OZ/NZ educators | Diigo Group Forum

Encourage schools to host a software freedom day event

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:07:43 -0000

equity |foss |free |open | post by ruwoldtp on 2008-08-04

I would like to encourage all schools to give some thought to the software that they have the students use from the perspective of access and equity. Is the software you are using freely available so that students can continue with their learning beyond the school, unencumbered. I would also like to encourage interested schools to consider hosting a "Software Freedom Day" event, a global event that supports local communities to celebrate and educate how Free Open Source Software can benefit people in their area. This year it is on September 20th.

FOSS fits well with the ideal 'Free and Open Education' by being able to give the learning tools to students so that they can use, share and build upon them. Collaboration and sharing fits well with this ideal and FOSS.

Go to the "Software Freedom Day" site to get more information about the event and register your team.
http://softwarefreedomday.org/
post by ruwoldtp on 2008-08-04

IT VET HSC Study Group

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:30:34 -0000

it |mentors |vet | post by deangroom on 2008-07-24

I've kicked off http://vetinfotech.ning.com for my year 12 VET Information Technology class. Basically I am scaffolding this years coaching for the new exam out of there. I have 9 kids. It will use a PBL approach, so there will be a scaffold over the next term in which I am developing individual learning plans for each student to focus on their weakest areas. But as a group, we will cover all topics with comprehensive tips and notes.

This a rather than each kid having to try and study alone and prepare individual notes. They can share and co-operate as a study group. My focus will NOT be on content - it is the application of exam strategy and literacy so that when the sit the exam they are able to predict and scaffold answers. I am assuming all VET teachers have covered core content - so at best we will be high lighting - in my notes - the outlines and key concepts that are covered in the exam questions. Students will range from band 2/3 to 6 in my class - so I will be asking students to develop notes for 'content' themselves. All my kids have existing blogs, so they have already linked those.

If you have an IT VET course in your school, then please highlight the study group. I am not asking for teacher involvement - but if I have a larger study group, then it will feed itself and students will be able to form more networked learning. Any questions please let me know. Its not a walled garden!

Dean Groom
post by deangroom on 2008-07-24

IT Programmes - What to Teach

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:57:50 -0000

progammes |topics | post by aruthanz on 2008-07-11

Normal classroom teacher who has just started teaching IT as a specialist topic. Over a year I teach 600 Year 7 & 8 students (11-13 years old) for a total of 14 1 1/2 hour sessions. Really interested to see what other teachers think would be great skills or topics to teach your kids in todays web 2.0 world. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
post by aruthanz on 2008-07-11
Hi Jared

I have taught IST, IPT, SDD and currently IT VET. One great topic to teach is programming in IST. It is often boring for kids (Logo/VB). Have a look at two languages - RUBY for which there are some great online tutorials and flash based tools. The other is ALICE - which is a 3D environment that teaches programming structures. If you create a class study group with Ning or 21 Classes, you can get kids to produce an online reflective journal to document their project.

A second idea is databases using Zoho - where they can design applications and web based forms (you can also use Survey Monkey or Wufoo too. Great to get kids to design a database application and compare these tools. Again, document with a daily journal using Ning 21 Classes.

Check my blog at http://deangroom.wordpress.com - I have links to apps I recommend. All my IT based resources are also on http://www.slideshare.net/pmhs please feel free to use anything.

The main thing I recommend - drop all MS Office based activities - take it all online. You really will do a better job and get more engagement with kids if you avoid MS Office - kids are over it.

Contact me if you want any help.

Dean
post by deangroom on 2008-07-24

2nd Bloggers Feast in Melbourne

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:31:06 -0000

bloggers |f2f |feast |meeting | post by jomcleay on 2008-07-20

Just letting everyone who can be in Melbourne on Thursday 24th July that there will be a bloggers feast at Southbank to meet Andrew Churches from NZ. It will be a meal at from 6.30 pm probably the same restaurant we had it at last time. I will let yo know when I have remembered where it was. Please come if you can. Let others know as well. Thanks
Jo
post by jomcleay on 2008-07-20

Meetings Now on Tuesdays!!

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:54:40 -0000

oznzeds | post by sujokat on 2008-07-10

Our meeting night has changed due to a number of requests We are now going to meeton Tuesday nights at 7.30pm -9pm. Also due to an increasing number of people not being able to access the room as it is full, we are going to try Elluminate and have access to a free 50 seat room through Knowledge Bank online events. So on Tuesday 15th we will attempt to meet using elluminate and do a NECC roundup to discuss what was hot and not at NECC.I apologise to the NZ crew who will have a late night if they attend ,but the meetings will be recorded if you can't stay up that late. See you all there- new members most welcome.
http://knowledgebank.globalteacher.org.au/book-a-room/#w385h605
You can download elluminate at this link and do a practice session here too.
post by sujokat on 2008-07-10

Professional Development

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:09:29 -0000

development |masters |pd |personal | post by aruthanz on 2008-07-10

Just looking for some professional advise form like minded individuals. I have been teaching for 5 years or so and have been contemplating doing my Masters to add a few more strings to my bow. I think it would be a good opportunity to learn a bit more and improve the way I teach. Just interested in what others think or suggest. Has anyone else out there done further 'study' while teaching? What do people suggest. Cheers - Aruthanz
post by aruthanz on 2008-07-10
Hi Jared

Doing your Masters while working will be hard work but I think that it will also be very rewarding. Because you can apply your skills and knowledge from work in any assignments and your reflections on learning, I think that it can become quite a powerful experience.

Don't underestimate how tiring it will be, especially when you have lessons to plan, homework to mark, etc, at the same time as writing your own essays but at the end, I'm sure that you will think that it was worthwhile!

Good luck,
Nigel

Jared Holden wrote:
> Just looking for some professional advise form like minded individuals. I have been teaching for 5 years or so and have been contemplating doing my Masters to add a few more strings to my bow. I think it would be a good opportunity to learn a bit more and improve the way I teach. Just interested in what others think or suggest. Has anyone else out there done further 'study' while teaching? What do people suggest. Cheers - Aruthanz
post by easegill on 2008-07-10

Vocational e-Learning Mentors (VeMentoring) network

Thu, 22 May 2008 07:01:56 -0000

The VeMentoring network started with a group of educators assisting each other with developing technology skills for their teaching practices. It has grown into a Queensland-wide association of educators meeting via videoconference weekly to showcase and share achievements. The network also hosts technical skills workshops that help to reinforce those distant connections.

The VeMentoring network has a presence in myEdNA at http://www.me.edu.au/c/VeMentoring - you are welcome to join in and contribute.

The VeMentoring videoconference sessions are streamed at http://mediasite.videolinq.tafe.net/index.html
post by sdbrown on 2008-05-22

Meeting 18th May 2008

Sat, 17 May 2008 22:41:47 -0000

no_tag | post by mrs_banjer on 2008-05-17

Hello everyone,

Is there a meeting tonight? If not, could we meet in Second Life perhaps?
My apologies if you've posted the details and I have missed them somewhere.

Happy Sunday :o)

Fiona

P.S. My apologies - just looked at ning page (and I get a trip to SL too - YAY!!)

http://edhouse.wikispaces.com/OzNZ%20Educators
post by mrs_banjer on 2008-05-17

Bloggers Feast Melbourne May 14th 6pm

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:35:31 -0000

blogging |f2f | post by sujokat on 2008-04-30

Our first ever Bloggers Feast is Happening! Any ed Bloggers who will be in Melbourne on the day are most welcome to come and have a meet-up and get to chat f2f with other bloggers. Let's build our network, and support each other. I have booked at La Camera on the first floor at Southbank - very nice Italian food and not too pricey -and if you are coming can you please tweet me @sujokat or respond here. Looking forward to meeting lots of you at 6pm! Should we all carry a laptop?Do they have free wifi? Can we ustream our meeting?
post by sujokat on 2008-04-30
Sorry I missed any reference to the final arrangements of this feast .. I don't always trawl through older tweets so it might have been there. Didn't come up in Quotable or TScan and I don't bother to look much past that. I'm so very excited about meeting everyone. Hope Chris Betcha gets there as well. Thanks for organising all this.
I don't plan to bring my laptop or anything .. just to leave a trail of breadcrumbs from my hotel so I can find my way back later. Cheers, Al
post by alupton on 2008-05-10

myEdNA OzNZ Educators community

Fri, 09 May 2008 02:26:25 -0000

community |educators |myedna |oznz | post by sdbrown on 2008-05-09

Join the OzNZ Educators community at myEdNA: http://www.me.edu.au/c/OzNZ%20Educators

myEdna is a meeting place for VET Educators engaging in social web media.
post by sdbrown on 2008-05-09

080511 Flashmeeting 11th May 2008

Sun, 04 May 2008 11:04:33 -0000

educators |flashmeeting |oznz | post by sdbrown on 2008-05-04

Sunday 11th May 7pm – 8pm AEST (GMT+10hrs)
Link to the meeting at:
http://flashmeeting.e2bn.net/fm/258220-3569

Please post meeting topics at the wiki:
http://edhouse.wikispaces.com/OzNZ+Educators+
post by sdbrown on 2008-05-04
I've added information on the Wiki about the SL extension tour Sunday 18th May 8pm-9pm AEST in Jokaydia, with links to getting accounts, downloading SL and how to get to Jokaydia with one click.
If people have issues, just drop me a message.
post by deangroom on 2008-05-04

VET Virtual

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 11:59:09 -0000

vetvirtual | post by sdbrown on 2008-04-27

VET Virtual is a web conferencing platform formulated for low bandwidth connections - register at for free at http://vetvirtual.com/
post by sdbrown on 2008-04-27

080427 Flashmeeting

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:10:14 -0000

educators |flashmeeting |oznz |wiki | post by sdbrown on 2008-04-22

OzEducators wiki linking discussion topics for editing at: http://edhouse.wikispaces.com/OzNZ+Educators+
post by sdbrown on 2008-04-22

Flashmeeting this week

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:16:28 -0000

educators |flashmeeting |oznz | post by sdbrown on 2008-04-16

Dear OzNZ Educators,

You're welcome to attend this week's Flashmeeting on Sunday at 8pm AEST (20:00 GMT+10)

Access the meeting at this link: http://flashmeeting.e2bn.net/fm/57c40e-3434

Simon Brown
post by sdbrown on 2008-04-16
Simon, do you have the email addy for the guy who allocated the FM accounts pease? Dean
post by deangroom on 2008-04-21
Hi Dean, it's admin@e2bn.org

dean groom wrote:
> Simon, do you have the email addy for the guy who allocated the FM accounts pease? Dean
post by sdbrown on 2008-04-21

Horizon Project: Wanted Judges

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:37:35 -0000

hz08 | post by smadsenau on 2008-04-16

If you have ever threatened to become involved with another class in
another time zone, this is a great way to ease into the concept.

Wanted: Judges for the Horizon 2008 Project

http://horizonproject2008.wikispaces.com/Judges#toc12

Overview of "Judging"

The aim of judging is to come up with awards for multimedia artifacts
(mostly 3 - 5 minute videos) as listed on the Awards wiki page. This
is to be done using the prepared rubrics in combination with a
team-determined rating system (in order to identify outright 'winners').

Who is qualified to judge?

We encourage educators interested in learning to assess higher order
thinking skills to be involved. We want people who can give feedback
on the methodologies employed to move towards improving our assessment
of such projects.

It is envisaged many people will be new judges and support will be given.

How do I sign up to judge?

1. Click "Join this Space" in the top left corner of the wiki (URL above).

2. As you put in your information, make sure that you complete the
comment box with your name, location, and the group that you would
like to join. (This will send us your e-mail address and all
information submitted is private.)

3. Wait for approval - you will receive an e-mail noting your approval.

4. Return to this page.

5. Add your information to the topic of your choice (first to wiki it
gets it! include a hyperlink to your bio)

6. You may also want to join the Ning to get major announcements!

The categories are based on the Horizon Report 2008.

The categories are:
1. Grass Roots Video
2. Collaboration Webs
3. Mobile Broadband
4. Data Mashups
5. Collective Intelligence
6. Social Operating Systems
7. Human and Machine Communication
8. Collective Sharing and Generation of Knowledge
9. Games as Pedagogical Platforms
10. Computing in Three Dimensions
11. Connecting People via the Network
12. Shifting Content Production to Users
13. Evolution of a Ubiquitous Platform.

The organisers are looking for 'experts' in each of the categories to
give the students assistance as well.

We have two Australian schools participating, one from Victoria and
one from NSW. It would be terrific if some more people from the
Southern Hemisphere could support this.

Many of the concepts mentioned in 'The World is Flat' by Thomas
Friedman and 'Wikinomics' by Don Tapscott are put into practise in the
Horizon 2008 Project.

Steve
post by smadsenau on 2008-04-16

Help needed for Earth Day Webcastathon

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:53:31 -0000

earthcast08 |earthday | post by derrallg on 2008-04-10

Thanks Sue for permission to post,

Several educators connected with the Webcast Academy/Edtechtalk are putting together a 24 hour webcastathon for April 22. We are looking for educators who would like to webcast for half hour to one hour time slots with assistance from our group. The time slots are GMT 5:00 to 8:00 which would be perfect for your part of the world. For info go to http://enviroscims.wikispaces.com/Earth+Day and please feel free to contact us with further questions.
post by derrallg on 2008-04-10

Welcome !

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:44:28 -0000

australia |hello |nz | post by sujokat on 2008-03-28

Welcome! If you are an Australian or NZ educator, then here is a place for our growing online voice to aggregate the knowledge and skills that apply to our unique educational systems and dilemmas. Please feel free to start tagging and bookmarking items that may be of use for Australian schools. I have started with an interesting post on Snapvine and cellphones in class - a hot topic that is sure to be one for some lengthy debate and discussion.
post by sujokat on 2008-03-28