Today was our first opportunity to have a good long look at Easiteach . I have to say, on the whole, it is a great product for use with an IWB. Perhaps it’s because they have been working with Educators since ’73 or perhaps that they are all content (software) based that the resources for teachers are as extensive as they are. Whatever the reason, RM have a sound package available IWB users, whichever flavour they happen to be. I would love to here from anyone who is familiar with the Easiteach set up and have experience of its use in the classroom. They only drawback I can see for now is how the material available is so closely linked to the British National Curriculum. Perhaps the units need merely rebranding with links from the Australian and NZ curriculum. I’d put my hand up for that job for the right price.
I have been engaged in conversation with folk today about “What would it take to address raise the standard of achievement for students today”. The Gift and Talented roll is one that is currently in a state of flux. You have some schools around NZ who are going ‘hell for leather’ in their provision for such students, others that are paying ‘lip-service’ to the notion and finally others that are merely paralyzed with indecision.
Something that was talked about was the idea or funds channeled into an ‘academy’. But we hit the sticking point of the justification of ‘ring-fenced’ money only benefitting a small portion of the school community.
How would the argument go for such fund? Is it justifiable for the top 5% of students within a school?
Also I would love here about is the variety of models for addressing the issue. I know Melaine Holtsman works within the G&T domain and perhaps other of you could share your thoughts?
Please excuse my somewhat disjointed notes about the keynote:
The Place of Most Potential
What does it look like?
Kevin Rudd is just throwing digital whiteboards at secondary schools, this is a good thing. But so much is dependent on the teachers involved. Some boards are going to be used well, some are going nowhere. It has nothing to do with the board and everything to do with school.
Some research stated (could find the source sorry) that ‘Technology made NO difference to student learning’ . Peter said that if we as educators are going to challenge this statement then we must address 3 key issues:
People.
Video- Escaslator. The biggest constraint is what people think they can and cannot do. We need to invent the new teaching. Those who invent don’t get stuck on the escalator. Blockers in a school are not blockers but they which remain unconvinced. We must not label people blockers, they are interested in teaching and want to know how technology is going to help them. They are the ones which challenge our own thinking, causing us to justify why we do what we do with technology.
Pedagogy.
How we are doing the teaching and learning. If a kid is going to read then they read. If a teacher is going to use technology they need solid blocks of time to USE technology.
NSW Quality Teaching ,
Productive Pedagogies,
Principles of learning,
Authentic Pedagogies.
Can we generically describe both inspired and terrible teaching- technology is simply an amplifier- good GOOD, bad BAD.
Quality discussion- Teacher asking questions of the students, Students questioning teacher and student to student- How you get this is to give incomplete information- make them ask questions. High level of ambiguity . Raising significance. Content can move around and be more child centred (everyone is interested in themselves) Personalizing the learning contexts, and Differentiation.
Technology.
What technology we use? IWB are the place of most potential. IWB are the bridge to make other technologies to work in the classroom setting.
Paradox of choice
Jenny speaks about the difference between Breathe Technology and Sitech Systems.
“ When you look about the variety and depth of the presentations available this morning we really are competing with the Interactive Whiteboard conference in Australia, so thank you to those who put up their hands to present this weekend”
I am honoured, humbled to be working with such a humble company and such a fantastic group of educators from around New Zealand. Sometimes I think we don’t give credit enough to the teachers throughout the country who are impacting so positively in students lives.
Frank Augustino arrived in joins the Sitech Conference from Interwrite head office, which is really exciting. It always makes me wonder what international guests think of Powhiri and haka in particular. I know the first one that I saw scared the wits out of me. Owhata School were brilliant, their kapa haka groups performed brilliantly and the students presenting the keynote did an awesome job. Ka pai.
I presented two sessions this afternoon and, not finding any water in the hall my mouth was dry. I was part way through ‘IWB and Literacy’ presentation when in walks Frank and his wife. They were very gracious and encouraging…. During the brief conversation I had Frank noticed I was without water and went to get some for me from the kitchen, this is the Vice President of Business Development and International Sales of GTCO CalComp Inc, going to get me water!
