engage in learning in new and exciting ways. This month on Teacher, we shared a few stories on the topic of Augmented Reality and technology in education, which we share with you in this episode.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/teacher-staffroom-episode-49-technology-to-engage-students-and-enhance-learning>

Immersive technology in education – our Augmented Reality journey

‘…we strive to ensure that all modules open up learning opportunities for all students, regardless of their academic abilities, by building in learning differentiation rather than simply bolting on at a later stage.’ Dr Susan O’Donnell and Adrian Rayner discuss the AR modules designed and developed by the Learning & Design Hub for use by F-6 students.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/immersive-technology-in-education-our-augmented-reality-journey>

NSW high schools to get four new digital and IT subjects in 2024

Students in NSW will have access to four new digital and IT subjects from the 2024 school year, in the first major overhaul of the state’s computing technology curriculum since 2003.

<https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/school-life/nsw-high-schools-to-get-four-new-digital-and-it-subjects-in-2024/news-story/6f0bb8a518fb3f896be3b482917628d9>

A virtual Achilles? Teaching ancient worlds through VR

Teaching agendas have been recently dominated by discussions about the use of Virtual Reality in education. Schools and universities have been eager to consider the benefits of teaching with VR together with creative ways in which it can help promote meaningful education. Humanities have a very important role to play in the exploration of these benefits. Right now, there are pockets of VR exploration across the discipline but there is little work concerning the teaching and learning of ancient languages and literature, meaning we are still at the very beginning of a long and exciting road of exploring technological marvels that can facilitate the transmission of knowledge about the ancient world.

<https://www.bettshow.com/bett-articles/virtual-achilles-teaching-ancient-worlds-through-vr>

UNESCO concerns on regulation of education tech

A report from UNESCO on technology in education has highlighted what it describes as a “lack of appropriate governance and regulation”.

<https://www.lawsociety.ie/gazette/top-stories/2023/july/unesco-concerns-on-regulation-of-education-tech>

Call for Chapters: Transforming Education With Generative AI: Prompt Engineering and Synthetic Content Creation

Intro: The rise of generative AI marks a momentous stride in the evolution of Large Language Models (LLMs) within the sphere of Natural Language Processing (NLP). This advancement brings profound implications in numerous aspects of our lives, especially in education (Bozkurt et al., 2023). Central to the interaction between humans and generative AI is the essential engagement in in-depth dialogues between both parties, underscoring the importance of meticulously constructed prompts which necessitates a profound grasp of prompt engineering (Bozkurt & Sharma, 2023). An essential aspect of prompt engineering is ensuring that our prompts enable the generation of authentic content. This necessitates crafting prompts that are carefully tailored and well-structured.

<http://www.asianjde.com/ojs/index.php/AsianJDE/announcement/view/16>

Points taken from this working group

Adobe Summit
This is a great opportunity for our members to learn about the latest trends in digital marketing and communications. The summit will feature keynote presentations from industry leaders, as well as breakout sessions on a variety of topics.

Business Mindset

Using resources from GROK Learning, students develop the skills they need to be successful in the workplace and understand the importance of risk management and data security.

Other points covered were:

• The applications of decision support systems and expert systems

• The hardware used in intelligent systems

• The disruptive effects of intelligent systems

• The social and ethical issues of intelligent systems

• The current and emerging technologies associated with intelligent systems

• The role of intelligent systems in surveillance

• The creation of intelligent systems

Units that were being developed
Year 11

Unit 1 - Interactive media and the user experience

This unit will focus on developing front-end web applications. Students will learn about data journalism and data science, and how to visualise data using graphs and charts. They will also learn about VR and low-code options for developing apps.

Unit 2 - Networking systems and social computing

This unit will cover communication systems, network theory, and network diagrams. Students will learn about Raspberry Pi and Microbit devices, and how to configure them to model a network.

Unit 3 - Principles of cybersecurity

This unit will focus on the principles of cybersecurity. Students will learn about privacy policies, data security, and how to protect their own data. They will also learn about the attributes of a data breach.

Year 12

Unit 1 - Data science

This unit will focus on data science, including data collection, storage, and analysis. Students will learn how to develop front-end web applications for data visualisation.

Unit 2 - Data visualisation

This unit will focus on data visualisation using Excel and other tools. Students will learn how to create infographics and other visual representations of data.

Unit 3 - Intelligent systems

This unit will focus on intelligent systems, including chatbots. Students will learn how to design and implement chatbots that can interact with users in a natural way.

Unit 4 - Enterprise project

This unit will focus on a capstone project that will allow students to apply the skills they have learned throughout the year.

The discussion provided ideas for teaching software automation in the HSC Software Engineering course.

The following was discussed:

• • Algorithms in machine learning

  • Distinguishing between artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)

  • Exploring models of training ML

  • Supervised learning

  • Unsupervised learning

  • Semi-supervised learning

  • Reinforcement learning

• The document provides a variety of resources for teaching these topics, including videos, articles, and online learning platforms.

• The document also suggests ways to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students.

Here are some of the key takeaways

• Machine learning is a powerful tool that can be used to automate tasks.

• There are different types of machine learning, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

• It is important to understand the different types of machine learning in order to choose the right one for a particular task.

• There are a variety of resources available to help teachers teach machine learning.

Other thoughts

• The HSC Software Engineering unit should include a section on software automation, with a focus on machine learning (ML).

• This section should start by defining AI and ML, and then discuss how ML can be used to automate tasks through DevOps, robotic process automation (RPA), and business process automation (BPA).

• The section should also cover the different models of training ML, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, and reinforcement learning.

• There are a number of resources that can be used to teach this section, including videos, online learning systems, and interactive quizzes.

The list includes resources on drones, droids, and robots, as well as motivation for learning this unit, and control systems with sensors-controller-actuators.

The resources are from a variety of sources, including the Australian Science Week website and the Boston Dynamics YouTube channel.

Here are some specific resources that the working group recommends:

• The online booklet "Drones, Droids, and Robots" from the Australian Science Week website.

• The Boston Dynamics YouTube channel, which has videos of their Atlas and Spot robots.

• The video "Control Systems with Sensors-Controller-Actuators" from the YouTube channel Control Systems Engineering.

This discussion focused on the course design to give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the computing industry. It looked at the following topics, including web design, mechatronics, and game design.

Year 9

• Term 1 & 2: Designing for the modern web

• Term 3 & 4: Biomedical mechatronics

Year 10

• Term 1 & 2: Games for change

• Term 3 & 4: Presenting Data Differently

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Select and apply safe, secure, and responsible practices in the ethical use of data and computing technology.

• Apply iterative processes to define problems and plan, design, develop, and evaluate computing solutions.

• Manage, document, and explain individual and collaborative work practices.

• Understand how innovation, enterprise, and automation have inspired the evolution of computing technology.

• Explain how data is stored, transmitted, and secured in digital systems and how information is communicated in a range of contexts.

• Communicate ideas, processes, and solutions using appropriate media.

• Design, produce, and evaluate algorithms and implement them in a general-purpose and/or object-oriented programming language.

• Design and create user interfaces and the user experience.

Capstone Project

In the final term of Year 10, students will complete a capstone project. This project will give them the opportunity to apply their skills in web design, mechatronics, or game design to design a system that gathers and presents data in a useful and meaningful way.

This provides an overview of the key elements of the Digital Technologies program in the primary classroom discussed, as well as some of the key pedagogies that can be used to teach technology usage effectively.

Key Elements of the Program
The Digital Technologies program in the primary classroom covers the following key elements:

• Coding: This element of the program teaches students the basics of coding, including how to create simple programs using block-based coding languages.

• Robotics: This element of the program teaches students how to build and program robots.

• Digital Citizenship: This element of the program teaches students about the safe and responsible use of technology.

Key Pedagogies
There are a number of key pedagogies that can be used to teach technology usage effectively in the primary classroom. These include:

• TPACK pedagogy: This pedagogy focuses on the knowledge that teachers need to effectively integrate technology into their teaching.

• PRIMM pedagogy: This pedagogy is a highly scaffolded and modelled approach to teaching programming.

• High Possibility Classroom (HPC) pedagogy: This pedagogy focuses on using technology to create more engaging, challenging, and relevant learning experiences for students.

• Visible Thinking Routines (VTRs): These are a set of research-based pedagogical tools that help students make their thinking visible.

Resources
There are a number of resources available to help teachers teach Digital Technologies in the primary classroom. These include:

• The Digital Technologies Hub: This website provides a wealth of resources for teachers, including lesson plans, activities, and tools.

• The Australian Curriculum: This curriculum includes the Digital Technologies content standards for the primary classroom.

• The CSIRO STEM Professionals in Schools program: This program provides teachers with the opportunity to work with STEM professionals to develop their own Digital Technologies teaching skills.

On the weekend of the 29th and 30th of July, 60 of our members gathered at the ACARA offices in Sydney for the Winter Writers Workshop where we spent time analysing the new syllabus and developed scopes and units of work to deliver this content.

We would like to thank Julie King, Kim Vernon, Melanie Hughes from ACARA for hosting us. Thanks also go to Liz Rose and Peter Davies from the NSWDET and Chris Woldhuis from AISNSW for their presentations. It was a memorable event with all sectors of education represented.