[Yr7-10it] PD comment for country members ...Kent B.

Fri Jul 30 12:51:00 EST 2010

Phil, please don't pick on ACEC :-(

Regards Roland

On 30 July 2010 00:49, Phil Callil <P.Callil at xavier.vic.edu.au> wrote:

> Och, we'll leave ACEC for dead!  Whatever we do in terms of a regional
> conference, it will have to be central. Thanks Brendyn.
>
>
> Phil
>
> >>> "Brendyn Hancock"  29/07/10 10:48 PM >>>
>
> Phil
>
> Great email, but dont forget the east. Tararalgon Sale Bairnsdale Orbost.
>
> I would support a session at VITTA conf. (if I can get down, spent lots at
> ACEC :-)
>
> Cheers
>
> Brendyn
> Nagle College
> Bairnsdale
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Phil Callil
> Sent: Thu 29/07/2010 4:49 PM
> To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Yr7-10it] PD comment for country members ...Kent B.
>
>
> Hi Kent,
>
> I think we all agree with your sentiments........ and your enthusiasm and
> passion.  That is the thing we all have in common.
>
> I can only reiterate my comments from my last email.  Kent, I've had
> numerous discussions and arguments with channel partners of the big computer
> companies to do more in terms of ICT PD.  As I've had it explained to me
> numerous times (to the point of almost feeling patronized), it's all about
> money.  The short sighted business approach of many companies is they have
> to sell boxes - both little and big - and that employing someone to do PD is
> not a realistic business model.
>
> Of course this is short sighted and ultimately self defeating.  BER is
> addressing the digital divide in terms of hardware but certainly not in the
> most valuable area - that of teachers' skills.  The skill base of teachers
> is where the story currently ends because invariably teachers won't (or
> can't) let students do stuff they are not comfortable in doing.  This also a
> major challenge for educational leadership.  As you have pointed out,
> regional teachers and students miss out because of the tyranny of distance.
>  It's not right but unfortunately just because it's not right doesn't mean
> it is any easier to solve.
>
> >From the VITTA office side, a number of PD events this year around
> Victoria have been run this year and we've been disappointed with the lack
> of numbers.  I hope you and the Shepp and Bright teachers came along to the
> Road Show we did on behalf of VCAA.  I guess if VITTA is going to run things
> around Victoria, we just need to have as many people at them as possible.
>  If there isn't , then it does simply become too difficult. We just need to
> have regional events well attended because if we do, we can build momentum
> and certainty and things can then start to move.
>
> The emerging technologies concept is one that VITTA believes has some
> momentum so we (all of us - country and city) need to think of a model that
> is attractive and sustainable in a country location. I'd like VITTA to run a
> conference next somewhere like Yarrawonga, Echuca or Bendigo in Semester 1
> and perhaps we build it around emerging technologies - instead of 6 weeks of
> one night a week, we do it intensively over two days.
>
> I would be grateful to hear from people on this list who would be
> interested in helping with planning for a major ICT in education conference
> in the first half of 2011.
>
> For the moment, the VITTA Conference on November 29 and 30 is my major
> focus and it has to be because it's getting bigger by the day.
>
> A current snapshot:
>
> Larry Nelson, Managing Director of Worldwide school education for Microsoft
> - he is donating his services for the VITTA Conference.
> Rev Tim Costello - Tuesday keynote
> ICT Leadership - for  ICT Leaders and Prins in in DEECD, CEO and
> independent schools groups separately - coming together later for open panel
> hypothetical discussion
> 400 mobile devices from Apple for delegate use.
> Separate one day conference for TSSP techs (pending) but also one for CEO
> and independent school techs.
> Trade Display bigger than last few years.
> Conference Dinner which will be a ripper.
>
> And the most important of all:  practising teachers giving presentations
> with 6 labs available for workshops.
>
> Maybe the 2010 VITTA Conference would be perfect time to run a session for
> anyone interested in talking about a regional conference event in 2011.
>
> Kent, this hasn't solved the problem but it won't be for lack of trying.
>
> Phil Callil
> Faculty Head ICT
> Xavier College
> Phone 9855-4163
> www.xavier.vic.edu.au
>
> Vice President VITTA and 2010 Conference Director
> VITTA Annual Conference
> Australia's biggest annual K-12 ICT in Education conference
> Caulfield Racecourse November 29-30
> www.vitta.org.au
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >>> Kent Beveridge  7/29/2010 9:33 AM >>>
> Thanks for the reply Phil, but if I may...
>
> Firstly, yes, VITTA puts on and supports conferences and yes it does
> 'punch' for state and national issues.
>
> However, I refer to another member's comment currently on this discussion
> thread that many PD opportunities tend to be city based and post 4.30
> timeslots - great for city members, but not so for us non-city members(yes,
> I am now paid up!).
>
> Example..the recently offered 'emerging technologies course' on these
> lists. I for one looked at the content and thought it would be excellent if
> I could attend all or even some of the units but alas...the timeslots again
> destroy that option.
>
> Solution? I have a local tafe campus of the Ballarat uni handy and so
> perhaps that may be my only option available to keep 'up to date' coursewise
> but that may be an expensive option methinks.
>
> Jo Maclaey and myself are going to attempt to trial an elluminate session
> next week and I mentioned it to my techie here so we'll see if we can make
> it happen to possibly open up some options on that front.
>
> Now..to an obvious point...
> I am presently Horsham based, and two respondents currently about this
> issue are in both Shepp and Bright..also non-Melbourne based. How to cater
> for 'us' on a basis EQUALLY as regularly as the city members for PD sessions
> on 'whatever' the topic. Also, what about the Mildura and Ouyen, or
> Bairnsdale members..how to cater for THEM too??
>
> Seems since my time - now in my 4th year - up here, I have observed a
> strong lack of offerings in the PD front for non-city members. As you also
> may well know, I DO comment about this when I notice it and feel
> disappointed with offerings and have raised this issue on these lists
> previously on these lists.
>
> Possible solution??
> For me.. offer PD in say Ballarat or Ararat that I can attend and start at
> 5.30pm or 6.00pm gives me a chance to at least get there(2hrs to Ballarat
> for me, 1 and a bit to Ararat). North? Some venue about 1-2hrs north of
> Melbourne and East?...Maybe Warragul sessions. Surely presenters would be
> prepared to do a 1-2 hr trip if they were aware that some of the
> participants at their sessions were travelling an equal distance just to get
> there from their country or rural based schools to keep up to date with
> their skill base.
>
> We, in the country schools, want to provide currency and fun too in our
> content for our students but feel often 'left out in the cold' when some
> 'cool' PD sessions are on offer....in the city!
> Perhaps some serious money - or training offerings, or PD sessions etc can
> be sourced from sponsors and businesses who wish to support this plight can
> assist.
> Eg...
> Come on Adobe, and Microsoft, and Apple, or IBM et al,  contact us and help
> us (or ME!!) and help us out here with some tailored sessions at an
> affordable rate.
> Some software scripting, and animation or multi-media content would be most
> welcomed by us country members but we NEED YOUR SUPPORT!  You want sales?
>  Well help us out then! We use your products in our classes so jump on board
> and help this problem, BUT STOP DELAYING..we need help NOW..not 12months or
> longer...frankly, we're tired of waiting and talk and want ACTIONS.
> Personally, I'm tired of lip service to our plight.(you know the one..'its
> on the agenda for discussion...blah, blah," ).
> My students DAILY look to me for inspiration and enthusiasm..and when it
> wains, they spot it a mile off. I love my job, but crikey its tough when I
> must constantly 'self teach' via online tutes and similar to keep current
> all the time with the demands of an I.T (and multi-curriculum) classroom
> where the hardware and software become out of date in no time flat!
>
> Like an earlier member said, I am self taught with most of my software
> skill due to distance and cost factors. It would be nice to be
> professionally taught for a change..its not easy being an I.T. teacher and
> knowing the industry wants/needs our students but the education system seems
> to be squeezing us out!
>
> reckon that about covers it..
>
> ok..I'm done..my fingers are tiring now...
>
> Kent Beveridge
> PASSIONATE I.T. teacher of many years, PASSIONATE Maths teacher too!
> Multi talented, multi skilled,
> MULTI STRESSED(nature of the job!) (often subtle in speech and comment)
> yada yada yada..
>
> St. Brigids Cath.Sec. College, HORSHAM, Vic  (3hrs from Melbourne on the
> Western Hwy!)
>
> cheers kiddies...
>
>
>
> ________________________________________
> From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au [yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au]
> on behalf of Phil Callil [P.Callil at xavier.vic.edu.au]
> Sent: Wednesday, 28 July 2010 12:46 PM
> To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Yr7-10it] More great value PD - Introduction to Scripting
>     inGame  Maker
>
> Guys, VITTA has been active in setting up PLNs throughout Victoria.  This
> is not a solution but certainly part of the solution.  VITTA provides
> seeding money to help you organize PD events in your region.  We know it's
> not enough but the realities is that VITTA does everything it can as a not
> for profit organization to provide support and encouragement for IT in
> education in regional areas.
>
> Adrian as President, myself as Vice President, the rest of the Executive
> and the Committee all put into countless hours to keep the association
> going. The staff in the VITTA Office are A1.  I can vouch for that
> personally.  VITTA punches above its weight in national and state issues in
> matters relating to ICT in education.  We are all passionate in trying to
> support regional members. Adrian travelled to Horsham to outline the changes
> to the study design.  VITTA gave as much support as we could for the
> Slide2Learn conference in Shep precisely because of its innovation and
> location and learning opportunities for regional members.
>
> Next year, we plan to run a regional conference and we hope that you will
> support it in a pro active and constructive way.  More about that later.  As
> you know, there are considerable expenses in running any PD in rural
> settings but we do as much as is feasible and we continue to be mindful of
> providing professional learning opportunities for our regional colleagues.
>
> The bottom line is we need to have a critical mass to be able to run more
> regional events.  VITTA would simply cease to exist in any form if we run
> events for groups that are small.
>
> If you have constructive and creative ways in which VITTA can help you that
> are logistically  possible and meet your professional learning needs, we are
> listening and always ready to hear.
>
> Best wishes
>
> Phil
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Phil Callil
> Faculty Head ICT
> Xavier College
> 9855-4163
> www.xavier.vic.edu.au
>
> Vice President VITTA
> www.vitta.org.au/
>
>
>
> >>> "Hutchison, Geoffrey G"  7/28/2010 12:14 PM >>>
> Join the conversation. Been going on these boards for 3+ years. Going
> nowhere.
>
> Geoff Hutchison
> McGuire College (Shepp)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Hall, Rod M
> Sent: Wednesday, 28 July 2010 12:00 PM
> To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Yr7-10it] More great value PD - Introduction to Scripting
> inGame Maker
>
> Do know that those teachers in "rural" settings are striving also to
> deliver an inclusive and engaging curriculum. Often learning many
> software applications by themselves as the faculty may not be large
> enough to share learning and spending considerable time to do so.
> Enthusiasm is a driving force and the opportunity to share PD and
> learning helps to refire the enthusiasm when it can wane because the
> skill set  may not be as up to date as desired. PD opportunities are
> highly welcomed - YET once again all PD for terrific (say)  Gamemaker
> applications remains city based and (currently) from 4.30pm to meet the
> needs of the city folk. Here us loud and clearly in the country - PLEASE
> consider opportunities for Regional PD - we will drive an hour to get to
> a location but a 7 hour return trip is just not an option for 2 hours of
> sharing.
> Get on line country teachers and put your thinking  to VITTA - maybe the
> power of the numbers may well stir those talented people to offer their
> travel time with VITTA support to come nearer to you .
> One can only hope so.
> Yours in frustration
>
> Rod Hall
> Bright P-12 College
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Kent Beveridge
> Sent: Wednesday, 28 July 2010 8:53 AM
> To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Yr7-10it] More great value PD - Introduction to Scripting
> in Game Maker
>
> Anything on for us up here in the country that we dont need to travel
> etc...etc...???
> Scripting PD's etc.
>
> Or do we miss out yet again....
>
> Kent.
>
> ________________________________________
> From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] on behalf of VITTA Professional
> Development [pd at vitta.org.au]
> Sent: Tuesday, 27 July 2010 4:08 PM
> To: Yr7-10it
> Subject: [Yr7-10it] More great value PD - Introduction to Scripting in
> Game     Maker
>
> Hi folks and sorry for the cross-posts,
>
> Fabulous value Professional Learning: You pay less for this quality
> event due to a subsidy provided by Multimedia Victoria.
>
> "Excuse me... How do we use these scripting functions?"
>
> Introduction to Scripting in Game Maker
> This PD session will introduce participants to scripting in Game Maker
> by creating drag-and-drop games. VITTA and experienced teacher Nat
> Bradshaw present a practical session of learning where you will explore
> Game Maker in order to inspire and engage. Game Maker allows you to
> quickly create exciting computer games. Gain confidence in programming
> skills and develop an exciting game to showcase to your students.
>
> Game Maker's simple drag and drop interface is friendly enough to use
> with as young as Year 3, but through its powerful scripting language, it
> is suitable for students at all levels. With Game Maker you can easily
> create games such as top view, platform games, first person shooters, 3D
> and networked multiplayer games. It is a fully fledged programming
> language capable of non game applications such as physics simulations
> and databases.
>
> This Professional Learning session will be on:
> Date: Wednesday 18th August 2010
>
> Time: 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm
>
> Venue: Melbourne High School, Forrest Hill, South Yarra, Victoria 3141
> Melways Map Reference: 2L J3
>
> For more info and registration go to:
> http://www.vitta.org.au/events/event/introduction-to-scripting-in-game-m
> aker
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-- 
Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has." --Margaret Mead