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NSW

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STEM conference finds online success

An education technology gathering in regional NSW is using the pandemic restrictions to offer more opportunities to educators in Australia and overseas.

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/stem-conference-finds-online-success>

Regional EdTech event expands and moves online

STEM 2020 On Demand: Strategies for a Rapidly Changing World, is an innovative online and on demand event demonstrating the power of technology during these challenging times. It is an initiative of the NSW Department of Education through its Learning and Teaching Directorate.

<https://www.technologydecisions.com.au/content/futureed/news/regional-edtech-event-expands-and-moves-online-357712642>

STEM 2020 On Demand

STEM 2020 On Demand: Strategies for a Rapidly Changing World, is an innovative online and on demand event demonstrating the power of technology during these challenging times. It is an initiative of the NSW Department of Education through its Learning and Teaching Directorate.

<https://stem2020.com.au/about/>

Digital classes for creative arts

Students across NSW now have access to innovative creative arts digital learning resources that bring stimulating workshops, performances, interviews and masterclasses into the classroom or the lounge room.

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/digital-classes-for-creative-arts>

School P&Cs in limbo after decades-old rules fail to recognise online meetings

Decisions can only occur when members are physically present, according to the Parents and Citizens Federation constitution, which has left school groups in limbo during the pandemic.

<https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/school-p-and-cs-in-limbo-after-decades-old-rules-fail-to-recognise-online-meetings-20200520-p54uob.html>

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AUSTRALIAN

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Coronavirus has revealed an education failure forcing Queensland families to take desperate measures

Jamie-lee Cullen knows her three children are not getting the same education as those from wealthier families. She has done all she can to help them — but it's not enough."Everything is online these days and unfortunately I'm stuck in the dark ages," she said.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-28/queensland-coronavirus-education-technology-failure-internet/12177438>

Eight big issues for vulnerable students highlighted by coronavirus crisis, charity says

She's only six years old, but Sylvana's education has already served up challenges most kids won't even need to think about during their entire school life. When the COVID-19 crisis closed her school, Sylvana was forced to switch to online learning in a home that didn't even have a computer.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-25/coronavirus-students-back-to-school-education-digital-divide/12273772>

Principal says her school was 'forgotten' during the coronavirus lockdown

A principal says her school was "forgotten about" during the coronavirus pandemic, with none of her students able to take part in online learning. When Cabbage Tree Island Public School went into homeschooling mode in March, only one family had a laptop.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-27/cabbage-tree-island-school-overlooked-with-homeschooling-tech/12288446>

ICT educators online development

The ICT Educators Virtual Development Series from ACS is designed to support teachers and educators drive high-quality computing education and to deliver better technology outcomes that promote collaboration and shared ideas.

<https://www.technologydecisions.com.au/content/futureed/news/ict-educators-online-development-887296737>

Future-focused schools that take an innovative approach to learning

These days, it’s not enough for international schools to fill lessons with current subject trends and one-way teaching methods. ... International schools, with the funds and foresight to be ahead of the curve, will be the ones setting the standard. Historically, international schools have implemented some of the most innovative education technology and pedagogy in recent years. Their students show some of the most collaborative acumen, best academic results and highest digital literacy skills.

<https://www.studyinternational.com/news/future-focused-schools-that-take-an-innovative-approach-to-learning/>

Pandemic risks wiping out hard-won gains by women in STEM

Hard-won gains for women’s advancement in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) workforce are now at risk of a major setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

<https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/pandemic-risks-wiping-out-hard-won-gains-women-stem>

<https://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/pandemic-risks-wiping-out-hard-won-gains-by-women-in-stem/>

Discover resources and opportunities for women in STEM

The Academy’s STEM Women directory is now host to a growing collection of resources and opportunities aimed at increasing the attraction, retention and progression of girls and women in STEM.

<https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/discover-resources-and-opportunities-women-stem>

Government’s Women in STEM Ambassador Program names PHD as media agency

The federal government’s Women in STEM Ambassador Program has appointed PHD to its media account, involving a remit of media planning, buying, content development, and PR.

<https://mumbrella.com.au/governments-women-in-stem-ambassador-program-names-phd-as-media-agency-630218>

Regional Development Australia is committed to working with industry to improve STEM skills

The past few months have seen a dramatic pivot in many of our RDA projects. For me, the most dramatic shift has been in our STEM Industry School Partnership (SISP) Program, a program that connects local STEM industry with local students to better engage students in Science Technology Engineering and Maths.

<https://www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/6773075/students-connect-with-stem/>

Selling success: Australia’s 2020 maths modelling challenge winners

Teams from Caulfield Grammar School in Victoria and North Sydney Boys High School in New South Wales will represent Australia in this year’s International Mathematical Modeling Challenge (IM2C), which requires students to determine how a ‘bricks and mortar’ store should arrange its goods during a flash sale to minimise the risk of damage.

<https://www.acer.org/au/discover/article/selling-success-australias-2020-maths-modelling-challenge-winners>

Recognising everyday science in the early years

A set of free resources published by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) aims to improve young children’s scientific understanding by encouraging educators to recognise science not just as subject but as an approach to learning that is present in everyday activities.

<https://www.acer.org/au/discover/article/recognising-everyday-science-in-the-early-years>

Digital Content Officer - Women in STEM

The Australian Government’s Women in STEM Ambassador, Prof. Lisa Harvey-Smith, is responsible for increasing the participation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies and careers across Australia. The Women in STEM Ambassador’s team works to address gender equity issues across all STEM disciplines in the education and training, research, academic and industry sectors.

<https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/1875493520/>

Teaching and learning activities: Everyday science in the early years

A new research-based series encourages early years educators to take advantage of everyday teaching and learning opportunities to improve young children’s scientific understanding, and shares four step-by-step activities for the classroom or learning at home.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com.au/articles/teaching-and-learning-activities-everyday-science-in-the-early-years>

It's the right time for less time in class

Don't worry too much about the impact of remote learning on students. The real issue is how we might repair, rather than resume, our education system.

<https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/victoria/it-s-the-right-time-for-less-time-in-class-20200430-p54oj8.html>

Perth school rethinks report cards, using coronavirus pause to focus on child personal development

Primary school principal Clark Wight doesn't mince his words about what he thinks of semester report cards that use A–E grades to assess student performance in each subject. ... While ACER didn't recommend the abolition of A–E grades, it concluded that most reports gave little indication of a student's learning growth and were increasingly superseded by newer communication technologies that allowed for continuous reporting.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-27/perth-school-rethinks-report-cards-in-move-away-from-grades/12285020>

Global Science TV launches 1st episode—Can the world tackle climate change with COVID-19 urgency?

The coronavirus pandemic has proven the world is capable of a global response to address a crisis. But why haven’t we seen the same type of swift action on climate change? And can we expect our leaders to pay as much attention to scientific advice for other challenges as we emerge from the pandemic?

<https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/global-science-tv-1st-episode-can-world-tackle-climate-change>

As we mark National Reconciliation Week, what role can science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) play in bringing about change?

As Australia recognises National Reconciliation Week, which runs from 27 May to 3 June, with events around the country – this year’s theme of ‘In This Together’ is an opportunity to explore the role that science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) plays in bringing about change. Here, five Indigenous science academics and researchers write about the role STEM can play in reconciliation and self-determination.

<https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/science-technology-engineering-mathematics-and-reconciliation>

Kip McGrath Education Centres’ online education booms due to pandemic

Kip McGrath Education Centres has seen a rise in online education due to the current pandemic.

<https://themarketherald.com.au/kip-mcgrath-education-centres-asxkme-online-education-booms-due-to-pandemic-2020-05-29/>

By Russell Cairns (new member)

The June 3rd workshop at the School of Computer Science, University of Sydney, was the perfect opportunity for teachers to shape an a proposal within a school context to engage other staff in an action research project to effectively implement the Digital Technologies Curriculum.

Handy templates, illustrations of practice and more information can be found in the members area. 

The ACARA DTiF Project has eight Curriculum Officers supporting 160 disadvantaged schools nationally to ask the right guiding questions, explore and identify a school focus and then plan and pitch a project question and proposal.

Upcoming free school July holiday workshops at ACARA Sydney Office to explore the dimensions of STEM practices - ways of knowing, thinking and doing can be found here.

We've been waiting to see what NESA would come up with for an update for Information Software Technology for a while now - ever since we saw the NSW draft of the Technology Mandatory syllabus and wondered what was next for Stage 5. Well now we know! The replacement course is called Integrated Computing and it really has been updated to align better with out changing world.

It's very important that  all teachers of Computing have their say so attend a consultation near you or at least read the draft syllabus and complete the feedback survey. We're also keen to hear from you at president@ictensw.org.au to add to our own written response we're preparing for NESA.

We live in exciting times! So many changes - so much potential for student learning!

We are often asked to recommend products that assist with the implementation of the new Mandatory Technology syllabus for Digital Technologies. We want to go on record to say that it is definitely possible to teach the Digital Technologies Curriculum without any purchases, however, the micro:bit is an excellent tool for engagement and bridging the gap between digital technologies and engineering. The BOSON Starter Kit for micro:bit has some really positive features for extending the micro:bit for built projects.

Content of Boson Starter Kit for micro:bit by DFRobot

Benefits:

• Easy to use. The grove connectors to break out the pins from the micro:bit make sensors and actuators available for easy connection.
• Easy to build. The components in the kit have both Lego and screw connector attachments to make the components accessible to a large variety of projects.
• Variety. There are a good number of components, colour coded for easy identification for extending projects.
• Tutorials. There are mini-project cards that come int he kit to train students in the use of the kit.

Drawbacks:

• Board manipulation. Despite the ease of use once the micro:bit is inserted into the mount, it is not easy to push the micro:bit into the breakout and nor is it easy to remove it once inserted.
• Cost. The kit is not cheap. It's listed for different prices around Australia and overseas but the kit costs approximately 5 times the cost of the micro:bit itself. 

In summary, this is a great little kit that helps to make controlling electronic components with the micro:bit easier for students. It is an investment so scope out the projects that it can be used for and ensure it's worth the money.

This year, instead of a state conference in March as would normally be the case, ICTENSW hosted a planning and programming retreat at Winbourne the Edmund Rice Conference Centre in Mulgoa. It was even more popular than we anticipated and the feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive with 100% of respondents suggesting they would recommend to others.

The retreat began on Friday evening with arrivals and checking and then a sharing session after dinner where all attendees could voice their concerns with the implementation of the new NSW syllabus and set goals for the weekend.

Saturday kicked off with a session run by the wonderful Chris Woldhuis and Kelly Bauer outlining a Persona driven, Project-Based Learning focused Unit planning paradigm to guide the attendees in their objective for the day. Then we broke into groups along stage lines - with groups for both IPT and SDD and started to put together units of work around the outcomes. Stage 3 and 4 focused on the new curriculum and unpacking what was actually required. 

Saturday night we relaxed with board and card games and got to know each other a bit better outside the context of the work we were doing.

Sunday was a short day where each of the groups shared their outcomes of the weekend and the committee is tidying up and categorising resources to share back to the membership.

I was very impressed with the dedication of the teachers who gave up their weekend to help others get their heads around difficult content and plan interesting units. We hope to run more retreats like it in the future.

NESA have launched their request for feedback for changes to the IPT (including life skills) and SDD syllabuses. Please offer your feedback to help make these subjects as good as possible. 

Link to the feedback surveys here

ICTENSW will be putting together an official position for these syllabuses and will post these to the website and discuss it at our next meeting - the AGM and HSC Solutions workshop on March 17th 2018. 

Unfortunately the deadline for responses is March 18th 2018 so if you won't be attending the HSC solution day you'll need to get your response in earlier.

For further details contact:

Anthony Rotondo 
Senior Curriculum Officer, Technologies
NSW Education Standards Authority
anthony.rotondo@nesa.nsw.edu.au
(02) 9367 8881

View this in your browser The Australian Council for Computers in Education and the Organising Committee invite proposals for papers and presentations from F-12, preservice and tertiary educators, researchers and research students. Authors are encouraged to address the conference theme, ImpaCT. Proposals are invited that address the conference theme through one of the strands listed below.

All proposals must be submitted via the online Speakers' Portal adhering to the submission guidelines and official paper template. Further information regarding the submission process can be accessed through the conference website. Partnership and exhibition opportunities are selling fast! The point of difference in partnering with ACCE 2018 is that we focus on professional teacher’s associations with long established networks. We are connected to education with a trusted voice—this is your opportunity to connect with our members Australia wide. View our packages and contact us today to find out how you can be involved.

Copyright © 2017 Australian Council for Computers in Education, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in ACCE 2018. Our mailing address is: ICE Australia 183 Albion Street Surry Hills, NSW 2010 Australia

NESA has just released a survey on Years 7-10 Electives courses in TAS. Feedback from the survey will be considered as amendments are made to each syllabus.

You are strongly encouraged to provide feedback in this process. In the survey, you will have the opportunity to comment on as many or few of the subjects as you choose.

Thanks to Dan Rytmeister for the information. 

Bookings are now open for the NSW term 3 joint MITIE ACCE/ICTENSW conference to be held at Rosebank College Five Dock on Wednesday 27th Septemeber. Thanks to Saif Samaan and College Principal, Tom Galea, for hosting the day. If you can’t make this event, it will be live streamed by Clickview, and a recording made available at a later time.

What’s MITIE?

The Managers of Information Technology in Education (MITIE) serves those responsible for the infrastructure, procurement and governance of IT in schools. It arose from a group of largely Independent education IT managers who needed to share information, solutions and ideas.

There appears to be a natural fit between MITIE and the state groups that make up ACCE, so this meeting is to explore opportunities in partnering, but also to listen to some great presentations and to provide some wonderful networking opportunities.

Our Sponsors

We are proud to have the following companies as our sponsors - there should be something for everyone in this select group:

Gold Sponsor: StudentNet

Silver Sponsors: AC3, CompNow, CyberHound, JB HiFi and ViVi.

Live streaming sponsor: ClickView

Program

This term conference will be a joint event with ACCE/ICTENSW recognising the importance of good working relationships between those teaching ICT related subjects and those charged with managing technology. The program is  here.

Book your tickets

Book for the event through Trybooking here. There is a modest charge of $55.30 that covers the cost of your refreshments on the day.

A big thank you!

I’d especially like to acknowledge the work done by Saif Samaan and Ken Lin from Rosebank and Martin Levins from ACCE in putting this event together.

Ian Ralph

MITIE President