ICTeD Services

1 to 1 Learning - VITTA Geelong Professional Learning Network Meeting

I'm speaking on Pedagogies for Learning: Making the most of 1:1 computers, next Wednesday October 13th from 4.30 to 6.30 PM [Geelong High School, Ryrie Street, East Geelong]. 

If you are still interested in coming along, you can book on the VITTA website. 
http://www.vitta.org.au/events/event/ict-pedagogies-making-the-most-of-11-computers .

The flyer is here to download  Download Geelong_brochure

My session chronicles my journey with 1 to 1 in 2010, in terms of planning, teaching and professional development and resources. The session will allow for discussion on individual school and teacher needs.

The big questions for the session will be
• Why a 1:1 classroom?
• Does a 1:1 classroom enhance teaching and learning?
• What does a 1:1 classroom offer teachers and students?
• Is the 1:1 device important?
• What software do you need?
• What other costs do you need to consider?

Looking forward to this event and will write about it after!

Presentation  notes attached  Download Geelong PLN edit

This was a great arvo with 35 enthusiastic teachers and great sharing of practice!
See http://plngeelong.wikispaces.com/Resources

P.S. Happy Centenary Geelong High School [despite the floods]. One hundred great years of state education!

MacSchoolsNet Meeting #50 - What's for the future??

Deb and I will celebrate [with members] the 50th meeting of MacSchoolsNet tomorrow afternoon.
This has been a great ICT PD network over the past 7 or so years.

For the archives the website is www.macschools.net.
Download a history of the network  Download MacSchoolsNet edit.
Our Mission Statement is
• Links ICT coordinators, technicians, teachers and others, who have  an interest in the Macintosh platform.
• Develops and delivers professional development for ICT coordinators, technicians, teachers and others. This is in two  formats, the first is the regular network meetings, which focus on specific issues, but in which a wide variety of issues are discussed. The second is the specific skill based ICT professional learning sessions or conference workshops. At these sessions, participants complete "hands on" sessions, with activities related to specific applications.
• Encourages and shares best practice in ICT pedagogy amongstmembers.
• Develops and maintains links [without endorsement] with Apple Australia, Apple Resellers and other commercial interests and uses these links for the benefit of members.
• Maintains this web site as resource for members, teachers, schools
and the wider ICT education community.

Our meeting tomorrow will really decide the future of MacSchoolsNet. Has it run its race? Will it take of other directions?

Addendum: So what happened?
It was a really positive meeting. MacSchoolsNet is taking a break until 2011. We will do 4 meetings a year. Less formal stuff and more cutting edge stuff!

What’s Burning in eLearning? Session 6 - “The catering was pretty lousy! Professional learning without leaving your desk”

Thanks to Jo McLeay, Project Officer, Professional Learning, Victorian Information Technology Teachers' Association [VITTA] for being my guest this afternoon.

Recording Link: [For optimum success here copy and paste this link into your browser [ Firefox works well]. rather than clicking on the link. You should be asked for your name and an email address to access the recording]
https://sas.elluminate.com/p.jnlp?psid=2010-08-31.2340.D.7502D29627F59D7D6FC46968E51AD6.vcr&sid=2007026

• What professional learning can you do on your without leaving your desk?
• What are some of the hot Web 2.0 sites that you can use professional learning ?
• How do you set up and grow a Personal Learning Network?

• Meet my Guest:
Jo McLeay,
Project Officer, Professional Learning,
Victorian Information Technology Teachers’ Association [VITTA]

Synopsis
Mark will be in conversation with Jo McLeay, Professional Learning Officer, Victorian Information Technology Teachers’ Association on using online resources, tutorials, and social networking to set up a Personal Learning Network.
There was a time when teachers thought to have professional learning that they needed to leave your school, go to a venue and be "talked at" for a day. We now understand that teacher professional learning is much, much, wider than that. Part of this wider definition is the Personal Learning Network [PLN]. Using Web 2.0 tools such as blogs, wikis, Twitter, Facebook, you can have access to the best educational minds on the planet 24/7/365. Jo will demonstrate her favourite Web 2.0 tools forusing in a PLN and also give participants a list of great educators to follow on the internet. Participants will also be able to chat to Jo about their experiences with PLNs.

Structure of Session

• “Professional learning without leaving your desk”

• Let’s have a survey!
Which social networking website do you use the most for professional learning?
• A Social networking [e.g. Ning, Facebook]
• B Social bookmarking [e.g. Delicious, Diigo]
• C Wiki, Blog or Microblog [e.g. Twitter]
• D Web Conferencing [e.g. Elluminate, Skype]
• E None of the above

• “Professional learning without leaving your desk”
• Where do you start?
• What is Synchronous & Asynchronous?
• How do you build up a following in your PLN?
• How do you grow your PLN?
• What is the value of linking Web 2.0 tools together?

Let's go through these categories in detail

• Social networking [e.g. Ning, Facebook]
• Social bookmarking [e.g. Delicious, Diigo]
• Wiki, Blog or Microblog [e.g. Twitter]

• Web Conferencing [e.g. Elluminate, Skype]

What resources are there for teachers requiring further assistance? Try http://www.vitta.org.au/events/category/training-events

• Questions on Notice Panel & Audience Discussion
• Why do I need to use Web 2.0 tools?
• Why do I need a PLN?
• If I must have a PLN, what is the best Web 2.0 tool to use for my PLN?
• I’m a DEECD teacher, won’t all this be covered by the Ultranet anyway?
• What about my privacy? Won’t everyone find out personal stuff about me?
• Should students be part of my PLN?

Contact details
Mark Richardson
Williamstown Primary School
richardson.mark.m@edumail.vic.gov.au

ANSN 1 to 1 Learning Hub.

Jill and I have a great time running the first three days of the initial ANSN 1 to 1 Learning Hub. There is now a second proposed hub to be run in terms 3 & 4 in Melbourne [AU]. This workshop are for teams of teachers from schools who want to explore, present and reflect on the pedagogy of their 1 to 1 classrooms. If you are interested in joining us read below..

The 1 to 1 learning hub is designed for educators who want to develop their teaching practices for classes where each student has a laptop or for teachers who access a trolley of laptops that are used in a 1:1 learning situation. This hub would also suit schools that are considering going to a 1:1 program in an area of the school.
The aim of the hub is to enable groups of teachers from interested schools to design engaging and rigorous learning experiences for their students, whilst supporting one another in the learning. The hub caters for teachers in primary, secondary and special settings.
The ANSN has been at the forefront of rethinking schools and schooling in a changing world. The network fosters a cooperative learning environment based on an action research approach to learning.
Hub Aims:
• To build a learning and sharing community where ideas and good practice can be shared in a supportive environment
• To deliver a comprehensive training program so you will have confidence teaching where every student has access to a laptop
• To support student learning needs by exploring the opportunities for innovative teaching and learning using laptops
• To share and develop resources with other teachers to use back at school

1:1 Learning Program Outline:

Day 1, Thursday August 12th, 2010
Venue: Williamstown Primary School, Cecil St, Williamstown 3016
• Establishing a collaborative learning community
• Getting to know the learning community and its needs
• Essential questions about 1:1 learning and my teaching
• Investigating programs and resources
• Initiating Learning Journeys

Day 2, Thursday September 9th 2010
• Sharing experiences and working collaboratively
• Reflecting on our work
• School policies and documentation
• Investigating programs and resources
• Incorporating other technologies into effective 21st Century classrooms

Day 3, Wednesday October 13th 2010
• Sharing experiences and working collaboratively
• Reflecting on our work
• Engaging in current research of 1:1 implementation to inform our teaching practice
• Keeping students safe
• Continuing program and resource investigations
• Visiting 1:1 in action

Day 4, Thursday November 11th, 2010
• Sharing evidence of student learning
• Exploring new resources
• Online learning communities
• Presenting best practice of the use of 1:1 learning
• Continuing our learning – where to from here

Other delivery models available to suit your school’s special requirements

If you would like more information please contact:

Jill Reading: 0403 131 503 - reading.jill.z@edumail.vic.gov.au
Mark Richardson: 0404 460 845 - mark_rich@mac.com

Costs
$2,420 inc. GST per team of 3 teachers for the 4 day program $1,980 inc. GST per team of 3 teachers for the 4 day program (ANSN Member Schools)
To register complete the form below. Returning the completed form confirms your registration.
Email: joe.wickert@ansn.edu.au - Fax: (02) 9590 3416 - Mail: PO Box 544, Strawberry Hills, NSW, 2012.

DEEWR Integrating ICT Pedagogy in School Project /1

I’ve just completed five phase two workshops for this project [as state support for the project in Victoria] with Hanan, one of the two national facilitators. We drove 1500 kilometres, to 3 towns to conduct 5 workshops.

This is a national project in 20 rural and regional centres throughout Australia In summary this is the project: [from the publicity brochure] The project is professional learning for teachers: making ICT integral to teaching and learning Teaching through the use of ICT is a new way of working that can transform the way we facilitate student learning. DEEWR is conducting a three phase professional development program in ICT pedagogy for regional/rural school teachers at both primary and secondary level. The professional learning experience is in three phases: Phase 1 - Online self reflection and preparation; building connections and sharing resources Phase 2 - One formal seminar for professional conversation and professional development to connect teachers to ICT teaching techniques and online resources and assist in the development of individual action learning plans Phase 3 - School based action learning research project supported for three months by a Learning Mentor culminating in a celebration of learning. What is Action Learning? Participants through dialogue, reflection and sharing will solve real problems that are related to curriculum leadership. Why Action Learning? The action learning approach is based upon the premise that no learning occurs unless action and reflection is taken. This pilot program goes beyond providing participants with new information. The program requires participants to explore and implement new ideas, possible solutions and/or strategies that promote improved student learning outcomes within their own context. While embarking on this learning journey, participants are coached and mentored by learning mentors experienced in teaching through the use of ICT. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is funding the provision of workshops [5 in Victoria] to enhance the skills and knowledge of teachers and school leaders to enable the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the teaching of Mathematics, History, English and Sciences in Australian schools. What are the anticipated outcomes? • Teachers with enhanced knowledge and skills in the teaching of Mathematics, History, English and Sciences through the use of ICT in their classrooms. • A professional learning community comprised of workshop participants that focuses on sharing, reflecting and supporting participants through an ICT journey that is unique to each individual context. • A series of recommendations to develop a coherent, networked professional development program that empowers teachers to integrate ICT within their classrooms.
In the next post I will report on the phase two workshops in more detail.

Eastern Mac Users Group [eMug] - Inaugural Meeting

Deb and I were invited to the first meeting of eMug this afternoon at Ringwood North PS. This is a great group, thanks to the leadership of Adam and Sue. The group has had an online presence for a few months through its ning http://easternmacusersgroup.ning.com/. This ning is a tremendous resource for eMug and has about 100 members already.
The meeting was well attended with over 25 members. Deb and I were asked to go through the lessons we have learnt through MacSchoolsNet. Hopefully these are useful for the new group.
Here is the presentation for anyone who is interested. Download EMug August 2009 edit.

If you are a teacher in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne [and beyond], with an interest in Macs and education, join this group....

Hume Region [DEECD] Online Conference

This online conference [using Elluminate] is happening over three consecutive days [ starting today]. My session should you wish to listen is at 11:00 a.m, 04.08.2009 [GMT +10:00 ]

My topic, Building a  learning network in your town or region , brings together my experiences with MacSchoolsNet, Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association Professional Learning Networks [VITTA PLNs] and the Australia Government Quality Teaching Project [AGQTP} eConnect Project on Virtual Networking in Hobson’s Bay Network [Western Metropolitan Region, DEECD]. I will post how it went [and that my moderators get me through!]. For the benefit of anyone participating in this conference I will link this post to The Tyranny of Distance and the delivery of ICT professional development [Published in VITTA’s Infonet  19.1 [2009]] Download The Tyranny of Distance and the delivery of professional development

Postscript: I found presenting the session quite fun. I enjoyed interacting with the audience. Thanks to Libby and Priscilla, my moderators and Brendan or organising. If you are interested my session is at https://sas.elluminate.com/site/external/jwsdetect/playback.jnlp?psid=2009-08-03.1751.M.8DC7CD587863F70BF557BAD7E8F537.vcr

Virtual Learning Communities for Schools /1

Today Kevin and I, [and thanks to Jill for assistance in the PD session & David and Simon for building a dual boot image for me, so the 30 iMacs in my schools lab can run Windows under Bootcamp], ran our first session for the eConnect professional learning project. This is an AGQTP project which involves conferencing with webcams, headsets and MS Communicator for 25 schools in the Hobson's Bay Network of Western Metropolitan Region [DEECD, Melbourne, Australia].
Today we ran two "101 sessions" for 50 schools administrators.

Image of participants in one of the sessions [fuzzy on purpose to disguise identity]

... and also the cupcakes that followed!

 

More substantial info on this program too follow.........................

Elluminate Training & Hume Region Conference

I haven't used Elluminate much as as online conferencing tool. I've participated in a couple of DEECD Knowledgebank sessions over the years, and was involved in the testing of it for last year's WMR Ultranet NOW Conference in a school situation.
I've also recently listened to a debate about the cost effectiveness, limitations etc. of Elluminate in schools on EdTechTalk #118 post show.
However, it is still looks a good tools to run online conferences, particularly if your Education authority has bought the license [rather than as a cost to an the individual school].

The Hume Region of DEED, [North East Victoria], is running an online conference on Monday 3 August- Tuesday 4 August – Wednesday 5 August, 2009. I'm presenting on "Building a  learning network in your town or region"  This presentation is to encourage the set up of some VITTA Professional Learning Networks in that region.

Other Sessions for the conference will be on
Sharepoint V3
iPod Touch in the Classroom
Blogs and wikis in the classroom.
Dataloggers in science lessons
Online resources for Early Years classroom
Linking Special Education & Mainstream World  via Blogging
Classroom blogging in Early Years
Delicious and Diigo & Exploring free softwares
 'this is the Ultranet'  - the basics
Remote Control Response Paddles
Interactive Whiteboard - Multimedia production
Using Digital Learning Objects on Remote Tablets
Infomercials made by children!
PhotoStory and Audacity as aids to develop literacy skills

Anyway, yesterday was a 2.5 hour training session for presenters, which was really well organised. Good to meet the other presenters too

Will write on the conference later in the year.

Beyond Chalk at Williamstown PS

Two Wednesdays ago I had a had a great ICT  professional learning experience.

And I was able to do three things at once!

1. I saw the first ICT PD session I've organised for the Victorian Information Technology Teachers Association, [VITTA],happen. My job two days per week this year, is organising ICT professional learning, for VITTA, particularly for teachers from pre-school to year eight.
2. I was able to host this two hour event taken by Callie Whelan of Beyond Chalk, "Technology  & Education / Podcasting", at my school [ where I work for the other three days per week]
3. I was also able to participate in an ICT PD session without having to deliver the content!

Twenty people attended and after listening to Callie's keynote presentation on "Technology and Education" [in the ilk of Prensky, "Shift Happens" etc.,]  all participants learnt and then produced podcasts by the end of the session.

Callie and I met after the session and went through the evaluations. Teachers came from a number of schools, which most coming with colleagues [a great move!]. A number of specialist teachers attended [e.g. P.E. teachers, Librarians and music teachers], as well a generalist primary and secondary school teachers. Very positive feedback, with most wanting follow up sessions. VITTA and Beyond Chalk are looking at the possibilities of another session on blogging and movie making next term! Callie is also organising to work with school teams.

This session was to kick off VITTA's Professional Learning Networks in rural and regional Victoria. [See my earlier blogposts on PLNs.] As I write Callie is on the road presenting to a sell out crowd in Warrnambool, followed by well subscribed sessions next week in Mildura and Horsham. Other sessions will follow in a number of regional centres across Victoria.

Teacher responses on VITTA and Beyond Chalk taking ICT professional learning to country Victoria has been overwhelmingly supportive and something which will continue.