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The landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars is an excellent catalyst for a discussion with students about the nature of Mathematics. It is a chance to inspire curiosity and wonderment and to do so through a mathematical lens.

A common challenge for students and teachers is how to develop a great idea for a piece of writing. Too often students struggle with the process of finding inspiration for their writing. They have a vague idea for the story they hope to tell, but all too quickly it transforms into a list of events with little or no detail. The goal here is to provide our students with a process to use during the planning process. The hope is that by identifying the type of thinking required during the early phases of ideation and to focus their attention on details, that the stories our students subsequently compose will be more enjoyable to read. Hopefully, this process helps.

This week I spent three days in Brisbane attending the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers' national conference. The theme of the conference was "Why Maths?" and along with 500 other mathematicians, we looked to find inspiring answers to this provocative question beyond the classroom. Here are my key takeaways from this event. 

The Future of Education is a topic often discussed, and at the recent gathering of educators in Florence, it was the title and theme for the conference. Now in its ninth year, The Future of Education is an international conference that attracts educators from around the world and across all domains touched by education. The conference is an inspiring two days of discussion and sharing, with the city of Florence, the centre of the Renaissance, providing a constant reminder of what might be possible when creativity and critical thinking combine. Here are my key takeaways from this event.

This week I am in Florence having spent two days at "The Future of Education" conference. Visiting this city, which has played such a significant role in western history, is inspiring. It encourages one to not only look back at what was, but also to look ahead at what might be, especially when the t

Last week I decided that a good home cooked meal was in order. Lacking inspiration it turned to a recipe book I had been gifted the previous Christmas and found what appeared to be a tasty and nutritious option. I read on with enthusiasm and was soon imaging myself dining on this wholesome meal. If the end result looked half as good as the glossy picture that accompanied the recipe, I would be in luck.

There is a great deal that I like about this description of humanity at its best from Ryan & Deci. It is both a goal to be achieved and an indicator of conditions which are required for us to fulfil our potential. While the focus of this statement is on the actions of the individual we can see how society might act to deny individuals the opportunities to lead such an inspired and agentic life. I like to imagine what a school might be like if every individual who plays a part in its functioning strove to extend themselves, master new skills and apply their talents responsibly.  Maybe schools would be like the 'learning organisations' described by Peter Senge. 

Twitter is a great place for educators to share ideas. It has become my go to place when I am looking for something to read, a new idea or some inspiration. It is a great avenue for sharing practice, asking questions and building a community.    But . . .   . . . Twitter has some problems and these seems to be growing. To get the most out of Twitter a degree of caution is advised.

EduTech in Sydney has been a remarkable experience. A grand celebration of education and an energising gathering of educators ready to share stories and make connections. Despite the rainy weather some 8000 educators came together in the inspiring new International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour and left two days later with hers full of new ideas and wonderings of what might be the future of education. With many ideas still bubbling away here is a brief list of the key take-aways.

"Welcome to the Triptico website. The Triptico resource application currently contains 23 different interactive resources - all of which are easy to edit, adapt, save and share. Welcome to the Triptico website. The Triptico resource application currently contains 23 different interactive resources - all of which are easy to edit, adapt, save and share. You can access them all with one simple download... everything is completely free - and you will receive updates whenever new resources are added! You can access them all with one simple download... everything is completely free - and you will receive updates whenever new resources are added! Please contact me if you have any questions or feedback, David. "

If you are lucky enough to have an interactive whiteboard in your classroom, be sure to seek out the treasure available free for the taking at http://triptico.co.uk. With a single multi-platform download, you will get a collection of more than 20 interactive resources that are versatile, customizable, inspirational . . . invaluable!

Interactive mindmapping and brainstroming resource. An online version of Inspiration.

Online version of Inspiration--for FREE

A new study suggests that video games can be a force for good, finding that games with positive objectives can actually inspire people to perform acts of altruism.

Hi Jess, could I also add, that there is a greater issue with interactive Whiteboards. Some of the big teaching colleges and Universities in Australia did not have any!! or they were very outdated,... or they were bought the wrong ones!! As some of the Universites are tech phonic... the reality of interactive whiteboards is up to the inspiration of the academic.... Something which is not that transparent when you look at fancy marketed websites.

Could I also add, being a primary school trained teacher and academic in education, most retiring academics do not wish to learn to teach with technology (out of their comfort zone) and believe.... firmly that face to face ... is the only way....to educate. Technology has been pushed globally into the education system, with pedagogy taking last place. Pedagogy is the teaching strategies where teachers construct learning in a classroom, when they are given a broad socially constructed curriculum... i.e the teachers science or magic potion which supports student learning. while interactive whiteboards add an amazing dimension to learning, it is only as good as the student teacher, who is often thrusted into a teaching classroom,,, and needs to grapple with the technology as there are many products out there and work differently... need alone.... Batteries!!! yes batteries should always be in the tool kit of a teacher now.