#aussieED was founded on the belief that all teachers, and students, should have unlimited access to Professional Development, on their own terms, to improve their teaching, their schools and change the lives of the students they encounter. Since then, we have embarked on a mission to reach educators, not only in Australia but, all around the globe. We want to smash the barriers that prevent teachers from easily connecting and learning with each other. To that end, we have developed a regular Ed-chat each Sunday on twitter at #aussieED. The chat allows all teachers, leaders, administrators and all those connected with education to meet on an unbiased platform and discuss the real issues that effect what happens in classrooms everywhere. Our chats are authentic because we are real teachers walking the same walk that so many do everyday.
It was interesting to see Victoria go on it's own here! I would like to know the reason why we have only adapted some of the national curriculum #aussieED
Well said. And yes, the right things are being measured. Like all exams, they sample from a wider domain. The sample should rely upon the wider domain to allow students with a wide knowledge of the overall topic to do well on the sample. #aussieed
In reply to
@rdkrdk, @MarwanMalak2, @ponderingDan, @aj_cott
Absolutely will do! It felt amazing to summon up the courage to ask and not be looked down on but encouraged. So much love for the teaching community! ^Michelle #aussieED
Not doubting she got a great education. She is just suggesting that she played the game and got the results and is probably not used to ‘not getting it right’? #aussieED
In reply to
@aj_cott, @ponderingDan, @MarwanMalak2
A7 2/2 so that through our choices with resources etc. we are clearly Reef Guardian teachers, we hv a Reef Guardian staff room, Reef Guardian curriculum, Reef Guardian P&F , tuckshop, sustainable waste practices, continue waste reduction
#AussieED
2019 Prediction - Mobile phone bans will become the norm, funding debate will become over-politicised BUT Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality will continue to slowly become more common in classrooms forcing Ts and Ss to push for mobile devices (phones) in the class #aussieED
A7; This year I will teach in a context I never have... I'm going in with an open mind & hear. My goals are to 1) learn as much as possible, 2) adapt to my new teaching context and 3) hit the gym more, instead of the wine bottle #AussieED
This is exactly my point #aussieED. We’re not saying let’s eradicate assessment, but let’s ensure it’s relevant and meaningful. I can’t say exams have helped me retain information in the long haul.
In reply to
@MattWEyles, @mattoman71, @ponderingDan, @aj_cott
The “turn the clock back “ day light savings in Boston- making impossible to catch my two favorite outside US chats #aussieED and #PrimarySTEMchat - even getting up at 5:30, I missed it.
A7: I will continue my push to develop my leadership capacity. I’ll lead the Design/Tech team @HelenaCollege and see what opportunities come my way…I’ll rest first, though! #aussieED
Yes! Aww thank you! Teaching is such a supportive community, I'm so grateful and lucky that the field I'm passionate about, has such compassionate people. ^Michelle #aussieED
Was great reading all this answeares and take part in this great chat. Wish you all a great christmas break and see you again in 2019. Greeting from the other side of the world #aussieed
Yes. But is there any other universities can do this? Why do thousands of people have to sit an exam? Technically speaking, there’s inequity as students come from different social-economic regions, have different teachers, do different subjects. #aussieED
In reply to
@rdkrdk, @JohnKenny03, @ponderingDan, @aj_cott
How is the 21st century any different? We need more young people to have a broad knowledge base so they can be powerful critical and creative thinkers. They can then leverage the power of the internet so they can work across multiple domains. #aussieEd
When predictions that AI automation will overhaul the workplace by 2050 are in place, I would argue the developments in the 21st century outdo every development in education since the invention of the pen! #aussieED
So I teach Food Tech. Gen. Not ATAR. And I’ll argue with anyone keen to that my course is just as valuable as any other course for the life skills it brings. The collaboration. The teamwork. Project management. Make a mess with people’s food and you mess with them! #aussieED
In reply to
@JohnKenny03, @aj_cott, @ponderingDan, @MarwanMalak2
@bjlannen has worked on a project using cardboard. From my understanding they do not have this warning. @ClassVR is also another option but more pricey. #aussieED
[Confession]: I find live Twitter chats completely overwhelming and I rarely participate in them. I often read through them as they unfold but I don't often contribute an answer because it takes me such a long time to construct a response. #aussieED
My approach to live Twitter chats is as follows:
1] I click on the relevant hashtag e.g. #includEDau or #aussieED
2] I click on 'Latest', scroll down to the beginning of the chat and begin reading the questions and answers
3] As I reach the top, I refresh the page #aussieED
A6 #aussieed
Technology should be used to redefine #teaching in opposite to substituting good practices. #edtech should be used in a #classroom when it allows
for the creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable. In @Shapes3D we use this model to transform teaching #maths
Edu institutions are different to the rest of life though. Their whole function is to make sure students are learning something. Across academic disciplines, exams are an efficient/effective assessment type to ensure students can demonstrate they have learnt something. #AussieED
In reply to
@teacherasleader, @ponderingDan, @MarwanMalak2
You sound like my students…
Imagine food without Maths. Or Science. My subject is the only place the other stuff makes sense! And you get to eat the products you make. #aussieED
In reply to
@JohnKenny03, @aj_cott, @ponderingDan, @MarwanMalak2
This is precisely the point. Why are the different? That’s ludicrous! Then why have school at all according to that line of thinking? It’s not connected to other institutions, seems pointless then. #aussieED
In reply to
@aj_cott, @teacherasleader, @ponderingDan
And that’s what we’re resorting too? So long as students learn “something”? What core skills are they taking? What is going to help them survive in this technologically hyper-saturated world? #aussieED
In reply to
@aj_cott, @teacherasleader, @ponderingDan
Sure, I’m not saying only have exams. I’m all for other types of assessment types including teacher observations. But our society has benefited greatly because its citizens can communicate their knowledge through the written word. #AussieEd
Well I didn't even now that it had ended - thank you @hollis_k_ for hosting & @MRsalakas for a great platform for lively educational discussion #aussieed Thanks to all enjoy your Christmas with family and friends and have a great break - Merry Christmas to all
I think in one word you managed to encapsulate the difficulty of change within the education system, there is simple so much that needs changing, how would you actually know where to start? #aussieED
I agree. Formative assessment provides tools & ideas for more holistic & authentic 'seeing of the student'.
My initial argument was that we have created and positioned 'assessment' (of any kind) nearly as the principal ingredient of educational system (and beyond). #AussieEd
In reply to
@k8ylu, @teacherasleader, @hollis_k_, @dylanwiliam
Yes - sometimes; or the coffee van; and plenty of nursing homes visit in their buses! (Meanwhile... I’ll just wait here in my driveway.... 😉) #AussieED
Gotta go #aussieED Thanks for the year and for the chat @hollis_k_ Appreciate the great conversations here and the opportunity to learn and grow along with you. See you in 2019 (sounds odd). Matt.
Same argument could be said re: exams-many resources are poured into preparing students for exams-just look at the amount of providers that cater for this market-parents are willing to pay the extra-parents pay for additional educational expenses to get a good ATAR #aussieED
In reply to
@rdkrdk, @JohnKenny03, @MarwanMalak2, @ponderingDan, @aj_cott
A7: I’m willing it into the world that I will have an amazing 2019, and enjoy the challenges that come with being a Year advisor for year 7. Looking forward to building strong connections and enhancing my pedagogy #aussieED
A2
If I were minister of education I'd keep working on a needs-based sector-blind model. Yes there would be winners/losers, but now the losers can't defend themselves. Other than that back teachers in to do their jobs and not add more administrivia to their day.
#AussieED
I was very much the same when I started participating in Twitter chats. It took me a long time to even attempt #aussieED because it moves so fast! Have you tried using @TweetDeck to keep up with everything? Overwhelming at first, but very useful.
A3
I'll try to open myself up to new ideas and ways of teaching a diverse curriculum.
Add to student learning by being more organised and formally trialling MSTeams and GClassroom
Remove - I know, you do. Try to always have a learning spirit/heart. Teachability.
#AussieED
Certainly room for this in schools. But I think those types of assessments would actually be better suited in the workplace when companies are training their staff. I believe that the purpose of primary/secondary education is much broader than simply getting a job. #aussieEd
In reply to
@MattWEyles, @mattoman71, @ponderingDan, @MarwanMalak2
Yes - for the feedback between the teacher and student(s).
No - for the other reasons the assessment is used.
That has nothing to do with @dylanwiliam's framework, more with where and, more importantly, why use 'assessment' in education. #AussieEd
In reply to
@ComfortDisturb, @kruuna, @hollis_k_, @dylanwiliam
A5
The question is: "What is everything but the Year 12 final exam?" or even "What is life?"
We need an approach to learning and living that mirrors Michelangelo 'Ancora Imparo' - I am still learning.
#AussieED
A6
Tech isn't necessarily being overused but it's often being poorly used / misused.
I've used tech being a computing teacher to open up the curriculum to a diverse group of students. Will experiment more with Teams/Classroom to further streamline.
#AussieED
A7
I'll go a prediction. In 2019 there will be...
More staff at more schools. Why? Because ALP win election and implement full Gonski.
I don't think that's a huge prediction in education, but a fairly logical one looking at the current climate.
#AussieED
Let’s say those predictions are true even though the date seems to always change. The only way a human will compete is if they can critically/creatively think. The only way humans can do that is if they have a broad knowledge and understanding within multiple domains #aussieEd
I guess there are different teachers, schools and educational systems. I wish assessment would be 'small data' and connected with 'deep learning'. I'd seriously wish. #AussieEd
In reply to
@teacherasleader, @hollis_k_, @dylanwiliam
A2 Firstly, I would high five the person who had the sense to put an educator into the position (even if it was little ol’ me).
Then I would work on giving schools more autonomy so that they can implement innovative programs that fit the needs of their students.
#aussieED
The “something” is hopefully the best of which has been thought and said so that students can stand on the shoulders of giants and face the unknown future head on. #AussieED
In reply to
@MarwanMalak2, @teacherasleader, @ponderingDan
This is a must viewing for all involved in education-@dintersmith & @DrTonyWagner offers insight into the different possibilities of what education should be for our children today - and the book is worth a holiday read #aussieEDhttps://t.co/8CLJvSJnsk
In reply to
@rdkrdk, @JohnKenny03, @MarwanMalak2, @ponderingDan, @aj_cott, @dintersmith, @DrTonyWagner
Hmmmm, thinking of a response to that one, but I think I’ll try and start my hols politics free. I’m off fishing for a week! No pollies where I’m going, I hope! #aussieEd
As the festivities in school increase this week it can be useful to acknowledge that “Christmas can be a difficult and stressful time of year”and observe any children who respond either verbally or non verbally to this statement.#empathy
