Edtech is treating students like products. Here’s how we can protect children’s digital rights

Schools’ use of educational technologies (edtech) grew exponentially at the height of COVID lockdowns. A recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report has exposed children’s rights violations by providers of edtech endorsed by governments in Australia and overseas.

<https://theconversation.com/edtech-is-treating-students-like-products-heres-how-we-can-protect-childrens-digital-rights-184312>

Remote learning was even tougher for migrant parents. Here’s what they want schools to know in case lockdowns return

When COVID forced school closures, many parents found themselves more involved than ever with their children’s learning. For some parents, it was hard work but broadly achievable. Many migrant parents, however, found themselves at a distinct disadvantage.

<https://theconversation.com/remote-learning-was-even-tougher-for-migrant-parents-heres-what-they-want-schools-to-know-in-case-lockdowns-return-183039>

Remote learning reshapes education tech development

WHEN THE COVID-19 pandemic hit and forced people to adapt to working and learning remotely in their homes, extra creativity was required to ensure students still had access to education. Not only did Sydney-based maths teacher Holly Millican find new ways to teach and keep her students engaged, but she learned lots of new tricks that she continues to use in her classroom today.

<https://premium.theeducatoronline.com/k12-au-exclusivefeature-remotelearningreshapeseducationtechdevelopment/p/1>

Swinburne alum’s gaming app transforms education and training across the globe

Swinburne business alum, educator, entrepreneur and CEO of Quitch, Dr Gráinne Oates, is revolutionising education and training through a multi-award-winning gamified app called Quitch. Since its development in 2015, Quitch has become a global success across the education sector via high schools and universities alongside the corporate sector with users spanning various industries.

<https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2022/06/swinburne-alum-gaming-app-transforms-education-and-training/>

Edtech is treating students like products. Here’s how we can protect children’s digital rights

Schools’ use of educational technologies (edtech) grew exponentially at the height of COVID lockdowns. A recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report has exposed children’s rights violations by providers of edtech endorsed by governments in Australia and overseas.

<https://theconversation.com/edtech-is-treating-students-like-products-heres-how-we-can-protect-childrens-digital-rights-184312>

Remote learning was even tougher for migrant parents. Here’s what they want schools to know in case lockdowns return

When COVID forced school closures, many parents found themselves more involved than ever with their children’s learning. For some parents, it was hard work but broadly achievable. Many migrant parents, however, found themselves at a distinct disadvantage.

<https://theconversation.com/remote-learning-was-even-tougher-for-migrant-parents-heres-what-they-want-schools-to-know-in-case-lockdowns-return-183039>

Remote learning reshapes education tech development

WHEN THE COVID-19 pandemic hit and forced people to adapt to working and learning remotely in their homes, extra creativity was required to ensure students still had access to education. Not only did Sydney-based maths teacher Holly Millican find new ways to teach and keep her students engaged, but she learned lots of new tricks that she continues to use in her classroom today.

<https://premium.theeducatoronline.com/k12-au-exclusivefeature-remotelearningreshapeseducationtechdevelopment/p/1>

Swinburne alum’s gaming app transforms education and training across the globe

Swinburne business alum, educator, entrepreneur and CEO of Quitch, Dr Gráinne Oates, is revolutionising education and training through a multi-award-winning gamified app called Quitch. Since its development in 2015, Quitch has become a global success across the education sector via high schools and universities alongside the corporate sector with users spanning various industries.

<https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2022/06/swinburne-alum-gaming-app-transforms-education-and-training/>

Considerations For and Against Online Education

With the pandemic shifting social expectations of conducting business and learning at home, various educational institutions have begun providing online-only learning options even as in class classes have slowly returned during 2021 and 2022.

<https://technofaq.org/posts/2022/06/considerations-for-and-against-online-education/>

Girls Just Wanna Have STEM!

McLaren Automotive has teamed with children’s rights charity Plan International to commission a survey of school girls regarding their interest in science, technology, engineering, and math-based careers and the overwhelming majority said they want to pursue science professionally.

<https://www.designnews.com/automotive-engineering/girls-just-wanna-have-stem>

New $1 million fund to close the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education across Asia

A new STEM Fund has been launched, by the Micron Foundation and the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN) which will fund innovative solutions that are increasing gender diversity and equity in schools in India, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia. So far the fund has pooled $1 million in its first round, from Lenovo Foundation, XTX Markets and BHP. The STEM Fund will support solutions that are improving the STEM learning outcomes of girls below 18 years old.

<https://www.alliancemagazine.org/blog/new-1-million-fund-to-close-the-gender-gap-in-science-technology-engineering-and-math-education-across-asia/>

Edtech is treating students like products. Here’s how we can protect children’s digital rights

Schools’ use of educational technologies (edtech) grew exponentially at the height of COVID lockdowns. A recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report has exposed children’s rights violations by providers of edtech endorsed by governments in Australia and overseas.

<https://theconversation.com/edtech-is-treating-students-like-products-heres-how-we-can-protect-childrens-digital-rights-184312>

Research aims to refine digital learning to help children stay on track

Small children with new technology have always fascinated Kim Maslin. That sets the WA educator apart from many parents and teachers who view iPads and smartphones in the hands of primary schoolers with a pang of anxiety.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-13/digital-learning-refined-to-help-children-stay-on-track/101145160>

Remote learning reshapes education tech development

While the pandemic created chaos as schools scrambled to keep students learning remotely through lockdowns, two years later some of the innovative solutions to this challenge are bringing new benefits to classroom teaching

<https://premium.theeducatoronline.com/k12-au-exclusivefeature-remotelearningreshapeseducationtechdevelopment/p/1>

Aussie edtech company launches ambitious hybrid teaching and learning build

The average Australian student spends over 11,000 hours in the classroom by the time they complete their school journey, but for those who find their learning content cluttered and confusing, this journey can be a tiresome and often disheartening one.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/aussie-edtech-company-launches-ambitious-hybrid-teaching-and-learning-build/280404>

How schools can make technology safer for kids to use

For today’s younger generation of teachers, educational apps are about as commonplace and familiar as textbooks. However, for many teachers who began their placement before the advent of the Internet, the mass proliferation of digital technologies was a surreal, confronting experience.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/how-schools-can-make-technology-safer-for-kids-to-use/280402>

Deadly Science founder Corey Tutt receives Queen's Birthday Honour for service to Indigenous STEM

The founder of the charity Deadly Science has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to Indigenous STEM — science, technology, engineering, and maths education.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-13/deadly-science-founder-corey-tutt-queens-birthday-honour/101142408>

Podcast special: Deadly Science with Corey Tutt

In this podcast special, we’re joined by Corey Tutt OAM, founder and CEO of Deadly Science – an organisation that provides science resources to remote schools in Australia, to inspire and celebrate the next generation of Indigenous people in STEM.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/podcast-special-deadly-science-with-corey-tutt>

Researching education: Five further readings on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

With the growing use of STEM across various industries in Australia, how can we ensure equitable opportunities and pathways for all students? How can schools build successful partnerships with industry specialists to rethink STEM education? In this article, we outline five further readings which explore STEM education in Australia.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/researching-education-five-further-readings-on-science-technology-engineering-and-mathematics-stem>

Get crypto-cool for school: Talking about investment risks and rewards in the classroom

With plenty of ‘get rich quick’ hype circulating around social media, and well-marketed trading apps luring people in to investing, it’s important to understand cryptocurrency. In this context, schools and teachers have an important role to play. Here, Dr Carly Sawatzki, Dr Jill Brown and Peter Saffin explore how teachers can understand students’ learning needs in this area.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/get-crypto-cool-for-school-talking-about-investment-risks-and-rewards-in-the-classroom>

Sydney students take lead to boost mental health, address online challenges

About 300 student leaders from 40 schools across Sydney last week gathered to learn how they could boost young people’s wellbeing during a student-led and designed conference.

<https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-students-take-lead-to-boost-mental-health-address-online-challenges-20220613-p5at9c.html>

New exhibitions take Byte of vital STEM subjects

New Questacon exhibitions on display at four sites across Lake Macquarie aim to give kids a hands-on introduction to computer programming, algorithms and other STEM concepts.

<https://www.lakemac.com.au/News-articles/New-exhibitions-take-Byte-of-vital-STEM-subjects>

Bathurst High students among the first to participate in STEM program [subscription]

<https://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/7772327/high-school-students-improving-their-stem-skills/>

Innovating in children’s best interests for a ‘fair’ digital world

The Digital Futures Commission aims to make children’s best interests a primary consideration in the design of the digital environment. We keep a lookout for good practices and guidelines to help digital innovators embed children’s best interests in their products and services. The Age Appropriate Design Code (the Code) is the first statutory Code of Practice for children’s data protection. Matching the Code’s child rights focus are UNICEF’s Manifesto on Good Data Governance for Children and Policy Guidance on AI for children. Common to all three is the concept of ‘fairness.’ In this blog, Ayça Atabey discusses what is meant by fairness in today’s digital world and why it matters.

<https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/parenting4digitalfuture/2022/06/08/innovating/>

Our changing nature: Education in a hybrid world

“We’ll be able to feel present – like we’re right there with people no matter how far apart we actually are”. With these words, Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg announced the company rebranding as Meta, sketching his futuristic plan to build the “metaverse”, a place where physical and virtual worlds collide through the power of extended reality.

<https://oecdedutoday.com/hybrid-world-education/>

Blended learning for inclusion

Blended learning is a mix of different learning environments and tools that can open up a world of possibility for learners, regardless of their background and abilities. In this article, we will look at how digital technology can encourage inclusion and see some case studies and practices that show inclusive education in action.

<https://www.schooleducationgateway.eu/en/pub/latest/news/blended-learning-for-inclusion.htm>

Incorporating blended learning in the classroom

Blended learning is an approach to education that combines a range of learning environments and digital and non-digital learning tools. The following resources and practices show a number of ways that blended learning can be incorporated into any education plan.

<<https://www.schooleducationgateway.eu/en/pub/latest/practices/incorporating-blended-learning.htm>

Blended learning in Steiner Waldorf schools

Blended learning in schools today usually means the use of digital technology to supplement traditional methods of teaching and learning. Martyn Rawson explains that Steiner Waldorf education understands blended learning in a broader sense – one that starts from direct, bodily experience and progresses to the use of digital media.

<https://www.schooleducationgateway.eu/en/pub/viewpoints/experts/blended-steiner-waldorf.htm>

OECD webinar: Re-thinking education from the classroom up: What teachers think about the future of schooling

Despite the impact of better technology and a constantly shifting socio-political landscape, the way we educate our younger generation has remained largely unchanged in most countries for a number of decades. And yet, these same technological developments and societal upheavals – including but not limited to the pandemic – are fundamentally altering the way we live our lives on a global scale, meaning that traditional education models are looking more and more outdated and no longer fit for purpose. If education wants to keep up with the times, we may have to completely re-think the role of schools. But what does that actually mean for teaching and learning?

<https://meetoecd1.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Zp3lK10rRlq_dJYW0luNtg>

The Anywhere School 2022

Each year, my team and I speak with thousands of educators around the world to better understand how students and teachers are using technology in the classroom. We do this to help educators amplify their efforts and, most importantly, help students pursue their personal potential. Today, we’re sharing new updates to Chromebooks, Google Classroom and Google Meet to set up teachers and students for success ahead of the next school year.

<https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/theanywhereschool-overview/>

Adapting products to meet teachers’ changing needs

As we build our products, it’s essential to listen to user feedback. That’s how we help make them useful for the people using them — and more inclusive, too. Our Google for Education team has a long history of directly involving schools in user research studies to better understand what they need. This connection to educators and students has made it easier to adapt our products as schools’ unique needs change over time. Here’s how we’ve done just that.

<https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/theanywhereschool-uxr/>

Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) Briefing

Safer Technology 4 Schools (ST4S) is a national privacy and security initiative for digital products in K-12 education. The initiative is a framework to provide a standardised approach to evaluating digital products and services for use in schools across Australia.

<https://edugrowth.org.au/2022/06/07/safer-technologies-4-schools-st4s-briefing/>

Inspiring the next generation of female scientists and engineers

The world has changed a lot over the last few years. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the essential role that science plays to respond to some of our biggest challenges says Misha Schubert, CEO of Science & Technology Australia – the nations peak body for science and technology representing more than 90,000 members.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/inspiring-the-next-generation-of-female-scientists-and-engineers/>

Building digital intelligence in the middle years with Digital Licence+

A ground-breaking educational program for Australian students to build digital skills and competencies has been launched by national children’s not-for-profit, The Alannah & Madeline Foundation, in partnership with international digital intelligence think tank, The DQ Institute, and supported by global technology leader, Accenture Australia.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/building-digital-intelligence-in-the-middle-years-with-digital-licence/>

220,000 students benefit from $365.8 million Rural Access Gap program

More than 220,000 students in regional and remote areas of NSW are benefiting from the NSW Government’s $365.8 million Rural Access Gap (RAG) program, supplying digital devices to break the digital barrier and lead a tech revolution.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/220000-students-benefit-from-365-8-million-rural-access-gap-program/>

Teachers speak out about 'atrocious' staff shortages crippling many NSW public schools

The school bell rings and the halls fill with yelling and scuffling as a mass movement of teenagers makes its way along a corridor. ... By the end of 2020, Simon feared his school wouldn't be able to fill its staff. Then, in 2021, the NSW government inadvertently made the stress on schools worse. To tackle kids slipping behind through lockdowns and remote learning, the Department of Education introduced the COVID Intensive Learning Support Program, or COVID ILSP. It relied partly on casual teachers as tutors.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-04/teacher-shortages-nsw-public-schools-covid-department-education/101121632>

EduTECH 2022 – Digitisation • Creativity • Diversity

EduTECH 2022 is set to take place in Melbourne at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 10 & 11 August. With two years of pent-up demand and an eagerness to upskill and reconnect in-person, the education sector is extremely excited to be returning to a face-to-face event format.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/edutech-2022-digitisation-creativity-diversity/>

Investing in a Testbed…for EdTech Companies

There are key benefits for all stakeholders involved in a testbed trial. For EdTech companies, direct consumer feedback and quick adoption by a new partner, are just a couple of the exciting prospects of joining a program of this model.

<https://edugrowth.org.au/2022/06/08/investing-in-testbed-edtech/>

Networking and Cybersecurity workshop

For teachers delivering the first ACTBSSS unit of Networking and CyberSecurity Lake Tuggeranong College is hosting a workshop.

<https://inteact.act.edu.au/2022/06/01/networking-and-cybersecurity-workshop/>

As COVID and influenza cases increase, some students have been forced back to remote learning

In a cruel reminder of the past two years, Albury High School had to go back to remote learning this week. After an outbreak of COVID among students and teachers, coupled with rising influenza cases, the school was advised to move years 8, 9 and 10 to remote learning for a three-day circuit breaker.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-04/albury-high-students-remote-learning-teachers-covid-flu/101124930>

Remote learning was even tougher for migrant parents. Here’s what they want schools to know in case lockdowns return

When COVID forced school closures, many parents found themselves more involved than ever with their children’s learning. For some parents, it was hard work but broadly achievable. Many migrant parents, however, found themselves at a distinct disadvantage.

<https://theconversation.com/remote-learning-was-even-tougher-for-migrant-parents-heres-what-they-want-schools-to-know-in-case-lockdowns-return-183039>

Google Classroom: Making your favorite educational tools work better together

For educators, there are always a few top of mind questions: how can they optimize their time and find ways to help each student learn effectively? With Classroom, we’re working to help solve these problems so educators can focus more on teaching and students can experience new approaches to make learning more personal.

<https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/theanywhereschool-classroom/>

Adapting products to meet teachers’ changing needs

As we build our products, it’s essential to listen to user feedback. That’s how we help make them useful for the people using them — and more inclusive, too. Our Google for Education team has a long history of directly involving schools in user research studies to better understand what they need. This connection to educators and students has made it easier to adapt our products as schools’ unique needs change over time. Here’s how we’ve done just that.

<https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/theanywhereschool-uxr/> 

The Anywhere School 2022

Each year, my team and I speak with thousands of educators around the world to better understand how students and teachers are using technology in the classroom. We do this to help educators amplify their efforts and, most importantly, help students pursue their personal potential. Today, we’re sharing new updates to Chromebooks, Google Classroom and Google Meet to set up teachers and students for success ahead of the next school year.

<https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/theanywhereschool-overview/>

Helping every student learn how they learn best

I often think about what Laura Allen, a Googler who leads our accessibility and disability inclusion work and is low vision, shared with me about her experience growing up using assistive technology in school. She said: “Technology should help children learn the way they need to learn, it shouldn’t be a thing that makes them feel different in the classroom.”

<https://www.blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/global-accessibility-awareness-day--2022/>

Time to listen to teachers on digital future

Few primary school teachers have the high-level proficiency needed to implement Australia’s digital curriculum in their classrooms, but not for a lack of effort.

<https://www.usq.edu.au/news/2022/06/teachers-digital-future>

ACS releases major computer education report

ACS has released a comprehensive new report on the state of Digital Technologies education in Australia, urging for more ICT-qualified teachers in the classroom.

<https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2022/acs-releases-major-computer-education-report.html>

World-first tool to increase digital literacy in young people and help bridge digital divide [Alannah & Madeline Foundation news release]

A world-first educational tool to help students grow their digital literacy skills and bridge the digital divide in regions with low levels of digital inclusion is being launched.

<https://www.miragenews.com/world-first-tool-to-increase-digital-literacy-793271/>

Are primary teachers confident in teaching technology?

Over the last two years, the pandemic has seen technology thrust to the forefront of teaching and learning, not to mention the new Australian Curriculum, which will see a greater focus on improving young people’s digital literacy.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/are-primary-teachers-confident-in-teaching-technology/280289>

Fallout of COVID-19 on Children's Education Not Over Yet

A national survey of more than 1,100 parents and carers whose children are supported by The Smith Family, has revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to deeply impact children’s education, due to ongoing disruptions to 'normal' schooling, the after-effects of home learning and other urgent issues faced by families in need.

<https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au/about-us/media/2022/fallout-of-covid-19-on-childrens-education-not-over-yet>

How culture and identity can enrich the school learning journey through technology [Sept 2021]

In June 2021, One Education Foundation supported our first Cultural Exchange event involving Cairns West State School (Queensland), Hilltop Road Public School and Richmond North Public School (New South Wales).

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjSBiweaoFU>

New report lays out vision for future of Australian schools

With a new Federal Government in place, now is the time “to act boldly” for the benefit of all young people, urges a new report by The Mitchell Institute.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/new-report-lays-out-vision-for-future-of-australian-schools/280330>

How one Sydney school got students reading in the social media age

Like many of her friends, year 10 student Penny Jin used to love reading when she was in primary school. But a busy schedule and change in priorities meant her love of books slowly waned.

<https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/how-one-sydney-school-got-students-reading-in-the-social-media-age-20220517-p5am3e.html>

Goulburn High School Robotics Team places in top 18 per cent of world at Dallas World Championships [subscription]

<https://www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/7764382/goulburn-robotics-team-places-in-top-18-per-cent-of-world/>

Plagiarism Checker Alternatives to Turnitin (for K-12)

It was never a mystery that teachers get so many papers to check before a specific deadline that they’re often ready to drop everything and fall asleep at the end of the day. Irritation and stress from such tasks are like poison that makes instructors lose energy and harms their nerves.

<https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2022/05/plagiarism-checker-alternatives-to.html>

Want to expand computer science education? Educate more teachers

When advocates push for computer science education, usually they’re talking about boosting the number of schools offering computer science classes – with the intent to reach more students. But from our perspective as scholars of computer science education, a key factor is how many teachers are qualified to teach the subject.

<https://theconversation.com/want-to-expand-computer-science-education-educate-more-teachers-181697>

Investigation reveals tracking by EdTech of millions of Australian school students during COVID lockdowns

More than 4 million Australian school students were at risk of unprecedented tracking and surveillance during remote learning as corporations exploited their access to children.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-25/investigation-reveals-educational-tech-tracking-children-data/101091808>

Millions of Australian school students tracked by education technology companies during lockdown

Tonight 7:30 can reveal the results of an exclusive investigation revealing how education technology companies treated the data of millions of Australian school children.

<https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/millions-of-australian-school-students-tracked-by/13899246>

Governments Harm Children’s Rights in Online Learning

Governments of 49 of the world’s most populous countries harmed children’s rights by endorsing online learning products during Covid-19 school closures without adequately protecting children’s privacy, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The report was released simultaneously with publications by media organizations around the world that had early access to the Human Rights Watch findings and engaged in an independent collaborative investigation.

<https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/05/25/governments-harm-childrens-rights-online-learning>

Students, Not Products

We think our kids are safe in school online. But many of them are being surveilled, and parents have often been kept in the dark. Kids are priceless, not products.

<https://www.hrw.org/StudentsNotProducts>

‘Dystopian’: Govt-endorsed education apps surveilling Australian children

A number of education apps and websites endorsed by Australian governments and used throughout the pandemic have been surveilling and tracking children and sending their data to advertisers, according to a report by Human Rights Watch.

<https://www.innovationaus.com/dystopian-govt-endorsed-education-apps-surveilling-australian-children/>

Census provides snapshot of how Australia’s youngest learners fared during COVID-19

The latest Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) that shows Australian children have been remarkably resilient during the COVID-19 pandemic.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/census-provides-snapshot-of-how-australias-youngest-learners-fared-during-covid-19/>

Kids in remote areas lag in learning development – new research

New data analysis released by The Front Project has found the percentage of children experiencing developmental vulnerability before they start school is significantly higher in remote and outer regional areas than in cities.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/kids-in-remote-areas-lag-in-learning-development--new-research/280267>

Infographic: Student reading in a digital age

An OECD report 21st-Century Readers: Developing Literacy Skills in a Digital World analyses data from the 2018 PISA test and student survey to report on the reading habits of 15-year-olds in OECD countries. Find out more about how reading in digital and paper formats affects students’ reading performance and enjoyment in today's infographic.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/infographic-student-reading-in-a-digital-age>

School Improvement Episode 39: Focusing on the priorities

How have things changed for schools over the last two years of the pandemic, and what are the improvement priorities now for teachers, principals and communities on the ground? Professor Pauline Taylor-Guy joins us for the latest episode in our School Improvement podcast series.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/school-improvement-episode-39-focusing-on-the-priorities>

Game-based program helps autistic kids learn social skills

A successful game-based program that teaches social skills to neurodiverse children and teenagers has been secured the University of Melbourne’s backing to drive its expansion.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/gamebased-program-helps-autistic-kids-learn-social-skills/280271>

How to supercharge your school’s video learning in 2022

In 2018, a report by Cisco predicted that 82% of all created content would be video. However, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted learning from face-to-face to online over the course of 2020, where ClickView saw a staggering 138% increase in video demand.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/how-to-supercharge-your-schools-video-learning-in-2022/280173>

Education Ministers agree a new curriculum

Australian schools will have a new curriculum to teach in schools from 2023 after Education Ministers endorsed the revised Version 9.0 of the Australian Curriculum.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/education-ministers-agree-a-new-australian-curriculum/>

Almost 60% of teachers say they want out. What is Labor going to do for an exhausted school sector?

During the 2022 federal election campaign, schools barely rated a mention. While the Labor government’s cabinet will not be finalised until next week, we expect Tanya Plibersek to become education minister. She will have plenty to do.

<https://theconversation.com/almost-60-of-teachers-say-they-want-out-what-is-labor-going-to-do-for-an-exhausted-school-sector-183452>

Lockdowns caused 'high psychological distress' in 70pc of high school students, study finds

A national survey of young people taken during 2021's pandemic and lockdowns has found more than 70 per cent of students whose studies were disrupted faced high psychological distress.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-25/lockdown-mental-health-effects-students-research/101094088>

AIIA urge Labor to appoint dedicated Digital Minister following election victory [AIIA news release]

Australia's peak body for innovation technology, the Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA), congratulates the incoming Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his team following its victory at the federal election.

<https://35hddx2cwawgt701l2sq0v5c-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AIIA-Response-to-Federal-Election.pdf>

Wagga Wagga students crowned national STEM champions

Four senior students from Wagga Wagga Christian College recently travelled to Melbourne to compete in the National Finals for the SUBS in Schools Technology Challenge, where they were able to show off 18 months of work. The team known as 'The Kraken' built and controlled an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) which they describe as an 'submarine of sorts'.

<https://www.abc.net.au/radio/riverina/programs/breakfast/wagga-christian-school-stem-champions/13896068>

Introducing the New Microsoft Learn Educator Center

In support of assisting educators, school leaders, and training partners in the changing education landscape, we are excited to invite the education community to try the Microsoft Learn Educator Center. It is Microsoft’s centralized training and professional development platform where you can explore resources for educators and learn about programs, professional development offerings, and Microsoft technologies that advance teaching and learning practices. The Microsoft Learn Educator Center has replaced the Microsoft Educator Center (MEC) as our new home for the education community.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/05/introducing-the-new-microsoft-learn-educator-center>

From the 'deserts of Western Australia to everywhere in between', Red Dirt Robotics is shaping the next generation of engineers

Trial and error: it's a simple but frustrating strategy. If you ask Jameson Harvey, however, it's all part of the process. "There's always lots of lots of problem-solving that you have to do when you're working on robots," he laughs.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-08/red-dirt-robotics-regional-remote-engineers-stem/100964122>

CSIRO and Microsoft Australia launch Microsoft FarmBeats to encourage digital agriculture among students

CSIRO and Microsoft Australia have collaborated to launch a STEM education initiative that will see students witness the future of farming, exposing them to concepts like cloud computing and data and artificial intelligence.

<https://itwire.com/it-industry-news/strategy/csiro-and-microsoft-australia-launch-microsoft-farmbeats-to-encourage-digital-agriculture-among-students.html>

All Australian schools to sit NAPLAN online for the first time

More than 1 million students will sit NAPLAN tests this week – and for the first time, all except one must be completed online.

<https://www.smh.com.au/national/all-australian-schools-to-sit-naplan-online-for-the-first-time-20220506-p5aj3i.html>

Digital Technologies Hub

Find resources to help teachers, students and families learn about Digital Technologies.

<https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/> 

Industry Insights: lesson plan

This resource is designed to help subject teachers build their students' career development awareness and is aligned to the Australian Curriculum and relates to an Australian Curriculum learning area. To be used in conjunction with the Industry Insight webinar recording in a classroom setting, this suggested activity will help teachers and career practitioners generate classroom discussion and activity and help maximise class time using the most relevant parts of the webinar video. Designed to introduce students to one of the 19 industries (derived from the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC). Students can hear from professionals currently working in the industry who are at various stages of their career.

<https://myfuture.edu.au/assist-others/industry-insights-lesson-plans>

Future schooling – education in the metaverse

‘The metaverse is upon us. Soon it will be as omnipresent as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook (now Meta).’ So reads the first line of a new Policy Brief exploring the potential of the metaverse to enhance teaching and learning in the future, and why we need to start planning for it now.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/future-schooling-education-in-the-metaverse>

Federal Election 2022: How do we fix Australia’s education system? Join our online roundtable debate

Australia’s global education rankings are sliding, teachers have been accused of not being capable and there are concerns over the lack of funding for public students. A new curriculum has been unveiled to a mixed response, while the row over equity and quality in the sector is still ongoing 10 years after the Gonski report, which was meant to solve the issues, was released.

<https://www.news.com.au/national/federal-election/federal-election-2022-how-do-we-fix-australias-education-system-join-our-online-roundtable-debate/news-story/7d92aab5a297f3c1ea9a6f6897150734>

Student participation in higher maths drops below 10%

New research from the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers shows the percentage of students who take higher maths has fallen below 10% for the first time, with only one-third of those students being female.

<https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/student-participation-in-higher-maths-drops-below-10/>

Teacher and school leader curriculum survey

Grattan Institute is running a survey on high-quality curriculum resources and teachers’ workloads.

<https://grattan.edu.au/news/teacher-and-school-leader-curriculum-survey/>

State’s best teachers to help shape education plans

Some of the best teachers in NSW have met at Parliament House to share ideas on improving learning outcomes for students, cutting red tape and increasing the time and resources teachers have to deliver the best education for students.

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/state-s-best-teachers-to-help-shape-education-plans>

Trailblazing principals to help drive excellence

Principals from 10 leading NSW public schools met for the first time yesterday as part of a ground-breaking advisory group to help drive school excellence and improvement across the state.

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/trailblazing-principals-to-help-drive-excellence>

NSW premier, teachers meet to share ideas

More administrative school staff, less paper work for teachers and sharing resources between public and private schools have been discussed by a group of teachers advising the NSW government.

<https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/7735309/nsw-premier-teachers-meet-to-share-ideas/>

Bridging Technology and Education with Campus UNESCO

Campus UNESCO is an ongoing program that gives young people aged 14 to 18 the chance to share views with experts from UNESCO and civil society. The topics discussed in each 90-minute session are linked to major UNESCO themes such as education, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, gender equality, and citizenship.

<https://www.huawei.com/en/tech4all/stories/bridging-technology-education-campus-unesco>

Developing Children's Digital Literacy by Storybooks

Abstract: Growing tendency of children in using digital technologies, as well as Coronavirus crisis has forced families to live in new condition and may threaten their children’s health and development. So, there is essential need to investigate different methods of children’s digital literacy training. This paper has used qualitative content analysis to study some Persian and English storybooks based on socio-cultural approach. The process of analysis has been done according to inductive procedure and around different aspects of dealing with digital technologies: (1) the child’s behavior, (2) the child’s personal network, and (3) behaviors of child’s peripheral actors. Findings show that stories describe various behaviors of children in face of technologies: passion and trust in using digital technologies; secret use and vulnerability of them; regret and embarrassment; being tired of technology and tendency to alternatives; thinking, challenge and discussion about online information; collaborating with real and online individuals in using technologies; trust in books versus Internet; and learning digital literacy. Also, the peripheral individuals such as parents, siblings, relatives, peers, educational system, and social actors show different behaviors in relation with children and learning digital technologies.

<https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4098527>

Bett Asia 2022 Roadshow

Bangkok, Wednesday 27 April 2022: Bett, the global community for education technology, held the Bett Asia Roadshow at The Athenee Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. After three years, Bett is proud to present the in-person return of Bett Asia. Following the tremendous success of the 2019 show, Bett Asia is now looking forward to its 2022 edition – moving from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok for Bett Asia’s first event in Thailand.

<https://www.bettshow.com/bett-articles/bett-asia-2022-roadshow>

The Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens, 2021

March 2022 marks two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and we're starting to see a fuller picture of how the last two years have affected everything from the economy and health care to education and mental health. For parents, caregivers, educators, and even policymakers across the country, kids' media use has been a central issue in this conversation.

<https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/the-common-sense-census-media-use-by-tweens-and-teens-2021>

Game-Based Learning Prepares K–12 Students for a Digital Future

Through culturally relevant themes and virtual interactions, students learn to explore the world, their social relationships and how games work.

<https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2022/05/game-based-learning-prepares-k-12-students-digital-future>

Pacific Science Center Receives $1 Million Amazon Future Engineer Grant to Deliver Science and Technology Education to Students from Underserved Communities

Pacific Science Center (PacSci) and Amazon Future Engineer today announced a new collaboration, fueled by a $1 million grant from Amazon, to spark curiosity in tens of thousands of students from underserved and historically underrepresented communities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields through free interactive science education programs. The effort builds on continued initiatives by each organization to reach more students from Title I schools – those with 40% or more of the student population classified as low-income – and provides a critical next step in PacSci’s ultimate vision: providing every K-8 student in the state with supplemental STEM curriculum at no cost.

<https://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/blog/news/pacsci-receives-amazon-future-engineer-grant/>

ACS digital road map will strengthen the economy

With the twin goals of overcoming the COVID pandemic’s economic legacy and shaping Australia’s future digital economy, the ACS has unveiled a detailed policy road map ahead of the 2022 federal election. ... The nine policies recommended by the ACS ahead of the 2022 election are: ... A $100-million program should be undertaken to boost the resources and support for school teachers to implement an Australian Curriculum Digital technologies framework. This would help teachers by delivering technology-related content to be used in class.

<https://www.afr.com/technology/acs-digital-road-map-will-strengthen-the-economy-20220311-p5a3vp>

School kids to be taught advanced cybersecurity skills

According to AustCyber’s Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan, Australia will need more than 27,000 cybersecurity professionals by 2026.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/school-kids-to-be-taught-advanced-cybersecurity-skills/279824>

Study shows high levels of public trust and value for Australian teachers

Ahead of World Teachers Day, new research from Monash University has found the role of teachers continues to be recognised as important and influential in developing students' social and emotional development - which became even more important during COVID-19 remote learning. ... The study also found there was perceived merit in a hybrid or more flexible approach to schooling with 76.6 per cent of participants in support of rethinking the way schools operate in the future by creating a more flexible model where students attend school but have the option to take some classes online. Over half of the respondents, 56.7 per cent, believed the shift to remote learning during COVID-19 was successful in Australia.

<https://www.monash.edu/news/articles/study-shows-high-levels-of-public-trust-and-value-for-australian-teachers>

NSW school returns to remote learning as spiralling Covid cases hit classrooms

At least one school in New South Wales has had to return to some days of remote learning amid surging Covid cases in students and staff.

<https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/15/nsw-education-officials-unmoved-on-return-of-masks-in-schools-despite-surging-covid-infections>

Tech teachers honoured for robot innovation

Sydney’s south west is becoming a hotspot for science and technology with three schools earning plaudits in the field of robotics.

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/tech-teachers-honoured-for-robot-innovation->

Introducing the EdTech Buyers Guide for 2022

EdTech Impact is an independent review platform for EdTech worldwide. It’s also the driving force behind the EdTech Buyers Guide, which is an essential tool to have in your back pocket when you’re visiting the Bett show. This report, written by Michael Forshaw, highlights useful tips for how educators visiting the show can adopt an evidence-informed approach to EdTech procurement in order to make sure they are finding the best solutions for their setting.

<https://www.bettshow.com/bett-articles/introducing-the-edtech-buyers-guide-for-2022>

Lessons from the pandemic on fairer and more caring uni teaching and learning

The pandemic forced universities to rush out remote delivery of their courses online. Now we have had time to take stock of the impacts. Our newly published Australia-wide research investigated the challenges and opportunities of remote delivery for culturally and linguistically diverse migrant and refugee (CALDMR) students and university staff.

<https://theconversation.com/lessons-from-the-pandemic-on-fairer-and-more-caring-uni-teaching-and-learning-178292>

School kids to be taught advanced cybersecurity skills

According to AustCyber’s Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan, Australia will need more than 27,000 cybersecurity professionals by 2026.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/school-kids-to-be-taught-advanced-cybersecurity-skills/279824>

Rural residents say $750m NBN boost 'not enough' to bridge digital divide in the bush

In one of the most remote regions of Australia, residents in the Gulf of Carpentaria have long suffered the consequences of poor internet services. "We're so remote, we rely on telehealth. But what good is that when you lose your connection in the middle of a chat with your doctor," the region's mayor Jack Bawden said. "Our businesses can't do transactions because the EFTPOS machines are always down, you can't do remote learning, run meetings, because online connections are always dropping out.

<https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-24/farmers-welcome-nbn-upgrade/100928668>

What Generation Z can teach us about cybersecurity

Girl Security National Security Fellows Program fellow Amulya, a 17-year-old interested in countering online disinformation, said she feels her sense of personal privacy has been largely nonexistent “growing up in a media-saturated world.” She believes her sense of privacy was stolen by a combination of mass media, access to tech without education, and an increasing divide among generations, government, and industry around responsible technology. With an online presence from a young age, members of Generation Z, like Amulya, bring personal insight to the cybersecurity conversation about online privacy.

<https://www.microsoft.com/security/blog/2022/03/15/what-generation-z-can-teach-us-about-cybersecurity/>

Let’s get personal: adaptive learning tech and education

Twelve years ago, Shantanu Sinha left his job to join his long-time friend Sal Khan’s new venture. At the time, Sal was spending his days making educational YouTube videos. It was an unusual career choice for both of them. But they saw what was possible when students had more agency over their learning and how technology could play a role. Together they started the online education platform Khan Academy, and Shantanu worked there for five years.

<https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/education/adaptive-learning-technology/>

6 Ways Conversational Virtual Humans Can Be Used in Education

The “New Normal” isn’t new anymore. The world of E-learning has changed forever, and it’s not going back. Even if students are returning to school, and eventually it happens - the model of a teacher, a whiteboard, and dozens of students sitting on chairs has changed forever. Instead, multitudes of new learning tools have entered the classroom. Technologies such as conversational AI, which were used mainly in textual interfaces and for commercial purposes, have entered this field.

<https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2022/03/6-ways-conversational-virtual-humans.html>

Why learning together is the future of online education

Something remarkable is happening with online learning. Let’s call it ed tech’s second wave.

<https://www.fastcompany.com/90733863/why-learning-together-is-the-future-of-online-education>

Rising to the challenge of providing all students with high-quality STEM education

Whether it’s the pandemic, climate change, food shortages, or economic inequality, almost all of the world’s most pressing problems would benefit from STEM-based solutions. Fourteen of the 16 fastest-growing “industries of the future” are STEM industries, and all of the top 25 degrees by pay and demand are in the STEM subjects. By 2025, there will be 3.5 million STEM jobs open in the United States alone.

<https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2022/03/23/rising-to-the-challenge-of-providing-all-students-with-high-quality-stem-education/>

CSIRO program sees students harness coding to solve musical challenge

Year 6 students in Perth have invented a device that makes music lessons easier for people with hearing impairments as part of a program run by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.

<https://www.csiro.au/en/news/News-releases/2022/CSIRO-program-sees-students-harness-coding-to-solve-musical-challenge>

$2 million in grants to give young Australians STEM opportunities

Applications to foster creativity and inquiry-based learning for young Australians are open as part of the Maker Projects – Community STEM Engagement grants.

<https://www.industry.gov.au/news/2-million-in-grants-to-give-young-australians-stem-opportunities>

A milestone for championing the vision for women in STEM

The Academy is delighted to welcome Nokia as the 40th Champion of the Women in STEM Decadal Plan. The national plan aims to establish a thriving STEM-skilled workforce that is fit for the future, globally recognised, powered by a diverse and gender-balanced pipeline, and supported by an inclusive and respectful workplace culture.

<https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/milestone-championing-vision-women-stem>

Helping Australian school kids and teachers learn cybersecurity

A computer science academic at Sydney University, and associate professor James Curran’s research was in computational linguistics. One of the programs he ran was the 27-year-old National Computer Science School. That was where he came across students and teachers who were enthusiastic about IT but did not have the technical skills they needed to pursue IT positions.

<https://www.csoonline.com/article/3654201/helping-australian-school-kids-and-teachers-learn-cybersecurity.html>

New educational website to help teachers promote equitable learning

The Australian Academy of Science’s secondary science program, ‘Science by Doing’, is proud to announce a new website designed specifically for teachers.

<https://www.science.org.au/news-and-events/news-and-media-releases/new-educational-website-help-teachers-promote-equitable-learning>

The science of screen time: How much is too much for our kids?

New research has found that two hours a day appears to be the upper limit of healthy recreational screen time for children, beyond which they start to report only negative effects.

<https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-science-of-screen-time-how-much-is-too-much-for-our-kids-20220329-p5a934.html>

Some (other) facts about teachers and teaching

We spend time and energy revering celebrities and “influencers”, but rarely, if ever, teachers. Let’s perhaps reconsider where we direct our admiration and respect.

<https://www.smh.com.au/education/some-other-facts-about-teachers-and-teaching-20220324-p5a7ja.html>

3D printing shaping learning for blind and low vision students

More than 1,000 blind or low vision public school students in NSW are benefiting from access to 3D models, which can be created at their school with a 3D printer.

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/3d-printing-shaping-learning-for-blind-and-low-vision-students>

The promises and perils of new technologies to improve education and employment opportunities

Digital technologies are rapidly developing and transforming the way individuals work, learn, and participate in civic life. As digital innovations become more available and present opportunities to make quality learning and career opportunities more accessible across the globe, educational institutions, administrative data systems, and regulatory frameworks have struggled to adapt. Through research on the landscape of digital micro-credentials, we hope to provide insights and policy recommendations to decisionmakers and stakeholders, such as education and labor policymakers, to expand access to skills and quality jobs to the most disadvantaged learners and workers across the world.

<https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-promises-and-perils-of-new-technologies-to-improve-education-and-employment-opportunities/>

Dear Members, 

Out of respect for our numerous members who have experienced a number of extreme difficulties during the recent floods and Covid 19 challenges, the ICTENSW Board, together with our scheduled presenters have decided to postpone this weekend's conference. The new dates will be Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May 2022.

The following limited sessions will still run this Saturday 12th March 2022.
2. The AGM will be held online via Zoom, at 4.30pm on Saturday 12th March. The link will be emailed to registered participants prior to the event.  Registration for AGM is mandatory and needs to be completed before 8:00 pm Friday 11th March via https://bit.ly/icte2022agm .

1. HSC Solutions Sessions (IPT and SDD) will go ahead as follows:  

• IPT with Christopher Kalodikis 9.45am to 11:00am

• SDD with Samantha Pennington 11.30am to 1:00pm

These sessions will be live via Zoom and recorded. Recordings and solutions will be made available for members via our website. Those registered for these sessions will receive an email tomorrow evening, containing the link to the sessions.

What you need to know about the rescheduled conference sessions:

• All additional conference sessions and the announcement of our annual awards will be rescheduled for Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May 2022. Details to follow later this term (via our website and email).

• Those who have paid for their conference ticket, will have their payment applied to the new conference dates. 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We hope this arrangement will allow people time to recover. 

We thank you for your understanding. 

Warm Wishes, 

The ICTENSW Board

Educational leaders across Australia tackle challenges and reimagine the future of learning by Amazon Web Services

The experiences of education systems adapting to remote learning during the pandemic while thinking through solutions to ongoing social and administrative challenges have given engaged observers much to listen to.

<https://www.themandarin.com.au/181835-educational-leaders-across-australia-tackle-challenges-and-reimagine-the-future-of-learning/>

School Improvement Episode 36: Winners of the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science Teaching

The two most recent winners of the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Excellence in Science Teaching join us in this podcast. They each share how they’re improving student outcomes in their own school settings and their top tips for other Science teachers across the country.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/school-improvement-episode-36-winners-of-the-prime-ministers-prizes-for-science-teaching>

Fintech education – meeting students’ interests and needs

Financial technology developments such as cashless transactions and in-game purchases, and risks such as scam emails and texts warrant teaching about. Carly Sawatzki, Jill Brown and Peter Saffin ask: ‘In what ways are your students financially active, and how is your school preparing them for informed financial participation?’

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/fintech-education-meeting-students-interests-and-needs> 

‘Clear’ need for STEM boost to prepare job-ready graduates [subscription]

Billionaire Richard White has a clear vision of how to improve the Australian economy, starting with education.

<https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/education-new-south-wales/wisetech-globals-richard-white-to-revolutionise-stem-education-in-australian-schools/news-story/89a846b3b54917020e768e042efc6e49>

Pay teachers $130,000 to attract high achievers, leaked review says

Trainee teachers must learn more about managing classroom behaviour, engaging with parents and teaching reading, according to a review of Australian teaching.

<https://www.watoday.com.au/national/pay-teachers-130-000-to-attract-high-achievers-leaked-review-says-20220223-p59z37.html>

No Gonski ‘nirvana’: Why Australia’s most ambitious education reforms have failed

On the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the Gonski reforms, its failure shows how politics, self-interest and a lack of forward-thinking can derail even the most worthy objective: that no student be left behind.

<https://www.watoday.com.au/education/no-gonski-nirvana-why-australia-s-most-ambitious-education-reforms-have-failed-20220215-p59wpj.html>

City staff head north to keep classrooms running

The NSW Department of Education’s COVID workforce plan was devised ahead of this year’s return to school to quickly mobilise current, former and future staff if and when absences occurred in schools due to teachers and staff testing positive to COVID-19. ... “While here at Inverell High School, I’ll be helping out with coding for the junior classes as computing is my background, and filling holes where there’s a need.”

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/city-staff-head-north-to-keep-classrooms-running>

UNESCO releases report on the mapping of K-12 Artificial Intelligence curricula

UNESCO has released “K-12 AI Curricula: A mapping of government-endorsed AI curricula”, the first report on the global status of K-12 AI curricula.

<https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-releases-report-mapping-k-12-artificial-intelligence-curricula>

Introducing Our New Windows 11 Device Portfolio for Education

As we enter the third year of the pandemic, we continue to see many bright spots of innovation and perseverance in today’s education landscape.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/01/introducing-our-new-windows-11-device-portfolio-for-education>

The Learning Passport provides learning continuity for millions of out-of-school children

While the world and educational systems throughout it continue to grapple with challenges stemming from the pandemic, students across the globe keep learning in their local languages with the help of the Learning Passport.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/02/the-learning-passport-provides-learning-continuity-for-millions-of-out-of-school-children>

Microsoft Education Partners help students with pandemic learning disruption

Microsoft Teams’ assignments and Microsoft 365 integrations give our education partners the ability to enable rich end-to-end scenarios within core workflows—for both educators and students. It also makes it easier for instructors to give feedback on assignments. This not only saves teachers valuable time, it also gives them a range of powerful features to support the assessment of learning and engage students.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/02/microsoft-education-partners-help-students-with-pandemic-learning-disruption>

Imagine Cup Junior 2022: A global challenge for students

Today marks the launch of registration and content availability for the third annual Imagine Cup Junior, an exciting opportunity for students to learn about technology and how it can be used to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Imagine Cup Junior helps students build skills in technology concepts that will help them in their future learning and in the workforce.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/02/imagine-cup-junior-2022-a-global-challenge-for-students>

World Read Aloud Day: 4 tips to promote fluency, connection, and joy

On February 2, 2022, LitWorld and Microsoft invite you to come together for this year’s WRAD. Join us as we honor the joy and power of reading and sharing stories. From hosting intimate classroom gatherings and organizing community wide parades, to broadcasting radio programs across countries and trying a new technology to celebrate WRAD, everyone can participate.

<https://educationblog.microsoft.com/en-us/2022/01/world-read-aloud-day-4-tips-to-promote-fluency-connection-and-joy>

UNESCO and Stakeholders Celebrate Women & Girls in Science

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science was declared on 11th February 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, aiming to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

<https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-and-stakeholders-celebrate-women-girls-science>

$6.7 million investment extends women in STEM initiatives

February 11 marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science. In Australia, women make up only 28% of workers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Australian Government is committed to improving gender equity in STEM education and careers. We are investing more in effective programs that support this goal.

<https://www.industry.gov.au/news/67-million-investment-extends-women-in-stem-initiatives>

New funding to advance women in STEM

The Morrison Government is continuing to break down barriers to the advancement of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) with an additional $6.7 million in funding.

<https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/price/media-releases/new-funding-advance-women-stem>

Superstars of STEM funded for stratospheric success

The Australian Government has today announced a further $2 million investment to advance women in STEM through Science & Technology Australia’s game-changing Superstars of STEM program.

<https://scienceandtechnologyaustralia.org.au/superstars-of-stem-funded-for-stratospheric-success/>

School interventions to increase female representation in STEM

If you’re in a co-education school, look at student enrolments for STEM subjects and participation in STEM-related clubs and extracurricular activities – is there a gender imbalance? A new report shares global examples of effective interventions from primary and secondary education settings.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/school-interventions-to-increase-female-representation-in-stem>

Women in science still jumping higher hurdles

The digital revolution has changed the game for women and girls in science, but despite strong progress, female students are still asking dispiriting questions

<https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/women-in-science-still-jumping-higher-hurdles/>

Women in STEM: The Australian icon who’s bridging the gap between science and commerce

A career in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is often considered the road less taken for women, and it’s not for lack of trying. Women in STEM face many barriers entering and staying in the field, and continue to be excluded from fully participating in the industry compared to men. Globally, only 30% of the world’s researchers are women, with less than one-third of female students choosing to study subjects like math and engineering in higher education.

<https://www.studyinternational.com/news/australian-women-in-stem/>

Offering online learning permanently – reflecting on the advantages

A majority of teachers have now had experience with online teaching thanks to the pandemic. But, what can we learn from schools who were teaching online long before COVID-19 restrictions? Jeremy Kwok and Su Temlett from Australian Christian College join Teacher to share the advantages.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/offering-online-learning-permanently-reflecting-on-the-advantages>

The Research Files Episode 72: Online mentoring for disengaged students

Our guest on episode 72 of The Research Files is Professor Joseph Ciarrochi from Australian Catholic University’s Institute for Positive Psychology and Education. He’s the lead researcher for projectHOPE – a program that’s notched up success in re-engaging at-risk secondary students with their schooling.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/the-research-files-episode-72-online-mentoring-for-disengaged-students>

2022 cybersecurity predictions and 3 ways educational institutions can protect digital identities

Remote and hybrid learning models, as well as digital operations, are now the new norm across all levels of the education system.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/2022-cybersecurity-predictions-and-3-ways-educational-institutions-can-protect-digital-identities/279578>

Deadly Science Educator of the Year

Remote school teacher, Chris Errington, has recently been recognised as a 2021 DeadlyScience Educator of the Year, an accolade attributed by DeadlyScience, a not-for-profit organisation that supports remote schools across Australia.

<https://education.nt.gov.au/news/2022/deadly-science-educator-of-the-year>

The state of education during the COVID pandemic

<https://www.oecd.org/education/state-of-school-education-one-year-into-covid.htm>

VR Really Has a Kid Problem

The Virtual reality (VR) industry is growing at a fast pace. But as pointed out by the AR/VR developer Skarredghost, the industry has ‘a kid issue‘. And, for a number of reasons, “VR shouldn’t be used by children“.

<https://dataethics.eu/vr-really-has-a-kids-problem/>

Why a clear school vision empowers staff and students

Tes research reveals that many teachers do not feel their school has a vision for the future – but as these leaders and business experts explain, putting a vision into words can work wonders in more ways than one

<https://www.tes.com/magazine/leadership/staff-management/why-clear-school-vision-statement-teacher-wellbeing-empowers-staff-and-students>

Blended learning scenarios to mix distance and in-school lessons

A selection of blended learning scenarios using the Learning Designer tool, produced by participants of the online course Bridging Distance and In-School Learning – Blended Learning in Practice on Teacher Academy.

<https://www.schooleducationgateway.eu/en/pub/teacher_academy/teaching_materials/blended-learning-scenarios.htm>

School under (re)construction: a tutorial on learning environments

Traditional classrooms with their blackboard, the teacher standing in front of it and the desks laid out in rows date back to medieval monasteries. But as society grows ever more technology-rich and the focus shifts to key competences and student-centric pedagogy, so the learning space needs to catch up. In this tutorial, you will learn that greener is better, classrooms don’t always need walls, and more.

<https://www.schooleducationgateway.eu/en/pub/resources/tutorials/school-under-reconstruction.htm>

As Demand Grows for COVID-19 Testing in Schools, So Must Our Attention to Student Privacy

The rampant omicron variant and the CDC’s new test-to-stay guidance has significantly increased the demand for COVID-19 testing as well as reporting this information to schools. The increase in testing may occur at a point in time (e.g., to return to school in-person after an extended break) or on an ongoing basis (e.g., as students have COVID exposures). While all schools have experience collecting health information related to COVID-19 (95% reported having a system in place for parents to report a child’s COVID diagnosis), the scale at which it is now being demanded is unprecedented. To keep students safe and schools open, it is important to scale testing efforts along with student privacy considerations.

<https://cdt.org/insights/as-demand-grows-for-covid-19-testing-in-schools-so-must-our-attention-to-student-privacy/>

Teach coding from a young age at school

CHILDREN are growing up surrounded by technology amidst IR4.0 (the Fourth Industrial Revolution), so computational thinking and coding should be considered essential abilities. As such, the Education Ministry should review if such critical skills and knowledge are being taught to primary school children.

<https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2022/02/15/teach-coding-from-a-young-age-at-school>

Des Moines high school students share coding projects with Principal engineers

Students in the Pi515 program learn technical skills like coding, but also practice life skills like resume writing and building confidence.

<https://www.weareiowa.com/video/tech/des-moines-high-school-students-share-coding-projects-with-principal-engineers/524-fd4f4d0a-89e2-4dce-b9a5-006ce4aa9a3a>

We need more girls and women in science. What are three ways in which we can support them?

Choosing one’s path in life should not be limited by prejudice or hindered by a less than supportive environment to thrive. Girls and boys should be supported to develop their talents to the fullest and without the constraints often imposed by gender stereotypes.

<https://blogs.worldbank.org/education/we-need-more-girls-and-women-science-what-are-three-ways-which-we-can-support-them>

The 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly

The Assistant Director-General for UNESCO Natural Sciences, Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, will address the UN members states and other participants in the 7th International Day of Women and Girls in Science Assembly, taking place on 11 February 2022, in virtual format from UN Headquarters in New York.

<https://en.unesco.org/news/7th-international-day-women-and-girls-science-assembly>

UNESCO and Japan Sign a New Partnership Agreement for the Development of Teachers and Students’ Skills in STEAM and Coding

On 16 February 2022, the Government of Japan and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) signed an Arrangement Letter at the Representative Office of Japan to Palestine, based in Ramallah, the State of Palestine, to support a UNESCO-led project on “Improving Student Skills for Innovation and Sustainable Development through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and Coding in Palestinian Schools”. The project is aligned with the priorities of the Government’s National Policy Agenda for the State of Palestine and the priorities of the Ministry of Education to provide quality education for all.

<https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-and-japan-sign-new-partnership-agreement-development-teachers-and-students-skills-steam>

STEM Hub launch across Ireland to inspire future STEM leaders

I’m delighted to share the launch of our most recent Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) campaign which aims to continue to build on our work aimed at increasing awareness and understanding in STEM. This journey has been constantly evolving with the development and activation of our previous Accenture STEM research and our Women On Walls campaign adding to the progress.

<https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/stem-hub-launch-across-ireland-inspirefuture-leaders-paula-neary/>