What do people think of 'Technology' in your school?

So here's the thing..
A common misconception about technology is people think it's all about computers and devices and hey, maybe many of you reading this may believe the same? This is where my job is tricky..

Technology IS NOT simply computers and devices! Technology is everything! At one point in time the pen and pencil were an innovative technology, just like nowadays IWBs, devices and web based apps are new innovations in education and technology, but something always gets forgotten...

Technology is also about machines and processes and manufacturing technologies. THIS is where (as an Industrial Artist) our identity suffers.

I LOVE being on the tools! I also really LOVE CAD CAM technology! Throw in to the mix that I LOVE integrating paperless tech in to learning (as seriously, how many jobs are out there that involve hand writing in to a booklet or copying notes from a board?) and you may start to understand that although I'm doing a top job teaching and trailblazing 'Technologies' in schools, the masses DO NOT understand why and what the hell is being taught.

So what's the answer(s)?

Promotion and communication is the key!

DO NOT give up! Educate your team, your students and your fellow colleagues about the joys of Technology, and what the term 'Technology' should mean in your school. Sell your syllabus (make it known that what you are teaching is linked to that magical document that hey, let's face it, some people may not have looked at for years), and finally, map your technology goals to your school and faculty plans and make sure the people with the power (& $$$s) understand where you are coming from.

And perhaps the most important thing to do... Always remember that E = R!
Effort ALWAYS equals Results.

Technologically yours : )

Why my (maybe yours too) job is THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD

So where do I start when there's sooooooo many reasons?
I guess the place to start is at the beginning...
When I was in Year 9 at School, I new I wanted to be an Industrial Arts teacher (thanks to my idol Mr Dave Chapple : ) ). It was a simple choice really, it was a career option that meant I could spend my days in workshops making stuff & being involved in lots of sport. So that's where the dream began.

Dot point style, here's the big ones!

• I shape our future via shaping the minds of our youth
• It's extremely rewarding
• You see the results! (students succeeding)
• We teach cool stuff, but teach the youth how to succeed in life
• I work with a great team
• I LOVE my school, the kids, the community, the staff, the facilities, the boss, the lot!
• We only have to work 200 days of the year (though we all work much more than that)
• Our hours are flexible & the bell rings at 3pm each day : )
• And believe it or not, we're on a good wicket...
  (in fact when I was promoting teaching to kids the other day I showed them HOW my hourly face to face teaching rate was $170 per hour : ) )

There's loads, loads more, this is just for starters.

Makes you think, doesn't it?

Career change time anyone? : )

E=R

Leading Innovation Improvement & Change

So where do I start? I'm going to try & keep this short...

 'I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.' - Wayne Gretzky.


I'm not an Ice Hockey fan, but I live by this quote & really try to lead the implementation of new & engaging technology & pedagogy in my own (& my team's) practice. At a personal & faculty level I think & feel like I'm doing an awesome job... & pretty certain my team feels likewise.
But the spanner in the works.... Can you guess it?
As Head Teacher, I'm essentially in middle management & I'm yet to find the perfect balance between leading innovation, improvement & change (where the puck is going to be) VS working with the school's traditional views on things like technology & pedagogy (where the puck used to be).
I get many pats on the back & words of encouraging advice, yet cop a lot of knocks along the way. So what do I do?
My thoughts are to keep doing what I'm doing  & try to lead change by rocking the boat just enough to keep it from sinking (whilst zooming through the waves ahead of the pack ; ) ) as I feel this is the most effective means of 'LIICing' (Leading Innovation Improvement & Change).
The main chip from above that I'm often presented with is, "You need to work with the team." To which my response is, " As a team member, I feel it's my role to ensure my team is performing at it's peak, so if there's a better way of doing things, I'll find a way to introduce it to the team & make our team better!"
I'm always pursuing 'exponential perfection', & just like Superman, I can deflect bullets. ; )
E=R

How to REALLY improve literacy & numeracy in High School

Ok, so fresh from the 'best excursion ever' with kids so excited & pleased with themselves for their practical application of numeracy (physically calculating & selecting their material for their ottoman projects) I've been sparked again on my campaign to improve L&N in our school.

As the head of TASAM (TAS, Art & Music) one may wonder why I am trying to promote this... & not an English or Maths teacher? ? ?

Simple.
When schools achieve positive L&N results, Maths & English teams get a pat on the back... when schools perform poorly, it's the same two faculties that may be frowned down upon.

Sad but true. One may say, "Who cares? I don't teach in that faculty anyway so what's it got to do with me?"

Well here's the reality. WE ARE ALL TEACHERS OF LITERACY & NUMERACY... sounds like a familiar catch phrase, doesn't it? : )

Now I understand the kids learn their L&N in M&E, but I believe the practical based subjects make L&N real... Call it 'practical literacy' & 'practical numeracy'.

So in a changing educational world, where L&N is becoming more & more important, with more & more teaching hours looking to be directed this way, is this really the answer?

My view - NO!

L&N needs to be a whole school thing with ALL faculties equally responsible for L&N for each & every student. So now it's time to bite the bullet & make a change....

Instead of continually doing what every other joint seems to do (& place MORE hours in to explicit L&N activities at the expense of engaging elective subjects) we need to bring in MORE elective hours & up the anti on faculties to commit to L&N initiatives & share in the successes & failures of L&N in schools.

MISSION - To get our school to commit to 3 x 200 hour electives in Stage 5.

But it's up to US (as teachers) to TALK UP & take pride in the way we teach kids L&N... in an exciting & ever changing practical setting : )

E=R

A great day in design!

Best Excursion EVER!?

I like to call it practical maths...
My kids loved it!

& has meant they're paying elective fees too!

Basically, we (our Yr 10 Design & Tech)  are designing ottomans.

The deal is, the kids design & create their carcase, then head out to SPOTLIGHT to select their materials.

The biggy....

Only kids that have paid their eletive fees get to purchase their materials.

Coincidentally, we have spiked from about 10% of elective fees paid to around the 90%!!!!!

Student engagement & ownership = AWESOMENESS

On a mission to blog

Ok, so here goes....

I've made a few attempts at commiting to a blog, but now is the time. If I post it here, I WILL DO IT!

I have so much to share, so much to say & so much to show, that this is simply the best way to go : )
E=R