global2
collaborate, communicate, create
Naplan discussion in today’s Age online
May 15th
Peter Job is an English and humanities teacher at Dandenong High School. His master’s thesis was National Benchmark Testing, League Tables and Media Reporting of Schools. In The Age today Peter has written an article  Naplan is driving our kids backward.  The article has prompted some discussion amongst the community both for and against standardised testing.
How high-poverty schools are getting it done
May 10th
In an article by Karin Chenoweth and Christina Theokas it is opresented that Principals in high-achieving schools with a high percentage of students in poverty share four characteristics.
To anyone who cares about ensuring that all children are educated to a high standard, it is depressing to look at one of those graphs that show schools by percentage of low-income students on the x axis and academic achievement on the y axis. The steep slope down and to the right seems to demonstrate an iron law of probability: High-income schools have high achievement; low-income schools have low achievement. Even more uncomfortable for a country that often prides itself on having eliminated institutional discrimination, the same results can be replicated when race rather than income is used.
http://www.educationalleadership-digital.com/educationalleadership/201304?pg=58#pg58
Is anyone using the wiki function in Global2 with their students?
May 9th
Just wondering if anyone is using the wiki function in Global2 with their students? If you are we would love to hear about it. An oldie but a goodie is the
“Grade 3-4 at Bellaire Primary School in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. It is the adventures of a tennis ball called Terry. Our teacher, Mr Pearce, started the story on the 29th of April 2006 and we have been adding to it since.”http://terrythetennisball.wikispaces.com/Â A simple “Choose your own Adventure” story done with fun and smarts
Online exams accessible when needed in NZ schools
May 6th
Pupils may soon be able to sit school assessments online when they are ready, rather than waiting for the traditional exam period.
New Zealand Qualifications Authority chief executive Karen Poutasi has outlined what she says could be a “significant cultural shift for New Zealand” in a recent speech to secondary principals about the next decade in education.
“We can reach a position within eight years where most students will be sitting examinations using a digital device,” she said.
Secondary Principals Association president Tom Parsons said the system would be of huge benefit to intelligent pupils who were being held back in the classroom while they waited for end-of-year exams.
Teachers would manage pupils at different levels because it was already happening.
“Kids don’t always learn in a meaningful and quick way unless engaged, but why shouldn’t we remove the barriers so that they can do that learning earlier in certain areas.”
He said principals supported the idea happening as soon as possible, although the structure of the classroom and teaching style would need some changes first. Full article
Bond University film and television award opportunity for year 11 and 12 students
Apr 30th
Encourage your Year 11 and 12 students to enter a short film for their chance to win a full tuition scholarship to study Film and Television at Bond University (valued at over $92,000). Students are asked to create a short film of no more than 10 minutes and enter before September 27, 2013. Categories include Animation, Comedy, Drama, Documentary, Experimental and Music Video
.
Check Out The Winning 2012 Bufta Film “Resistance” by Blake Borcich, Xavier College, VIC
Multiple awards, including Best School and the VideoPro People’s Choice, will be announced at the Gala Awards Evening held at Bond University in November. For full competition details, prizes, filmmaking tips and examples of past finalist films, visit www.bufta.com.au.
FUSE – A place to “Find Use Share Educational” resources
Apr 22nd
The DEECD has developed a number of places and spaces for teachers, students and everyone to access and use high quality digital resources for learning.
FUSE – ( Find Use Share Educational resources) is a place for learners to find digital resources that have been quality assured. Fuse presents a teacher page, a primary student and secondary student page and even a place for very young learners to explore the online world. Its a great place for parents to use with their children to find resources on a broad range of topics.
Students can access everything freely online at school and at home.
Victorian Government teachers can access this and more. Teachers can login to FUSE to access licensed digital content, have their own place to hold and share their own digital packages, videos and documents Go to FUSEÂ
www.education.vic.gov.au/teacher
 
A 21st Century librarian helps students see through the cloud
Apr 18th
Many schools have renamed their libraries Media Centers, and the people who help students access their resources need to be as tech-savvy as any IT person. Today’s librarians have to know things like responsible use policies (also known as acceptable use policies) and how to guide students in the effective use of the Internet for research. For schools trying to incorporate technology into the curriculum these educators are key, because they speak the language of technology and education.
Read more of the  Margo Pierce article
ICTEV Annual State Conference: IT Takes A Village -Saturday 25 May
Apr 15th
Have you registered for the conference yet? Don’t delay!
Register NOW so that you can register for the sessions you want to participate in before they fill up.
Click on the images below to check out the massive conference program and presenter grid.
