It’s that time of year again so off to Swinburne Uni in Hawthorn for DLTV’s DigiCon. I’ll be doing just one short session on Next Era Ed and particularly, stepping attendees through an inventory of what they are already doing well and what they might look more closely at. I’ll use a new worksheet:
I’m excited to be participating in the The School Library Conference (SLC) on 3-4 June at Wesley College in South Perth. The conference is presented by the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia (AISWA) Libraries and the Western Australian School Library Association (WASLA).
Because of my long association and friendships with teacher librarians in Western Australia – and their great conference theme — I’m using this as an opportunity to reflect on my dreams as a young educator and the decades-long journey into the current reality. As I described the keynote for the programme:
What Happens to a Dream Achieved?
In a time of change and turmoil, poet Langston Hughes asked his provocative question, “What happens to a dream deferred?” As we continue to tick along into the 21st Century surrounded by more gadgets, richer media and smarter algorithms, we might want to ask, “What happens to a dream achieved?” Unravelling both questions allows Tom March to explore the recent past and current situation with the goal of daring to dream a desirable future. Inspired by the conference theme and his many years in education meeting with teacher librarians in Perth, Tom uses this keynote as an opportunity to venture into the world of “In Your Dreams.” Weaving together an illustrated story of personal anecdotes and professional aspirations, Tom hopes to both inspire and challenge his fellow curriculum leaders currently working in WA school libraries. The presentation uses the personal to appeal to the universal. It blends a young educator’s goals and the professional journey that has followed through reflective story telling. Tom ventures into the worlds of great literature and literature review; former students and future world leaders; old models and new paradigms – all with the intent of engaging the audience in a significant shared experience that leaves us all with a dream in all our hearts and a direction in our steps.
I will also lead concurrent session offered twice in the day:
Unpacking your next era of education
All schools have made progress with student access to rich media, one-to-one devices and smart software. Many have jumped in with both feet and a handful of initiatives. Does the right hand know where the left foot is going? In other words, when left to their own devices, are students flourishing like never before or is technology more disruptor than accelerator of learning? Perhaps something was missed when the digital initiatives were designed? This session unpacks Tom’s Next Era Ed model and empowers teacher librarians to contribute to their school’s wisely-guided systemic change.
During the sessions I will share some of the latest features in Hobsons’ constantly-developing curriculum Design and Delivery platform.
This will be a great couple of days so if you are in the Perth area, I encourage you to come along.
I’m really looking forward to joining in at the DLTV DigiCon for 2015 on 24 – 25 July at Swinburne University campus in Hawthorn. I’m doing two sessions on Saturday.
Does your school have a vision of student success that is aspirational and includes articulated descriptors?
Using backward design, does your school have a continuum of rich performance tasks that validate the vision and prompt interdisciplinary demonstrations of students’ understandings that require their transfer to new contexts?
Given the student performances your vision describes, what learning theories – and their research findings – are most likely to generate the desired evidence of your achievement as a school?
Here are few favourites:
Are your teaching and learning practices founded on the Learning Theories and lead to student demonstrated evidence of the vision? Also, in an age of rich digital resources and personalised devices, are ICTs used to engage students in personally meaningful accomplishments?
Do you have systemic reviews embedded that “close the loop” for continuous improvement?
What technology platforms or software does your school use to support teaching, learning, curriculum development, student learning profiles, etc.?
I’m really looking forward to joining in at the EdTechSA conference coming up on 15-16 July.
If you’re interested in how one software platform integrates the phases of Next Era Ed, come to this session and we’ll explore it together.
I’ve been talking about this for many years and this presentation will take a reflective dip in order to encourage strong action to create a reality that is not only possible, but “imperative.”
How great to be back in Perth! I’m really pleased to return to the ECAWA conference to see old friends and meet new ones. During the conference I’ll be presenting:
the following sessions:
Vision – is it articulated and shared?Take the Next Era Ed Readiness Check?
It’s with a real sense of pleasure, enthusiasm and anticipation that I return to Perth to present at the ECAWA conference this year. Special thanks to Lynley McKernan and the whole conference committee for welcoming me in my new role with Hobsons Edumate. I will do three sessions, a keynote on Thursday and two sessions on Friday. The keynote and one session will be on Next Era Ed and how to get there while one session will highlight how Hobsons Edumate facilitates the journey. I’m also looking forward to catching up with the other conference keynoters: long-time colleague Dr Tim Kitchen and Dr. Michael Henderson. If you are in WA, I encourage you to join us all at Scotch College in Swanbourne for what is always a stimulating experience.