[Yr7-10it] IT JOBS 2008

Mon Oct 15 11:26:53 EST 2007

Well since day one of VELS I have been telling my local IT colleagues to 
think about re-positioning themselves as IT-integration specialists in 
addition to their role as specialists teachers in higher end computing 
skills. If the leadership of the school is serious about this 
cross-curricula integration then they need to support it with the 
expertise and infrastructure. This expertise is usually tied up with the 
ICT teachers, especially those with more than one teaching method. (I 
mentioned this at the end of a VITTA session a couple of years ago and 
got quite a few participants telling me that there was no way ICT would 
be dropped as a Core subject blah blah.)
I have suggested that IT teachers become very active in their Curric 
committees and development working parties and being (very)^2 pro-active 
in utilising their skills in a manner that makes it obvious to their 
school the expertise they have, particularly with respect to POLT.
Many schools are creating positions whose role it is to co-ordinate the 
integration of ICT and help teachers to develop their own skills. A 
recent survey or our staff found that our position of Learning 
Technology Coach is a crucial factor in helping the take up and 
development of cross-curricula ICT activities. An important aspect of 
this role is rapport with staff, so it is of no help if you are seen as 
a grumpy-bum with a huge chip on your shoulder about a decision that 
didn't go your way. Be supportive (even if you have to grit your teeth) 
as you won't change the decision and will only lock yourself out of any 
further decisions.
Do some yards now and make yourself invaluable as a school resource. 
Help other teachers in their classes, be pro-active in supporting any 
school decision rather than automatically pooh-pooing it so that your 
Leadership group can see what a resource they have in you and they might 
start supporting you with some time etc.
These threads have indicated what a challenging time this is for ICT 
teachers. But the nature of our subject with it's rapidly changing 
landscape has meant that we have adapted in the past and have shown an 
ability to adapt to new technologies and curriculums - more so than 
most. Think about how you can adapt your role. It isn't easy, but I 
think it may be the only hope we have in view of dropping numbers and 
the pressure of cross-curricula integration.

Cheers
Cameron

Kent Beveridge wrote:
> The reasoning is quite simple:
> It was a gov't initiative to implement VELS (like the CSF) wasnt it? 
> The difference here, as we IT teachers are now finding, is that VELS 
> integrates IT with other subjects and apparently all teachers are 
> assumed to be IT trained as VELS is 'inter disciplinary' in its 
> approach. Hence IT teachers become dinosaurs as our skills are 
> suddenly downgraded except for specialist subject areas. Hence, 
> schools take the decision to integrate IT, thereby reducing the number 
> of classes of straight IT and therefore making many IT staff redundant.
> This is the main reason I, personally, am upgrading my MATHS quals to 
> be able to offer VCE maths as a teaching stream as I feel that my IT 
> subjects will disappear soon. The downside is that the jobs requiring 
> computer skills higher than those of a monkey will go interstate or be 
> outsourced to overseas specialists.
> This is my thoughts..
> feel free to comment or disagree as its just an opinion.
> KB.
> /*Kent Beveridge*,/
> /I.T. co-ordinator/
> /St. Brigids Catholic Sec. College/
> /Horsham/
> /email.. kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au <mailto:kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au>/
> //
> *|<3|\|7 b3\/3r1D93 ? ;-)*
> /Wishes and Eggs, one you make and one you break! A bit like 
> promises...../
> /“This email and any attachments may be confidential. You must not 
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>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of victor rajewski
> *Sent:* Mon 10/15/2007 10:18 AM
> *To:* Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* Re: [Yr7-10it] IT JOBS 2008
>
> I don't quite understand; What does Howard have to do with VELS? I
> don't follow your reasoning (perhaps your rage has impaired your
> argumentative skills?)
>
> vik
>
> On 10/15/07, Kent Beveridge <kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au> wrote:
> > Heres a thought, lots of available teachers to 'not so many' jobs 
> for next year. The govt will LOVE that. Think of all the VACANCIES and 
> CREATED JOBS that Mr. Howard now has CREATED!
> > Guess who I'm NOT voting for!
> >
> > So much for the skills shortage. With one fowl swoop of VELS he 
> instantly created an oversupply of teachers(in the IT area!!!! ).
> >
> > Isnt that what hes been spruking? 'Look how many jobs I've created 
> with my new IR system(and other subtle measures).
> >
> > hmmm
> > Makes you wonder why, doesnt it?!!
> >
> > KB.
> >
> > Kent Beveridge,
> > I.T. co-ordinator
> > St. Brigids Catholic Sec. College
> > Horsham
> > email.. kbeveridge at stbc.vic.edu.au
> >
> > |<3|\|7 b3\/3r1D93 ? ;-)
> >
> > Wishes and Eggs, one you make and one you break! A bit like 
> promises.....
> > "This email and any attachments may be confidential. You must not 
> disclose or use the information in this email if you are not the 
> intended recipient. If you have received this email in error, please 
> notify us immediately and delete the email and all copies. The School 
> does not guarantee that this email is virus or error free. The 
> attached files are provided and my only be used on the basis that the 
> user assumes all responsibility for any loss, damage or consequence 
> resulting directly or indirectly from the use of the attached files, 
> whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not. The content and 
> opinions in this email are not necessarily those of the School."
> >
> > ________________________________
> >
> > From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Alexakos, Zach Z
> > Sent: Sun 10/14/2007 7:27 PM
> > To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> > Subject: RE: [Yr7-10it] Year 7-10 IT structures
> >
> >
> >
> > Sounds like the basket weavers have well and truly taken over.
> >
> >
> >
> > Zach Alexakos
> >
> > ________________________________
> >
> > From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au 
> [mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Jim Bunn
> > Sent: Sunday, 14 October 2007 5:13 PM
> > To: 'Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List'
> > Subject: RE: [Yr7-10it] Year 7-10 IT structures
> >
> >
> >
> > Hello all,
> >
> >
> >
> > As Rachelle has already indicated, there is no compulsory ICT at 
> Hampton Park Secondary College (new from this year) and the 
> administration (having wanted this for years) has used the move from 
> the CSF to VELS as a virtual mandate for the dissolution of ICT 
> classes at years 7 and 8. Fully integrating ICT at years 7 and 8 was 
> done under the guise of it being a requirement under VELS. I argued 
> many of the very valid points made by those replying to this thread, 
> and it's made no difference whatsoever.
> >
> >
> >
> > At the end of last year I thought that the one good outcome of this 
> disastrous move was that at least most of the teachers previously 
> unable to get their non-ICT classes into a computer lab would now be 
> possible. Alas, no. One of our four computer labs (for 1300 students!) 
> has been dismantled and the computers dispersed elsewhere, like into a 
> Pod, or the new Learning Centre or just not re-leased. Another is 
> scheduled to go as well. My cynical nature says that it all comes down 
> to saving $.
> >
> >
> >
> > And guess what. It's driving good ICT teachers away from here. One 
> has just resigned, another is leaving at the end of the year, another 
> is trying to leave, and yours truly is counting the days until I'm out 
> of here as well. What a sad state of affairs. Grumble, grumble.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Jim Bunn
> > CCNA CCAI ITE1
> > Technology Coordinator
> > Hampton Park Secondary College
> > Victoria Australia
> >
> > 8795 9400
> >
> > bunn.jim.c at edumail.vic.gov.au
> >
> > ________________________________
> >
> > From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au 
> [mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Colin SUTTON
> > Sent: Thursday, 11 October 2007 8:59 PM
> > To: yr7-10it at edulists.com.au
> > Subject: [Yr7-10it] Year 7-10 IT structures
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi all
> >
> > My school, Montmorency SC, has NO compulsory ICT!
> >
> > A student can go through 6 years of schooling here and do NO formal IT.
> >
> > No other school I have ever taught in (2 in Vic, 3 in QLD and 4 in 
> the UK) have ever had this!
> >
> > It seems unbelievable that in the Information Age students are not 
> formally taught ANY ICT.
> >
> > They have to learn another language, do wood, metal, cooking and 
> sewing - useful and even essential - but the ONE thing none of them 
> can avoid is ICT!
> >
> > Sure, many can play games and surf to sites, but they are not 
> formally taught a wide range of other useful or essentail skills.
> >
> > Schools I have taught in elsewhere had at least one semester of ICT 
> at Year 7 (Yr 8 in QLD as secondary starts in Yr8).
> >
> > Most had an elective system that required them to do at least ONE or 
> more units at 8/9 or even again in Yr 10.
> >
> > Comments anyone?
> >
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > COLIN _______________________________________________
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> > Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by
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> Authority and
> > http://www.vitta.org.au <http://www.vitta.org.au/> 
> <http://www.vitta.org.au/> - VITTA Victorian Information Technology 
> Teachers Association Inc
> > _______________________________________________
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> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> > Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by
> > http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au <http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/> - Victorian 
> Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
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> Information Technology Teachers Association Inc
> >
> _______________________________________________
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> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by
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> Curriculum and Assessment Authority and
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> Information Technology Teachers Association Inc
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