The return of the biggest tech conference in Australia after 3 years of Covid-mandated absence.
Yes EduTECH is back - in a big way. It could be argued that it continued in an online-only mode the last few years, but trying to fit in watching online videos while working at school was impossible for many of us. I think I had it on my to-do list to watch some replays but... it is just good to be back in person with thousands of other people! The conversations and connections are the best part of an event like this - sure the ideas and products are great also, but some of the people I have met have inspired and supported me for years after the event has ended.
Here are a few of my big lessons from the 2022 conference
Lesson #1 - Critical questions
Having a question in mind is always helpful as I listen to presentations. A few of mine:
How does this tool/product/idea enable or enhance student agency in learning?
How could this tool/product/idea potentially impact my work?
This allows me to think critically and avoid shiny ball thinking. Sure, there are dozens of great ideas, but which one fits with your context (which is unique to you). Selling a one size fits-all product probably isn't going to excite me the way it did a few years ago
Here is a variation on this theme I saw today
Lesson #2 Social media
Social media is an evolving beast and has come a long way in three years since the last f2f conference. There are hundreds of people sharing great insights, live in sessions - if we promoted a session hashtag you almost would not need to go, just watch the Twitter feed! I am so thankful for this sharing that enriches and pushes my thinking and creates a community of learning
Lesson #3 Essential shifts
Who doesn't like a list of things we need to do! Well, actually... OK in this case this was interesting from Richard Culatta (ISTE)
#1 is the most interesting to me. I'm not sure I would characterise the main uses of tech I see in school as presenting content, but in a broader definition I can see how you could bundle a lot under that banner - including our LMS's, online learning etc. Using tech to connect people is one of the fundamental traits of the redefinition stage in the SAMR model so I nod my head at this one.
I agree with #3 - being safe online is such a low bar! We need kids who are informed, inclusive, creative! We need tech to help kids solve big problems (their problems that matter to them) and amplify their voice.
Lesson #4 Wellbeing
Wellbeing. One of the big, major, massive shifts in thinking in EdTech is the place we must give to student digital wellbeing. It wasn't front and centre three years ago but it sure is now. Nearly everything I listened to referenced this either directly or indirectly. Mark Sparvel did a great job of representing a tech company without selling it, and really talking about how a tool like Reflect in Teams is important for us to know where kids are at emotionally. Learning is inherently social so social and emotional skills are important! We can't see this as something else added to our plate as teachers - SEL IS the plate!
Lesson #5 Libraries
Teacher Librarians are always jumping up and down yelling about how important they are, while slowly going extinct. We really need to listen to the smart ones who are redefining what a modern library space and service is all about - there were a ton of them at EduTECH! Libraries are about research, collaboration, resources and community. I have no doubt that a visionary library can make a huge difference in a school community. I am trying to lead one! A great elevator pitch:
"Our library is about enabling world-ready students who are fluent, effective and ethical leaders"
Lesson #6 AI
There are a lot of areas that have not evolved much in three years. AI is not one of them. There is certainly more buzz around the potential (all it is right now) for AI to play a role in reducing teacher marking time (for example). There are some scary-good AI-generated tools out there I am sure students are already using (unbeknownst to Turnitin!) like https://www.shortlyai.com/ and https://quillbot.com/ - we really need to ask different questions to assess learning - ones that only a human can answer.
Lesson #7 Microsoft tools
I am certainly very biased as an MIEE, but the presentations today in the Microsoft area were absolutely beast-mode good and showcased great educators showing clearly how digital tools are making a difference in their classrooms. It would be difficult to not go away excited to use some of the tools.
Lesson #8 Lead with pedagogy
It goes without saying that we should consider pedagogy first when designing learning experiences, then the content and then possible ways technology can support these. The sequencing is important, but some tech tools work in the opposite order. This is worth considering.
In a great conversation between the Deputy CEO of ACER and Sandra Milligan, they discussed things such as the lack of evidence in literature for the efficacy of technology. Sandra said that tech has helped in direct instruction approaches and in basic literacy and numeracy skills - not in more complex ideas and for deep learning. Assessment is an area where technology has great promise.
Some questions:
Have we seen a benefit from Naplan and PISA? What has that been?
How do we need to use technology? To enhance student agency, to focus on their passions, to make learning progression clear
How can we direct our gaze towards the right outcomes and not simplistic measures of literacy and numeracy?
How might we use technology to facilitate deep learning across and between subject disciplines?
How can we gather evidence about the efficacy of technology in learning?