techtalk t4 2015
DESCRIPTION
Final version of TechTalk for 2015. Contains information to support NSW Secondary TAS Teachers: Australian Curriculum, STEM, AG ForumTRANSCRIPT
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
Welcome to the TAS/Technologies
e -Newsletter The TECHTalk e-Newsletter is designed to support
teachers of all TAS/Technology subjects Years 7—12.
Term 4, 2015 TE
CH
TE
CHtalktalk
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
Inside this issueInside this issue
STEM Action Schools 3
Australian Curriculum Update 4
Hunter Secondary Head Teacher Meeting 5
Ag Forum 6
Agriculture and Food week 7
TAS Leadership Network 8
Industrial Arts Machine Tools Contract 9
Professional Associations 10
Term 4, 2015
This is the final TechTalk for the year and it has plenty of news and information about what is
happening in TAS. Have a good look at the STEM Action School project EOI on page 3 as it will
need your attention immediately if you want to be considered.
The endorsement of the Technologies Curriculum has been an interesting development but
please look at the article on page 4 for an explanation of where we stand on the Australian Cur-
riculum. I have also included some information about the professional associations that serve
our different subjects. Please consider joining as a faculty or individual in order to access the
opportunities they provide.
Agriculture education is very topical at the moment as the recommendations of the Review of
Agricultural Education and Training in NSW by Professor Jim Pratley are being implemented
across the state. In this issue I have featured one of the activities undertaken with the Agricul-
ture Lighthouse Schools and the four Agricultural High Schools. From 2016 every school in NSW
will need to implement an Agriculture and Food week to ‘celebrate and appreciate the role
that agriculture and food make to the health, wealth and wellbeing of society’. I have included
a page with some information and a link to the website. Watch this space for more resources
and opportunities.
Other news is that I was successful in being appointed as the TAS Advisor 7-12 for the next
three year contract period so I am looking forward to working with you to keep technology ed-
ucation in NSW moving forwards.
Dan Rytmeister
TAS Advisor, Years 7-12
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
STEM Action Schools
Secondary Education invites schools to submit an expression of interest for identification as a STEM Action School for the 2016-2017 school years. The expression of interest will be advertised in SchoolBiz this Friday 20th November 2015. The aim of this project is to identify, support and link together a range of schools to share effective STEM pedagogy, illustrate innovative practice for student engagement in STEM, and demonstrate effective leadership,
professional learning, student career path planning and industry partnerships. Each successful school will be provided with a seeding grant of up to $10 000 for each of 2016 and 2017 to support sharing of effective practice in STEM education. The seeding grant will be negotiated based on school size, location and other factors.
If your school is interested in applying for this project consult with your principal and complete the attached Expression of Interest Document for STEM Action Schools Project, closing date for submission: COB Monday 7 December 2015. We look forward to reading your application for the Stem Action School Project.
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
Australian Curriculum Update
I have had a number of enquiries about where we are with the Australian
Curriculum and what we should be doing at the moment regarding its
implementation.
The short answer is do nothing but teach the existing BOSTES syllabus.
Under the Education Act In NSW we must teach to a NSW developed syllabus and, although the Australian Curriculum was endorsed on 18 September, 2015, we must wait until the BOSTES releases a syllabus before we can address the new curriculum.
When this Newsletter was published, the BOSTES had not announced
whether they will be reviewing the existing syllabus documents to reflect the
Australian Curriculum. If the BOSTES does make the decision to review the
existing syllabus, there will be a full process of syllabus development as
detailed in the Syllabus development handbook and ALL will be consulted.
http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabuses/syllabus-
development/pdf_doc/syllabus-development-handbook.pdf
Based on the processes already used by the other subject areas, I would not
expect any new syllabus to be ready to deliver before 2018.
What can you do in the meantime?
If the BOSTES does review the current syllabus, make sure you participate in
any consultation process to ensure you get to have your say.
Join your relevant professional association and engage in the process.
Learn a bit about coding and computational thinking. The one thing that is
specified in the Australian Curriculum that is not mandated in the current
Technology Mandatory Syllabus is computational thinking and coding.
Watch this space for opportunities for professional learning in 2016.
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
Hunter Secondary Head Teachers Meeting
State Office curriculum advisors
supported the Hunter Secondary
Head Teachers Meeting on the
14 October. After the keynote
speaker, the TAS Head Teachers
broke off and I ran a session on
‘what is happening in TAS’. This
covered a range of topics and
generated some useful
discussion. The network spent
the last session doing a hands on activity in a ‘littlebits maker space’ led by
Peggy Mangovski of West Wallsend High School.
Start a TAS teacher network in your area. If you run an event with a number of teachers from different schools in your
area, then I can come to you to run an information session or a workshop.
This year I have attended after hours workshops for faculty groups in
Agriculture and STEM.
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
AG Forum 2015
The Agriculture Lighthouse Schools and the Agricultural High Schools came
together for a forum on Friday 6 November and Saturday 7 November to
share practice and engage in some professional learning.
The event started with an introduction from Professor Jim Pratley who led
the Review into Agricultural Education and Training in NSW and a keynote
address from Mick Keogh, Executive Director of Australian Farm Institute.
Both presenters were highly
engaging and reinforced the need to
develop innovative agricultural
practice in our students.
The Agriculture Lighthouse schools
have been established to provide
examples of effective practice and support Agriculture education through
mentoring. If you would like a fresh approach to Agriculture in your school
or information about a particular enterprise, give myself or Sally Bannerman
a call and we can link you up with the
right teacher.
Call Dan Rytmeister 9266 8514
Or Sally Bannerman 9244 5520
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
Agriculture and Food Week
Agriculture and Food Week is a recommendation of the Review into
Agricultural Education and Training in NSW.
The aim of Agriculture and Food Week is to celebrate and appreciate the
roles agriculture and food make to the health, wealth and wellbeing of
society.
The site has been designed to stimulate teaching and learning ideas that can
engage students and help them develop an interest in the origins of food.
Embedding these ideas into integrated learning activities may provide
opportunities for practical and authentic life-long learning for students.
Both the primary and secondary sections contain drop down menus for each
of the learning areas.
Teachers are encouraged to make comment about the existing stimulus
ideas and contribute their own ideas. It is envisaged that this site will further
develop to become a comprehensive collection of teaching and learning
strategies over time.
http://www.learning.schools.nsw.edu.au/foodagweek/
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
Join the TAS Leadership Network
Teacher EOI still open!
The TAS Leadership Network has been launched with a two-day induction
for TAS leaders.
In the TAS learning area there are specific knowledge and skill sets required for each of
the TAS material/skills backgrounds. The TAS Leadership Network has been established
to support Department of Education TAS teachers through mentoring and advice.
The project focuses on safety and compliance, programming, assessment and pedagogy
specifically related to TAS subjects.
The Teacher EOI is still open.
This is a great opportunity for teachers to access support that is specifically related to
their TAS learning area.
Teacher participation: Scheduled virtual meetings will be conducted no more than twice per term and ongoing
online collaboration will support communication and professional discussion. There is no
cost to the school or the teacher
for inclusion in this project.
Group leaders are all
experienced teachers in their TAS
subjects and will coordinate and
mentor their groups.
How to apply: discuss with your supervisor
and principal
complete the EOI online.
Teacher EOI https://goo.gl/IYodZI
EOI
STIL
L
OPEN
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
Industrial Arts Machine Tools contract released
Two copies of the Industrial Arts
Machine Tools Contract has been
sent to every high school in NSW.
Safety is a critical aspect of TAS
subjects and procedures must be
revisited regularly. Please ensure
you consult this document before
purchasing equipment and follow
the procedures provided. Following
these procedures will protect both
you and your students.
“Principals are advised that use of
this contract is mandated and is
specifically excluded from
alternative methods of
procurement including the Local
Schools, Local Decisions Policy
purchasing arrangements. This is to
prevent substitution with equipment
that does not meet DoE safety
requirements and prevent purchases
from alternate suppliers. Schools
must not purchase any machine tools other than those available on Contract DECAM-
13-15.”
Soft copies of the document are available from the Asset Management Website:
https://detwww.det.nsw.edu.au/assetmanagement/
safecomp/machine_tools.htm
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
Professional Associations
In this edition of the TechTalk newsletter I am taking the unusual action of promoting the professional associations that represent Technology teachers.
With the new curriculum likely to be written soon it is important that you get to have your say. The professional association play an important part in this process and a strong membership gives them the capacity to contribute to the consultation with some authority.
Our professional associations often provide professional learning opportunities and regular conferences that allow us to share our knowledge and experience with like-minded teachers.
The following pages display flyers from each of the associations that were able to provide this information. Please consider membership.
HEIA Home Economics Institute of Australia http://www.heia.com.au/
ICTENSW Information Communication Technology Educators of New South Wales http://ictensw.org.au/
IIATE Institute of Industrial Arts and Technology Education http://www.iiate.asn.au/
NSWAAT New South Wales Association of Agriculture Teachers http://nswaat.org.au/
TEA Technology Educators Association http://www.teansw.com.au/
ACCREDITED WORKSHOPS • PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT • RESOURCES • COMPUTING STUDIES
ICT Educators NSW
www.ictensw.org.au
2016 CONFERENCESave the Date
ICT Educators NSW is a professional organisation supporting quality teaching with digital technologies in New South Wales schools. ICTENSW represents all teachers’ interests to state and federal governments. It speaks out on matters of curriculum and equity, and promotes best practice in the use of learning technologies. We run workshops through the term and hold an Annual Conference in March
ACU North Sydney 11 - 13 MarchConference Strands
• Digital Technologies – Primary and Secondary• Senior Secondary Computing - IPT / SDD / ITVET and Ind Tech Multi• STEM• MakerSpace• Digital Leadership
Why should you attend?• Network with peers, leaders and decision makers• Access leading experts• Participate in seminars and interactive workshops presented by key thinkers and leaders in
their fields• Gain BOSTES accredited professional development points
Become a member of the NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers Inc!
Membership of the NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers gives you access to a Professional Association which aims to promote the role of Agricultural training in the development of Australia, and support those teachers who are teaching the courses in schools in NSW, both Public and Private.
It provides a regular publication (BAAT) which contains many items of practical interest to Agriculture teachers.
The association also has a very active Facebook page and an Edmodo group, where a great deal of networking and sharing resources occurs. A great reason to become a member today!
A tip: Get your school to fund the membership!
The association will contact you when urgent matters arise such as curriculum change and restructuring, legislative requirements, resource issues, etc.
Membership allows you to participate in a Biennial State Conference and attend the National Conference.
Allows you to become part of a collegial group who support each other through sharing of ideas and expertise.
The association website has a members only area with curriculum links, syllabus support material for Agriculture (Senior and Junior) as well as Primary Industries VET courses. The association also has a social network webpage on Facebook for sharing ideas and resources.
The cost for 2015 and 2016 has been set at $60.00 pa or $120 for 2 years.
The membership year is from 1st January to 31st December.
Full membership is open to those teachers who are teaching agriculture OR any person with an interest in Agricultural education.
Student membership is available to trainee teachers and students at half the annual fee.
Fees may be paid annually or for the two years between conferences. (odd years)
Please find the membership application on the next page.
The NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers is NOT registered to collect GST
ABN: 81 639 285 642
TITLE NAME
SCHOOL POSTAL
ADDRESS
Postcode
PHONE FAX
MOBILE DATE
MEMBERSHIP School Individual Payment Method
Email this Membership form to: [email protected] and make cheques payable to NSWAAT
Post cheque to: OR Pay via Direct Deposit:
Treasurer NSWAAT Account Name: NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers Graham Quintal BSB: 082 939 16 Finlay Ave Account Number: 639 757 522BEECROFT Reference: Your Initial, Surname and "Memb".NSW 2119
MEMBERSHIP FEE: $60 / annum ($30 for students / trainees)
MEMBERSHIP REQUESTED No of Years
PAYMENT $
* Membership is based on a calendar year.
Office Use Only
Date Received Receipt # Receipt Sent
The NSW Association of Agriculture Teachers is NOT registered to collect GST
End of year equals reports, timetable allocations, tidying your desk and classroom before the holidays! It also means renewing memberships. Why…. You ask? Should you renew your membership with TEA?
QTC registered PL - We will continue to work with PTC to ensure that professional learning will be QTC
endorsed (this will become even more important as we approach 2018 when we all need to maintain accreditation). Membership entitles access to all TEA Events and covers insurance at these events.
Meeting the needs of our diverse members - This year we ran our first collaborative
and highly successful Teacher Day at the Hotel School in Sydney. We are introducing new venues to allow greater access to our members. Other events were held at Oatley Senior Campus and ACU in Strathfield. Next year we are branching out to the south west, starting in Canley Vale.
Supporting our regional members -There are amazing professional development opportunities
being led by outstanding educators in many regional areas. In 2016 the TEA will focus on consolidating regional groups as sub-committees of TEA. WE are looking at clear and transparent processes that will ensure sustainability of the TEA, as well as continuing to provide high quality professional learning for all of our members.
Involvement in your professional organisation – Engage with professional teaching
networks and broader communities (Australian Professional Standard for Teachers #7).
Communication - Newsletters -Four glossy high quality printed newsletters! In this digital age we are still
mindful of balancing print and digital methods of communication. The design of new and improved communication channels has been a priority for the TEA. We are pleased to announce the launch of our updated website ……….
→ Website: www.teansw.com → PO Box 222 Oatlands NSW 2117
Supporting and advocating for technology educators
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© State of New South Wales, Department of Education 2015
TAS/Technologies curriculum contact:
Dan Rytmeister TAS Advisor Years 7-12 Secondary Education Learning and Leadership
Level 3, 1 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, 2010, NSW T: (02) 9266 8514
If you would like to be added to our TAS/Technology communication network please
send me your details.
If you do not want to receive future communications please
remove me from communication network
If you have feedback or suggestions for professional development or future articles
please send me an email.
The non-DEC products and events listed in this e-Newsletter are to be used at the reader’s discretion. The inclusion of product and event information is not an
endorsement by the Department.
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www.facebook.com/technologies.curriculum