Outstanding ACT educator recognised by the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

Congratulations to Bonython Primary School’s STEM Specialist Teacher (K-6), Mrs Sarah Fletcher, who has received the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Primary Schools, at the 2020 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.

<https://www.education.act.gov.au/about-us/all-news-and-news-alerts/news-items/october-2020/outstanding-act-educator-recognised-by-the-prime-ministers-prizes-for-science>

Australian schools must build upon 2020's digital learning lessons

As school communities across Australia embark on the final term of the most disruptive year of their lives, it is worth reflecting on the lessons learned after all we have been through.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/australian-schools-must-build-upon-2020s-digital-learning-lessons/273862>

Children as content creators: ‘Learning by doing’ during the pandemic using technology

Instructional design in education – that is successfully designing what a student will learn and how they will learn it, both online and physical – is currently experiencing unprecedented attention and growth, which could prove to be one of the best things to come out of the chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. All educators who are planning and preparing lessons for students to learn at home will be currently grappling with Instructional design.

<https://www.aare.edu.au/blog/?p=5561>

Strategies for inclusive STEM learning environments

Teachers play an important role in STEM engagement, encouragement and as role models, with 24 per cent of teachers being cited by youth as the most influential people for STEM subject selection (Department of Industry, 2020).<https://esanews.createsend1.com/t/r-l-juwuddd-l-u/>

Great teachers, teaching great Digital Technologies lesson

Did you know many of the lesson ideas and examples on the Digital Technologies Hub are developed by passionate educators? The Digital Technologies Hub team thanks these educators for extending themselves and sharing their fantastic lessons with us.

<https://esanews.createsend1.com/t/r-l-juwuddd-l-z/>

Harvard Business School Professor Jeff Bussgang On The Future Of Education

As we continue to embark on the new normal, 2020 has brought us an entirely new way that students learn. From Kindergarten to MBAs, students are immersed in distance learning, and the one unifying factor is that technology connects the classroom. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella furthered this point in his quarterly earnings call, “We’ve seen two years’ worth of digital transformation in two months.”

<https://www.forbes.com/sites/katetalbot/2020/10/29/harvard-business-school-professor-jeff-bussgang-on-the-future-of-education/>

Many teachers don’t use technology in the classroom often: Here’s how to change that

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has caused one of the largest disruptions to education in history, with school and university closures in some 190 countries at the peak of the crisis affecting more than 1.6 billion students around the globe (about 94% of the world’s student population). As of 25 October, UNESCO was still reporting country-wide school closures in 31 countries, impacting nearly 580 million students worldwide.

<https://oecdedutoday.com/teachers-use-technology-classroom-change/>

Are students ready to thrive in an interconnected world? The first PISA assessment of global competence provides some answers

The backdrop to 21st century education is our endangered environment. Growing populations, resource depletion and climate change compel all of us to think about sustainability and the needs of future generations. At the same time, the interaction between technology and globalisation has created new challenges and new opportunities. Digitalisation is connecting people, cities, countries and continents in ways that vastly increase our individual and collective potential. But the same forces have also made the world volatile, complex and uncertain.

<https://oecdedutoday.com/students-ready-thrive-interconnected-world-first-pisa-assessment-global-competence/>

Educating healthy and happy children in the digital age

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was a forceful reminder that schools are not just places of academic learning. They are part of the social fabric of our lives, and a large body of evidence sets out the important role they play in ensuring well-being and community.

<https://oecdedutoday.com/educating-healthy-happy-children-digital-age/>

The Importance Of Technology In Education [registration]

Robert E. Kahn and Vint Cerf have changed the way people learn, work, and interact with each other through the invention of Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocols which were the main inventions that lead to the development of the internet. The internet has affected how we learn, how we communicate, how business works, and how our brain works. Before the internet, people always had to learn face to face or reading from a book. Classrooms were normally very hands-on, and if the teacher assigned a project, scheduling with a partner to work on it is impossible.

<https://www.bartleby.com/essay/The-Importance-Of-Technology-In-Education-FZRCXUN2GQR>

Best practice examples of the Digital School

The idea of 1:1 education is further developed in the USA, so I’ll take some examples from there.

<https://acceleratedlearning.com/learning/archives/924>

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SCHOOLS AND CLASSROOM

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Coronavirusspecial edition: Back to school

The COVID 19 pandemic has disrupted education around the world. As the first shock passes, planning is taking place on two timescales: the short-term challenges in the return to school, and the challenges over the next 18-24 months as systems work to build resilience and adaptability for the future.

<http://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/Spotlight-21-Coronavirus-special-edition-Back-to-school.pdf>

Disrupting the education paradigm

As we continue getting used to our kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms doubling as offices, virtual meeting rooms, and classrooms, many people are starting to ask, “What’s next?” And since more than 1.5 billion learners in 165 countries have been affected by COVID-19 school closures, parents, teachers, students, and decision-makers are asking the same question about education. Thankfully, some of the most prominent leaders in the field are gathering to develop answers that deliver on the promise of quality learning and inclusivity.

<https://www.bettshow.com/bett-articles/disrupting-the-education-paradigm>

How can youth navigate the sea of disinformation to become good digital citizens?

“Trust in governments, politicians and in all major institutions including schools, doctors and hospitals, is in question. And in that context social media only serves to exacerbate the problem. There are huge challenges for all of us over what to believe and the pandemic has highlighted the fact that even the experts often aren't sure. In this context, it is vital that we support young people to engage as thoughtful and active participants in democracy,” says Joseph Kahne, Co-director of the Civic Engagement Research Group (CERG) at the University of California.

<https://en.unesco.org/news/how-can-youth-navigate-sea-disinformation-become-good-digital-citizens>

Global Education Coalition facilitates free internet access for distance education in several countries

Major mobile telephone operators that are part of UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition have stepped up efforts to improve connectivity by providing free access to online educational content for students in all regions of the world affected by Covid-19 induced school closures.

<https://en.unesco.org/news/global-education-coalition-facilitates-free-internet-access-distance-education-several>

Online Reading Comprehension: Expanding Students Understanding on the Internet [American Based Research Journal]

Abstract: This paper aims to analyze mainstream technology and Internet-based learning and attempts to explore the possibilities of incorporating digital text into the curriculum. Where this paper came to answer two important questions namely how can technology increase reading comprehension skills and make readers more efficient in their L2? What is the position of teachers and students of English as a foreign language about the Internet application in the classroom?. This paper found that the reader can connect with the ideas and incorporate them into previously gained information; also, improving reading comprehension skills primarily requires motivation, mental frameworks for holding ideas, concentration and good study techniques. Moreover, Realizing and understanding the text is much more complex and practical than vocabulary familiarity.

<https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3585707>

A is for accessibility: How to make remote learning work for everyone

When it comes to equity and access in education, nothing is more important than making sure our digital tools are accessible to all learners—especially now as distance learning becomes the norm. I’m a proud member of the disability community, and I come from a family of special education teachers and paraprofessionals. So I’ve seen firsthand how creative educators and digital tools can elevate the learning experience for students with disabilities. It’s been amazing to see how tools like select-to-speak help students improve reading comprehension as they listen while reading along or assist students who have low vision. And tools like voice typing in Docs can greatly benefit students who have physical disabilities that limit their ability to use a keyboard.

<https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/global-accessibility-awareness-day-2020/>

Teachers Supporting Teachers

We all know a teacher. A dedicated, loving, do-anything-for-their-kids teacher. And with schools closed around the world, keeping their students engaged — and learning — just got a little harder. So one educator in Thailand created a community where her colleagues can share ideas and support each other professionally — and personally — during these unprecedented times.

<https://about.fb.com/news/2020/05/teachers-supporting-teachers/> 

The Role and Impact of ICT in Improving the Quality of Education

Abstract: ICTs are making dynamic changes in society. They are influencing all aspects of life. Similarly, there is no doubt that ICT brings a massive change in the field of education also. It makes teaching- learning process effective and interesting. To know the impact of ICT in education we need to know two basic things- ICT and education.

<https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3585228>

What's the harm in Zoom schooling or contact tracing?

The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated digitalization at schools, in health care and other social interaction. Some say the rapid change was unimaginable just a few years ago. Is it a threat to our online privacy?

<https://www.dw.com/en/whats-the-harm-in-zoom-schooling-or-contact-tracing/a-53568876>

in: Understanding Education in the age of Digital Divide

Derived from a Latin word “ Educatum” it means the act of teaching or training. The training to nourish the good qualities in human beings and to bring out the best in every individual. Education seeks to develop the innate capacities of man. To educate individual is to give him some desirable knowledge, understanding skills, interests, attitudes and critical thinking. It is education which enables individual to differentiate between good and evil.

<https://countercurrents.org/2020/06/understanding-education-in-the-age-of-digital-divide/>

id: Editorial: Stick to remote learning

After months staying at home, Indonesian students have been either learning remotely or not at all since the government closed schools in March. Outside students in cities who have good internet access and personal computers, students in rural or remote areas are denied the possibility of remote classes on Zoom or Google Meet. Some teachers have been braving rough terrain to reach students’ houses to provide one-on-one lessons. But they can only do so much, depending on the number of students in their class.

<https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2020/06/03/stick-to-remote-learning.html>

np: Preparing schools for a changing digital landscape

In the last two decades, the world has witnessed a dramatic shift in both its educational and technical landscapes. Nepal has attempted to follow suit.

<https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/preparing-schools-for-a-changing-digital-landscape/>

eu: Tackling inequalities in online and distance learning

The shift to online and distance learning in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on all of us – but especially on vulnerable social groups, who are facing different challenges due to school closures.

<https://www.schooleducationgateway.eu/en/pub/latest/news/tackling-inequalities.htm>

us: How Technology, Coronavirus Will Change Teaching by 2025

In 2015, Elliot Soloway and Cathie Norris made some predictions about what education technology would look like in 2020. Soloway and Norris have long worked as a team to research ed tech and help districts put it into practice. In early March, Education Week caught up with them by phone when they were in Paris to speak at an ed-tech conference. We asked them how their 2015 predictions had fared. Then, we talked again in late April, when the coronavirus had suddenly transformed K-12 education into a massive remote learning system.

<https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/06/03/how-technology-coronavirus-will-change-teaching-by.html>

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INTERNATIONAL

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What happened on the first fully virtual Girls in ICT Day?

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, Girls in ICT Day 2020 went fully virtual. ITU News spoke to Akanksha Bisoyi, a participant and part of the organizing team, to learn more about the event.

<https://news.itu.int/what-happened-on-the-first-fully-virtual-girls-in-ict-day/>

The future of jobs for today’s students

With the current situation leaving many uncertain of their future, ACS International School Doha, took a step further by analyzing today’s economic trends to predict the demand of tomorrow’s jobs.

<https://www.relocatemagazine.com/articles/education-acs-the-future-of-jobs-for-todays-students>

Best Practice for Long Distance Reading Instruction

One of the main challenges of teaching over the internet is continuing to provide systematic, and individualized, reading instruction. As personal interaction with students is curtailed, it is critical that educators enact strategies that compensate for the interactivity of the classroom. Adapting best practices from Scholastic’s Guided Reading programme could help you to enhance every assignment.

<https://www.bettshow.com/bett-articles/best-practice-for-long-distance-reading-instruction>

uk: What do we want education to look like in the future?

The Edge Foundation asks key figures from colleges, schools and beyond what we've learned about education in the crisis

<https://www.tes.com/news/Coronavirus-what-has-it-taught-us-about-education>

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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.

• 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. 

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